the Soviet Union only allied with us because they knew their asse* were getting kicked, come on everyone knows this. We only allied because we had a common enemy, what followed after World War 2 children? Cold War anyone? The Iron Cross plays a more important role more than you might think.
Iron Cross. - Originally created in 1813 by King Fredrick III during Prussia's period of 'blood and iron' - their struggle for survival against Napoleon.
- It was intended to replace other traditional awards during times of war, such as the Order of the Red Eagle or the Pour le Mèrite(known as the Blue Max during WW1).
- In practice, all other medals were issued as well as the Iron Cross.
- All 1813 medals had the upper central letters "FW" for Frederick III (Friedrich Wilhelm)
- The Iron Cross was re-issued during the Franco-Prussian war (1870-71).
- All 1870/71 medals have the central letter "W" for Wilhelm I
- It was revived for the 1914-18 war
- all 1914/18 medals have the central letter "W" for Wilhelm II
- Hitler (who had been awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class in WW1) reintroduced it in WW2
- All 1939/45 medals have the swastika in the central position.
- In 1957 the banned "nazi" Iron Crosses were re-issued in a de-nazified version.
History of the Iron Cross