German Cross in Gold

Here is my German Cross in Gold. This is marked '20' on the pin for Zimmermann (manufacturer). It is also field etched, that is not jeweler engraved, with the name of an Oberleutnant in the Sturm-Brigade, 4th Fallschirmjager Division:



Here is a rare German Cross in Gold Stickpin for wearing on the lapel of your civilian clothes. You don't run across these very often and this is the nicest one I've ever seen:

 

This is a very disctinctive decoration, but I've never been certain where it fits in the 'hierarchy' of Third Reich decorations. With three different grades of Iron Cross to choose from, why was this one introduced... or were the criteria for the award of a different nature ?

 

In December 1941, Hitler introduced this medal to slow down the awards of the Knight's Cross. The German Cross in Gold (combat related) is higher than the Iron Cross 1st Class but lower than the Knight's Cross. One was to earn the EK2, EK1, and DKiG before qualifying for the RK. The DK in Silver was for making contributions to the war effort but not in a combat role. SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Karl Demelhuber was awarded the DKiS for his liason with the Finnish Government after commanding the 6. SS-Gebirgs-Division there for about 9 months.

Bob

 

Thanks again, Bob - I'm actually learning something here

I had never previously realised that the the RK was only awarded after the others ; I'd quite wrongly assumed that ( like the VC or MoH ) it could be awarded for an act of exceptional merit.

 

Martin,

There are genuine instances where somebody has been awarded the EK2, EK1 and Knight's Cross all at one time, or in very close proximity. Also, many of the early Knight's Cross recipients, those before the December 1941 institution of the German Cross, have been subsequently awarded the DKiG. Instead of getting the Oakleaves for their next outstanding achievement, they would be awarded the DKiG. This is apparent when you have men who were awarded the Knight's Cross before December 1941, but are wearing the DKiG.

Bob

 

Hi Bob!

Very much thanx for sharing these rare and beautiful medals to us!

BTW, I´ve seen ( one in a pic ) made of fabrics. Was its only purpose to be just easier to wear or is there another story behind it? Or are those fakes? Thanx!

 

Yes Kai, there was a cloth version of the German Cross in Gold. I've never seen one in silver though. Here are two examples: one has the gray-green backing for the regular Army and Waffen-SS tunics, and the other is with a black backing for wearing on a black panzer jacket. They also had a blue-gray for Luftwaffe, a tan for tropical, and a white for the white summer uniforms. Many of the white ones, along with a lot of the insignia had snaps on the back for easy removal for cleaning. The majority of the cloth version is cloth but the wreath with the 1941 institution date is metal.