ManufacturingA look at the making of the Iron Cross 2nd ClassA detail view at makers and characteristics of this class 1st ClassA detail view at makers and characteristics of this class Clasps of the CrossA study of the 1939 Clasps presented to those that had earned the 1914 Iron Cross DocumentsDocuments of the first two classes CasesCases of the first two classes RecipientsRecipients stories and wear gallery Iron Cross IndexBack to the Main Iron Cross Chapter

Imagine a typical German house, in the 1960's.  There is can sitting amongst the clutter on top of grandma and grandpa's refrigerator.  It is unassuming, red and rectangular, with the scratches and dings that years of household living bought on it.  Most would never know as they walked in and out of the kitchen skirting running young ones that the contents the humble can protected were a few decorations earned in the field of battle, amongst them a now tired and tarnished silver and black cross that once brightly glittered from the chest of a proud young Opa.  The medals remained there, out of view and all but forgotten, until the days after the last breath left the veteran.  He had not forgotten, but he also would not talk.  The tin can, after so many years, yields the Iron Cross like a genie; the content of the red can the only the evidence of the war story of this man.  If they could talk they would tell of a time when the triggers was squeezed in defense of an unattainable cause, of times that we now picture in black and white but that were all too colored then.    

This small corner of the site is dedicated to telling stories of Iron Cross recipients.  An attempt to bring to life the decoration we study in such detail, and a reminder that we have now are pieces of history that was written by both notorious and ordinary men.

Julius Karl August (1911 - 1942)

Those who earned the lower classes of the Iron Cross were the backbone of successes of the Wehrmacht.  Their actions and achievements provide examples that help explain why Germany was able to bark the world at bay for nearly five years.  Long after the great Blitzkrieg victory parades of the early campaigns the ranks of German soldiers continued to fight with frightening efficiency.  Limited by their resources, they often obtained the unattainable and held on to ground against all odds.  It is not only a wonder what they achieved in victory, but also what they achieved in defeat.   Some of the most tenacious defenses were displayed when attempting to save trapped or encircled comrades, and loyalty to each other keep the Wehrmacht fighting until the end even when the outcome of the war was a forgone conclusion.  Their wholesale courage that became recognized with the Iron Cross.  

The European fight against Bolshevism included many nations.  Alongside German men were Dutch, Spanish, Italians and Croatian volunteers who were eager to embark on the journey East.  These men fought who alongside their allies did so with distinction, and many were honored with the Iron Cross.  See the Croatian Recipients of German Decorations page (located in the Axis Allies section) for more information on that topic.  

Recipient Stories 

  

The picture above is an official press photo. The back of it reads - "The German red sisters Geolinde Münch and sister Hanni Weber were distinguished for outstanding application with the Iron Cross II. Atlantic, 21.7.1944/Re.E.M"

 

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