Why didnt Hitler get the KC?

[Haraldur Axel]

Hello all, i was just wondering why Hitler was never awarded the Knight-Cross
Wasnt he supreme commander of the German forces?

[Franco]

Hi,
The reason why, is because he deliberately kept his awards to the two badges he earned in the Great War.
Cheers

[Steve Campbell]

He also wore a party pin, but he never really got to carried away with it like some other leaders past or present. If you look at Imperial generals, and royalty they are always festooned with medals and ribbons. I believe Hitler viewed himself as a common man and soldier, and actually despised the old class systems and royalty. He is quite diffrent than say Goring.

[redfaced]

Like those nutcase dictators in Africa who drench themselves in medals. I'm sure they award themselves with 'Distinquished Washing-up Medal' and 'Watering the Plants 1st Class'. Not forgeting 'Recognition for Totally Ruining the Country' - like that miscreant Magabe.

[Haraldur Axel]

Ok so that was a reason he viewed himself as an common man/soldier

I havnt read much about Hitler, so i just had too ask

[Steve Campbell]

Hitler spent a good many years after WW1 in complete poverty and on the fringes of society. He was not from an aristocratic family like many of his commanders and generals.

[Haraldur Axel]

Hitler spent a good many years after WW1 in complete poverty and on the fringes of society. He was not from an aristocratic family like many of his commanders and generals.

So basically he never considered himself as a part of the upper classes?? although he was the leader of the whole of Germany.

[Jim Woods]

If you noticed of the 6 imperial awards He only wore 2 and you very seldom saw him with his Blood Order but always the Golden Party Badge.

[Steve Campbell]

There is a diffrence between a polictical leader and a traditional class sytems that defines an individual's status in society according to thier birth.

[Don D.]

So basically he never considered himself as a part of the upper classes?? although he was the leader of the whole of Germany.

He saw himself as the leader of a new class of man. Ironically he could not cut away totally from the old class or the 1939 EK series would never have been.

[münster]

He saw himself as the leader of a new class of man. Ironically he could not cut away totally from the old class or the 1939 EK series would never have been.

Well he wore what he earned, have to give him that much.

[Steve Campbell]

Yes he won the EK1 in WW1, which wasn't always easy for a private, as this award was often reserved for officers. This is why the RK was brought in. It was an award any soldier could win, not just officers or generals. It could make the common fighting man the equal of a high ranking officer.

[bobcam1]

While we're on the subject.....Was there any special protocol associated with the receiving of a Knight's Cross, as there is with the recipient of a US Medal of Honor?

For instance, a Medal of Honor recipient, regardless of rank, must be saluted in passing, by all ranks. They also receive an extra monthly stipend, and their children are given preferential consideration for entrance into the Military Academies.

I just wondered if there were any similar or exclusive treatments for the holder of a Ritterkreuz?

Bob.

[Vid]

I will take a risk here and give an opinion.

I think the man was much more of a manic personality with huge aspirations than an egotist who needed to embellish himself with awards. This was a simple man.

I also think he was a man out of time who placed a much higher emphasis on conquering territories and handing out awards than taking credit or awards for something he obviously felt was Germany's destiny or just due in the first place. He was in his mind Germany, a fanatic.

He was described on several occasions as Bourgeoisie, this guy resented the establishment and likened himself to warriors such as Frederick. This was not a man who needed medals, he was his own driving force and a force driven by anger. He was a very simple but very complicated person, if not for his era or the times in which he found himself, he would have no doubt died in a gutter.

A man such as this would in most cases would self destruct as an unknown with no place in history at all. But destiny or fate or speaking skills put this simple man on a path that was anything but simple.

But thats two glasses of wine, I will see what this answer looks like in the morning.

Best,

Kris

[Haraldur Axel]

If you noticed of the 6 imperial awards He only wore 2 and you very seldom saw him with his Blood Order but always the Golden Party Badge.

I had no idea that he won that many awards, i knew about the WB and IC and the GPB. I have too catch up on history, Can anyone recomend a good book about him?