Front Cross

[Alex W.]

Hello,

The cross on the picture below was created through a competition in 1943. Hitler agreed to a “Front Kreuz”, which was supposed to be awarded to those soldiers who didn’t get a chance to earn an equivalent award like the EK or the KVK. <O></O>
The award criteria was to be individually formed by each “Fronttruppenleiter". All troops of the “Wehrmacht” were supposed to take part in the design competition.<O></O>

The Ribbon was to distinguish fighting troops from non-fighting troops and further more give the possibility to mark each and every year of war participation. <O></O>

The swastika part was supposed to be a major role of the cross<O></O>

<O></O>

Does anyone know more about this cross ? Is anything known about prototypes of this award ??

[George Stimson]

Do you have any more background info on this award? What's the source of your illustration?

[Frank Heukemes]

Klietmann, "Die Auszeichnungen des Deutschen Reiches 1936 - 1945".

[Alex W.]

Do you have any more background info on this award? What's the source of your illustration?

The two best proposals were honored with 6 weeks special leave. The next ten best proposals were supposed to earn 3 weeks of leave of the individual. <O></O>

The whole “Frontkreuz” idea was proposed by a Lt. Dempewolf (Artillery Regiment 252) on the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:date Year="1943" Day="20" Month="7">July 20<SUP>th</SUP> 1943</st1:date>.

<OSource of information is “Auszeichnungen des Deutschen Reiches” by Kurt – G. Klietmann<O</O

[Alex W.]

Does nobody have more info on it ?