Hitler's Iron Crosses

[EKman]

Friends, I was reading this afternoon, and I noticed that in all of the pictures of Hitler I have ever seen, he is often wearing his 1914 EKI and black wound badge. My question is this...Was he also awarded the EKII? I know that it was typically understood that you had to have the second class award before you could be awarded the first class award, this accounts for them being awarded at the same time in some instances. So, if Hitler was an EKII holder, does anyone know why he never wore the ribbon or a mounted one? Heck, maybe he did and I have just never seen the photo, if that is the case, could someone post such a pic.
Thanks

[Darrell]

Friends, I was reading this afternoon, and I noticed that in all of the pictures of Hitler I have ever seen, he is often wearing his 1914 EKI and black wound badge. My question is this...Was he also awarded the EKII? I know that it was typically understood that you had to have the second class award before you could be awarded the first class award, this accounts for them being awarded at the same time in some instances. So, if Hitler was an EKII holder, does anyone know why he never wore the ribbon or a mounted one? Heck, maybe he did and I have just never seen the photo, if that is the case, could someone post such a pic.
Thanks

Yes ... He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class on 2nd December 1914.

[EKman]

Yes ... He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class on 2nd December 1914.

Thanks for the info. Does anyone know why we neve see photos of him wearing it? I know that even after the July assasination attempt, he didn't award himself a July 20th Wound Badge and tended to be highly conservative in his dress and appearance, especially in contrast to some of his medal encrusted cronies. So, why would he wear the EKI and wound badge, but no indication of the EKII?

[landsknechte]

Thanks for the info. Does anyone know why we neve see photos of him wearing it? I know that even after the July assasination attempt, he didn't award himself a July 20th Wound Badge and tended to be highly conservative in his dress and appearance, especially in contrast to some of his medal encrusted cronies. So, why would he wear the EKI and wound badge, but no indication of the EKII?

My guess is that he was intentionally going for the "minimalist" look, so that the differences between what he earned and what some of his more well-festooned compatriots earned wouldn't be so obvious.

I don't think it was even possible to have the EKI without the EKII, so the presence of the EKI would confirm the presence of the EKII.

--Chris

[George Stimson]

Hitler did wear the EK 2 ribbon early in his career.

[Gary B]

As an aside, Hitler was recommended for the award of the EK1 very early in the war, a great honor for an EM at the time, but due to several events the award was not given. It was several years later that he actually received the EK1 (1918, I believe and for different actions than the aforementioned 1914 recommendation). He was also the recipient of 1 or 2 Bavarian bravery awards.

Gary B

[Tim Tynan]

Once he had the EKI there really was no need to wear the EKII ribbon. For AH, who sought recognition, the social status that went with the EKI was what he enjoyed.

Tim

[Gerd Becker]

He got a Bavarian Military Merit Cross 3rd class with swords too.

[fknorr]

As an aside, Hitler was recommended for the award of the EK1 very early in the war, a great honor for an EM at the time, but due to several events the award was not given.

What were these events?

[George Stimson]

Here's a medal bar with three of the awards won by Hitler in World War One.

[PaulR]

So all of his awards are:

1914 EK2
1914 EK1
Bavarian MVK 3rd class with swords
Bavarian Service Medal
Wound Badge in Black

Was he awarded any others for his service in WW1?

Paul

[Blitz]

A Hindenburg cross perhaps?

[dmwg40]

maybe another reason

From what i have read, the officer who put him forward for his iron cross was jewish as well. maybe this issue later on was why he didnt wear them much.

[EKman]

Without a doubt he would be entitled to the Hindenburg cross with swords. That is a very good pic of AH with the EKII ribbon, seems that I have seen that one before, I just didn't remember, thanks for the reminder. It would be interesting if anyone could tell us what his bravery citations were for. I believe that the wound badge was for suffering from the effects of a gas attack and I also seem to remember that he was cited for riding his motorcycle through an artillery barrage in order to deliver a message when he was serving as a messenger, but I may be mistaken about that.

[Darrell]

I also seem to remember that he was cited for riding his motorcycle through an artillery barrage in order to deliver a message when he was serving as a messenger, but I may be mistaken about that.

I read that he was awarded for his bravery as a "dispatcher" as well. Never read him being on a motorcycle though ...