The Iron Cross in its various classes was a standard medal
awarded to all organizations of the Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe and
Kriegsmarine. Despite the prestige of this medal, it was very
widely awarded having about 6 million recipients throughout
wartime. The Iron Cross awarded during the second world war
had 1939 imprinted in the center, which is the year of its
reintroduction. The Iron Cross was awarded to recognize
acts of bravery.
The Iron Cross comes in two grades, Second Class and First
Class. The Iron Cross First Class could only be awarded to
one who had previously receive the Iron Cross Second Class.
Hence, the First Class was more restricted and more highly
prized.Both the medals looked very similar and were worn on
the same position on the lower left side of the uniform.
When the Iron Cross First Class was awarded, the Iron Cross
Second Class was signified with a small ribbon attached to a button.
April 20, 1945. Outside his bunker,
Adolf Hitler awards Iron Cross to
Hitler Youth on his 56th birthday.
Various German items, underneath is a german map of northern Denmark
