• Iron Cross 2nd Class
• Bar to the 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class

Introduction

The Iron Cross 2nd Class was identical in shape to its predecessors, but the old crown, oak leaves and initials that decorated all previous Imperial Prussian Crosses gave way to Nazi imagery. Meant to reward single acts of bravery it was highly regarded in the opening days of the war. In the later war years, and certainly during the crumbling of the German infrastructure toward the end of the conflict, it was presented with more liberalism. In spite of this the Iron Cross 2nd Class was valued and many of recipients proudly recall in detail the deeds for which they were presented the award.

Manufacturing and Technical information

The Iron Cross 2nd Class measured 44mm in diameter and was held by a black, white and red ribbon representing the colors of the new Reich. Even though it was distributed in great numbers, the quality of the Crosses manufactured remained very high. On the obverse it featured a mobile swastika in the center and the year 1939 on the bottom arm of the cross. The reverse was plain except for its year of original institution, 1813, placed on the lower arm.

The Iron Cross 2nd class was made of three pieces; The iron core, an obverse and a reverse silver frame, with this frame being soldered together firmly holding the core. The finish was very neat and only an extremely fine line is visible. The rim being actual silver was the exception rather than the rule since most were constructed of polished and lacquered “German silver” (an alloy of copper, zinc and nickel) and a few examples from the final stages of the war can even be found with non-plated zinc frames. Soldered to the upper arm of the Cross was the ring that held the ribbon loop and this loop often bore the manufactures mark. The absence of a mark is common, and a Cross without a mark should not be viewed with suspicion on this basis alone. The core was normally solid iron, either chemically frosted or painted flat or semi-flat black. Exceptions to the core being iron are the Crosses used by Kriegsmarine personnel. These had a blackened brass or copper center, because as one can imagine iron would not last long exposed to the salty atmosphere of the high seas.

Presentation, Wear and Documents

The 2nd Class was presented in two ways; A blue paper envelope with gothic letters naming the award (“Eisernes Kreuz 2nd Klasse”) or a fitted simulated leather presentation case. The latter was generally the case for privately purchased pieces or recipients of a higher rank. The individual also received a standard award document and the proper signatures and stamps were place on his soldbuch. There was only one official document for the 1st and 2nd Class, though small details may vary depending on the date and Military branch. The document was written in gothic or normal lettering with the name, rank, unit, and grade of the Cross being awarded and the proper signatures and stamps as illustrated below. Usually there was no explanation in any Class of the actions that merited the award, though on rare occations the deed was described in the back and it was signed and stamped.

Iron Cross 2nd Class Award Document

When presented the Iron Cross 2nd Class was suspended from the ribbon in the 2nd hole of the tunic. The actual Cross, however, was seldom worn after the inicial presentation. This practice was reserved only for official functions and portraits. Instead, for every-day wear only the ribbon was worn, either on a ribbon bar or again through the 2nd buttonhole in traditional Prussian style. For this reason most of the official copies sold were replacements in the cases where the original was somehow damaged or lost. There are also special documents for posthumous awards.

Award Criteria

The official criteria for the award was a single act of bravery in the face of the enemy, or actions that were clearly above and beyond the call of duty. It was also occasionally presented to military auxiliary personnel where the War Merit Cross without swords would have technically been more appropriate.

Heer and SS personnel would receive the Cross for a successful action in which the soldier distinguished himself. Platoon commander SS Obersturmfuhrer Eric Brorup of the 5th SS Panzer Division was decorated on December 1, 1942 for leading a reconnaissance forest raid in the Eastern front during which a fire fight ensued. His platoon inflicted enemy casualties and brought back six prisoners, two of them NCOs. It was not uncommon for an entire unit to receive the Iron Cross 2nd Class, for example the entire crew of U-29 was decorated on September 18th in recognition of their sinking of the 22,500 aircraft carrier HMS Courageous on the previous day.

Approximately 3 million Iron Cross 2nd Classes were awarded, and though this is a high number it must be remembered that it was presented to Axis Allies and civilian uniformed organizations in addition to the armed forces.

	Obverse		Reverse

1939 Bar to the 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class

1939 Bar to Iron Cross 2nd Class issue envelope and 1914 Ribbon.

The Bar was introduced in order to recognize those recipients of the 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class who again exhibited courage or merit during Word War II. It was initially constructed from high quality silver-plated white metal with attractive highlights, but as the war dragged on silver coated or painted zinc was used. The Bar consisted of an eagle with outstretched wings holding a wreathed swastika. Below the swastika a trapezoid bar bore the year 1939. On the reverse it had four prongs that were used to secure the Bar to the 1914 Imperial ribbon from which it was worn (on the 2nd buttonhole of the tunic). It measured 32mm by 31mm. In addition to official copies, the recipient could also purchase a smaller “prinzen” version of the 1939 Bar which measured 25mm by 25mm. This was intended to be place on the medal ribbon on formal occasions when the actual Iron Cross was mounted and worn as part of a group. Still another variation is miniature bar that was worn on the ribbon bar by field personnel that chose this fashion over wearing the ribbon on the tunic.

Iron Cross 2nd Class (1957 Reissue)

Iron Cross 2nd Class 1939 - 1957 Reissue

The 1957 version of the Iron Cross 2nd Class features an Oak Leaves spray in the center obverse, replacing the outlawed swastika. This is the only change to the award, which remains otherwise identical in proportions and design but not in quality, which is generally significantly inferior. It is worth noting that Iron Crosses that were manufactured immediately after 1957 retain a higher degree of detail than those produced later. Also, most contemporary Iron Crosses lack the mat frosting applied to the frame and are simply produced from stay bright alloys. A ribbon with the same colors and length as the 1939 version holds the award.

Most veterans who remained in Military Service chose to wear this decoration as a ribbon bar.

1939 Spange to the 1914 Iron Cross 1957 Reissue

In the case of the Spange to the Iron Cross 1914, the award was totally redesigned and the new piece bore no resemblance to the 1939 edition. The Spange is a rectangular bar with the year “1939” and an Iron Cross 1957 in the center as illustrated above. The reverse has two prongs that facilitate attachment to the Imperial ribbon.

Iron Cross Index

Iron Cross Recipients Index