to

0100010
SUPREME HEADQUARTERS ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
USA.CGSCi

EVALUATION AND DISSEMINATION SECTION ^COUNTER INTELLIGENCE SUB-DIVISIONJ

ACCESSIOr-
PO RG!STR

GERMAN MEDALS
AND
DECORATIONS

E.D.S/G/7
COMPILED B Y MIRS
(LONDON 8RANCH)

11 i

P O B E V 0 R D

This manual, which is designed primarily for the use of intelli gence personnel of U.S. and British armies, nas prepared by the MILITARY
INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH SB3TION, London Branch, for the SUPREME HEADQUARTERS
ATJiTJSD E3FSDITIONARY FORCE.
Requests for additional oopies of this publication should be made
through channels to the EVALUATION fcAND DCSSEMINATIC^f SECTION, G-2 (Counter-
Intelligence Sub-division), REAR ECHELON, SHAEF, Comments, including oor rections of factual detail, should be transmitted promptly and may be
addressed directly to the MILITARY IIOTLUGENCE RESEARCH SECTION, 1*0
Park Gate, London, S.W.7.

I.
TABLE OF CONTSi-JTS B*rt 1 . Pago S e c t i o n A. GEUT5KAL COMBAT I . IEOI1 CROSS (Eirnas:'Kruz) 1 . I r o n C r o s s of 1613. 2 . I r o n Cross of 1870. 3 . I r o n Cross of 1914.

k* Iron Cross of 1939.

I I . V 2 A R 23EVID3 OF MERIT CROSS (lvrio-svordinstkrwuz) ( I I I . THE MOUND BADGS (lta.s Verwondetenabzaiehon) IV. ORDER OP THE (HHi:^ CEDSS (Kriegsorden dec
Duutschon Kreuzes)
V. THE I-I0I'';0R-B0LL 13ADGE (Die 3hrenbla.tt-3pange), V I . BSA.VEEY ^ D SERVICE OF MERIT BADGE FOR EASTEHN
VOLUIITEERS ( T a p f o r : : a i t s * mid Verdienstauszeichnung
fiir yjigebBrigt: d a r 0tvflH:er)
S e c t i o n B. ASSAULT I . INPAN'CRY ASSi'iULtT BADGE (lnf3Lntri-Sturma.bzfilojan).... I I . TANK ASSAULT BADGE' (Psuizerkampfabzaichon) I I I . ASSAULT BADGE (GENERAL) (Stuna*.bzichen (Allsc::iinos)) IV. OPECI/LL INSIGNIA FOR TIE SINGLE-HANDED DESTRUCTIOIi OF TANTCS ETC. (Sonderabz^ichen fttr das LTiedorld4inpfn von Panzerka.-npfvja.gcn usw. oiirch_ EiiizlkJLapfer) V. CLOSE-CO^EAT BADGE (Nahkampfapanse)..... V I . ARMY ANTIAIRCRAFT BADGE (Kecrs-Flak-*i.bzeichn S e c t i o n C. CAKP4-I<iAr DECORATIONS I . SPANISH CHOSS (Spanien-Kruuz) I I . AUSTPvIAJf COMMEMORATION MEDAL ( K e d a l l l e llririnorung an disn 13 iffl-rz 1938) 12 12 8 8 9 ,

10 IX)

RESTRICTED

I I .

I I I .

SUDJiJTilN COl'foH&CIUTIDN MSBaL ( i J e d a i l l c a u r Krimiorung an dn 1 Oktobar 193& j

12

IV. MHL GO.i.2E2vDRAT3D)i M K D A I * (Modaillo zur Srimiurung an di Hoiukehr ds Manrellandos) V. DANZIG GROSS (Danzigor Kruz; VIw NARVIK SHIELD ( l l a r v i k c c i i i l d ) V I I . CKfcTE AEMBAin) ( l n n l b a n d Krtai) X3 13 13 13 14 34 15 13 15 16 16 17

V I I I . CIDLK SHIELD ( C h o l m a c h i l d ) . E l . KASTEEK PliONT JGIlaL (Ostn:od^.illo) X. CHIim SHIELD (KrlTischild) XI. DEMJANSK SHIELD (Demo&nskschild) X I I . KUBAN SHriLD (Kubanschild)

X I I I . GUEEILlA-WAia'AEE MKDiiL (Bamd(Mik;npf-Abseichen) XIV, Ai'RIGA AEMBAND (Irrcclbcnd Afrilca^ XV. GERMAN-1IALIAJI COiMMKyOEATIDN MCDAL I t a l i ^ n i s c h e Erimienuigsniedaille} S e c t i o n D. XAZI PARTY DECORA.TIQNS I . NATIONAX SaCIALIST ORDEK OF BLOOD OP 9 NOYMBiP 1923 ( N a t i o i i & l - S o z i a l i s t i s c h e s B l u t o r d e n von: 9 N o vcmbcr 1923) I I . INSIGNIA OF HONOR FOR THE PIHST 100,COO MEMBERS ( S h r e n z e i c h e n ftir M i t g l i d s r u n t r l^UEcuer 100 000y COBURG BADGE (Coburgcr-Abzcichen)

lb

18 18 19 19

I I I .

IV. NijRNEERG PiJJTY CONVENTION BADGE OF 192S (Ntinibcrgor Parteit&gsabzGichcn von 1929) V. BADG-K OF THE Sil-COWIS.TIOII AT BRAUNSCHWEIG OF 1931 (Abseichen von 3*i-reffoi: BrJ.uiisch-A'-jig 1931) HESTRICTJ5D

in,
GOLD HITLER-YOUTH MDGE (Goldenes ILJ-Abzeiqhcn) V I I . NAZI PARTY S3HVIC3 BADGES (NSHJPDien3t^i3 zeichnungsn).. ; V I I I . DISTRICT IN'SIGXIA. OF HONOR OF THE NAZI (Gau-I2ircnzcichcn der NSDAP) S e c t i o n E. MISCELLANEOUS DECORATIONS I . MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVERS' BADG-E OP MERIT 21 I I . MARKM\KSE3P AWARDS (Schlitzcnkuszaichnungon) I I I . LONGEVITY MEDALS (^ienst&uszeichnungon)... IV. SOCIAL SERVICE EuiLG-E (iSlirnz*ichn flir doutsche Volkspf lags) V. GERLiUJ DLTOISS-v&LL i'EDAL (Dcutsches SchutzvAll-Ehrenzoichon) VT. AIR-DSPENSS iJBrtvL (Luftscftut z-Ehrcnzeichen^ VII. A 1 A A K D S FOR LIF'ti-SAVINCJ (Blohnvmg von 1* Lif0-Sa.ving Hod^L \vitli Ribbon (Rottungs ]Lda.illo din 3and) 2 # Comnieiiiorfc.tion Medal f o r Rescuo from Dsuigor (Erinnerungsmdi.ill f\ir Rettung aus G s i ' a J i r ) . . . . . . 3 . P u b l i c C i t a t i o n ({Jffantlich Bslobigung) VIII. G E R M A N EAG-LE ORDER Oi1 KSRIT ( V a r d i a n s t orden vo:n Dutcchn Adlor) IX. CROSS OP HONOR OF TIES W O R L D W A R (iShrenkreuz des W*ltkrigs) X. SPORTS BADGES OF HONOR (Sporthrnzuich<m) 1 . SA-MilitAry B^dg (SA-v/lirabzeiclion) 2 . German Reich Sports I3adg (Deutsche* Richssportabzichn) ^. 27 27 26 21 22 < 19

19 20

23 24 24

25 25 25 25

RESTRICTED

IV. 3 . German Olynpia. Awards (Deutsche Ol^inpiaAuszeichnungen) 4 . German 13Dtor Sports Badge (Deutsches Liotorsportabzeichen) % German Horseman's Badge (DGutsch.es Reitera.bz<sichen) 6. Hitler-Youth Proficiency Badge ) -.. *

27 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28

7 Goman-Youth Proficiency Bridge (DJ-Lci3tim.gsa.b2icli<m} ... 8 # Hitler-Youth Leader Sports Badge (HJ-Fttlirraportabzoichn) 9. Grman-Girls-Socioty Proficio-ncy Bc (BDII-Leistungsabzeichen) 10, Hitler-Youth Bi*.dg for Sharpshooters (HJ-Schissauszeichnung fttr Sch&rfschtitzsn) 11* Hitler-Youth Badge for Riflemen (HJ-Scl^ess^.usziichnung fftr Schutzen) XI. RE3DH IABOR SS53/IC3 BADGES 0? (R-iD-DicnstauazGiclmungffin) XII. POLICE SEB/ICE BADGES GP MERIT

..-.

29 29

X I I I . CUSTOM SERVICE BADGE 0V H O N O R ( Zollgrcnzachut z-Ehranzc ichen) ICIV. FIREMEN'S BADGE OF H O N O R (Fcuenvcihr-Ehrcnzc ichor.) XV. MINERS' BADGE-QF H O N O R (Grubaiv.vehr-Iilhrenzeicheny XVI. FAITHFUL SERVICE MEDALS (Treudienst-Iihrenzcichcri) XVII. G E R M A N ^ATIONA.L FRIZI5 FOR ART AND SCIENCE (-Jeuiischar Mitionalprois ftir Kunsc und Wissenschai't)..

29 30 30 30

30

V.

XVTII. DR. rari'Z TOUT PRIZE (Br.Prit z-^odt-Prois) XIX. G E R M A N MDTHERS1 CROSS OF H O N O R (Ehrenkrouz d c r dcutschen M u t t e r ) . . Section P . M E D A L S OF HISTORICAL INTEREST I . MEDALS OF THS PRE-WORLD W A R AND W O R L D \&R PERIOD. 1. Blucher S t a r (31uchrstern} 2 . Pour L l.:orit 3 . House Ordsr of Hohcsnzollcrn (lia-usordcn von Hohenzollarn) 4 . Ordor of tlie Crov/n (Kronenordan) 5. Order of th Rad Sa.gl (Rotor-Adlcr-Orden) 6. Militstry Service of ilorit Cross (MilitSLrverdianstkrouz) 7. Rd Cross Modal (Rote-Krauz-Jfod&ille) 8. Cross of Morit for Aid in the War Effort (Verdienstkreuz fttr KriogshilfQ) ...

30 31

32 32

32 35 33

33 33 34

I I . DECCRATICITS OP THE BALTIC iuTD SILSSIAN CAMPAIGNS OP 1919/20 1 . B a l t i c Cross (Baltonl:reuz) 2 . Silesifiji Badge of Msrit ( S c h l e s i s c h e s Bavrfthrungsabzeichan; 3 . Rolaaid of Bremen (Brmr Roland) 3k

*..

34 3k

I I I . DTDIVTDUAL STATE DBCCEATICNS. 1 . PRUSSIA a) Contannial Uodal (Centnan.iodaillo) 35

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VI.
b) Prussian Military Service Badges (Preussische DicnstauZichnungn) c) Prussian Militia Badge (Preussische Landwhr3LUszcichnung)
2.

35 35

a) b) c) d)

3.2Llitary Order of St. Keinrich (Milit&r-St* -Heinrichs-Ordn) Corcmnder's Cross (Koianiandeurkrauz) Friodrich August 2I&dal (Friedrich-August-Medaillo) Bravory MedaJL of S (Siich-ische Tapforkitsm9CULille}
3- BAVARIA

35
35 35 35

a)

M i l i t a r y Ordr 1&LX Joseph ( )

35
35 35
35

b) Military Medical Order (Militar-Sanitat s-Ordn) c) Bravory Modal in Gold and Silver (Goldn und Silbwrno Tapfarkfiitsracdaillc)
(Bayerische Di<matauszichniaign)

d) Military Service Badge*

a; b)

Military Servic of Merit Cross (Militar-Verdicnstkreuz) Military Service of Mrit Medal in Gold (Golden* Militax^-Verdienstmedaille) ,

35 36 36

c) Military Service Badges (Wirttnibergi3ch0 Dicnstauszciclmimgen;

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VII. 5. B A D K N &) Military Order of Kerit Karl Friedrich (MilitSLr-Karl-Priedrich-Verdiin3tordn) b) Service of Merit Lledal (Badische c) M i l i t a r y Service Badges (Badiache Ddenstauszeichnungen) 6. OTHERS a) Heasen Bravery Medal (Hessische T^pforkditstnedaille) b) Mecklenburg-Schwerin Scrvica of 15srit Cross (Macklenburg-Schwerin Vordianstkraaiz) c) Ip.ppe-Dtinold Service of Merit Cross (Lippa-Detniold-Verdienstkreuz) d) Braunschweig Service of Merit Cross (BrsLunach'weigiscliess-Verdienstkrcjuz) e) Oldenburg P r i e d r i c h August Cross (Oldenburger-FricBdrich-August-Krouz) S f) Sachscn-iiha.rt S^rviot of &crit Cross ( ) g) Hamburg H&nsa Cross '. 36 36 36 36 37 37 36

37
37 37

h.) Braiaen H&naa Cross (3rtsiner-Hfiaisei.tCii-Krauz) i ) Hibeck HansA Croac (Lubclcer-Hanceii.tcii-KrQUz) 7* AUSTRIA a) l i i l i t a r y Order Maria Theresia (llilitar-Marien-Thresi9n-Ordei\ /

..

37 37 37

b) Bravery Medal (Tapferkaitsmadaille) c ) ConsnemDration Medal (Sriiinerungaacdaillc) .BESTRICTED

VIII.

& } Military Service of Lorit Cross

(iiilitJtr-Vordir.st-Kreuz) o) Austrian Wound Badge
(Oesterr<*ichischcs Vorviimdctanabsoichon) f) Karl Military Service of Murit Hodal

37
37

37

g) Franz Joseph Bravory Uodal (Franz-JophHTapf arkeitsmod&illo) h) Karl 3ravory Modal (Karl-T&pf arkeitamodailla ; i ) Franz Joseph Service of }<icrit Cross
(Franz-Joseph Militftr-Vordisnstkrcuz) j) Karl Troop-Gross
(Karl-Truppcn-Kreuz) 8. M.T1Q11S ALLIED T O aEHMAKY IN a ) Hungarian Gotani3DrAtion Hedal
( Erinnerungsraedjiillc)
b) Bulgarian Gonmfflaoration Medal
(Bulgarisclio 3ri2inerungsmodaille) c) Turkish Half-lfoon
(Tferkiccher Halbinond) Section a,
SPJSLLL

37
38
. 38
38

38
38

JJli rOHCK

I . ViiR-iTjIGHTS BaR GEObT OF DDCOIL.TIDNS (Frontflugspan^n) 1 . War-Flights Bar for I?ightr Perscnnol
e flir Jag*r) 2, War-Flights 3ar for Bornbor Personnel
(Fontflugspange ftir KL.iUpfflieger) 3 . V/ar-Flights 3^r Heconnaissance Personnel
(Frontflugspan^G fur xoifklarur) 4 War-Flights Bar for Transport Personnel
( Front flug spang fur Transportfliogor } ,
#

39
39
40
40

IX.

5) ^ a r - F l i g h t s 3ax for Ki^hWightttr Personnel (Front flugspange ftir ICaclit jager) 6) Pendant to 1/ar-Flights Bars i n Gold (Anhlngur zur goldenen Frontf lugspange) I I . G R C U U D C0I3AT BADGE OF THE AIR FOSCE (Erdkarapfabzcichen dor Luftwaffe)

40 40 41

I I I . SILVER OF H01I0R FOR DISTINGUISHED COLSAT ikCOOMPLIS-DdENTS (Ehranschale fttr hervorra^orid Karapfleistungen) 42 IV. AIR FORCE AITCIAIRCRAF? BADGE (Kwapfabzdichon dr Fladcart i l l e r i c ) V. 0TIE2R iilR liORCE DE00BATI01 1. Cup of Honor for Spscis.1 Aooomplishnonts in Air Warfare (jihrenpokaLL fftr bsondrc Leistung im Luftkriog) 2* Photograph of ^"Reichsmai'schall' 1 in a Silver Fr&iiia (D&s Bild des Horrn Reichsmarschall im Silberrahmen) 3 . Tho Goldan i3ook for Flying Peraonnl .a goldene Buch der F l i e g e r ) . . . ^ 4-. Honor L i s t of th n i r Force (Ehrenlist a der Luftmffa)
S e c t i o n H. SPECIAL MVY miCOR. JIOHS

42

4-3

43 43 4-3

1 # Submarine Sorvi'cfa :-3aoge (y-13oots-Krigs abzv;ich, n 1939) 2. Destroyer Service 3&.dg (Zrst5rer-Krigs

44

44
3 . llinesrwepr and Eaoort Urci't Service .-ifedgo (Kriegsabzaichen flir iiinansuch.-, U-BootsJagd- und 3icherunt,3vorbabidii) 4. *xrnd Ltordiant Cruiser Service Badge (Kriegsabzeichen fiir Ililfskrcuzer). 4-4 44 45

5 # Fleet Sorvic* 3adg<i (Flotten-Krigsabzichn).,.

RltfSJRICTSD

X. 6. PT-Boat (E-.3oat) Srvico Badge (SchnllbQot~Krigafiibzc>'ich@n} 7 . Blockado j&mners Ba.dg (Abzeichn ftlr BlockA&obrttchar) 8 Nava.1 Coast A r t i l l e r y Badg (Krigsabzichcn ftir I f e r i n t a r t i l l o r i e ) Section I , CBRTIPICATBS OF A W A 3 H ) (BfisitzsGUgriisse;
n H D W MEDALS ABE W O R K Section J . EXAMPLES O f c

..

45 45

45 46 46

Part 2. A. GENEKAL COMBAT DECOEAIICNS B . ASSAUIiC BADGES C. CAMPAIGN DECORAT3DNS D. NAZI PARTY UECOKATIONS B . MISCKriTANEOUS -33BCOHATJDNS !? MEUiALS OF HISTORICAL INTEREST PIATES I - I I PLATE III

PIATES IV-V PLATES V I - V I I - V I I I .PLATES I X - X - X I - X I I XIII-XIV-XV PL&TES XVI-XVII XVIII-XIX-XX XXI-XXII PL^iTE PLATE XXIII XXIV

G. SPECIAL AIRFORCS DECORATIONS H. SPECIAL NAVY DECORATIONS I . CERTIFICATES 01'AWARD J . EXAMPLES OF HOW MEDALS ARE YftHN

PLATE XXV PLATES X5CVI-XXVII

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I I T T R 0 DUCT I O N

Tha info relation and illustrations contained in this report war compiled from a great variety of sources. In general, the official German publications nCrdn und llirenzeichen11, "AllgamGine Hre3mittilungsnrt, Hcoro3vrordnungsbllttrM, and "LuiftwaffeVererdnungsblatter" irare used as prihiary sources, However, other o f f i c i a l , 3<wni-offioial and unofficial German publications, such as training manuals, periodicals, catalogues, news pap era, tc. contributed a wealth of material. Some fsw of the illustrations wore taken from the Hiar Office Weekly Intelligence Review". Cap tured medals and photographs wcr* also oi' inestimable value in clearing up many doubtful points. The volumes* of the German "Meyers Lcxikon" were- combed for soryly-needod information on the "Medals of Historical Intarost" section of th report. It w & . s found rather difficult to group this miacllany of medals -with some sembLinca of logic, inaamnch as rr^n^ of them would readily f i t into mortt tlian one category. The report i3 divided into the following tvro parts: Part 1. Tho text presents in detail a l l the portirnsnt informa-tion available on G-erraun decorations. This pert i s divided into tm> sections, numbered from A to J* Part 2. The photographic r pro ductiona of the decorations l i s t e d and described in Part 1. This part consists of photographic plates of i l l u s t r a t i o n s , numbered from I to XXVII. The illustrations are numbered fron 1 to 214, and thss numerals correspond with these found in th* text, thus providing a. handy croGS-rfrnce.

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XT

1. Bart 1. A. GiMRAL O O L i B A T DECORATIONS I. IROK CBOSS (iiiiserneBKreuz) 1 . Iron Cross of l u l p ( p l a t e 1-1)

The Iron Cross, the oldest and best-known of a l l German decorations, was o r i g i n a l l y rounded on 10 Lj&rch 1513 by King Friedrich wilhelm I I I as a Prussian s t a t e medal. This o r i g i n a l Iron Cross of 1813 i s i d e n t i c a l i n shape with t h e Iron Cross of today. I t bears in the center three oak leaves; t h e crown of Prussia with the l e t t e r s "FT/" (Friedrich WilheOjn) belov/ i t , i s In portrayed a t the top while the year M l813 ir i s inscribed a t the bottom. the war years 1813-15, a t o t a l of 8542 Iron Crosses were d i s t r i b u t e d among s o l d i e r s of the. Prussian Besides t h e Iron Cross 1st and 2nd c l a s s , King Friedrich 'tVilhelm also founded the Great Cross of t h e Iron Cross (Grosskreuz des Sisernen Kreu25es). This decoration -was awarded only five times during t h e war of l i b e r a t i o n 1813-15* I t s r e c i p i e n t s were: Blucher for the b a t t l e of Katzbach; Bttlow for t h e b a t t l e of Dennewitz; Tauenzien f o r the capture of V/itteribcrg; and Tork for the b a t t l e s of Laon- P a r i s . For p o l i t i c a l reasons, the f i f t h Great Cross went t o the then Crown Prince of Sweden, the former French General Berxitidotte.
2

* Iron Cross of 1870 (Plate 1-2)

u?hs Iron Cross was reintroduced oy King Wilhelra I of Prussia on 19 J u l y 1870, the day France declared war on Prussia. Unlike the Iron Cross oi' 1313, t h a t of the Franco-Prussian ,.ar was not embellished with t h e center oak-leaves. These were replaced by t h e l e t t e r "ft11 (Viilhelm), while the P r u s s i a n crown appeared a t the t o p , and the year "1070" a t the bottom. As the e a r l i e r Iron Cross, t h i s a l s o has three c l a s s e s : 1st c l a s s , 2nd c l a s s , and t h e Great -Jross. The f i r s t recipient of the Iron Gross 1st class of t h i s war was L t . Col. von Hellwig, C O . of the 9th Hussars, "Regijnont Bheiji11. The following number of awards were made during the war years of 1870-71: 9 Great Crosses, 130^ Iron Crosses 1st c l a s s , and 43,005 Iron Crosses 2nd c l a s s . The r a t i o of award was approximately one to every twenty s o l d i e r s . The following were r e c i p i e n t s of the Great Cross: Crown Prince F r i e d r i c h Tfilhelm; King ^Libert of Sascony; Grand Duke F r i e d r i c h Franz of iuecklenburgSchwerin; Prince F r i e d r i c h Karl of Prussia, and t h e Generals von Moltke, von Ifitnteuffel, von Goeben, and von Warder At the conclusion of the war, King V/ilheLu I , a t the e n t r e a t y of h i s General Staff conferred the Groat Cross upon himself. Crown Prince Friodrich Wilholm was the f i r s t recipient of the Great Cross for h i s v i c t o r i e s a t Weisseriburg and Yforth. RESTRICTED

2.
3 . Iron Cross of 1914 (Plate 1-3) Kaiser '.Tilhelm I I r e i n s t i t u t e d th Iron Gross for the t h i r d time on 5 August 1914. For the f i r s t time i t became e l i g i b l e to non-Prussians, as well as to menibersof the Gorman Uavy. An order of 16 March 1916 autho r i z e d the award of the Iron Gross to soldiers of the nations a l l i e d to Germany, I t i s i d e n t i c a l in design with the e a r l i e r Iron Crosses, with Those the exception t h a t "1914" replaces the M187O" at the bottom. already possessing the Iron Cross of 1870, and -who wore again av/arded the Iron Cross of t h i s war, received a b a r having a miniature Iron Cross i n i t s center and inscribed with the year "1914"This b a r wa.3 worn on the ribbon of the e a r l i e r Iron Cross. The Iron Cross 2nd c l a s s vas worn on a black-white-black ribbon, while the Iron Cross 1st c l a s s was pinned to the breast without a ribbon. The award of the Iron Crosses of t h i s war closed on 51 -larch 1924 with the following t o t a l s : 5,196,000 Iron Cross 2nd c l a s s ; 218,0C0 Iron Cross 1 s t c l a s s ; 5 Great Crosses. In t h i s war every t h i r d German s o l d i e r received one form of the Iron Cross* The following were r e c i p i e n t s of the Great Cross: the Kaiser; Hinderiburg; Llackensen; Prince Leopold of Bavaria; and Ludendorff. In addition 13,000 Iron Cross 2nd c l a s s were awarded for distinguished services a t home. These were worn on a white ribbon, edged with black. *- Iron Cross of 1939 ("Plate l/k~3)

On 1 September 1939 the Iron Cross vtis reintroduced by H i t l e r for the fourth time, t h i s time a s a Reich national decoration. The Iron Cross of today may be awarded for conspicuous bravery i n face of t h e enemy, or for outstanding services in leadership on the b a t t l e f i e l d . It is a black cross edged with s i l v e r . In i t s center reposes a. swastika, v/hile the numerals H1939" are inscribed a t the bottonu The ribbon i s blackwhite-red from the edges i n m r d , the single c e n t r a l s t r i p e being the broadest. There are several gradess of t h i s decoration, and they rank i n the following order: Iron Cross 2nd class (lowest grade) Iron Cross 1st cla-ss Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Oak Leaves to the Knight f s Cross e) Oak Leaves with Swords to the Knight's Cross f; Oak Leaves with Sivords and Diamonds to the Knight's Cross g) Great Cross of the Iron Cross I f the holder of the Iron Cross 1st or 2nd c l a s s of t h e war of 1914-13 should win the Iron Cross in the present war, he does not receive another cross; he i s awarded instead & s i l v e r bar i n t h e form of the German e a ^ e and s m s t i k a , under which i s the cte.te "1939". (Plate 1-6) This bar i s worn on the ribbon of the Iron Cross 2nd class or pinned to the blouse immediately above the Iron Cross 1st c l a s s .
a

) Iron Cross 2nd class (Kisernes Kreuz II.K1.) worn suspended from the ribbon

The Iron Cros3 2nd class may k

H3STRICTED

3.

over the left breast pocket. Usually, however, the ribbon alone i s TPorn passed through the second buttonhole of-the blouse. (Plate 1-4) fc) Iron Cross 1st class (Ei3ernes Kreuz I.K1.) Awarded to holders of the Iron Cross 2nd CIASS only for further acts of bravery on the battlefield. It i s the same as the 2nd class medal, but i t i s -worn, fastened to the left breast pocket, without a ribbon. (Plate 1-5) All members of the Armed Forces, regardless of rank, are eligible to receive the Iron Cross in a l l grades. The awards are made in the name of the Ftthrer on recommendation of the C-in-C of the respective branch of the Armed Forces, or the Chief of the High Command of the Armed Forces. The award of the cross in a higher grade i s predicated on th possession of the next lower grade. c) Kni^it's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkrcuz das Eisernen Kreuzes) This next higher grade of the Iron Cross may be awarded on the decision of Hitler only. It may be bestowed for the display of excep tional personal bravery having a decisive effect on th outcome of a battle. This cross i s larger than the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class, and is worn around the neck on a broader ribbon of the same colors. 1781 Knigiht's Crosses were awarded during th fir3t 3 years of the present war. ^) O & k Leaves to the Knight's Cross (Eichenlaub zum Ritterkrus) This decoration consists of three silver oak-leavs oountod on the ribbon, immediately above the Kni^it's Cross. It was awarded for the first time at the memorable session of the Reichstag on 19 July 1940 to the now dead Ctonralleutnant Di*tl for his conduct of the campaign at Narvik. By the middl of Jarfuary 1943, 182 members of the German Armed Forces had received this honor. (Plate 1-7) e) Oak leaves with Swords to the Knight's Cross (Eichenlaub mit Schwortern zum Ritterkreuz) This medal, mounting two crossed swords blow the oak leaves, has been awarded 24 times up to April 1943* (Plate 1-6) f) Qak Leavos with Swords and Diamonds to the Knight's Cross ( i h i " h ifr Schwertern und BriilantGn zum Ritterkrouz) This decoration, one of the highest Gnnan award for bravery, i s similar to the one above, but with the oak lea.vs and the sword-hilts studded with diamonds. Up to a year ago only th five most successful fighter pilots received this decoration, in the following order: RESTRICTED

4.

Obcrstlt. Holders; the now Gancralmajor Galland, inspoctor of ni^xt fighters; ilajor Gollob; Obit, iiirsttille on his reputed 125th a i r victory; and finally Obit. G-raf on his 172nd a i r victory. (Plato 1-9) T h bestowal of th Iron Cross, as well as of a l l other German decorations, i s in each instance accompanied by a certificate of award (Basitzurkunda), which remains in tho possession of the recipient. g) Great Gross of the Iron Cross (Grosskruz dts Eisernen Kreuzes) This highest of Gorman decorations i s worn suspended from the neck on a broad black-whi'tc-rod ribbon. In size i t i s double that of the Iron Cross. I t i s awarded only for outstanding achievements which have a decisive influence on the course of the war. "Reichsmarschall" Gttring i s the only wearer of t h i s modal, having received i t in recognition of his creation and development of the German Luftwaffe. II. , ; A R Safl/TCa O F HBBIP C B O S S (Kriegsverdianstkreuz)

Hitler founded t h i s decoration on 18 October 1939 to reward ser vices for which the Iron Cross could not be conferred. The Knigjat's Cross of the V?ar Service of Llerit Cross was instituted on 28 August 1940. This decoration na.y be awarded in the following four grades: 1. 2. 3. 4 War Service of \in.r Service of E l l i o t ' s Cross < V a r Service of Merit Cross 2nd class (lowest grade) Lierit Cross 1st class of the War Service of Merit Cross
Merit lisdal

This decoration i s in the form of an eight-pointed xfclteso cross,

bearing in i t s contar tho swastika within a round wreath of oak loaves.
Tho year "1939" i s inscribed on the reverse side. The 2nd class cross
i s bronze, while tha 1st cls.ss is silver. It may be presented with swords
for special services while und^r ciiCuiy fir, or for extraordinary services
coniiocted with tho conduct of the -war; without s\vord3 for special services
in connection with tho war effort,but not at tho frcnt under enemy f i r e .
In exceptional cases, at the discretion of Hitler, the War Service of Merit
Cross may bo awarded to wo.uon. V < h o n awarded with swords, these ar
crossed diagonally, with tho points upwaros under the circular center of
the cross. The holder of the Iron Cross i s not eligible for tho award
of the ,/ar Service of iierit Cross. T h holder of the \/ar Service of
^ r i t Cross may now war tho Iron Cross, if awarded, as well as the War
Service of i k r i t Cross.
The 2nd class cross (plate 11-10) i s worn on a ribbon, or th
ribbon~aTone rcay be v/om from the buttonhole of the blouse. This ribbon
i s red-v/Iiite-black froiu the edgos inward, the single central stripo being
the broadest*
xh 1 s t c l a s s c r o s s i a worn fastened t o t h e b r e a s t without a
r i b b o n " ( P l a t e 11-11)
RESTRICTED

5.
The Knights Gross of the Ws.r Service of LIcrit Cross (Ritter krcuz des Kriegsverdienatkreuzes) is silver. I t i s larger than the 1st and 2nd clasr crosses, and i s suspended fro:.: the neck on a broader ribbon of the saine colors* The best oral of this decoration i s reserved for the 5'HQirer. I t may also be conferred -with svords for outstanding adlit&ry deeds that decisively effect the trend of the viar, or without svjords for outstanding acco.-ipliahments in connection with the \*.r effort. The ffa.r Service of Llerit Itieclal (Kriesveixiienstiedj.ille) i s bronze. I t cornea in the 3hape of the cross fastened on a round disc. On i t s reverse side ia inscribed "liir Kriegsverdienst 1939" Thia-medal io reserved exclusively for thoae civilians Y.iio performed v.dth merit tasks connected with the production of v/ar material, such as a lainiffium of six months1 aervice in a V O L T plant, etc. The ribbon i s the siJiie as tha/c of the War Service of Merit Cross, excepting that a narrow red stripe runs lengthwise in the center of the black, (plate 11-12) III. T H I SW O U N D M D Q B (Das Verwundetenabzeichen) The Wound B^dge \as rcinatitutod by Hitler on 1 September 1939. It i s similar to that of the last vr~r, and consists of itn ov;.l badge edged with a laurel v.xeath within vAiich a steel helmet reposes on tvx> crorjeed Sw-ords; S L svastika. i s . auperinposed on the lielniet. This swastika is not present on the Yt'ound B^'dge of 1914 for members of the Army. (Plate I I - l j ) In the var of 1914-13, members of the Kavy were ^wsirded a. distinct iound of their ovaa. (Plate 11-14) The \7ound Badge i s awarded t o thoae vdio heve sustained vunda o r b o d i l y i n j u r y ( f r e e z i n g e t c . ) through d i r e c t encsny a c t i o n . I t i s /.:,.rdcd i n t h e following t h r e e grs.dea, r.c-oending upon t h e number, o r s a v e r i t y of t h e wounds: 1 . i?i black (lowest grade) f o r tliose wounded once o r twice
2 # I n s i l v e r f o r those wounded J J o r 4 times
3* I n gold f o r those wounded inore than 4 times
The Wound Badge i s v/orn without a ribbon on t h e l e f t breact of t h e
b l o u s e . Multiple wounds s u s t a i n e d a t one time count a s one wound. r h i s
badge i s n o t awarded f o r i l l n e s s o r a c c i d e n t , even though occurring a t t h e
battle front.
Tho badge in silver may be avianled, regardless of the number or the vound" to those who have lost a hand, a foot, an eye, or who througn enenc The badge in gold rxy be av^.rdea re^a-d act^on have become totally deaf. less of the number of the wounds, to those who have oecome totally blind through enemy action, or who have sustained OTU-a injuries rciiultii.g in ineiitai i l l n e s s . Civilian personnel employed in the construction oi -sue "7/estern Wall" are ^Iso eligible for the vround b^^e, if they were injured through enciy action. Since July 1943, i t say ^l^o be conTerrea upon those non^eribera of the Vehmc.cht 7A0 have suffered injuries ^irou-aciic:ry-,c^n in the t h ^ t e r of operations, in occupied t e r r i t o r i e s , iii jaent", or in the "Protelctorat". (Plitto 11-15;

RC5TR1GTED

6.

IV. ORDER OF THE G E R M A N CROSS (Kriegsorden des Deutschen Kreuzcs) This order wa.3 i n s t i t u t e d by H i t l e r on 28 September 1941, l a r g e l y to bridge tho gap between the Iron Cross 1st c l a s s and the Kni^vfc's Cro33 of the Iron Cross; e s p e c i a l l y i n view of the large number of the Iron Crosses 1st c l a s s a.-narded. The decoration c o n s i s t s of a dark grey, eight-pointod s t a r , edged vdth s i l v a r , and measuring 65 nun i n diameter. The center of the s t a r i s occupied by a large black, silver-edged smstika. on st f i e l d of dull s i l v e r vrlthin a c i r c u l a r l a u r e l ^vreath i n s i l v e r or gold, respectively* The bot tom of the l a u r e l wreath bears the date "1941" The German Cross i s -worn on the right breast mthout a. ribbon* I t may be av/arded: *- I11 s i l v e r (lower grades) for repeated services of exceptional merit i n tho conduct of the -war. 2. In gold for repeated display of extraordinary g a l l a n t r y in a c t i o n , or f o r repeated outstanding f e a t s i n leadership on the b a t t l e f i e l d . A preraquisitft for the award of the G-eraan Cross i n e i t h e r s i l v e r o r gold i s the possession of the Iron Cross 1st c l a s s , tho bar to tho Iron Cross 1st class of 1914, or- the Y/ar Service of Uerit Cross 1st c l a s s with swards. (Pla.t II-16) V. TICS HONOR-ROLL CUSP (Die Shrenblatt-Spange) H i t l e r founded t h i s decoration in Ljarch 1944. I t may be awarded to s o l d i e r s of a l l grades who iiave bean c i t e d in an order-of-the-d&y ( g bttfchl), and thus entered the "Honor Roll of the German Array" (iShranblsitt des Doutschen Heeres). The clasp c o n s i s t s of a golden svatstika. -within a c i r c u l a r oak-leaf vvreath, and i s Tsorn fastened to the black-white-red ribbon of the Iron Cross of 1939; the ribbon bein=; attached to th buttonhole of the blouse. The e l i g i b i l i t y requirements a r e : ) Possession of the Iron Cross 1st c l a s s , and , b ; ^xtraordinaiy a c t s of bravery i n combat of ii nature t h a t vould o r d i n a r i l y Justify the avmrd of tho I^night's Cross of the l i o n Cross. The a\vu.rd i s r e t r o a c t i v e for a l l those who have been c i t e d in an o r d c r - o f - t h e ds.y p r i o r to the i n s t i t u t i o n of t h i s clasp-of honor, (Plate 11-17) VI. BRAVERY A N D SERVICE OF MERIT B A D G E FOR M3TEHN VOLUNTEERS (Tapfer k e i t s - und Verdienstauszuiclinung ftir .AngatoSrige der Ostvttlker) Tliis badge, founded on 14 July 1942, nay bo awarded v/ithor with svjords &s a combat decoration for br&very, or m t h o u t s-words as a service docoration for meritorious, servives. I t crab races the folio-wing grades: RESTRICTED

7.
a) bl c^ dj J 2nd 2nd 2nd 1st 1st class, class, class, class, class, in in in in in bronze (lowest -rade), on a dark-greon ribbon silver, on a green ribbon with white edges gold, on a Ii2frt-green ribbon with ftiite edges silver gold

The f i r s t three aro worn from the medal-^bar, or the ribbon alone i s warn from the buttonhole of the blouse; the last two are -norn without a ribbon, pinned to the breast. The badge with swords is awarded for bravery to those Eastern voluntoers who participate in combat operations against the Russians under Gorman command, whereas the badge without svords i s conforr&d upon those Eastern volunteers who perform special services within the occupied Eastern provincos in connection with the war against "Bolshevism" . Members of the following volunteer organizations are eligible: 1 2. 3 4* Turkestan b&ttaj-ions, including Turkestan construction battalions Cossack units Crimean Tartars Local Security Forces (Iandtt3eigene SicherungsverbSnde), composed of volunteer local inhabitants, or discharged prisoners of war who are "defending thoir homos" against tho Russian ^rmy, the Partisans etc. 5. Police Forces (Ordnungsdienste) within the zone of operations 6* Volunteer local residents and discharged prisoners of war who enrolled in the Geim&n Army as "auxiliaries" (Hilfswillige).

Since November 1942, this badge niay also be avarded as & commemoration badge to those German soldiers, up to battalion commander, who have commanded or were members of units composed of Eastern volunteers. However, the possession of the Iron Cross 2nd class i s a prerequisite to the award of the 2nd class badge in silver, while possession of the Iron Cross 1st class is required for eligibility for the 1st class badge in silver. In addition to this decoration, members of foreign volunteer organizations originating from occupied Russian territories and incorporated into the German Armed Forces, who display extraordinary bravery or render special services, axe since March 1944 eligible to rocoive the Iron Cross, or the W a r Service of Merit Cross, respectively. The award of the Iron Crosses 1st or 2nd class i s predicated upon the possession of the corresponding class .of the Bravery etc. badge in silver with swords, vjhile the "Jar Service of Merit Crosses 1st and 2nd class without swords may b awarded to those who possess the corres ponding classes of the Bravery etc. badge in silver without swords. Furthermore, these volunteers > m y now also receive, under conditions that apply to a l l others, the Eastern Front iledal, th Wound Badge, and the various Assault Badges, (illustration-or description not available)

RESTRICTED

8. B. ASSAIJIfl BADGES

I # mPAl-TPHY ASSAULT BADGS (Infant erie-Stuxrabzeichen) Founded on 20 December 1939, t h i s badge may be awarded to o f f i c e r s , NCOS and privates of r i f l e companies i n infantry and mountain i n f a n t r y regiment3, v/ho hava since 1 January 1940 met a l l of the following t h r e e requirementSf Have taken part i n three a s s a u l t operations on 3 d i f f e r e n t days ^ Have beon in the foroaost l i n e s 3/ Have penetrated the enemy l i n e , weapon i n hand Successful armed rcxconnalssanco, a s v/ell as c o u n t e r - a t t a c k s a r e counted a.s a s s u l t operations, provided they laad to close f i g h t i n g . The badge i s s i l v e r for infantry and jaount&in i n f a n t r y u n i t s , and bronze for motorized infantry u n i t s . I t i s designed i n the form of an oval wreath of oak ltav<as, on -which i s superimposed a r i f l e with a fixed bayonet pointing diagonally upw.rd3 and to the l e f t , the whole being crcvuned by the Gorman eagle and s\,a.stika. This decoration i s worn without a ribbon on the l f t breast-pocket of the blouse, and i s amrtiod by tho regimental comiaander. Tha awnxd has now been extended to include other u n i t s of i n f a n t r y regiments, such as infantry howitzer ("gun) companies, a n t i t a n k companies e t c . , providing the conditions l i s t e d above have been f u l f i l l e d , (Plato 111-19) I I . TANK ASSAIHT BtlDGE (Psinzcrkaimpfabzcichon) Until i June 1940 t h i s badge was called "Pajizerkanpfvra^enkbzcichen 11. I t may bo ivaLrdod i n s i l v e r to o f f i c e r s and o t h e r ranks of Panzer u n i t s who since 1 January 1940 p a r t i c i p a t e d a s tank or armored car commanders, gunners, drivers or radio operators i n a t l e a s t throe engagements on t h r e e different days. Since 1 Juno i94O, tho same badgo i n bronze h&3 bsen extended to personnel of Panzer Grenadier regiments, Panzer reconnaissance b a t t a l i o n s , and a.rr;.ored car u n i t s . The conditions governing tho avj&rd of t h i s badge a r e tho same as those of tho Infantry a s s a u l t Bcdgo. This budgo c o n s i s t s of an oval oakleaf wreath onclosi.^ & huavy tonic, the viiole sunaounted by the German aglo oxA swastika. I t i s worn without a ribbon on the l e f t b r e a s t pocket. A rocent provision .nake a radical personnel e l i g i b l e , provided t b e y go forward into action in tanks and attend the wounded in t h e combat J r e a .
RESTRICTED

9.

Since July 1943, the Tank Assault 3&dge may be awarded in tho following four grades: &.) bj cj d; Grade Grade Grs.de Grade 1 (original grade) 2 # 3 4. awarded after 3 engagements n 25 " " " 50 " w 75

After participation in 100 or n:oro engagement3, the grade 4 badge be reissued with tlie numerals "ICO" superimposod. This badge i s awarded by comntnuers of Panzer divisions, (plate 111-20) III. A S S A U L TB A D G E( G E N E R A L ) (Sturffiabzeichon (Allgemeinec) ) The assault Badge (General) was instituted on 1 June 1940 for the purpose of rewarding personnel of the branches of service that support the infantry and Panzer arms, and who are not eligible to receive the Infantry Assault Badge, or the Tank Assault Badge. It v&s originally intended as an assault badge for engineers, but was later o:ctonded to include personnel of other arms w h o have an ancillary role in tho assault of infantry and armored formations. The sward i s made to personnel of the a r t i l l e r y , engineers, antitank and antiaircraft units, if they help to carry the assult forward and assist in achieving a break-through in the enemy's l i n e . lledical personnel are now eligible, if they attend or rescue wounded under the samo battle conditions as the assaulting infantry in tho close-combat area. The badge i s silver, and displays a hand-grenada crossed with a bayonet, surmounted by the Gernan eagle and swastika, the Tdiole enclosed within an oval -wreath of oak leaves. I t is worn on tho loft breastpocket of the blouse. Since July 1943, this bad^c is issued in the same four grades as the Tank Assault Badge (par. I I , above), and under identical conditions. Its recipients may now include monibors of assault-gun units (Sturragoscbntzein heiten), assault-tank units (Sturmpanzereinheiton), a n c L self-propelled anti tank u n i t s . The number of (mr^oiaonts (Hins^tstage) for both the T & J i k Assault Badge and the assault Badge (General) will be computed as of 1 July 1943. However, those alrs^dy possessing either of thoso badges will be credited vdth three engagements for the period prior to t h i s date. In addition, personnel of the arms eligible to receive this badge, who have since 22 June 1941 had uninterrupted service in Russia or in Africa, will bo given credit for the following number of engagements: a) 25 engagements b) 15 engagements c) 10 engagements ( P l a t e 111-21) PJESTRICTED . . . for 15 months1 service ^ ^ u |?
6

1 0 .
IV. SPECIAL INSIGNIA. FOR THE SINGLE-HANDED DESTRUCTION OF TANKS ETC. (Sonderabzeichen ffcr das Niederkampfen von Panzerkampfwagen usw.
durch Einzelkampfer)
Founded i n March 1942, t h i s sleeve insignia, i s awarded to s o l d i e r s who single-handed destroy o r d i s a b l e a tank o r o t h e r armored v e h i c l e i n close-combat, r e s o r t i n g to close-combat weapons only, such a s a n t i t a n k r i f l e s , r i f l e s h e l l s , pole charges, hand-grenades e t c . One i n s i g n i a i s bestowed for each tank o r o t h e r armored vehicle thus destroyed o r d i s a b l e d . The decoration c o n s i s t s of an aluminum-colored band measuring 90 x l>2 mm, with a 3 m m "wide interwoven black s t r i p e both a t t h e top and bottom. I t i s worn as an armband on the r i g h t upper s l e e v e . One i n s i g n i a i s awarded f o r 3ach tank destroyed, and core tb.Ji one m&y be vrorn simulta neously. This decoration was formerly known a s rtSturmabzichon fCLr die Srledigung feindlicher Karapfwagen" After Since January 1943, t h i s i n s i g n i a may b awarded on a gold band. accounting for a f i f t h tank o r o t h e r armored v e h i c l e , a s o l d i e r w i l l , instead The four of a f i f t h s i l v e r i n s i g n i a , receive t h e decoration on a gold band. s i l v e r decorations arc then taken off, and t h e gold armband alone i s worn. ( P l a t e 111-22) V. CLOSE-COMBAT BADGE (Nahkampfspange) I n recognition of personal bravery displayed i n close-combat, hand to-hand engagements, H i t l e r inaugurated t h i s decoration on 25 November 1942. I t i s awarded t o s o l d i e r s for hand-to-hand combat with the r i f l e , p i s t o l , hand-grenade, k n i f e , o r o t h e r closo-combat weapon, while on foot and unsup ported. I t i s conferred primarily upon members of t h e i n f a n t r y , but o t h e r aims are e l i g i b l e , providing the p r e r e q u i s i t e s a r e complied with. Soldiers who alraa.dy possess the Infantry Assault Badge, may n e v e r t h e l e s s become r e c i p i e n t s of t h i s badge. The awird may bo made i n t h e following t h r e e grades 1st c l a s s i n bronz (lowest grade; 2nd c l a s s i n s i l v e r , c) 3rd class in gold for 15 dose-combat days tt tt n " 30 w a 50 "

The close-combat days are computed as of 1 Decaiaber 1942. However, soldiers who saw uninterrupted service on the Eastern Front after 22 June'l941 will be credited with the following number of close-combat days: ' 15 close-combat days 10 " for 15 months1 uninterrupted service 12 "

rt

The number of close-combat days required to receive the 1 s t 2nd, o r 3rd c l a s s badge, may be reduced t o 10, 20, o r 40, r e s p e c t i v e l y i n t h e ' c a s e of severely wounded s o l d i e r s who would otherwise have no f u r t h e r opportunity t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n close-combat engagements. RESTRICTED

11.
The Close-Combat Badge i s in the form of a long and nsarow metal brooch and i s worn above the left breast-pocket. I t s square center contains a bayonet crossed with a hand-grenade and surmounted by the German eagle and swastika.; each side of th center square i s ornamented with a design of rays and oak leaves, (plate 111-23) VI. A R M Y . AHTIAIRCRAFf B A D G E (Heores-Flak-Abzeichen) This badge -was originally founded on 18 July 1941, but the provisions of i t s award were nx>difi&d by the Army High Command on 4 September 1942. Since June 1941, i t may be awarded to officers and enlisted men of Army antiaircraft unit* (Heeres Fla-Truppen und Heeres-Plak-Einheiten) for repeated distinguished participation in successful engagements against enemy arial targets. The a.v<urd i s limited to individuals, md i s not conferred on a unit as a \tfiole. To become eligible, the individual soldier must accuriiulkte 16 points. H will b credited vdth two points for participating in th*s shooting down of an enemy plane* If the enemy plane wa.3 brought down by a soction of a battery (troop), without tho assistance of another section, then a l l the par ticipating members of that particular section will be credited with four points. One point will be given to crews of scarchli^it batteries (troops) for baing f i r s t in the sound detection of an enemy aircraft. This silver badge, worn on the left breast, bears within an oval
wraath of oalc leaves an 8.8 cm antiaircraft gun, the -whole surmountod by the
German J.iim2^ eagle and swastika.
The holder of t h i s medal is not barred from acquiring the Assault Badge (General). (Plate 111-24}

RESTRICTED

C I . SPANISH GSOSS (Spanien-Kreuz)x

CAMPAIGN DECORATIONS

The Spanish Cross i s awarded i n bronzo, s i l v e r , o r g o l d , and v.ith swords o r without s-words to former G<imari v o l u n t e e r s of t h e "Condor Legion" for t h o i r accomplishments i n the Spanish c i v i l -war. I t i s worn vdthout a. ribbon on t h e r i g h t b r e a s t . I t i s i n t h o form of a Maltese c r o s s embossed with a swastika within a c i r c u l a r d i s c i n i t s c e n t e r . I f awarded with swords, t h e s e a r e crossed d i a g o n a l l y with t h e p o i n t s upwards* Four lAiftmffe e a g l e s with swastikas s t r a d d l e t h e swords between t h e a r o s o f t h e cross* Two o t h e r decorations may be awarded to t h o s e who took p a r t i n t h e Spanish c i v i l war of 1936-39. One of t h e s e i s t h e s p e c i a l ;und Badge for those who sustained wounds i n t h i s campaign, and t h o o t h e r t h e "Spanien Hintorbliebenen-Kreuz", awarded t o t h o next of k i n of t h o s e who have f a l l e n on Spanish s o i l * ( P l a t e IV-25) II. A U S T R I A N OOl&saPB&IIQN 1MAT. (Medaille zur Srinnerung an den 13 lArz 1938) This i s a silver commemorative medal awarded to a l l tho3e who took part in the occupation and i n i t i a l administration of Austria, or had con tributed to the execution of the "Anschluss", whether military personnel or civilians. The medal i s circular in form and shows two a t h l e t i c male figures advancing with the flag of the Third Reich, with the nation-d emblem as t h e i r stepping stone* The reverse side bears the inscription "Bin Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Ftthror" and the date "13 laarz 1938". The ribbon i s red, edged with narro?/ stripe* of white-black-whito. (Plate IV-26-27) III. S U I 3 E T 3 NC O l * I L f f 5 & ) R A T I D N M B B A L (Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1 Oktober 1938)

This bronze medal commemorates the union of Sudctenland with the Third Reich, and was instituted on 10 October 1938. I t i s similar to the Austrian medal, but has on the reverse side tho date "1 Oktober 1938". The ribbon i s bla.ck-red-bla.ck,in stripes of equal width, with a very narrow edging of white* Tho conditions governing the award are the SSJIJ as those for the Austrian modal* The medal i s awarded also for service in the creation of the Pro tectorate of Bohemia und Horavia. To thosa already in possession of tho Sudeten medal, a bar to the medal i s awarded for work in connection with tho creation of the Protectorate* Th bar i s in the form of a bronze metal s t r i p bearing the image of the castle of Prague and i s worn clipped on tho ribbon of the Sudetan mdal. (Plate 17-28)

RESTRICTED

13.
^ M 3 M 2 L aM2S&)IUJI0N W&Jj (Medaille zur 3rinnerung an die Keim kehr das Memellances)

This medal canmemorates the return of Manel to th Third Reich on 22 March 1939, and was instituted on 1 Ulsy 1939. I t i s in <3uH bronze and the face i s of the saiac design as the Sudeten and Austrian medals. The reverse bears the inscription "Zur Erinnerung An Die Heimkehr Des Hemellandas 22 2ftrz 1939", enclosed within a wreath of oak leaves. The ribbon i s green in center, with white-red-white on both sides. (Plate IV-29) The Austrian, Sudeten and Memel Comment ration Medals are v/orn from the iTiedal bar on the left breast of the blouse. V. DalTZIG- C R O S S (Danziger Kreuz) This cross was founded by "Gauleiter" Forster of Danzig to commeiaorate the incorporation into the Reich of the city of Danzig. I t is awarded in t-wo classes* Class 1 i s warn pinned to the breast, -while class 2 i s warn on a ribbon of the colors of Danzig. (No illustration or description available) VI. N A R V I KS H T B T . I ) (Narvikschild) After the operations in Norway, Hitler on 19 August 1940 inaugurated a Ifarvik decoration to commemorate the "heroic and victorious joint operations a t Narvik". The dsooration i s in the form of an elongated shield showing the "Sidclweiss" of mountain regiments above an anchor crossed with an aircraft propeller, and topped by the inscription "Narvik 1940"; the -whole i s surmounted by the Grormn eagle grasping a wreath enclosing a swastika. The decoration, silver for the .army and Air Force, and gold for the Navy, i s -worn on the left upper sleove. All millibars of the Armed Forces who played an honorable part in the landing at Narvik or in ths subsequent operations, arc eligible for the award. (Plate IV-31) VII. C R E T E ABMBttlfl) (Irmclband Xrcta) This arniband decoration, inaugurated on 16 October 1942, consists of a white armbsnd with jold borders, and baars tho inscription "Krota". Worn on the lower left sleeve of the uniform, i t i s -awarded to a l l members of the Armed Forces vdio played an honorable part in tho land, sea and a i r battles for Crete. Members of the following ..nsy units who landed or paracliuted down on th island up t i l l 27 Liiy 1942, are eligible: 5th-JHCL6th fountain Divisions
2nd Battalion, 31st ^ank Regiment
55th Motorcycle Hifle Battalion
609th Antiaircraft iAchino-Gun Battalion

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V*.

Also eligible are members of tho Aimy who w^.t to sea with, the li^ht f l o t i l l a on 19 12ay 1941 and vho participated in tho sea-battle near the island. (Plate IV-32) VIII>CIICLL: SItlKLD (Cfoolmschild) This award v/as instituted on 1 July 1942 to commemorate the defence of the beleaguered city of Cholm on the Eastern Front by the "Kampfgruppe Generalmajor Scherer" during tho period 21 January 1942 and 5 May 1942, All members of the "V/ehrmacht" or those subordinated to i t who were part of tho garrison and who played an honorable part in the defense of the c i t y -within tho period named above, are eligible for the award. The decoration i s in the form of an elongated shield bearing the German eagle clutching the Iron Cross in i t s talons. The lower part of the shield i s inscribed "Cholm 1942". I t i s worn on the l e f t upper sleeve. The awards are made in the name of the Ptthrer by General Scherer, commander of the defending forces. (Plate IV-33) EC. & J S T 3 S R NffKOIITM S B A L (Ostmedaille) This medal ma founded on 26 L S a y 1942 to coinnemorate service or. the Russian Front during the f i r s t winter campaign between 15 November 1941 and 15 April 1942. I t s official German designation i s : "Y/interschlacht im Osten 1941/42 (Ostmdaille)M I t may be awarded to officers and enlisted men who have met one of the following prerequisites: a) Participation in at legist 14 days' fighting. For Luftwaffe personnel flights against tho enemy on 30 different days i s required. b) Wounding or freezing that resulted in the a-ward of the Wound Badge. c) Completion of a minimum of 60 days' uninterrupted service on the Eastern i'ront. Personnel of semi-military and auxiliary organizations are also e l i g i b l e , if daring the period prescribed, they -were subordinated t o , or were executing tasks directly on behalf of the Wehrmacht. The circular medal i s steel-grey. On i t s face i s found the inscription MY/interschlacht im Osten 1941/42," surmountod by a white steel helmet covering a hand-grenade; below the inscription appears a bayonet crossed with a sprig of laurel. The reverse side bears the German aagl and swastika with a sprig of laurel under the l a t t e r . The ribbon i s red, with a very narrow white-bl&ck-white vertical stripe in the center. The medal i s worn on the left breast of the blouse, or tho ribbon alone may be viorn from the buttonhole, (plate V-34-45)
HESTEICTKD

15.

X. C R I M E A . SHTTIiD (Kricischild) This campaign decoration was founded on 25 July 1942 in menory of the b a t t l e s on tho Crimean peninsula. I t i s awardsd to a l l members of the Armed Forces who participated in the Crimean campaign during th poriod of 21 September 1941 and 4 July 1942. Gene ralfeldmarschsll von l&nnstein has been delegated "by Hitler to distribute this shield. The f d i v i n g conditions govern the arard: a) Participation in a main engagement, or b . I/founding, or c) A ndnimum of 3 months* service on the peninsula Tho shield i s bronze and portrays the geographical outlines of the peninsula and the seas surrounding i t , 3umounted by the national insignia within an oak-leaf v/reath* To the left and right of this -wreath are inscribed the dctos "1941" andta942w, respectively. I t i s worn on the upper left sleeve. (Plate V-j6) XI. D B M J A f l S K SHIKTJ) (Denganskschild) Hitler founded t h i s cainpaign decoration in April 1943 in. memory of tho 14 month siege of the surrounded b a t t l e sector of Demjansk on the Eastern Front in 1941-42. All members of the vehrmacht y/ho played .an honorable part in these defensive b a t t l e s , are eligible. The original swards were made in the name of the Fuhrer by the CO. of the defending forces, CJencral Graf BrockdorffAlilefcldt (dead). I t i s v.^orn on the left upper sleeve. The shield contains tvvo crosfifed swords, with aji aircraft in fliglit across the points (in comraara oration of the fact that for 14 months the garrison had been supplied by a i r ) ; below the SYvord-hilts appear the numerals "1942", -while the inscription "Demjansk" i s slicftn abova the points. The v/hole i s cro-wned by the national insignia behind a crenelated rampart. Russian "auxiliaries" and others subordinated to the ;.eh2iaacht m & y be recipients of t h i s decoration. (Plate V-37) iai. I O J E A N miELD (Kubanschild) This shield was instituted hy Hitler on 20 September 1943 in commemor ation of the defensive battles on tho Kuban bridgehead on the Crimean penin sula. It nay bo au/ai-ded to a l l x.dlitary personnel, as V,<J11 as to othors subordinated to tho vV&hrnacht who oinco 1 February 1943 playcsd an honorable part in the land, a i r , and sea-battles on the Kuban bridgehead. The shield i s worn on the left upper slocvc of the uniform. The following prerequisites govern the

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Participation in a main engagement, or bj V/ounding, or c; A m-itn'm-im of 60 days1 uninterrupted service on the bridgehead Tho awards are made in the name of tho Ftihrer by Gonaralfeldniarschall von Klaist. (No i l l u s t r a t i o n or description available) XIII. GUERnJA-WABFABE M E D A L (Bandenkampf-Abzeichen) Hitler founded this badge on 30 January 1944 in r a coalition of the bravory displayed by mambors of tho Armed Forces in their fight, behind tho Sastrn Front and in the mountain fastnesses of the B;dkans, against the everincr<i&sing a c t i v i t i e s of partisan bands. All nembtfrs of the ^rmod Forces who participated for a certain minimum number of days in th fight against the partisans, may become recipients of t h i s badge. Personnel of forei,5n volun teer organizations engaged in conbat against thase bands are r.lso eligible. I t i s issued in the follov-dng thres grades: aj 1st class in bronze (lowest grade) b) 2nd class in s i l v e r . . c) 3rd class in gold. after 20 combat cbys " 5 0 " ii " 100

Crev/s of. s i n g l e a i r c r a f t o r of a i r c r a f t formations ...ployed i n t h e fight a # i i n s t p a r t i s a n bands may bo amrded the med&l under thu following conditions: 1) The 1st class modal. 2) The 2nd class me&il 3; The 3rd class medal after 30 canbe.t days M " 75 M " 150

Sach successfully accomplished flying mission, while under partisan fir, i s counted as v. combat day. Eac^i enemy aircraft shot down in coubat counts for three combat days. The G-uarilia-Vi'arfarc Lledal, vrn on the left breast of the blouse, consists of an ovn.1 oak-leaf v/r^ath with a massive vertical staff running through tho center; near tho top of this staff appears the swastika, while two two-headed snakes are curlod around tho lower end. (Plate V-39J XIV. AFRICA A R M B A N D (Xrmslband Afrika) ' M s sleave-insignia, inaugurated on 15 January 1943, consists of a khaki-colored amband of csuael-hair cloth with silver borders, and bears the inscription "Afrika", flankod on oach side by a palra lecf It is Y*orn on the lower right sleeve of the uniform. All members of tho Araad Forces are eligible if they have fulfilled at least one of the following A Minimum of 6 Lionths1 honorable service in Africa Wounding while serving in Africa Illness contracted on the African battlefield, and resulting in t o t a l or partial physical disability RESTRICTED

17.

This armband i s issued in a dark-blue color for members of the Luftwaffe. An earlier pattern, green vdth silver edging and the inscription "Afrikakorps" has been recalled and superseded by the Africa Armband. (Plate V-40) XV. GSRUoIT-IIALLUT C C l S / i E M O R f f l O N K E D f t L (Deutsch-Italieniscbe Erinnerungsmedaille) This round bronze medal 7*as awarded to members of both the Gorman and Italian Araed Forces who participated in the joint campaigns in North Africa. I t s face i s adorned by a triumphal arch flanked on tha right side by a swastika, a^d or. the left side by the Italian fasces; a true lovers 1 knot i s displayed below the arch. Tho bilingual inscription "Canipagna Italo-Tedesca in Africa Italienisch-Deutscher Peldzug in Afrika" surrounds the medal. -The ravursa side portrays two kni^jhts in medieval armor struggling with a crocodile. The ribbon i s black-v.Mte-red-s7hite-gron, thus combining the (Jenaan md Italian national colors. A recent order prohibits the wearing of this medal by members of the
German Aimed Forces. (Plate V-41)

RS3TRIQTSD

1 8 .

IIAZI PASTY

f f B L O O D OF 9 N O V E M B E R 1923 (National-
I . NATIONAL SOCIALIST- 0 B D S 5 RO S o z i a l i s t i s c h e s Blutorden vam 9 November 1923)
Thi3 medal wa.3 o r i g i n a l l y struck a t H i t l e r ' s command i n 1933, was a m r d e d to a l l those who took part with him i n the abortive "putsch" I t was l a t e r given a wider d i s t r i b u t i o n i n IJBnchen on-8-9 November 1923# and w^s awarded t o many Nazi Party members who had taken p a r t i n t h e s t r e e t JThe ordar i s regarded with t h e highest fighting of t h e pre-1933 y e a r s . respect i n t h e Party* The medal i s c i r c u l a r i n shape, and i t s faco portrays an aigle g r a s ping a l a u r e l wreath by i t s t a l o n s , within which i s inscribed the d.te M 9 Nov." Insiiediately below t h e e a g l e ' s beak i s found the i n s c r i p t i o n "Mftnchen 1923-1933" The reverse side bears a facade of t h r e e arches surmounted by a swastika from which rays emenate, and the i n s c r i p t i o n "Und I h r Habt Doch Gesiegt". The ribbon i s rd i n center with narrow whiteblack s t r i p e s on e i t h e r s i d e . I t i s worn on the r i g h t b r e a s t of t h e Nazi P a r t y uniform, Vilhen worn on m i l i t a r y blouses, t h e ribbon i s placed above the l e f t breast pocket i n l i n e with any other decoration that may have been awarded. The ribbon alone may be worn from the second-from-top buttonhole. There a r e several ways of wearing t h i s decoration. Members of t h e Luftwaffe may wear the ribbon i n the form of a half-cockade on the r i g h t b r e a s t of the flying blouse, d i r e c t l y below t h e swastika of t h e n a t i o n a l i n s i g n i a . ( P l a t e YI-42-43-4W-5) II. INSIGNIA OF H O N O RF O R THS FIRST 100,000 I / I S f e l B E R S (Ehrenzeichen fur ILtglieder unter Nummer 100 000)

This party badge i s generally referred to as the "Gold Party Badge" (Das Goldane Parteiabzeichen), As i t s t i t l e implies, t h i s high Party decoration may be worn only by those charter mesnbors of the Party whose, serial numbers are below 100,000 and who have belonged to the Party uninterruptedly since i t s foundation. The badge i s circular in shape and i s worn on the left side of the blouse or civilian Jacket. I t consists of a swastika around which i s the inscription "National-Sozialistisch DAP 11 , the whole surrounded by a golden vzreath of laurel leaves. The membership number i s found inscribed on the reverse side. (Plate VI-46) III. C03URG B A D G f f i (Coburger Abzeichen) wi-s issued to a l l members who p a r t i c i p a t e d i n t h e i n October 1922, known a s "Deutscher Tag i n Coburg". expedition from i t s home a t Minich ( o r s t e r Vbrstoss nach ITord-Bayern). Tho mooting was characterized by

This Party badge fafiious march on Coburg I t was the f i r s t NSDAP der P a r t e i von 2$mchen

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19.
bloody s t r e e t - f i g h t i n g , in which 800 S A nen suprossed the "red t e r r o r " . Aiaong the p a r t i c i p a n t s were H i t l e r and some of his early lieutenants. (Plate VII-47) IV". NftEKBlilRG PARTY CONVSIITIOII &iDGB 0? 1929 (lUlrnbergor Parteitags abzeichen von 1929) Tills gold badge -FAS founded to cornmamor&to one of the bloodiest Party conventions i n Nazi h i s t o r y , hold at Nttrriberg in 1929. ^11 participants of t h i s meeting -were decorated vdth t h i s badge. I t coms in th form of a siiield in tho center of which raposes an oagle perched atop a steel-halrnet embossed with a swastika* The shield bears the following inscription: "Iflirnbarg 1912K 1919 NSDAP - - Partcitag 1929". (Plate VII-43) V. BAi3&5 OF THE SA-C0NVi5NTIQN AT B&afoSCHnlSIG- O f f 1931 (libzcichen vom SA-Treffen Braunschweig 1931) This s i l v e r badge ^vas struck to coniineinorate the Party convention held a t 3raunschvroig on 17-18 October 1931, whan nearly 100,000 SA and 3S-mn, nainly of the M2A-G-ru^pe Nord11, assembled* At t h i s convention, which followed closely on the heels of the "Stennes putsch",-Hitler assured hiiaself of tho loyalty of the SA. 24 new "Standartan" were; founded, and tho wi.3otor-iii" JTiada i t s f i r s t public appearance. Th badg consists of an oval wreath of oak leaves having a bovv at th bottom. V/ithin the wreath i s found th inscription MSA-Trwffen 3raunschwcig 17/18 Oktober 1931" The wreath i s surmounted by the national insignia. (Plate VTI-49) VI. G O L D I-HTL3R-Y01JTH B ^ i 'D G B (Goldencs HJ-^ibzeichen) Tl^is badge of honor was founded by Baldur von Schira.cn, the "Rc-ichs jugendfuhrr" on 18 August 1934* I t was awarded to a l l tlipse Hitler-Youth mezriber3 of tho Party, who could orius themselves of uninterrupted membership in tho Party at the l i i s t o r i c a l Scich Youth meet ins ? 2 Octobur 1932. I t i s zlso knovai z.& "HJ-Shrenzoichun" (Hitier-Youth i3GGo of Honor, I t i s designed in the shape of a diamond having a gold outer frame, and a bl&ck swastika in the center. The designs .round the swastika aru rod and white. (Plate VII-50) VII. ?JA7,T P;,KTY SBRVIOS Bi'JXSES (NSDAP Dienstauszcichnun^on) These badges wore foundod "oy H i t l e r in April 1939, and are averted to
There zro
momTMirs ?&o served the Party faithfully for at l e a s t 10 years. three classes of t h i s decoration:

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20. a) Class 1, in gold, for 25.years' service "bj Class 2, in silver, for 15 yoars1 service c) Class 3, in bronzo, for 10 years' sorvice Ih<s badge for a l l classes i s in the shape of a cross, adorned bet-ween the aims vdth rays. In the center of tho cross reposes the national insignia \dtiiin a- round wreath of oak leaves. The class 2 and 3 badges are vorn vdth a ribbon, vrhile the class 1 modal i s vorn pinned to thj breast without a ribbon. The ribbon of the class 3 badge i s brown vdth narrov/ stripes of \vhite-bro-wn white in the center jjrid on both sides. The class 2 badge i s suspended frora a narrovror ribbon of blue with narrow stripes of vihite-blue-7.inite on the sido3# Tho cross of the class 1 modal is white, edged with gold, v/hile the rays and the national insignia are gold. The cross of th class 2 aedal i s blu, odgad vdth silver, while th rays and national insignia arc silver. Tho clas3 3 badgo i s bronze. (Plate VII-52-53-54) Holdurs of these distinctions nay in place of t h e medals wear a "liuiiaituro Ribbon of Honor" . consisting of a broad center-strip of rod, with narrowor stripes of !vhite-gold--whito-red on either side. Thj national insig.:ia surrounded by a vTcath of oak laves i s fastened to th cent or-strip. (Plate VTI-51) NAZI R i i R T Y (Gau-^hi'enzcichen der The i n d i v i d u a l d i s t r i c t s (Gauen) o f t h e Nazi P a r t y raay av;ard badges o f lioi'ior o f t h e i r own t o rnenibcrs xfao d i s t i n g u i s h thartsclvos b y l o y a l t y t o t h o P a r t y and vho d i l i g e n t l y f o o t e r ttie Nazi i d e o l o g y . Thcs b a d g e s a r e a l s o knov/n a s "Die Traditions-G-auabzoichon". ( p l a t e VHI-55-56-57-5^-59-6o-6l-62-63-6ij.)

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21. E. iffSCELLANBOUS DECORATIONS I- M O T O R VgjICLi] DRIVERS1 &JJGS Or1 II^.TT (Kraftfahrbev;ahrungsabzcichcn)

This award was i n s t i t u t e d on 23 October 1942, as a token of recognition f o r t h e war servico of d r i v e r s of .-aotor vehicles viio have given a p a r t i c u l a r l y good account of themselves. This badge i s e l i g i b l e t o a l l i s i l i t a r y no t o r vehicle d r i v e r s who have e s p e c i a l l y distinguished thas*lvs' i n driving vehicles under d i f f i c u l t circumstances i n c e r t a i n t h e a t e r s of -war, and i n caring f a i t h f u l l y for t h e v e h i c l e s entrustd t o thorn. Hie following p r e r e q u i s i t e s a r e necessary for t h e award: a) Service as a motor vehicle driver in the former t e r r i t o r i e s of.Jugo slavia and G-roecc, in Bulgaria and Ruuania, in the zono East of the Russian 1940 boundary, in Finland, Itorway (north of the Artie c i r c l e ) , in LsLppla^d, or in Africa. b) The t r i p e must have beon executed und~r especially difficult conditions, e.g. under f i r e , especially l^rgc distances covered, severe weather conditions, and bad road, shelter and repair conditions. The award may be given t o : IJbtorcyclc dispatch riders Drivers of combat vehicles Drivers of motor vehicles of the transport service Drivers of motor vehicles of the L of C troops Drivers of all other services . . after 30 operational diy3 " 120 " "
M

150

" " "

" " "

" 165 " 185

Th aycird may be recalled if subsequently the driver is guilty of neglecting

his vehicle, of violating the speed limit, or of causing accident through careless ness. It may also be awarded to civilian drivers suboruiiiatod to the ,,'chrmaclit,
if they have mt the above prerequisites.
badge c o n s i s t s of a s t e e r i n g "whol s e t i n a vrreath of l a u r e l , and i s v/orn on the lowr p a r t of t h e l e f t sleeve. I t may be awarded i n throe grades bronze, s i l v e r and gold. (Plato IX-65) I I . fciRKSiaHISEIP A.uiRDS (Schutznauszeichnungen) Those i n s i g n i a , , awarded t o mercibers of t h e ^rmy for proficioncy i n shooting, c o n s i s t of a braided cord of d u l l aluminum color and are worn fastened fror.i the r i g h t s h o u l d e r - s t r a p t o tht* top-poclcet button of the blouse of t h e pkry.do, Talking-out and guard uniform. A flight metal s h i e l d i s attachud to the shoulder end of the cord and a t the lower end c.corns a r a added to i n d i c a t e the degree of t h e award. These avards come i n t h e following 12 grades:

22.
Grades 1-4: The s h i e l d i s aluminum colored and be2.rs two c r o s s e d svrords w i t h i n a c e n t e r - s h i e l d , t h e whole surrounded hy a narrow o a k - l e a f Grade 1 i s n o t adorned wreath and crowned by t h e German oaglo and swastika.. Grade 2 h a s one a c o r n , while grades v d t h a n acorn end i s -this lowest grade. The a c o r n s f o r a l l 4 grades 3 and 4 have two a n d t h r e e a c o r n s , r e s p e c t i v e l y . a r c alucrLnum c o l o r e d . s 5-8; The shield for these grades i s also aluminum colored and of tho identical design; the oak-leaf wreath, however, i s somewhat wider. The acorns ars also aluminum colored, and ar added in the same order, i . e . grade 5 no acorn, grade 6 on acorn etc. G-rado3 9-12: Tho shield i s identical with that of group 5-$; i t s color, however, i s gold. As in the case of the two other groups, the addition of an acorn denotes a higher grade award. The color of tho acorns for t h i s group i s gold. Personnel of a r t i l l e r y units use miniature shells in place of the acorns. The replica of a tank replaces the crossed swords on tho shield for personnel of Panzer units. Tho Air Force issues similar cords to i t s members for proficiency in shooting. However, in place of the crossed swords and national insignia, the centor-shield contadns th* Air Force eagle and swastika. The cord i s grey blu silk decorated with silver for ^rados 1-4, silver decorated with grey-blue for grades 5-8, and grey-blue decorated with gold for grades 9-12. The acorns match tho color of the shiold.. Air Force antiaircraft personnel use ^.dniature sheila in place of acorns.
(Plate DC-66-67-66-69)
III. L D I f l x i a V I T Y . ADALS (Dionst&uszaichnungen) Hitler founded these longevity decorations for the Armed Forces on 16 iiarch 1936. The so medals ar tokens 01 reward for long and faith ful service, Thsy may be a\.ardod in the following grades: a) b) c) 0) o". Cl^-ss Cliiss Cliiss Glass Olcss 4 (lowest grade) 3 2 1 1 with OsJ: Leavos after 4 years' honorabl servicit n n n n 12 M n 18 " " H " 25 " " M M " 40 "

Tli*ae l o n g e v i t y d e c o r a t i o n s a r e vorn on a cornflov;or-blue r i b b o n . The c l a s s 3 and 4 badges a r e c i r c u l a r i n shape, t h e former l i g h t b r o n z e , and t h e l a t t e r dull-oilvor. On t h e face of b o t h i s found a. r a i s e d German oc.glc vdth swastikii and t h o i n s c r i p t i o n "Treue Dian3te i n d e r Vi'chrm&cht" ( F a i t h f u l S e r v i c e s i n t h o wulirnLucnt;. Thj r e v e r s e b e ^ r s ,rospGGtivoly t h a nuiar.'ols "12"

I53STRIGTSD

23.
or "4", surrounded by an oak-loaf wreath. , Th class 2 in&dal comes in the shape of a LJaltes* cross, i s unpolished and has bevelled edges. I t s color i s silver, and i t s center-piece bears the national insignia. The class 1 mdal i s larger than the l a t t e r , i s of similar design and has a polished sur face. I t s color i s gpld. T h < s reverse sides o these tvo decorations bo,.-r the numerals "18 and "25", respectively. The cornflowor-blu ribbon o'f the neds.1 i s adorned with a minature national insignia, of the respective branch of the Armed forces. The color of t h i s national insignia matches that of the modal. These decorations are worn suspended from the medal bar on the left' breast. They may ^lso be \70rn in the shape of a bar of blue ribbon, on which i s embossed the national insignia. (Plat ix-70-71-72-73-74-75) IV* SOCIAL SZRVICJ B A D G E (Korcnseichen fur deutcche Volkspflego) Founded on 1 Llay 1939, this badgo i s awarded for services rendered in the field of social welfare, Had Cross work, life-saving, efforts on beh&lf of the V/inter Help Fund (-./intcrhilfswerk), core of the sick and vounded etc. I t supersedes the earlier decoration issuod by the G-erman Red Cross. This badge embraces four classes: a) Social Service Badge 1st class (highest grade)
bj " " " 2nd class
c, " " " 3rd class
d) Social Service Hedal (l-.lcd&ille) In exceptional cases Hitler n2.y ai^.rd the 1st cl^.ss order -with a. star. T h 3 ribbon for a l l classes i s rod, adged with \fiiite. The decoration i s in the for* of a gilt-odged, white-enameled cross having the national insignia in i t s center. The class 1 badge lias a diai.iatcr of 52 m m , and i s suspended from the nock on 65-min wide ribbon. Tho class 2 badge i s worn, vdthout & ribbon, pinned to tho breast. I t has tho same dimensions as class 1. Class 3 badge lias a diameter of 2 * 0m m and i s vorn on the left br<d.st from a 3C-rara v/ido ribbon. The class 4- medal, knovai as "Mad^ille fttr deutsche Vollcspflegc" i s round x\ chape v/ith a disjnetcr of 38 ranu I t s fiico boo.rs the imago of the cross of the other thrtse classos, while on the reverse sido i s found tha inscription "Ftir deutsche Volkspflege". This medal i s worn on a 30-on wide riobon of the same colors from the left breast. All classes alike;, but not to Since Ivkrch 1942, military liiale and operations. of this decoration may be awarded to civilians and soldiers soldiers whqse normal duties l i e in one of the fields nsjaed ^. tha 3rd sjid 4th class badges may be awarded \vith swords to IHJ fc=r.:ia.le hospital personiiel stationed in thu Ei.storn theater of

24. As i n t h e c a s e o f o t h e r d e c o r a t i o n s , t h e r i b b o n a l o n o may b \70rn f e s t a n e d t o th<* modal b a r o r t o t h e b l o u s e . ( P l a t o X-76-77-78) V. 0-rJK.LJ-: DI3MSE-,uiLL 1.EDAL (Deutsche; s S c h u t z ^ i a l l - E h r s n z e i c h e n ) This badge m s instituted en 2 August 1939, &nd i s awarded to those w h o cooporatod in the erection of fortifications for the defense of Germany. Tho face; of this medal i s adorned with a bunker within an oval wreath of oak loaves; above the bunker are a crossed spado ca-id sword sunaounted by the national emblem* Tho reverse side boars tho inscription "Fur Arbeit zum Schutze Deutschlands". The ribbon i s brown in center with narrower stripes of white and brown on-both aides. I t insy be av/arded to thoso ineiiibers of the Armed Forces and male employ ees and civilians subordinated +c i t w h o wore, between 15 June 1938 and 31 ia.rch 1939, employed in the construction of, or were statipned in th defense of G#rman fortifications. Ileiribars of the .armed Forces already possessing the Sudeten or llmol CoKme.ioration I^ed.Jr. .: re not eligible to receive tho Geman Cofonse-V7all Medal. (Plate X-79-80) VI. AIR-DEP-.1I3B KEDtJj (Luftschutz-Ehrensoichen) llitlor founded this badge of ho:ior on 30 January 1938 to reward services rend^rud iii ^IMS field of a i r dofonse of Germany, I t i s avArdsd in the follovdng tvro gr a) 2nd grade (lovr grade) eligible to those vjho sinca 30 January 1933 have rendered special services in the field of aerial defense of the Reich. b) 1st grade awarded to those viio have roa.de outstanding contributions to the promotion of the a i r defense of G-ernany. The 2nd grade badge i s round in shape and of i dull-silver color. Its centor bwars c s*.;astika within th circular inscription "Pur Verdienstc im Iiuft3chutzw, th -vdiols surrounded jy a T/rs^.th of oak leaves. The reverse shovxs th numerals "193o", also Tirithin an oak-leaf wreath* T h 1st grade medal COIJIQS in thi shape of a gold-colored cross, in the center of which reposes a raised smatika v/ithin the same circular inscription* Tho ribbon for both models i s identical: l i l a c in center vdth black whitc-rod atsipes on both sides. This decoration i s -worn on the left breast, either from the buttonhole, or from the social bar* Ths recipients ma.y be solaiors, Wohriaacht officials, civilians or other workers, with at least four years activity, to their ensdit in tho field of air defense. Thu time limit ation does not apply to soldiers or civilians oiiiployttd in air-defunse during tho var. (Plate X-81-82)

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25. AVOIDS FOR ULFL-SAVBIG (Belohnung von Rettunfstatin) Peats of life-3aving may be rewarded by iiirets separate awards, dependingupon th degree of risk incurred: ! Life-Saving Medal vdth Ribbon ( Ra ttungsaedaillo am Bando) Thi3 med&l i s awarded for the successful 3aving of a lifa at extreme risk to the rescuer. I t is circular in shape, and i t s fc.ee bo*rs the inscription "Fur Rettung aus Gefahr" within tn oak-leaf wreath. The reverse side i s embossed with the German eagle. It i s worn on the left breast suspended froa a ribbon, (plate X-oCk) 2. Uoranerorruion iyieda.1 for Rescue from Danger fur Rettung aus G-cfaiir)
( g

The nedal, a lessor award for life-saving i s conferred upon those who accompli shed successful rscuQ3 under less d^Lngerous circuniat;mces. It i s not to be worn on the uniform o-r civilian clothing, (ifo illustration) 3* Public Citation (Offentliche BelobigungJ If tho degree of risk involved in the saving of a lit'* i s not considerable, the rescuer aiay be honored by a public citation, accoinp'.niGd in some cases by a monetary i .ill menbers of the _.rmod forces, seioi-niilitary and Party organizations, as well as civilians may be recipients of tlia above lifo-saving awards. VIII. G 5 R 1 > 1 A I { B A G L BO R D E RO FM E R I T .(VercUonstordxm von Deutschan ^dler) " This decoration was originally founded by Hitler on 1 May 1937 for tho o g r e s s purpose of honoring distin^uialied foreign civil said military personages for services rendered on bolialf of the Reich. j?he provisions of the diurtur xMTv iuandod in -*pril 1939* Since that dite i t may ha av/ardod v.ltli swords to iailitary peraonnol of allied or friendly nations viao distinguished h on th battlefield. Th dttooration without svjord i s av^rded for ncritorious services in connection with the war of fort, but not at thy front. The G-omian IJagle Order of Merit embraces the foliov/ing six grades: G-rcat Cross (Gl-rosskreuz) (liigliest grs.dc) Service of Merit Cross mth 3ti-.r (Vordienstkrcuz mit 3 11 tl ll It 1st Clfci ss II
II II tl

d
0

2nd c l a s s

3rd Cli. German Service of Merit Ue<l.\JL (Deutsche

I! Tl II

II

1. The Great Gross 2i; o. dii-Lictcr of 60 ha: oid is worn in thu center of & . v.'ide ribbon stretching froiu t:.o right shoulder to the left hip. It
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i s accompanied by an eight-pointed silver star of rays, having a diameter of 80 uri. In the center of the star r^posos tho 45-inm diameter cross of the 0rdr. This star ic worn pinned to the left breast. 2. The Service of Merit Pro as with Star i s identical with the 1st class crosc, described below. However, i t i s accompanied by a six-pointed silver 3tar of rays, having a diameter of 75 innu ^s above, in the canter of the star reposes tho 45-na diaiaeter cross of the Ordor. I t too i s -worn on the left breast. 3. Thu S^rvica of I ^ r i t Cross 1st class has J- dixnoter of 50 m m , and i t i s worn suspended from the neck hy a 45-nnn wide ribbon. 4 Tho Service of Hdrit Cross 2nd class i s of the> same diumoter as that of the 2nd class, cross, but i s worn without a ribbon pinned to tho breast. 5 Thtat Service of LIcrit Cross 3rd class has a di&iiietor of 45 nan, and i s worn susp^nd^d fror:. the bnaast on a AO-iimi wide ribbon. 6. Tha Service of Ilorit lu^dal i s a round silver modal with a 3S-iam diameter. I t s face bears the cross of the Ordor, while on the reverse i s found the inscription "Beutsche V^rdienstmodaille". I t i s worn suspended from tho breast on 37-nu- vd.de ribbon. The iribbon for a l l classes of the Order i s identical; rod in canter with narrow vAiito-black-v^iitc stripes on both si dor. (Plate XI-C5-9O) IX. O R O S SO PK D H O RO FT H EW O P J i D \ikR (Ehronkreuz des V/eltkricges) Founded by Ilitlor on 13 July 1934, this con3ina::ioration medal hasvb*en av*i.rdod to a l l thos vdio participittod in -cho '^orld ,i'ar. Thero are thra* types of this dacoration: a) "FrontkAmpfarkrauz" for those v , A i o fought in th* front linoo b^ "KriQ^steilndhraorkreuz" for tlioso v^io served behind the front Krictgshintcrbliebonenkreuz" for the next of kin of tho fallen All throo arc of the sarao design, i . o . in the shape of a cross with, a circular oak-loaf wreath in th center, within which i s found the inscription "1914-191S". The "Frontkampferkreuz" i s adorned with tvjo crossed swords. All three crosses are worn suspended from a ribbon on the left braast. The ribbon for the "JProntkaiapferkreuz" and the "Kriegsteilnehnierkrouz11 i s red in center with stripes of black-white-black on both sidss. That of the "Kriegshinterbliebensnkr-wuz11 i s rd in center with stripes of vfoite-black wiiite on either 3ida. The color of the f i r s t two i s bronze, while that of third i s black, (plate XI-91-92)

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27. X. STORES B A f l & J S SO FH O N O R (Sportehrenzeichen) There are a gr&at number, of insignia of distinction that may be awarded for excellence in the field of sports. Some of the best-known of these are l i s t e d below. 1 S^.-ILlitary Bad^e (iil-wehrabzaichen) I t m s formerly colled the "Sa.-SportabzeichenM (^-Sports ilt-d&l). This sports badge i s awarded to menibtars of the Si (sturmabteilung; for accomp lishments in sport3. I t aiay be awarded in bronze, silver, or gold. badge in bronze i s awarded to those who have passed the prescribed proficiency t e s t s . The 3ilver badge is eligible to those w h o success fully passed th<B refresher t e s t s , after possessing the b&d&e in bronze for a t leact five years, and who hive reached the age of 35. The badge in gold i s awarded to those who hav* successfully passed the prescribed refresher tests after possessing the silver badge for at least six yoars, and who have reached the age of 40. T h Si-Military Badge comes in the snap of a vride v^-Gath of ocJc leaves within viiich ruposwjs a l;.rge swastika. A sword pointing upv?ards i s supcriiopoaed through the center. I t i s -worn without a ribbon pinned to the loft breast. (Plate XII-93) 2. G-eraan Roich Sports Badge (Deutschcs Reichssportabzeichen)

Thi3 badge i s also referred to E.S "LK^utsches Soicliauszoichnung i*ur Leibosttbungen". I t r.^ay be awarded in bronze (lowest ^rado), silver, and gold* The grad* of tho A\xird depends upon the excellence attained* This badge i s in tlie shape of an ova.1 oak-leaf wreath with a bov/ s.t the lov/er end. i/ithin are inscribed the l e t t e r s "DHL" (Peutschcr Roichsbund fttr Loib(3Ubungon). This badge i s also worn without a ribbon on the la ft side of the blouse. (Plate XII-94) 3# G-criaaii Qlympia Awards - (Leutsche Olympia-^uszeiclinungen) On tho occasion of tho T\ Olympiade at Berlin in 1936, Hitler founded the German Olympia Badge of Honor (Doutsches Olyapia i3ircnzeichen). ?his decoration i 3 ^v/arded in tvio classes. The class 1 decoration i3 gold, and i s worn suspended from the nock by a broad ribbon. The class 2 badge i s silver and i s worn on a narrovfer ribbon of th same colors suspuncted from the left breast. (Plate XI1-97) In addition thert i s tho Gsiman Olympia Co;anipration Ite&zl (Doutsche a*he f^ce of this modal carries the replica Olympia-^rinncrungsmedaille).

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23.
of tha German Olympia Badge of Honor, while on the r.verse is- found the inscription "Fur, verdicnstvollo Litarbeit bci don Olympischen Spiclcn 193b". (Plato XII-95-96) Irlotor Sports 3^Jgo (Deutsches ZIotorsportabzeichen) This badge i s also knomi as the "NSKK-Sportabzcichcn". I t was founded by Hitler in February 1938 and i s eligible to monibers of ths I I S K K and the DKK (Deutsches Kraftfahrkorps) for accomplislments in tne field of sports. It consists of a. large sv.actika enclosed within a round -wreath of oak IUA.VUC. A large G-jmar. eagle clutching a. rjotor car tyre i s superinposod on the svastika. (plate XII-90) Ciiiur v/oll-knovai aports badges arc: Gronaan Iiorser::an's Bad&e (jjeutschec Reiterabaeichcn) (Plate 211-99) Kitlcr-Youth Proficiency Badge (lU-Lcistungsabzeichen) (pls.tc XIII-100) Gk?ir.gJi-youth- Proiiciency Badgo (DJ-Leiatungsabzaichen) (Plate XIII-101) Hitler-Youth Leader Sports B^dgc (lIJ-Iltthrersports^.bz(i;ichon) (Plate XIII-102) G-ciT:ian-Girls~SociQty Proficiency Badge (BDii-Leictungaabzcichcn) (Plate XIII-103) Ilitl^r-Youth Badge for oharpshooters Scharfschtitzon (Plate XIII-104;
(iU-3chiwssauszQichnung fur

Ilitlar-Youth Duiugt; for Riflemen (lU-Schiosssausiioichnung fur Schutzen)

(Plato XIII-105) The tiports badges l i s t e d 'below aro loss proininent and are not i l l u s trated, ihc original Gcr.'^ai dt?3ig:u'.tions ore givon only. Reichs jugc-ndsportab sfeiclicn JungfliGgerLportabzcichen Dout ache s ggiixerab z c ichon D@utsche3 Jugendrcitabzeichen Only t\vo sports medals iaay be v.orn at one

29.
I A B O R SERVICE B A D G E S OF M3RIT (RAD~Dienstauszeichnungen) These badges are issued to members of the Reich Labor Service (Rc;icha arbeitsdienct) in recognition of years of honorable service. They are issued in the follovdng four grades: a) h\ c) d) 1st 2nd 3rd 4th class, class, class, class, in in in in gold, for 25 years' service silver, for 18 years 1 service silver, for 12 years' service bronze, i'or 4- ye&rs1 service

All classes arc of the sijone oval design. On the face i s shown the special insignia, ^of the RrJ), v/hile on tho ravcrse i s found tho inscription "Ftir treue Dienste im Reichsarbeitsdienst ' ' . Female medbers arc also eligible to r e ceivo those badges, Hov/evcr, a lurge s-wsi.stika replaces th spade on the face of tho modal. (Plate XHI-10 6-107-106) In addition, there is. th* Labor Service Badge of Honor of 1932 (iilhrsnzeichen der iingohorigen des N S A D von 1932) issued to the original mem bers of the' IISAD (Nazi Labor Service) in 1932, th predecessor of the present RAD. (Plat* XIV-109) XII. POLICE SSKVICE 3 . 1 D G 3 S O F I.3R33? (Polizei-Dienstauszeichnungen) ! 3 ? h e 3 bedges ATQ av&rded to members of the police for long and honorable service* They axe issued in the follofdng throe grades: 1st c l a s s , in * )ld, for 25 yvt&ra1 sarvico
2nd class, in -Alver, for lo y^ars 1 sei*vico
3rd class, in silver, for 8 years' service
Tho 1st s.nd 2nd class "badges are in the design of a cross, in the center of which i s superimposed the police insignia (the national insignia 7/ithin an oval "ftxeath of loak leavos); inc. reverse boars the inscription "Fur treuo Dienste in der polizei". The 3rd class badge i s a circular modal, having tho police insignia embossed on i t s f--oo, wfcdl* the inscription on tho reverse i s identical. (Plate XIV-HO-1H-112; XIII. C U S T O L X . SSRVICE BaDGgj Og B D N O R (aollfi^^enscIiuta-iJhrccizeichen) This decoration i s awarded to per3onnol of the border customs service (Reichszollgrenzschutzdicnst). I t was founded by Hitler in February 1939. This badge, awarded for faithful s<srvic, comas in the sha^o of a cross, i n the center of v^iich i3 supcriniposod the erriblen of tho customs survic: the national insignia surrounded by an oak-leaf wreath thatb open at the top. I t i s viorn suspended from a ribbon v.hich i s adorned vdth a i v i i t insignia of the service. (Plate XIV-113)

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XIV. FIKRMRK'S B A D C a aO FH O N O R (Fouerwhr-Ehrenzichan) The Fircsman's Badge of Honor, awarded to firemen for long and honorable servico, was founded by Hitler in January 1938* I t ' i s i s cued in the following tyro grades: a) 1st class, in gold, b) 2nd c l a s s , in s i l v e r . The badge i s in the form of a cross m t h flame designs adorning a l l four aims. A swastika, reposes in the center of the cross. The circular inscription on the face of the badge reads: "Fur Verdiensto ini FouerlBcchv/esen11. (Plate XIV-114) XV. MINERS' i&DSE OF HONOR (Grubenwahr-Ehrenseichen) Founded simultaneously m t h t h e Firemen's Badge of Honor ( a b o v e ) , t h i s award i s giv~n t o miners f o r long and f a i t h f u l s e r v i c e . I t i s a round s i l v e r modal. I t s face i s adorned vdth two crossed short-handled p i c k s , upon vjhich i s superimposed t h e n a t i o n a l i n s i g n i a . On t h e re-verse s i d e i s found the i n s c r i p t i o n "Fur Verdiensto im Grubenwesen" w i t h i n an o a k - l e a f v/reath. ( P l a t e XIV-115-116) XVI. FAITHFUL SERVICE MflPATfl (Treudienst-Shrenzeiclien) bounded b;/ Hitler in January 1933, theco jnedals are a.\irded for long ya&rs of faithful service to civilians in the niploy of the public services, and in some cases, in private industry. eligible arc': officials, employees and laborers, v/ho have co;;:jloted 25 or A C years* of faithful service. SuployoGs of private concerns arc also eligible after 50 years' service. Tho 2nd class badge is awarded after 25 years1 service, while 40 years* service i s required for the 1st cl^cs badge. Sir^ployees of private concerns receive a special class of this medal after 50 years * of service. The Faithful Service ilecbil comes in the fom of a cross that has in i t s center a swastika surrounded by a large wreath of oak-leaves. The special class of tliis badge has the numerals "50n superimposed a t tho top. On the rovers of the badges i s found the inscription "Fur treue Dienste". The color of the 2nd class iaed&l i s silver, "whila that of the f i r s t class i s gold. All classes a.vs v.orn on the left breast suspended from a cornflower blua ribbon. (Plato XV-H7-H3-119) XVII. G E K L A ' N 3TaiT3DIaL FRIZB F O R .Jffi ;j-i!D SCIBLICE (Poutseller National preis fur Kunst und 'Jisaenscliaft) Tliis elaborate decoration v/as founded en 30 January 1937 as a German national medal of honor for the raward of accomplishmtisnts in the field of a r t and science. I t i s knom as tho German "Nobel prize". The decoration may be awardod with a s t a r , to be worn on tho breast, or with a shouldcr riboon and rosette (Schulterband mit Rosette). This ribbon has a. broad contwr e t r i p e , edged with narrow strip<*3 of ivhite and red. (plate ICV-12C-121-12.2) . DR. FRIJZ T O D T PRIZE (Dr. Fritz-Todt-Prois) This decoration 70.3 founded in honor of the l a t e Dr. F r i t z Todt. It is

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for accomplishments in the field of research in chemistry, biology, medicine, technical improvera<ants of nianufaicturing processes, improvements of wapons etc. The order has sevoral classes, including the Honor-Pin (lihrcnnudel). (plate XV-123)
1 D T E E S R S C B O S S 0? H O N O R (Shrcnkreiiz dr doutschen I.Hittr) XIX C E B f c t e HM

llitlr foundegd t h i s medal la/t in 1938 to honor mothers T&O bore four or nor* children. I t vra.s distributed for the f i r s t time on "i^othdrs1 Bay" 21 May 1939* I t may be amrctod in tho following three grades: o.) feid 3, in bronze, (lov/st grade) for uothars of k- or 5 children D) Grade 2, in silver, for mothers of 6 or 7 cliildren c; Grade 3, in gold, for naothers of 8 or nor children The decoration i s in the shape of a Christian cross enbossed in center ydth a smstika smd adorned betv/oan tii arm3 by rays. I t i s worn suspended from the neck by a narrow ribbon, (plate XV-121j-)

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OF HISTORICAL INTEREST I . ISDALS OF THS PKcXjQRJiD telR X>HD V i P R L D ViaR PLKIOD 1. Blucher Star (Blucherstern) This decoration, a special fom of the Iron Gross, was also founded in 1813. I t v/as ^.mrded with the Great Cross of the Iron Cross. This highest of decorations consists of a s t a r of goldon rays, in the center of which r e poses the Iron Cross, The year ll l813" or "191V1, respectively, i s inscribed at tho bottom of tho cross. Since i t s foundation, i t bus boun awarded only twice. Prince 3lticht;r received i t f i r s t i n 1C15 for h i s victory a t 3 e l l e .dlliance. I t s second holder i s FielcLnarshal von Hindonburg for h i s accomp lishments during the World w^r. I t i s Yirorn v/ithout a ribbon fastened to the b r e a s t . (Plate XVT-125) 2. R>ur Lo Merite This decoration i s older than the Iron Cross, having bean i n s t i t u t e d Originally i t was e l i g i b l e not only to in 1740 ^oy Frederick the Great. soldiers for bravery on tho b a t t l e f i e l d , but also to statesmen, s c i e n t i s t s , e t c . for acconplishmants not connected with vox. In January 1810, King Friedr i c h mfilhelm decreed that the award of t h i s decoration bo confined to soldiers only for acts of extraordinary bravery on the b a t t l e f i e l d . Only officers were e l i g i b l e to receive i t . There are four grades of t h i s decoration: aj b) c) d) Pour L Merite (lov/ect grade)
Pour Le - ^ r i t * with Oak Leaves
G-r'Sat Cross
Great Cross with Oak Loaves

The Pour Le &erite (lowest grade) i s worn fc.stonod to th b r e a s t v.lthout a riboon. Tho Pour Le Merit with Oak Loaves i s suspended from the nock by a broad whito-black-white ribbon having very narrow edges. The other two gradeii a r e also suspended from the neck, and ar accouipanied by a four-pointod Goldon S t a r , worn on the b r e a s t . The possession of a lowsr grade of the order was p r e r e q u i s i t e to the award of the next higher grade. The Great Cross and S t a r were not avardad during the war of 1914-18. However, the &Y/a.rds of th<2 f i r s t two grades of the order t o t a l l e d 687, including 75 to. A i r Force personnel and 52 to U-boat captains, ( p l a t e XVI-126-127) 3 . House Order of Hohenzollorn (Hausorden von Hohenzollern) This decoration was founded by King F r i e d r i c h Wilhelrn IV of Prussia, i n the year of 1851. I t i s designed i n the shape of a Maltese cross with a canterpiece containing t h e Prussian eagle, around -which i s found the c i r c u l a r i n s c r i p t i o n "vom F e l s zum Meer". The cross i s topped by a l a r g e crown. The ribbon RESTRICTED

33.

i s white with three vertical black stripes. The order h~s four classes and the awards were made with or -without svvords. I t has soldo:,; be on awarded in peacetime. During the Y*orld sVar i t was bestowed for repeated acts of valor in faca of the enemy to tliose already possessed the Iron Gross 1st class. The number of awards in this var totalled 8291. (plate XVI-128) 4. Order of the Grown (Kron-jtfiorden) This i s xlso a Prussian order and was founded in 1861 by King Wilhelm I . in conmemoration of his coronation. T h < s decoration is in tho shape of a cross with the Prussian crown in center. I t has four classes and may be a\&rded with swords. The riboon of the order i s cornflovrer-bluo. (Plate XVI-129) 5* Order of the Red ";a.gle (Roter Adler Orden) .another distinguished Prussian order, founded in 1705I t i s in the shape of an sight-pointed cross having a r~*d eagle in i t s center. The order lias four classes. Tha color of the cross for the f i r s t threes cl^sscs i s gold, while that of the fourth class i s silver. There i s also i Great Gross which i s accompanied by an eight-pointed broast-sts.r. This decoration lias also oecai awarded with swords for deeds ox valor against tho enemy. (^Plate XVT-130) 6. '.lilitary Service of liorit Gross (llilitarvordienstkrcyuz) Tl^is i s ano-iher w u 11 -known Prussian decoration; It coiiies in the form of cross, and in i t s center c.re found the l e t t e r s "HR" sun:iounted by the Prucsiiin cro-.vn. 1750 of these crosses have been distributed during the world '.far for bravery at the front. {Plata XVI-131) 7. Red Cross LaBdal (HDte-Xroua-iiedaille) Founded by /vilheln. I I in 189S as a Prussian iucd&l of honor for men and I t was awarded \vo.-:Qn who TIQTO especially active on behalf of tho Red Gross. in throe classes :" bronze, silver, &nd gold. Tha shape of the medal i s circular, and i t s face shov-a the red cross i t s anis sun/iountcd by crowns. ^ 5tvicn the anas are found the l e t t e r s " Y / R k V " (\alhelm Rex Auguste Viktoria). Tho two lowar classes are worn from the button hole on a red ribbon, having black-white edges while the f i r s t class rned^-l i s worn fastened to the breaat. In 1918 t h i s medal was superseded by the "Gorman Red Gross" (Douteches Rotes Krouz). This i s a white cross v/ith gilt edges. In the cantor of this cross reposes the red cross, surrounded by the circular inscription "ijoutaches Rotes Kreuz". The ribbon i s red with v^iitc edges. This decoration lias now OGQII replaced l^y ^ the "Social Service JUdge" (Shrenzeichcn fur doutschc Volkspflege) (see page 23; (Plate XVT-132)

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8. Cross of Merit for Aid in tlio War Effort (Verdienstkrsuz fur

Kriogshilfe)
This Prussian badge i s also referred to as thw "Preussisches H i l f s $ie decoration i s considered as the Iron Cross of the home front, dienatkreiiz11 and was awarded during the World War to men and women who distinguished them selves "by t h e i r war efforts at home. I t s an ei^ht-pointcd cross with a circular center-piece shov.ing the inscription n\JBP, surmounted by the Prussian crown. I t i s worn on a. ribbon of six stripes of black and "white, (Plato 1CVT-133)

I I - DHX)RrIClOITS 0? THJ BALTIC JtfXD SILESIAN CAHPAIC3IS 0? 1919/20 Of the many decorations created in these campaigns, only three rotcwived o f f i c i a l sanction of the Reich government and only these arc permitted to be worn* * Baltic Cross ( 3s.lt enkreua) This cross was founded in the spring of 1919 in recognition of the bxnvcry displayed by meaibars of the "Frcikorps" volunteers fighting against the "bolsheviks" in the Baltic campaign of 1919-20. This decoration was issued in o n < * class only and i s v.orn. suspended from the breast on a bluo-whitc rib-on, or the ribbon alone ntay be v.orn. 20,000 of these crossas were distributed to officers and men who ivsrr under arm3 beforG 1 July 1919, and who served at least 3 months in a GrenrAn forms.tion fighting the "bolsheviks" in the Baltic s t a t e s , (platG XVII-134) 2. Silosian Bodge of llcrit (Schlesisches Bcvrfahrungcabzeichen) This badge i s generally referred to as the "Silesisji Eaglo" (Schlesischor Adler), I t vt-as founded to cormaeLioratc participction in the battles of the uprising in Upper Silesia in 1919-20. The badge TA<.S issued in two classes. A i'lraiimUTii of 3 months* of combat a c t i v i t y was required for tho award of the 2nd class badge, while 6 months1 participation in the b a t t l e s was necosGi-ry for the aviard of the? 1st class badge, Tho 2nd class bodgo i s vnrn on a yellow-white ribbon, whilo the 1st class badge i s worn fastened to the breast without a riboon. (Plato XVII-135-136) 3. Roland of BrCTien (Brosner Roland) .iJLso rcsforrcd to as tho "Iron Roland" (2isorner Roland), thi received official recognition of the Raich government in 193b. I t was founded in 1919 by the Mayor of the city of Brsraen and av.arded in tho name of the city to members of tho G-crstenberg Division who "liberated the city from tho red yoko". I t i s in the form of an oval badge of black iron and portrays tho historic statue of Roland at the city hall of Bremen. The circular inscription reads: "i'reiheit ) icli will iiuch offonbaren". (No illustration

EESTRICTSD

5%
INDIVIDUAL STATE DECORATIONS P r u s s i a n S t a t e decorations which during t h e rar of were f o r t h e f i r s t time w a r d e d t o o t h e r s than P r u s s i a n s , t h e o t h e r S t a t e s and Free C i t i e s comprising t h e Reich issued a great v a r i e t y of badges Those l i s t e d below were o f f i c i a l l y recognized by t h e f o r vsdbr and s e r v i c e . Beich Government and a r e permitted to be vcrn. They are frequently SCOT, on t h c drccs uniforms o f t h e prasent-d&y Gorman s o l d i e r s .
a d d i t i o n t 0 t h c

1.

PRUSSIA.

!Fho most prominent of P r u s s i a n S t a t e medals have already boon di3cussjed above ( P - I - l - 8 , pages 3 2 - 3 4 ) . Ilontion must a l s o b mad of t h e following: a) Centennial Medal (Centenarmcdaille) (plate XVlI-137) b) Prussian llilitary Service Badges (Preu3sische Diensuauszcichnungen) These military service badges are issued in three classes. Ifhv cla.se> 1 badge i s in the form of a cross v/ith the crotai of Prussia in i t s centre* Thc reverse be.-j.rs the Roman numerals "XV", denoting fifteen years 1 service. The class 2 and 3 badges are circular in shape vdtli the Prussian crown in the centor surrounded \>y the inscription "Trou Dienste bei dor F&hne". The reverse bears the Roman numerals "XII" or "IX", respectively. (Plate XVH-138-1W.) c) Prussian I l i l i t i a Badge (Preussische Landwehra.uszaiciinung) (Plate XVII-142) 2. a) IJxLitary Order of S t . Keinrich (Militar-St.-Heinrichs-Orden}
(Plate XVIII-li{-3sa45)
b) Commander's Cross (Koniaandeurkreuz) (plate XVIII-lVf) c) Friedrich August Medal (Friedrich-^ugust-M*daille) (Plato XVIII-lif6) d) Bravery Madal of Sascny (Sichsisclie Tapferkeitsciedaille)
(Not i l l u s t r a t e d )
3.
a)

BAVARIA.

Military Order &ax Joseph (Militai^-Kiax-Josoph-Orden)

(Plat X r a i - 1 4 7 )
(jalitlr-Sanitats-Ordon)

b) Military Medical Order ( P l a t e X U

c)

Bravery Msdal i n Gold and S i l v e r (Goldene und S i l b e m e Tapfer kVitsmedaille. ( P l a t e XVIII-149-150) STEICTLD

d) Military Service Badges (BayerischG Dienstauszeichnungen)

(Plate XVIII-151-XIX-152)
4. fl

a) Llilifcary Service of llerit Cross (Militar-Verdienstkrcuz) (Plate XIX-153) b) Military Service of Merit Medal in Gold (Golden MilitarVerdi enstncdaillo) (Plato XIX-154) c) Military Service Bs.agos (Y/urttembrgische Dionstauszoichnungenj Issued in throe classes. The class 1 badgo comes in the shape of a cross ivith a. center oak-leaf containing the crotm of YiUrttenibarg. The reverse has the Roman nuir.cra.1 "ZCV", indics.ting 15 years 1 service. The class 2 and 3 b.?dges are identical in o^sign: circular medals with the croivn in center surrounded bj SJI oak-leaf Yoreath. The reverse sidas bear the Hocian nuziorals :iXII" or "IX", respectively. (Plate XIX 155-156-157-158)

5.
a) J,jJ.itar5r Order of Ilerit Karl Friadrich (lailitar-Karl-Priedz-ichVerdienstorden) (Plawe XIX-159) b) SorvicQ of Merit Medal (Badische Verdienstinedaillo)

(Plate xrc-i6o;
Q^ I^qlitary 3orvice Badges (Badische Dienstauszeichnungen) (Plate XX-161-162-163-l6i0 6. O T H S B S a) Hossen bravery Medal (Hessische Tapferkeitsmedaille) (Plate XX-165; b) Mecklenburg-Schwerin Service of Merit Cross (Mecklenburg Schwerin-Verdienstkrouz) (Plate XX-166) c) Lippe-Detmold Service of &erit Cross (Lippe-DetaoldVerdienstkreuz) (Plate XX-167) d) Braunschweig Service of Merit Cross (BraunschT/eigischosVerdicnstkreuz) (Plate XX-168)

IGSTHICTED

37

) Oldonburg P r i e d r i c h August Cross (01denburgr-F:riedrich-AugustKrouz) ( P l a t e XX-169) f) Sacfosgn-Anhalt Service of Merit Cross (S^chsen-Anhalt-VordienstKreuz) (Plate XX-17O) g) Harlburg Ilansa. Cross (Hamburger-Eanseaten-Krcuz) (Plato XXI-171) h) Bremen Hansa Cross (^remer-Hanseatcn-Krouz) (plate XXI-172) i ) LUbeck Hainsa Crosa (Lubecker-Hansaaten-Kreuz) (plate XXI-173) The Hamburg, 3romen, and Lttbcck Hansa Crosses wore founded in 1915 by the senates of the three lianas, c i t i e s , and -were awarded to officers and enlisted men alike for meritorious v.r service* They aro in the shapv* of a cros3 of rod color v/ith silver edges. The circular center-piece encloses the emblem of the respective city* They arc vrorn on tho left breast sus pended by a ribbon* The Bremen ribbon has eight rud-viiito stripes; tho Hamburg ribbon i s rd-vfait-red, vjhile the Uibeck ribbon i s rd-viite# 7. AUSTRIA

a) Military Order Maria Thcrcsia (Llilitar-L-irion-Thcresi^n-Grden) This order was founded in 1757, and i s the quivalent of the Prussian I t was awarded very sparingly and only officers v/ore "Pour-Le-Herite" sligible* I t i s an sight-pointed white cross with the circular inscription in i t s center reading "Fortitudini". The order embraews thrco classs. All classes are ^vorn on a red-vdiite-rad ribbon* (Plat* XXI-174) b) Bravery Medal (Tapfcrkaitsnedaille) (Plate XXI-175) (Plato XXI-176)

c) Cormafliaoration Medal (Srinnorungsmodaille)

d) Military Servica of Marit Cross (Militar-Verdienst-Krouz) (Plate XXl-177; e) Austrian Wound Badge (Oesterreichischoa-Vorwuiidotenabzeichen) (Plat* XXI-17B; f) "Karl" Military Service of Merit Medal
Verdienst-llcdiille) (Plate XXI-179J
Franz Joseph Bravery &odal (Franz-Joseph-Tapferkeits ( P l a t e XXII-lOO) ESSTRICTED

h) Karl Bravery Modal ( K a r l ^ a p f e r k e i t s m a d a i l l e ) i ) Franz Josph Sarvlca of I l e r i t Cross Vrdion3tkruz) ( P l a t e XXII-182)

( P l a t e XXII-181)

(Fran3-Josph-2ilitar

j ) Karl Troop-Groga (Karl-Truppen-Kruz) ( P l a t o XXII-183;

8.

NATIONS ALLIED TO G-IHil^rZ HT 1914-18

a) Hungarian CoinmTJoratiDn Medal (Ungarische Erinnerungsmcdaill*) (Plat XXXI-184; b) Bulgarian Conmomoration l&dal (Bulgarisch Srinnrunganedaill) XXII-185). c ) Turkish Half-Moon (Tttrkischtir Halbraond) ( P l a t a XXII-186)

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39. G. SPECIAL AIR FORCE DECORATIONS In addition t o the decorations, l i s t e d above, available to the personnel of a l l throe services, there are a number of badges of honor that a r e reserved exclusively for members of the German Air Force. The cost I l l u s t r a t i o n s are proriiinont of thesa are l i s t e d and described below. furnished, vzherever a v a i l a b l e , I - YAR-ffLICHCS BAR GROUP OF DJJOORAIIOIIS ( Front flug-Spangan) Thas a r e elongated metal badges awarded to finding personnel of f i g h t e r , bomber, reconnaissance and transport aj.rcra.ft for successful f l i g h t s against the enemy. They may be granted i n the following three grades: a^ In bronze (lowest grade), for 20 o r iuor* f l i g h t s b j I n s i l v r , for 60 or more f l i g h t s c) In gold, for 110 o r more f l i g h t s A l l f l i g h t s must have been undertaken against tho enemy, and a t l e a s t 30 kilometers behind tho enemy l i n e s . The lower grade bar i s discarded upon the receipt of the next higher grade. Thoso bars are \x>rn abovo the l e f t breast-pocket* The v u i o u s for.-is of Var-Flights Bars are presented below, 1. V&r-Flights 3aLr for Fight or Poraonnol (Front flugspange fur Jilgor) Founded ^oy Gflring on 30 January 194-1, t h i s bar i s amrded to personnel of f i g h t e r , i n t e r c e p t o r arid pursuit a i r c r a f t . I t consists of a massivo metal oak-leaf b a r , containing i n centor a l a u r e l wreath within which reposes a barbed arrow flanked on jccli side by a vdng; oanoath th arrow i s a sva-Gtika, The arrow rerAsdna s i l v e r i n a l l three grades. (Plat XXIII-167) 2# ,7ar-Flight Bar for Boirboir Personnel (Frontflugspange fur ICampfflieger} Founded at the oarao time, this bar may be awarded to personnel of boniber and div-bomber aircraft. It i s identical in design with the bai ter figher personnel, excepting that i t s center holds th replica of a bomb in place of the arrow, this bomb points down and h^s a t a i l and -wings attached; underneath the bomb is a swastika. As in the case of tho bar for fighters, tho bomb in center ranains silver in all three grades. (Plate :OIII-188)

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40.

3m ftar-Fli^its Bar for KgconnsLiasance Psrsonnol (Frontflugspange ) ftir This "bar >ms also instituted on 30 January 1941 as a token of distinction for personnel of reconnaissance, air-sea rescue and meteor ological aircraft. It i s , too* a massive oak-leaf bar, similar in design to the other two, However, i t contains in center the head of an eagle, with a swastika immediately tleneath i t . This eaglts-head remains in s i l ver in a l l three grades. (Plato XXIII-109) 4. War-Flights Bar for Transport Parsonnel (Frontflugspange ftlr Transportfliegor; This bar YUS inaugurated hy Goring on 19 November 1941, and i s avjard^d to personnel of transport and troop-carrying transport aircraft. I t i s similar in design to the others, but contains in i t s center th Ger man Air Force aagle gra3ping a swastika by i t s talons. Tho aasgl and s;mstika remain silvar in a l l throe grades. (Plato XXI1I-190) 5. W&r-Fliglita Bar for Night-Fighter Poraonnol (Frontflugspangc fur Nachtjager) There is a special \/ar-Flights Bar for Kigiht-Fighter Personnel, aTsarded under the identical conditions as th badge for fighter person nel. I t i s of the same pat torn, excepting that tho laurel wreath ;aur roundiiig the centor-piece i s black-lacquerod. The arrow points up in the night fighter badge, and dorai in the bar for long-distance nightfighter personnel (Fomnacht jager). (No illustration presented) In the cas of a l l of the above bars, flights of over four hours duration count as two flights. All bars have the folloidng identical dimensions: Overall-length of bar Diameter of laurel Weath vddth of oak-leaf branchos 75 n u n
25 ram
13 r a i n

6. Pendgjit to V.'ar-Fliglits Bars in Gold (^iihangur zur goldentm F ront f lugspangi; Goring created this high Luftv/affe decoration on 26 June 1942 in recognition of especially distinguished feats in ooriiiection with flights against the cnesny. It nay be av/axded to: a) Personnel of fightor ^ transport aircraft b) Per3omiel of dive-bomber, pursuit and intorcepter aircraft. for more than 500 flights for more than L&O flights

RESTRICTED

c) Personnel of bomber, sea-air rescue and meterological aircraft . d) Personnel of reconnaissance and night-fighter aircraft

for noro thin 300 flights former* than 250 flights

The pendant consists of & 12-nm csnter-atar, adorned on both a i s with threo l a u r e l leaves. The greatest width of the laurel leaves ia 8 mci, while the ova rail-length of the pendant i s about 35 mru This pendant may only be amrdad to the possessors of one of the War-i'lights 3~rs in Gold. I t i a suspended from the bottom of the War-Flights Bar in Gold. (Plato XXIII-191)

II- & R O T J N D C O M B A T B A D G EO FT H E AIR F O R C E (Srdkaapfabzoichen der Luftwaffe) This badge was founded by Goring on 31 March 1S42. ^JLl inembars of the Luftwaffe who distinguished themselves in ground combats .ure eligible. I t i s awarded to individual*only for participation in the for-~iaost linos of ground-combat operations on at least three different daya. Combat oper ations arc defined as storm-assaults (Sturmangriffo), and close-combat fight ing ~oy e i t h e r infantry or a r t i l l e r y weapons. Counter attacks and reconnais sance i n fores are considered storm-assaults, provided they le&.d to closc conib&t. Personnel of heavy infantry-weapons and a r t i l l e r y weapons are e l i gible 9 i f they support the attacking ground troops, cmd tharwby make the pe netration possible. Combat against a e r i a l targets do not e n t i t l e the members of the Luftvaffe ground troops to t h i s decoration. The Air Force .Antiair craft Badg (s3 below) has been created for t h i s purpose. . The more prt-sence in successful ground-combat operations does not e&rn. for a Luftwiffc soldir the Ground-Combat Badge. H must participate directly in a. storm-assault or hand-to-h&nd combat. Commanding officers of units will not be invested with t h i s medal by tho mor display of excellence in troop-loadcrohip, They must also f u l f i l l the prerequisites prsscribod for others. The badge i s in the shape of an oval o&k-leitf wreath, within which i s portrayed a flash of lightning descending from dark clouds and striking the ground below. The Luftwaffe eagle clutching a sv.^stika appears at the top of the wreath xunongst- the clouds. The color of the eagle,swastika and wreath i s b r i g h t - s i l v e r , while the clou&a, the flash of lightning and the* mound itx finished i n d u l l - s i l v e r . Tho bs.dge as officially issued i s of metal. However, the recipients ::iay procure them in embroidery, at their own expense; officers in embroider:,7" cf metal threads, enlisted man in em broidery of VJOOI yarn. The badge has the following dimensions: v.ldth end length of oval Y.Tsr.th 42 siaa. and 5b nsn, respectively; wing-apread of eagle 40 ram.

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42.

I t may a l s o be -worn i n a miniature form. l o f t b r e a a t . ( P l a t e XXIII-192)

I n a l l f o m s , i t i s worn on t h e

H I . SALTOt OF HONOR FOR DISTINGUISHED C O M B A T ACOOMPLISKMEWTS (Ehronsch&l flir liorvorragcnd Kiunpflcistungon) Founded by Goring on 15 Juris 1942, t h i s high decoration nay bo award ed t o thoso members of t h e Luftwaffe ground t r o o p s who have e s p e c i a l l y d i s t i n g u i a h e d themselves by t h e d i s p l a y of e x t r a o r d i n a r y bravery* v/hich f e a t s , howevGr, would n o t e n t i t l e them t o th German Cross i n Gold. Those r a c coromendad f o r t h i s honor must a l r e a d y possess t h e Iron Gross 1 s t cl&su and the Ground-Combat Badgo of t h e A i r Force. Up t o the p r e s e n t , s e v e r a l o f f i c e r s and e n l i s t e d men of ptjrachuta and a n t i a i r c r a f t u n i t s have received t h i s bridge, Tha names of those i n v e s t e d with t h i s decoration a r e entord i n th<s "Honor L i s t of t h e A i r Force" (iShronlist d e r Luftwaffe)' Tha d e c o r a t i o n comes i n t h a snap of a shallow plat, -whose riia i s onibollishad with a l t e r n a t i n g oak and l a u r e l le&ves; t h e depressed base of tlie s a l v e r shows t h e German eagle clutching by i t s t a l o n s two crossed c a n non and a sviastika; Around t h e bottom of t h e base appears t h e i n s c r i p t i o n "In .Anerkennung he rvorr^i gender Kampfl e i stun gon"; the rune and rank of the r e c i p i e n t , with t h e da.t<2 of t h e award below i t , s.re i n s c r i b e d a t tho top of the b a s e . (Plato. XXIII-193) IV. AIR rOBSE AKT3AIRCRAFT BA.DGE (Kampfabzeichen dor F l a k a r t i l l e r i e ) This b^dge, also r e f e r r e d t o .a t h e "Flak-Kwnpf&bzlichen", TJ&.S founded I t c o n s i s t s of an 88-mm a n t i a i r c r a f t gun v;ith by Goring on 10 January 1941. the b a r r o l p o i n t i n g upwards, surrounded by an o v a l ' w r e a t h of oak leaves and crovaned by t h e A i r Fore eagl and swastika. The wreath i s 55-*am high and 45* mam do, with t h e wing-spread of t h e eagle approximately 40 mm. !his badgo may be awarded t o o f f i c e r s and e n l i s t e d men of t h e A i r Fore antiaircraft artillery for outstanding deeds in combat. Individuals, as well a crews of antiaircraft guns arc eligible under the following conditions: a) For shooting down of enemy aircraft* Crews of h'la.vy and light antiaircraft batteries (troops) become eligible after having participated in fivo successful combats against hostile aircraft* Serving crews of antiaircraft searchlight batteries (troops) and sections a.lso become eligible aftar they havo directly participated in the spotting of an enemy aircraft on i'ivo different occr.sions and have caused these planes to be shot down by ant ia ire raft artillerj 7 " or night-fighters.

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43.
b) For having taken part in three different engagements against ground or sea-targets undor d i f f i c u l t circumstances, such as the destruction of tanks, bunkora, ships, oto. c) For exceptionally out striding deeds "by individuals or c r w s , the badge nay bo ay.-arded regardless of tlie number of combats. Example: Tht crew of u. huivy antiaircraft battery vdll become e l i g i b l e sd'tor having shot down throe enemy planes and having takom part in two engagements against gi^und or aesi-targets. This insignia, i s Tsorn on the l e f t breast, and may ba vrorn in a iTniature form. (Plate XXIII-1S4, V. O T H E R AIR FORGE DEG0flAT3PII3 Th follovvdng are oth^r viell-knovm. G-eraruin Air Force decorations: 1 Cup of Honor for Spocial ^ccoiiiplialiments in Air tfexfara ^Shrenpokal fur bosond<iro Leistung im Luftkriog) No particulstrs, description or i l l u s t r a t i o n available. 2 Hioto^raph of the "RQichsmarschall" in a Silver Fraaa Bild des Kerrn ^lOichsirarschall im SilberrsdiL.crn} Air Forco pcrsoimel will in sor?.e cases receive the autographed photo of Gflring for accoj-iplisnniQntsin the- air # 3 . The Golden Book for Flying Personnel
(Das goldcne Buch der Fliegcr)
if. Honor. List of tha Air Force
(jShranliste ddr Luftv/^ffo)
The names of the recipients of the turo last-named honors are published periodically in the o f f i c i a l Air -Force publication "Luftviaffe Vo ro rdnung sblat t " .

H.

SPECIAL NAVY DECORATIONS

The Gorman Navy a l s o issues s p e c i a l badges of i t s owi to i t s p e r s o n n e l . These a r e i n a d d i t i o n to those t h a t a r c a v a i l a b l e to mearibtfrs of t h e t h r c o branches of the Aimed F o r c e s , Those s p e c i a l badges a r e presented below: 1. Submarine Service Badge (u-Boots-KriegSiibztfichen 1939)

This badge i s awarded to a l l o f f i c e r s , p e t t y o f f i c e r s and men of sub marines -who have d i s t i n g u i s h e d themselves ~oy tvo o r inore s o r t i o s againat th enemy. I t c o n s i s t s of a submarine within aa. oval s i l v e r wroath of l a u r e l surmounted by a l a r g e German eagle c l u t c h i n g a s m s t i k a . (pls.t XXIV-195 2 . Destroyer Service Badge (ZorstOror-Kidegsabzjiichen} I n s t i t u t e d o r i g i n a l l y for cre^ra of d e s t r o y e r s who undor coLiLi&nd of Cor.anodore Bontc took p a r t i n t h e b a t t l a a t Narvik. I t i s a l s o awarded for s p e c i a l achievements to members of o t h e r d e s t r o y e r s , torpedo b o a t s and 3 boats, Th badge c o n s i s t s of the forepart of a. destroyer advancing a t 3peod, surrounded by an oval v/roath of oak-leaves and surmounted by a small oagle and swastika. ( P l a t e JQOV-196) 3 . Llinesweeper and S s c o r t Craft Sarvice Badge (Kriegsabzcichen fdr Llinensuch-, U-Boots-, Jagd- und Sicherungsverblnde} to cre\ra of minss^veepers, subrjarine-ch^sers and o t h e r p r o t e c t i v e v e s s e l s ac a r e c o g n i t i o n of good s e r v i c e . Ths badge shows a nine ex ploding -within an oval wreath of oak-leaves surmounted by the German eagle and sYmntika. ( P l a t o SOV-197) 4 . Armed llorchant Cruiser Service Badge (Kriegsabzeichen fiir K i l f s kreuzer) T h i s badge i s awarded to crev/3 of armed merchant c r u i s e r s engaged i n the h a r a s s i n g of enemy merchant shipping. The badge shov/s a Viking ship s a i l i n g over t h e top of the v*>rld globe, v/ithin an oval wreath of oak - l e a v e s suimounted by the Gorman eagle and s m s t i k a . ( p l a t e JQOT-198) f;. F l e e t Service Badge (Flotten-Kricgsabzeichen) This i s awarded to crews of b a t t l e s h i p s , c r u i s e r s and o t h e r u n i t s o p e r a t i n g with the flefit, for whom t h e r e i s no s p e c i f i c v/ar-badgo. I t shows a b a t t l e s h i p , bov/s-on, e n c i r c l e d by a n oval wreath of o a k - l e a v e s , surmounted by t h e Gorman eagle and swastika* ( p l a t e XXIV-199)

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45.

6. PI-Boat (E-Boat^ Service Bxdffi (Schnellboot-

KriegsaJb ZQ ichan J
This "badge i s amrded to craws of U-boats in recognition of good service I t consists of the foreparts of an E-boat s.dv&ncing at speed, encircled by an oak-loaf \ircath and crov/nod by the Genaan eagle and swastika. (Plate XXIV-200) 7. Blockade Runners Badge (Abzeichan ftir Block&debrecher) 3iistitutd 1 April 1941, for craws of ships at sea and in forign ports at the outbreak of thu m r , which have. mana.gcd to reach G-srcian ports or ha.ve scuttled thaiasolves or ben sunk in avoiding capture by entsn^- naval forces, Th ba.dg depicts the forepart of a. l^rge liner advancing, hGr figure-head b&ing a gigantic ca^le v/ith outstrotchc-d wings and clutching the swastilca. Tht; v/holo i s encircled by an anclior ohain. "(Plat XXBT-201) 8. IfovaJL Coast Artillery Badga (Kriegsabzuichen ftir jMwxinoartillcrie) This badge i s avjardad to crews of coast a r t i l l e r y batteries for 3uccc3sl\il antiaircraft dofensc. It i s a representation of a gun emplaced on the bt^ch vdth the barrel pointing up to th loft at kd degrees. The v/Iiolc i s set in an oval wreath of oak leaves and surmounted by th G-er manea&Lo and s^vafltilML. (Plate XXIV-2C2)

RESTRICTED

46.
I . CERTIFICATES OF A W A R D As already s t a t e d , the recipient of a medal i s always given a c e r t i f i c a t e of award ( S e z i t z z c u g n i s j , a t t e s t i n g t o h i s r i g h t f u l ovnaership. This c e r t i f i c a t e contains the folloving items: t i t l e of the medal; name, I t also bears t h e stamp rank and unit of t h e r e c i p i e n t , date of i s s u e . of t h e organization (division e t c . ) , a s well a s th signature of t h e i s s u ing o f f i c e r . Photographs of four of thase c e r t i f i c a t e s of a m r d a r e found on P l a t e XXV, 203-206.

J . EXAMPLES OF H O W MSDALS ABE Photogr-tphs of members of t h e German Array and A i r Force a r e found on p l a t e s :2CVT-}QCVTI- I l l u s t r a t i o n s 207-214. These photographs i l l u s t r a t e t h e manner i n which Gerran medals a r e worn. BGIOY/" a r e l i s t e d t h e medals a s i d e n t i f i e d on th<i; i n d i v i d u a l photographs. I l l u s t r a t i o n 207: Rank: General, Army. Llectils: I r o n Cross 1 s t c l a s s ; War Service o f Merit Cross 1 s t c l a s s -with swords.

Illustration 206: R&nk: 1st L t . , Army. 2ed&ls: Iron Cros3 2nd ; iJaatsrn Front Hcd&l, Iron Cros3 1st class; V/ouiid Badge, in black; Grman Resich Sports Badge.
Illustration 209:

Bank: "Obergruppenftthrer", RAD. Mod&ls: Iron Cross 2nd class; Unidntifiablo; Cross of Honor of the World ivar (Frontkampferkrcuz); Unidentifiable, Insignia of Honor for th First 100,000 Mcaribors;
SA-Milits.ry i3?-dQ; V/buiid Badgo.

Illustrait ion 210:

2nd L t . , Arr.^y. Medals: Sight breast: Cross. Left braa.st: Closo-Conibat Badge; IlitlerYouth Insignia; In*fantry ^ss^ult Badge; Iron Croca 1st class; Wound 3s.dge, in silver. Rank: Private, .army, iledals: On right sloQVQ: 3 Spe cial Insignia for the Single-handed Destruction of Tanks a t e . ; Ribbon of Iron Cross 2nd class; Iron Cross 1st class. Itenk: 1st Lt. Air Force. Lle&ils: Right breast: Ger man Cross. Lcrft breast: Pendant to "iVar-Flights Bar in Gold; Gold Hitler-Youth Bitdge; .Wound Badge, in black; Iron Cross 1st class; Pilots Badge. Suspended from nack: Knight f s Cross-of Iron Cross.

Illustration 211

Illustration 212:

BidSTRICTED

47.

I l l u s t r a t i o n 213: Rank: Oberfldwbel, Air Force* Medals: Right breast: Spanish Gross; Left Breast: Ribbon of Iron Cross 2nd class; Iron Cross 1st class; Spanish Grand Gross (a Spanish decoration); Air Force Gunners Badge; Wound Badgo, in silver* I l l u s t r a t i o n 214: Rank: Oborfeldwebel, M r Force. Medals: Ribbon of Iron Cross 2nd class; Ground Combat badge, of the Air Pore; Assault Badge (General); Wound Badge, in silver*

RESTRICTED

ILLUSTRATIONS

A. GENERAL COMBAT DECORATIONS

PLAEE I

1. Iron Cross of 1813

2. Iron Cross of 1870

w Iron Cross of 1914

Iron Cross, 2nd olass

5. Iron Cross 1st class

6. Bar to Iron Cross of 1914

7. Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves

8. Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords

9. Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds

A. GENERAL COMBAT DECORATIONS

ELATE "II

10. War Service of Merit Cross 2nd class

11. War Service of Merit Cross 1st class with Swords

War Service of
Merit Medal

1Zj.. Navy Wound Badge

of 1914
. Azmy Wound Badge of
15. Wound Badge of 1939

No illustration
available

1 6 . German Cross

17. Honor-Roll Clasp

18. Bravery and Service of Merit Badge for Eastern volunteers

3. ASSAULT BADGES

PLATE III

t9. Infantry Assault

Badge

20. Tank Assault Badge

21. Assault Badge

(General

23. Close-Combat Badge

Special Insignia for the Single-
handed Destruction of Tanks etc.

2 2 Army Antiaircraft
Badge

C. CAMPAIGN DECORATIONS

PLATE IV

* Spanish Cross

26. Austrian Me dal (Pace)

27. Austrian Me dal (Reverse)

No illustration available

28. Sudeten Medal (Reverse)

29. Memel Medal (Reverse)

30. Danzig Cross

31, Narvik Shield

32* Crete Armband

Cho3jn Shield

C. CAMPAIGN DECORATIONS

PLATE V

34. Eastern Front Medal (Pace)

35. Eastern Front Medal (Reverse)

Crimea Shield

Illustration not available

37 Demjansk Shield

38. Kuban Shield

39. Guerilla-Warfare Medal

Africa Armband

. German-Italian Com memoration Medal

D. NAZI PARTY DECORATIONS

PLATE VI

42* Order of Blood Medal

Order of Blood Msdal Ribbon, as worn

from button of breast-pocket

Order of Blood Medal, as worn suspended from

button of breast-pocket

45. Order of Blood Medal Ribbon, as

worn by Air Force personnel

46. Gold Party

Badge

D. NAZI PARTY DECORATIONS

FLXFE HI

47. Coburg Badge

46. Ntaiberg Party*Convention Badge of 1929

49. Badge of the SAConvention at Braunschweig of 1931

51 Miniature Ribbon
of Honor

50. Golden Hitler-Youth

Badge

52. Nazi Party Service Badge (Bronse)

53. Nazi Party Service Badge (Silver)

54. Nazi Party Service

Badge (Gold)

D. NAZI PARTY DECORATIONS

PLAEE VIII

55* & 56, Sachsen, Bayerische Ostmark, Halle-Merseburg, Hessen-Nassau, Magdeburg-Anhalt, Mecklenburg

57. Berlin

58. Ostprexissen

59. Danzig

60. Thtlringen

G-'

Osthannover

62, Essen

. Baden

64. Baden

E. MISCELLANEOUS DECORATIONS

PLATE IX

65, Motor Vehicle Drivers Badge of Merit

66. -67.-68.-69. Marksmanship Awards : class 4 for artillery, and class 7 for infantry

70. Longevity Medal, 4 and 8-year ser vice (Face)

Longevity Medal, 4-year service (Reverse)

72. Longevity Medal, 8-year service (Reverse)

73# Longevity Medal, 18 and 25-year service (Pace)

74. Longevity Medal, 18-year service (Reverse)

75. Longevity Medal, 25-year service (Reverse)

 MISCELLANEOUS OECORATIONS

PLATE X

76. Social Service Medal (Pace)

77 Social Service Medal (Reverse)

78. Social Service Badge

1st class

79. German Defen- 80. G-eiman Defen- 81. Air-Def ense Mese-Wall Medal se-Wall Medal dal 2nd grade (Pace) (Reverse)

82* Mr-Defense Medal

1s-b grade

83. Life^Saving 84. Life-Saving

Medal (Pace) Medal (Re verse)

E. MISCELLANEOUS DECORATIONS

PLATE XI

85. German Eagle Order Cross 3rd class

86. German Eagle Order Medal

87. German Eagle Order Cross 1st class

88. German Eagle Order with Star

89. German Eagle Order Star

90. German Eagle Order Great Cross

91. Cross of Honor of

World War with
Swords

92. Cross of Honor of

World War

E. MISCELLANEOUS DECORATIONS

PLATE XII

93. SA-Militaxy Badge

94* German Reich Sports Badge

95. G-erman Olyrapia Con>memoration Medal (Pace)

96, German Ol^mpia Commemo r a t i o n Medal (Reverse)

97 Gerooan Olynrpia Badge of Honor 1st c l a s s

98. NSKK-Sports Badge

99. German Horse-

Badge

E. MISCELLANEOUS DECORATIONS

ELATE XIII

100. Hitler-Youth Pro 101. German-Youth Pro ficiency Badge ficiency Badge

102. Hitler-Youth Leader Sports Badge

103. Gennan-Girls-So ciety Proficiency Badge

104, Hitler-Youth Badge for Sharpshooters

105. Hitler-Youth Badge for Riflemen

106. Labor Service Badge of Merit (Face)

107 Labor Service Badge of Merit (Reverse)

108. Labor Service Badge

of Merit for Women
(Pace)

E. MISCELLANEOUS DECORATIONS

PLATE XIV

109. Labor Service Badge of Honor of 1932

110. Police Servioe Badge of Merit 1,cl.(Pace)

111. Police Service Badge of Merit 1.d. (Reverse)

112. Police Service Badge of Merit 3.cl, (Pace.)

113. Customs Service Badge of Honor

. Firemen's of Honor

115. Miners1 Badge of Honor (Pace)

116. Miners1 Badge of Honor (Reverse)

E. MISCELLANEOUS DECORATIONS

PLATE XV

117. Faithful Service Medal special class

118. Faithful Service Medal 1st class (Face)

119. Faithful Service

Medal 2nd class
(fleverse)

120. Prize for Art and

Science shoulder
ribbon & rosette

122, Prize for Art and

Science Star

121. Prize for Art and

Science Medal

123* Dr.Fritz Todt

Prize Honor-
Pin

124, German Mothers f

Cross of Honor

P . MEDALS OP HISTORICAL INTEREST

PLATE XVI

125. BlUcher Star 126. Pour Le Merite 127. Pour Le Merite with Oak Leaves

126* House Order f Hohenzollern

129, Order of the Crown

130* Order f the Red Eagle

131. Military Service of 132. Red Cross Medal Merit Cross in Gold

133, Cross of Merit for

Aid in the War Effort

F. MEDALS OF HISTORICAL INTEREST

PLATE XVII

134. Baltic Cross

135. Silesian Badge of Merit 1st el*

136. Silesian Badge of Merit 2nd 1.

137. Centennial Medal

138, Prussian Military Service Badge 1st class (Face)

139. Prussian Military Service Badge 1st class (Reverse)

140, Prussian Military Service Badge 2nd class (Face)

141 Prussian Military Service Badge 2nd class (^Reverse)

142. Prussian Militia

Badge

F. MEDAIS OF HISTORICAL INTEREST

FL&EE XVIII

143. Saxony Military Or- 144. Saxony Commanders 145. Saxony Military Order
der St. Heinrich Cross St. Heinrich Gold Medal
Great Cross

146. Saxony Fried-

rich August
Medal

147. Bavaria Military

Order Max Joseph 148. Military Medical Order
of Bavaria

149. Bavaria Gold Bravery Medal (Face)

150. Bavaria Silver Bra- 151. Bavaria Military

very Medal (Reverse) Service Badge 2nd
class (Face)

P. MEDALS OF HISTORICAL INTEREST

PLATE XIX

152.

Bavaria Military 153. Wirttemberg Military 154. Wirtteznberg Military Service Badge 2nd Service of Merit Cross Service of Merit c l a s s (Reverse) (Great Cross) Gold Medal

155.

Wfcrttemberg Military Service Badge 1st o l a s s (Pace and Reverse)

157. Wurtteniberg Ivtilitary Service Badge 158, 2nd c l a s s (Pace and Reverse)

159.

Baden Military Order of Merit Karl Friedrich (Great Cross)

160,,

Baden Service of Merit Medal

F . MEDtALS OP HISTORICAL INTEREST

FL&EE XX

161. Baden Military Service Badge 1st olass 163. Baden Military Service Badge
162. (Pace and Reverse) 164. 3rd olass (Pace and Reverse)

165. Hessen Bravery 166. Mecklenbui^-Schwerin 167. Lippe-Detmold War

Medal Service of Merit Cross Service of Merit Cross

168. Braunschweig War Service of Merit Cross

169. Oldenburg Priedrioh 170. Sachsen-Anhalt SerAugust Cross vice of Merit Cross

P. MEDALS OP HISTORICAL INTEREST

PLATE XXI

171 Hamburg Hansa Cross

172, Bremen Hansa Cross

173. Liibeck Hansa Cross

174. Maria Theresia Military Order

175. Austrian Bravery Medal

176. Austrian Comme moration Medal

177. Austrian Military Service of Merit Cross

178. Austrian Wound

Badge

179. Austrian Karl Mi litary Service of

Merit Medal

P. MEDALS OF HISTORICAL INTEREST

PLATE XXII

180. Franz Joseph Bravery Medal

181. Karl Bravery Medal

182# Franz Joseph Servioe of Me rit Cross

183. Karl Troop Cross

184* Hungarian Comme moration Medal

185. Bulgarian Commemoration Medal

186.

Turkish Half-Moon

G. SPECIAL AItt FORCE DECOHATIONS

PLATE X2CEII

187. War-Flights Bar for Fighter Personnel

188. War-Plights Bar for Bomber

Personnel

189 War-Plights Bar for Reconnaissance Personnel

190. War-Plights Bar for Transport

Personnel

191. Pendant to War-Plights Bars in Gold

192# Ground Combat Badge

of the Air Force

Mi

111
193. Salver of Honor for Distinguished Combat Accomplishments 194. Air Force Antiair craft Badge

H . SPECIAL NASTI DBOQRmONS

PLATE XXIV

195. Submarine Service Badge

196. Destroyer Service Badge

197 Min^sireeper and Escort Craft Service Badge

198* Aimed Merchant Cruiser Service Badge

199. Fleet Service Badge

200, FT-Boat Service 201. Blockade Runners Badge Badge .

202. Naval Coast Ar-

tillery Badge

! CERTIFICATES OP AWAHD

PLATE XXF

IM NAMEN DES FUHRERS

UND OBERSTEN BEFEHLSHABERS
DERWEHRMACHT

VER1EIHE ICH
DEM

IM NAMEN DES FUHRERS

VERLEIHE ICH DEM

Gefreiten
Peter K u r z ,
Stab / Afr.Art.Rgt.l

Obergefr. Heinrich 0 r t h 6./HKAR.1262

DAS
DAS

EISERNE KREUZ 2. KLASSE

Af r i k a den 15.2.

KRIEGSVERDIENSTKREUZ 2. KLASSE MnSCHWERTERN

__ K. H. Qu^ "jfxv>v
<DEN

2_o.April 1944

Der Komnandiererde General I . A.

neralmajor u.Hdh.Art.Kdx.Afrika
(DIENSTCRAD UND DIENSTSTELLONC)

203* Certificate of Award for Iron

Gross 2nd class

Certificate of Award for War Ser vice of Merit Cross 2nd class

IM NAMEN DES FUHRERS

UND

BESITZZEIONIS
DIM
SS-Kanonier August H a g e m e i e r

OBERSTEN BEFEHLSHABERS
DERWEHRMACHT

1ST DEM Unteroffizier Heinrich AM 1.9*19*2. . Bi c k

4./SS-Flak-Abt. "DQB Reich"

DIE MEDAILLE
WINTERSCHLACHT IM OSTEN
1941/42
(OSTMEDAILLE)

VERLIEHEN WORDEN.

WURDE DAS

HEERES FIAK ABZEICH EN

VERLIEHEN.
HAUPTqjJARTIEKO.KH,DEN 1 5 . November 1943 GENERAL DER ARTILLERIE BEIM OBERBEFEHISHABERDES HEERES

Ft)R DIE HICHTICKEIT

Oberst u. Rgt.-Kommandeur

OENERALLEUTNANT

205. Certificate of Award for Eas tern Front Medal

206. Certificate of Award for Arnjy

Antiaircraft Badge

J . EXAMPLES OP HOW MEDALS ARE 1/TOHN

PLATE XXVI

207,

208.

209.

210.

J . EXAMPLES OP HDW MEDALS A.R2 WORN

PLATE XXVII

211.

212.

213*

214.

(28162) Wt. 31952/20

26-48-2 500 11/44 L. & B.