Iron Cross

[hessian]

Can a German soldier receive the Iron Cross 1st Class if he hasn't already received the 2nd Class award? I also find it a petty niggle in films seeing German soldiers with WWI medals who are obviously too young to have served then.

[kvalidir]

No, but a 2nd and 1st class could be awarded simultaneously- so in theory yes a younger man could have worn a 1st class if he'd been awarded it like that.

[inksplotter]

Eddie Chapman was also rewarded the Iron Cross, I believe (IE a spy)

[kvalidir]

There was a double agent that Germany called Arabel and the UK called Garbo who won it too and then also won the MBE :)

[kvalidir]

There you are, interesting little story:)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Pujol_Garcia

[Barks]

Criteria for the 2nd Class was a single act of bravery in the face of the enemy or an action that was above and beyond the call of duty.

The 1st Class for the Army or Waffen SS required another 3 or 4 acts of conspicuous bravery whereas the Navy would award it to captains who had sunk in excess of 50,000 tons of shipping and the Air Force for 7 confirmed kills but it could be awarded for a single act considered of such importance as to warrant the award simultaneously with the 2nd Class as described by Kvalidir

The highest grade of the Iron Cross was the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross created in 1939 but more grades were created to recognise ever more significant actions and achievements. First was the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves in 1940 followed by the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords and the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds in 1941 followed by the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds in 1944