The Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, or Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, was the highest decoration of the Iron Cross class during World War II and also the highest military decoration for bravery and courage. The Grand Cross or Grosskreuz is a higher decoration than the Knight’s Cross, but it was only awarded to Hermann Göring, and even his was revoked before the end of the war. As a predecessor to the Knight’s Cross, in the hierarchy of German decorations until 1918, the military order known as Pour le Mérite or Blue Max was awarded.
With the beginning of World War II on September 1, 1939, the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross was introduced by inserting it between the already established three grades of the first and second classes of the Iron Cross and the Grand Cross (Grosskreuz).
The Knight’s Cross could be awarded to all soldiers, regardless of rank, which differed from the practice of awarding the Pour le Mérite order in World War I, which could only be given to aristocrats or officers. By the end of the war, a total of 7,318 Knight’s Crosses were awarded, including members of the Waffen SS. The condition for earning the Knight’s Cross was selfless bravery in the face of the enemy and exceptional merit in leading military units. The first prerequisite for generals to earn the Knight’s Cross was not only personal leadership on the battlefield but also effectiveness in planning military tactics. The practice of awarding the Knight’s Cross extended beyond soldiers of the Wehrmacht and Waffen SS to include police units, firefighters, SA members, Volkssturm members, and RAD work units.
The second prerequisite for earning the Knight’s Cross was the possession of both classes of the Iron Cross, excluding Iron Crosses from World War I. In exceptional cases, both the Knight’s Cross and the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Classes were awarded simultaneously. Posthumous awards were only possible in exceptional cases.
Recipients of the Knight’s Cross were allowed to wear the top button of their coat unbuttoned to display the decoration, given its visibility and significance. Higher grades of the Knight’s Cross were awarded very rarely, and their bearers enjoyed high prestige in their military circles. They were regarded as exceptional soldiers who had been tested on the frontlines or outstanding strategists.
Knight’s Cross, Manufacturer Juncker, Marked with Horizontal “2”.
In the initial year of World War II and also later among higher-ranking officers, the Knight’s Crosses were personally awarded by Adolf Hitler. Alongside the presentation of the decoration itself, on rare occasions, Adolf Hitler also bestowed a red folder containing a document in the form of a book.
A red leather folder was used to present the document for the award of the Knight’s Cross to soldiers who achieved this honor in the early years of the war.
Award document for the Grand Cross
In the later years of the war, award documents were issued from Hitler’s headquarters. The documents were no longer presented in leather folders but in the form of a simple A3-sized document. It was planned that the folders would be awarded after the final victory. With the presentation, the state also committed to exempting the recipient from paying all taxes after the ultimate victory. As the war lasted longer than anticipated, they expanded or upgraded it to three additional grades. By the end of the war, a fifth level was added, but it was only awarded once.
Award document from the early period of the war, such a document was presented in a red leather folder.
The Knight’s Cross, in appearance, is similar to the Iron Cross 1st Class. The difference is that it is larger and was worn around the neck on a ribbon in the colors of the Reich, which were black, white, and red. The frame in which the iron center was embedded was made of silver. The first models had a core made of zinc, while naval versions, being exposed to moisture at sea, were made from brass or tombac to prevent rusting.
Oak Leaves without and with Swords, Stamp “21” is the Mark of the Manufacturer Godet from Berlin.
Oak Leaves Attached to the Knight’s Cross.
The grade with diamonds was always awarded in two versions, with the first one featuring real diamonds and the second one featuring sparkling cut glass.
The Knight’s Cross with Golden Oak Leaves should have been awarded at least 12 times, but in practice, it was only awarded to Hans Ulrich Rudel.
Field Marshal Werner von Brauchitsch was among the first recipients of the Knight’s Cross for the campaign in Poland.
The first awarding of the Knight’s Cross took place on September 30, 1939. It was conferred upon high-ranking officers of the Wehrmacht who led the campaign in Poland. Among them were: Blaskowitz, Bock, Brauchitsch, Goering, Keitel, Kesselring, Loehr, Kluge, Kuechler, List, Raeder, Reichenau, Rundstedt. All the first Knight’s Crosses were presented by Hitler on the same day in a solemn ceremony.
Field marshal Fedor Von Bock, one of the early recipients of the knight’s cross, also a holder of the pour le merite.
Initially without markings, then marked in the following sequence 800, L/12 800, 800 L/12, horizontal 2, and towards the end of the war with a small 2 or micro 2. The latter is the rarest and therefore the most expensive. Juncker’s Knight’s Cross is considered the safest purchase today, as all tools for its production were destroyed at the end of the war, while the tools of some other manufacturers were preserved, for example, S&L and K&Q…
A highly rare cross, very few specimens have survived. Marked with the manufacturer’s number 7 on the suspension loop and 800 on the upper part of the frame.
Highly esteemed among collectors, considered one of the most valued crosses due to its rarity. This manufacturer possibly designed the appearance of the Knight’s Cross. Marked with L/15 on the suspension loop and ribbon ring attachment. In some cases, there is also an 800 stamp on the ribbon suspension loop. Caution is advised when purchasing this Knight’s Cross as it was produced even after the war. Original tools were used in the production of early versions of the 1957-type Knight’s Cross.
One of the more common Knight’s Cross variants. Initially, it was unmarked, later marked with a silver 800 or 935 stamp. Caution is advised when purchasing this Knight’s Cross, as they were produced for some time after the war. Original tools were also used in the production of early 1957-type Knight’s Cross versions.
Marked with various stamps: L/52, 800, and 20. Zimmermann’s Knight’s Cross is considered rarer, with very few in private collections.
One of the ultra-rare examples, usually unmarked, with a more rounded ribbon suspension loop.
The Knight’s Cross is considered one of the most counterfeited decorations of all time. However, counterfeiters have not yet been able to replicate the characteristics of any of the aforementioned manufacturers. Some Knight’s Crosses were produced after the war by manufacturers who had produced them during the war. These crosses were made using original wartime tools. The differences between these and the originals are minimal, and experts often determine their age based on the number of known deformations on the frame.
According to the Decorations Law of July 26, 1957, all recipients of the Iron Cross from World War II were allowed to purchase a version without the swastika. Instead, the design featured oak leaves similar to those from World War I. Veterans were also allowed to wear the original crosses, provided that the swastika symbol was removed.
