Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Awarded for	The Knights Cross of the Iron Cross is presented as a large iron cross supported by a band that is in the tricolor of the German Empire (Red, White and black). The cross itself has a large swastika in the middle of it with the year 1939 on the bottom arm, while the backside is vacant of any markings. Depending on the version, the award can have a specific clasp supporting the cross on the ribbon, these include: Oak leaves Oak leaves and swords Oak leaves, swords and diamonds Golden Oak leaves with swords and diamonds
Presented by	the Führer and Reich president
Country	Nazi Germany

The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes), or simply the Knight's Cross (Ritterkreuz), was the highest military award in Nazi Germany during World War II. It was given to soldiers and military leaders for their bravery in battle or for showing excellent leadership skills.

This important award was created on September 1, 1939, right when Germany invaded Poland. It replaced many older awards for bravery from the German Empire. The Knight's Cross was given to members of all parts of the German military, including the army (Heer), navy (Kriegsmarine), and air force (Luftwaffe). It was also given to members of the Waffen-SS and other groups, and even to soldiers from countries allied with Germany.

Over 7,000 of these awards were given out during World War II. As the war went on, different levels of the Knight's Cross were created to honor even greater acts of courage. These higher levels included additions like "Oak Leaves," "Swords," and "Diamonds."

History of the Iron Cross
Different Levels of the Award
How Awards Were Given Out
After the War
See also

History of the Iron Cross

The Iron Cross from 1813

The original Iron Cross award was created by the Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm III in 1813. This was during the Napoleonic Wars, when German states were fighting against French occupation. The cross was made of cast iron with a silver frame. Iron was chosen to show strength and defiance.

To help pay for the army, the king asked wealthy Prussians to donate their jewelry. In return, they received an iron ring or brooch that said, "Gold I gave for iron." The Iron Cross was brought back for later wars in 1870 and 1914.

When World War II began in 1939, Adolf Hitler, as the leader of Germany, brought back the Iron Cross. He also introduced the new Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. This new award was special because it could be given to any soldier, from a high-ranking officer to a regular soldier, for their bravery. This fit with the Nazi idea of "One people, one nation, one leader."

Records show that 7,161 Knight's Crosses were officially given out. There were also 863 awards of the Oak Leaves, 147 with Swords, and 27 with Diamonds. The highest level, the Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds, was only given once, to a pilot named Hans-Ulrich Rudel in December 1944.

Different Levels of the Award

The Knight's Cross was a very important award. As the war continued, German leaders needed a way to recognize soldiers who kept showing extreme bravery or success, even after they had already received the Knight's Cross. Because of this, four higher levels of the award were created.

The Knight's Cross was eventually awarded in five different levels:

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds

The Knight's Cross

The basic Knight's Cross was created on September 1, 1939. It looked very similar to the original Iron Cross. It had a special shape called a "cross pattée," which means its arms are narrow in the middle and wider at the ends. Many of these crosses were made by a company called Steinhauer & Lück. Their crosses often had "800" stamped on the back, meaning they were made of 80% silver.

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves

The Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) was introduced on June 3, 1940. Before this, only 124 soldiers had received the basic Knight's Cross. The Oak Leaves were added to the award for continued bravery or leadership.

The idea of adding Oak Leaves to an award was not new. It had been used with older Prussian awards for bravery, like the "Pour le Mérite," since 1813.

Close-up of the Oak Leaves

Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords

The Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern) was introduced on July 15, 1941. This version looked like the Oak Leaves award, but with a pair of crossed swords added to the bottom of the oak leaves.

With Oak Leaves and Swords

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

The Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten) was also introduced on July 15, 1941. The first people to receive this very high honor were Werner Mölders and Adolf Galland.

This award was given out 27 times during World War II. It came with two parts: a fancy "A-piece" with real diamonds for special occasions, and a simpler "B-piece" with fake diamonds for everyday wear. Sadly, three people who were supposed to get the Diamonds never did because they were killed or the war ended before they could receive it.

Helmut Lent's Diamonds, at a museum.

Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds

The Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Goldenem Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten) was the highest level of the award. It was created on December 29, 1944. This medal was meant for only 12 of the most outstanding soldiers after the war ended.

Six of these golden sets were made. Each had an "A-piece" made of 18-carat gold with 58 real diamonds, and a "B-piece" made of 14-carat gold with 68 real sapphires. Only one set was actually given out, to Hans-Ulrich Rudel on January 1, 1945. The other five sets were taken by US forces at the end of the war.

Rear side of the Oak Leaves of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

How Awards Were Given Out

To get the Knight's Cross, a soldier usually had to have already received the Iron Cross First Class. Sometimes, both awards were given at the same time. Unit commanders could also get the medal if their entire unit showed excellent behavior.

For example, U-boat commanders could qualify by sinking 100,000 tons of enemy ships. Air force pilots could earn points for shooting down enemy planes. One point was given for a single-engine plane, two for a twin-engine plane, and three for a four-engine plane. These points were doubled for night missions. The requirements for the award became harder to meet as the war went on.

Soldiers could be nominated for the Knight's Cross by their commanders. Commanders could not nominate themselves. The nomination had to be written down and sent up the chain of command. Each commander in charge had to approve it with a short comment. In special cases, like if a soldier was badly injured, the nomination could be sent by telegram.

Once approved, the soldier would first receive a telegram telling them about the award. Then, they would get a temporary certificate. The award was also written in their military pay book and other official records.

Adolf Hitler giving out Oak Leaves at a ceremony in September 1943

Hitler often personally gave out the Oak Leaves and higher levels of the award. Early ceremonies took place in Berlin or at his home in Berchtesgaden. Later, during the invasion of the Soviet Union, presentations happened at his military headquarters. After a failed attempt to assassinate him in 1944, Hitler gave out fewer awards himself. Instead, senior commanders, like the heads of the navy and air force, or Heinrich Himmler, gave out the awards.

After the War

A Knight's Cross from 1957, without the swastika

After World War II, Germany made laws about wearing old military awards. Because German law forbids wearing a swastika, the West German government allowed replacement Knight's Crosses to be worn. These new crosses, created in 1957, had an oak leaf cluster instead of the swastika. This way, soldiers who earned the award during the war could still wear it legally.