Iron Cross

The Iron Cross (German: Eisernes Kreuz) is a military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia, and later of Germany, which was established by King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia and first awarded on 10 March 1813. The Iron Cross is only awarded in wartime. In addition to the Napoleonic Wars, the Iron Cross was awarded during the Franco-Prussian War, and the First (WWI) and Second World Wars. It has not been awarded, nor any other form of a military decoration to honor or bravery, since May 1945 in the german Bundeswehr.

Related Topics:
German - Military decoration - Germany - Friedrich Wilhelm III - Prussia - 10 March - 1813 - Napoleonic Wars - Franco-Prussian War - First (WWI) - Second World War - 1945 - Bundeswehr

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Following the end of the Second World War, the government of West Germany, following German law (Ordensgesetz from the 26. Juli 1957), prohibits the wearing of an Iron Cross with a swastika (=:de:Hakenkreuz). Alternatively it is allowed for World War II veterans to wear a replica, although as a miniature, of the Iron Cross with the swastika of the nazi dictatorship. Altered, it has to display an Oak Leaf Cluster, as the former version of WWI did, in place of a swastika.

Related Topics:
West Germany - 26. Juli - 1957 - Swastika - :de:Hakenkreuz

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Although the Iron Cross is often associated with Nazi Germany, it is an old German symbol and the cross design (but not the specific decoration) is still used by Germany's armed forces (the Bundeswehr).

Related Topics:
Nazi Germany - Germany - Bundeswehr

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