Germany awards 'new Iron Cross'

BBC News ^ | Monday, 6 July 2009 | BBC staff

[wolf78]

Germany's Chancellor, Angela Merkel, has presented four soldiers with the country's new medal for bravery, the first to be awarded since World War II.

The Cross of Honour for Bravery features a golden Maltese cross with an eagle in the centre, held on a black, red and gold ribbon with oak leaves.

It is the Bundeswehr's first decoration for bravery since the Iron Cross was shunned due to its WWII association.

The soldiers are being honoured for their bravery in Afghanistan in 2008.

The four risked their lives to aid those wounded in a suicide attack near Kunduz that left two soldiers and five children dead, the defence ministry said in a statement on its website.

"Despite burning vehicles and exploding munitions, the soldiers attempted to rescue their comrades and Afghan civilians," it added.

Germany has some 7,200 troops currently serving abroad, including 3,830 in Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf).

[wolf78]

Also read: FIRST MILITARY MEDAL FOR BRAVERY SINCE WWII: Germany Awards Military Cross of Courage

For comparison purposes:

    

(Imperial) Iron Cross / The Cross of Honor for Bravery / (Civilian) Medal of Merit

[pnh102]

Was Abe Simpson one of the recipients? :)

[henkster]

The “Ritterkruez” or “Knight’s Cross” has a long and distinguished history in German military tradition. It was an award that pre-dated Nazi Germany, although many people lumped it and the Nazi movement with German militarism.

I personally have no problem with re-issuing these medals as recognition for bravery. It’s no different that a Distinguished Service Cross, a VC or Hero of the Soviet Union. Honor the hero.

[calex59]

Actually I believe the Iron Cross was awarded during WWI as well. It wasn’t made up for the Nazis. Hitler perverted just about everything German.

[contemplator]

Thanks for posting the comparison pics. Still a hair too close to the original for my tastes, but it’s not my call. Regardless, it doesn’t diminish the acts of bravery performed by those soldiers in Afghanistan.

[meandog]

Wow! Seig Heil!

[PittsburghAfterDark]

The iron cross type design, as noted previous, was used in WWI and in Prussian days as well.

I fail to see why the Germans should have to make apologies for this design.

[CholeraJoe]

Britain highest award for valo(u)r, the Victoria Cross is made from bronze melted down from cannons captured at the Battle of Balaclava.

[BigCinBigD]

I’m happy for them, and thank them for their service.

[contemplator]

I fail to see why the Germans should have to make apologies for this design.

Do you fail to see it, or do you just not agree with it? It's essentially the same debate as the one we have in this country over the Confederate Flag.

[centurion316]

I suspect that within the ranks of the German Army, this is not known as the Cross of Honor for Bravery, but rather as the Eisenkreuz, as it should be.

[wolf78]

Actually I believe the Iron Cross was awarded during WWI as well. It wasn’t made up for the Nazis. Hitler perverted just about everything German.

And a hundred years before WWI already as a Prussian medal. I was using the imperial design (1871-1914) above, the Nazis used a similar design (but with a swastika instead of the imperial crown). It has been the symbol of the German armed forces since long before the Nazis and still is:

  

Eurofighter Typhoon / Leopard 2 main battle tank

[meandog]

Thanks for posting the comparison pics. Still a hair too close to the original for my tastes, but it’s not my call ...

[MattinNJ]

Still chuckling about Dennis Miller’s line several years ago about Germany not joining us in Iraq. “What’s this world coming to when you can’t talk the Germans into a fight. What’s the matter? It wasn’t on a grand enough scale?”

[Rinnwald]

Why does the middle of the gold one look like ‘Haggar the Horrible’?

[calex59]

Yep, when I was stationed in Germany back in the day they were using it. Take care.

[Jack Black]

Also used by this famous skateboard company.

And custom bike builder Jessie James' company, and many many other custom bike builders have incorporated it into their logos.

[Jewbacca]

“Actually I believe the Iron Cross was awarded during WWI as well.”

I believe this is correct. Hitler had one from WWI.

[wolf78]

Whose is that, Mussolini's? Because Charles Lindbergh's Eagle Cross is somewhat more plain:



However, that's not a military award like the original Iron Cross, but a Nazi regime recognition for their special friends worldwide.

[Jewbacca]

?