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Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

The German Cross (Deutschen Kreuz) is build up out of 5 separate parts and although the name suggests otherwise, it has the shape of a large 8-pointed breast star with in the center a large black swastika which is outlined in silver. The name of this award comes from this 21,5 mm big swastika. This swastika is placed upon a red-bordered silver disk and upon this red border is a golden laurel leaf wreath mounted. The golden wreath measures 39 mm across and is made out of single laurel leaves that are bounded together with a silk lint. At the bottom of the wreath is a square box with the year 1941 impressed into it. This date refers to the year of institution and from underneath this wreath emerge the eight star points. These points are chemically blackened and have the appearance of sunrays. Underneath these points is a 63 mm large silver backing plate placed which has the same shape as the award, only it’s slightly bigger so it forms the outer line of the award. At the reverse are 4 or 6 rivets visible and through the number of rivets you can recognize if the award was made in Germany or Austria. The German Crosses with 4 rivets were made in Germany and the pieces with 6 rivets in Austria. Further is there at the reverse a large width pin with a standard hook construction placed. If the award is marked with the LDO-number of the producer, then it is stamped in either the front or backside of the pin. To prevent damaging the award during combat, there was also a cloth version made. This cloth version has a metal wreath and the backing cloth colour is the same as the tunic colour of the corresponding Army branch. Fieldgrey is for the Army (Heer) and Waffen-SS, bleu-grey for the Air Force, (Luftwaffe) Marine bleu for the Navy (Kriegsmarine) and black for the Armored forces.

The German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) was awarded for bravery and outstanding achievements in combat but where the Knight’s Cross wasn’t awarded for. The recipient did however already had to own the Iron Cross 1st Class (Eisernes Kreuz 1 Klasse) or Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1.Klasse with swords. The exact number of times that the German Cross in Gold was bestowed is still unknow at this time.

The OKW barred/stopped by decree the awarding of the Gernan Cross in Gold for "multiple remarkable services in troop leadership" from March 10th, 1945 on.

Bidermann, Gottlob-Herbert* August 28th, 1920
† September 1st, 2010

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Grid List
Kormaier, Rudolf* June 4th, 1916

Korweck, Hans* March 13th, 1910

Kosina, Ludwig* January 4th, 1913

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Kotzur, Kunibert* December 3rd, 1918

Kraemer, Jörg* December 20th, 1917

Kramer, Hansleo* May 3rd, 1922

Kramp, Walter* April 14th, 1914

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Krasa, Karl* October 5th, 1901

Kratschmer, Franz* June 9th, 1918

Kratzer, Wilhelm "Willi"* January 24th, 1918

Kratzsch, Erwin* April 21st, 1921

Kraus, Albert* December 12th, 1916

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Kraus, Dr., Hermann* March 27th, 1897

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Kraus, Edmund* May 21st, 1913

Krause, Gerhard (KM)* May 25th, 1916

Krausse, Alfred (U-196)* May 15th, 1917

Krebs, Walter* June 21st, 1920

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Kreft, Walter* March 21st, 1917

Kress, Karl* December 16th, 1918

Kretschmer, Ernst* May 25th, 1912

Kreuzer, Hans* December 16th, 1914

Krieger, Helmut* January 19th, 1921

Kriesmaier, Georg* December 29th, 1921

Kroll, Kurt* August 16th, 1911

Kropp, Kurt* July 31st, 1914

Krug, Siegfried* October 29th, 1917

Krumnow, Herbert* September 20th, 1919

Krupp, Arthur* December 16th, 1917

Krüger, Willi (U-190)* August 28th, 1917

Krä, Alois* April 22nd, 1912

Kräußlich, Otto* January 21st, 1915

Sources