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Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2.Klasse mit Schwertern

The War Merit Cross second class bronze with swords (Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. klasse mit Schwertern) also know as the KVK 2 was instituted on 18-10-1939 by Hitler. This award could be awarded to military personal as well as to civilians (m/f) for bravery not directly connected with frontline actions. For example: maintenance of frontline vehicles and equipment, outstanding performance by the civil defence and security tasks. (For more information see also the War Merit cross second class without swords.)

This award is shaped like a large Maltese cross and measures 1.9" across. The cross is struck in different metals, but mostly in zinc. The crosses made of zinc were subsequently bronze washed. Some specimens were struck in bronze, but these are very rare. The Maltese cross has a raised border, with a pebbled surface within these borders. In the middle of the cross lies a wreath of oak leaves with a knotted ribbon on top and bottom. A swastika is placed in the center of the wreath. The reverse of the badge has a smooth surface and shows the same wreath, except for the inscription 1939 instead of the swastika. The wreath measures 0.6" in width. In this version of the War Merit Cross two swords are placed diagonally through the cross. These swords are broad double-edged, as in the Roman military design.
On top of the upper arm of the cross, an eyelet is mounted with a ring attached to it.
The badge is suspended from a ribbon, passing through this ring. The ribbon is 1.18" wide and is the reverse of the ribbon used for the Iron Cross 1939, e.g. a central black vertical stripe .55" in width , flanked by a thin white and a thin red stripe, each .15" in width.
The mint mark was usually stamped on the ring; some well known manufacturers were: Steinhauer & Lück from Lüdenscheid,(4) L. Chr. Lauer LL. from Nürnberg, (14) Karl Wurster KG from Markneukirchen, (18) E. Fred Weidmann from Frankfürt am Main, (19) Willy Annetsberger from München, (34) Julius Bauer& Söhne from Zella-Mehlis, (43) Jakob Bengel from Idar-Oberstein, (44) Frans Jungwirth from Vienna, (45) Robert Hauschild from Pforzheim, (56) Karl Hensler from Pforzheim, (57) Rudolf Tham from Gablonz ad N. (101) and Hermann Aurich from Dresden. (113)

The War Merit Cross with swords was awarded in a blue, red or buff coloured paper bag, with the name of the award printed on it. It was awarded with a standard citation. It is estimated that this version of the War Merit Cross has been awarded 6.134.950 times during the WWII period.


On official occasions or military parades the cross was worn suspended from its ribbon or as part of a group. During active duty only the ribbon was worn through the second buttonhole or as part of a ribbon bar. When it was worn through the buttonhole, it was put behind the ribbon of the Iron Cross 2 and before the Eastern Winter Campaign Medal. (Ostmedaille) but among combat troops it is often seen after the latter because of the higher prestige of the Eastern Winter Campaign Medal.

Achatz, Johann (Unteroffizier)† November 24th, 1943

Adam, Wilhelm (Generalmajor)* March 28th, 1893
† November 24th, 1978

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Grid List
Tammann, Heinrich Johann Gustav Linus Alexander* November 28th, 1894
† March 16th, 1946

Tank, Kurt Waldemar* February 24th, 1898
† June 5th, 1983

Tannerbauer, Alois* December 27th, 1914
† November 28th, 1943

Tappe, Martin (SS-Polizei-Pz-Gren.Reg.8)* January 10th, 1910
† April 19th, 1969

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Taufratshofer, Friedrich "Fritz"* December 30th, 1919
† December 29th, 1942
Plot: 8 Row: 38 Grave: 1640

Tensfeld, Willy (Waffen SS)* November 27th, 1893
† September 2nd, 1982

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Tessin, Georg Friedrich Ludwig Max August* June 16th, 1899
† October 18th, 1985

Tetsch, Ernst-Johann (Waffen SS)* October 28th, 1916
† November 11th, 1993

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Tetzel, Helmut (U-562)* August 3rd, 1920

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Theiß, Rudolf* December 18th, 1887
† June 17th, 1961

Thelen, Franz* February 24th, 1920

Thiel, Dr. Walter (A-4/V-2)* March 2nd, 1910
† August 18th, 1943
Grave: UNK

Thielmann, Alfred (Generalleutnant)* July 20th, 1892
† March 3rd, 1988

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Thierse, Walter* November 16th, 1916

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Tholens, Hermann* May 19th, 1882
† October 16th, 1967

Thomale, Wolfgang* February 25th, 1900
† October 20th, 1978

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Thomas, Dr.med. Max (Waffen SS)* August 4th, 1891
† December 6th, 1945

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Thurnhofer, Franz* February 9th, 1915

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Tiburtius, Joachim* July 7th, 1910

Tix, Arthur* December 16th, 1897
† February 7th, 1971

Tocü, Erwin* March 7th, 1915
† March 25th, 1945

Topp, Erich* July 2nd, 1914
† December 26th, 2005

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Topp, Karl* September 29th, 1895
† April 24th, 1981

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Toussaint, Rudolf (General)* May 2nd, 1891
† August 1968

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Trautvetter, Otto* November 30th, 1908

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Trebsch, Rudolf† June 8th, 1907

Tremmel, Kurt* April 19th, 1904

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Treuhaupt, Kurt* April 16th, 1898

Triendl, Rudolf* July 3rd, 1917
† April 11th, 1945
Row: 5 Grave: 98

Troglauer, Johann* September 13th, 1914
† June 26th, 1944

Trotz, Herbert* May 11th, 1915
† July 31st, 1980

Turek, Anton† 1955

Turnwald, Hans (Jagdpanzer-Kompanie 1015)* August 22nd, 1920
† July 11th, 1982

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Täffner, Otto* July 17th, 1896
† May 1st, 1945
Row: 1 Grave: 245

Tönnis, Wilhelm* June 16th, 1898
† September 12th, 1978

Sources