Description
Schinkel Iron Cross 1st Class 1939
The German Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz) is a former military Prussian decoration, historically awarded for acts of bravery and later reinstated by Adolf Hitler in 1939.
During World War II, the Iron Cross was divided into three main categories: the Iron Cross 2nd Class (EKII), Iron Cross 1st Class (EK1), and the Knights Cross, which supplanted the Prussian Pour le Mérite or “Blue Max” due to Hitler’s disapproval of much of the old Prussian order, which was awarded exclusively to officers.
The Prussian Iron Cross of 1914, with its black and white ribbon, was replaced by the colors red, white, and black, as adopted by The National Socialist German Workers’ Party. A Swastika was added to the center, with “1939” inscribed beneath it.
