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    Title

  • Iron Cross, Second Class

    • Other Title(s)

  • Eisernes Kreuz, Zweite Klasse

  • Physical Description

    Medal : silver, iron and ribbon ; 1.6" x 4.7" (12 x 4 cm)

  • Date

    circa 1914

  • Summary

    Black cross pattée outlined in silver with a reeded border. Ribbon with two white stripes on either side of a wide black stripe.

    Recto: a crown, "W" in the center, and "1914".

    Verso: a crown above "FW", three oak leaves, and "1813".

  • Subject

    Crowns; World War, 1914-1918, Medals, Germany; Iron Cross; Medals

  • Genre

    Military decorations

  • Medium

    Objects

  • Part Of

    Hans Bial Collection,, AR 6390

  • Accession Number

  • URL

Biographical/Historical Information

The Iron Cross was established in 1813 by King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia during the Napoleonic Wars, and was re-issued in 1870, 1914, and 1939 for service during the Franco-Prussian War, First World War, and Second World War respectively. The design is derived from the black cross of the Teutonic Order (13th century knights) and was later adopted by the Kingdom of Prussia. In 1914, Wilhelm II re-issued the Iron Cross. The 2nd Class medal was awarded regardless of rank and worn on the chest.

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Citation

Iron Cross, Second Class, Leo Baeck Institute, 2012.013.