My Uncle Hans was a 15 year old Fallschirmjager during the Battle of the Bulge.He was awarded the E.K.2 and E.K.1 for the destruction of 5 Sherman tanks as a Panzerfaust operator.He would talk of the war as the scariest time of his life.Cold hungry homesick.
@@walkingduck1154 yes germany was standing on its last legs so, even old men, weak men all sorts of men and all sorts of ages were needed to protect the fatherland, that includes hitleryouths which were very young
My friend was his name (hans geog Schmidt von altenstadt ) because this was my name and apparently I died in a car explosion in Germany but this never happened I never died in Germany
I still don’t understand why UA-cam wouldn’t allow the use of things like like swastika in video’s as these as it is purely educational. I understand it’s an offensive symbol, but it’s still history and you cannot deny that.
My grandfather got both 1st and 2nd class Iron Crosses in WW I. Hearing that these were given out like candy doesn't diminish him in my eyes at all. Anyone who survived that carnage is a hero in my eyes. His favorite story from that war was about how an officer once demanded that some soldiers hold up sheets while he was using the latrine so that he would have some privacy. All of a sudden the British started shelling and the soldiers dropped their sheets and ran for the trenches. The officer was very angry and shouted for the soldiers to come back but he then decided to pull up his pants and run for the trenches too. I hope I am not confusing his memoirs with stories told elsewhere but I believe he said that he went swimming during a ceasefire in a nearby river where he mingled with British soldiers also enjoying the ceasefire.
Göring's is more like the Grandcross from Moltke and others. Blücher and Hindenburg recieved a unique form on a metal star, of which one during the Nazi era was created, but never awarded, and it is unknown, who was supposed to get it. However, unlike Blücher's and Hindenburg's stars, we know where it is. The former two were looted during WW2 and disappeared.
@@jloe01 Fact : if you tweet on twitter with german language with word "Deutsche","Fatherland","Reich" twitter user will be mobs and raid your tweet and you will see how many twitter complained that they are shaking and crying when see that word and you probably got banned.
@@jloe01 For this reason the brainy people are drawn into the dark, forbitten depths of the subject of traditional military decorations, where normal people fear to tread.
Eating Flashbang grandma asked me: omg are you wearing a swastika?! I said: first this is not a swastika, the cross has no hooks. Second it clearly states 1870, nazi's didn't even exist back then. Third, it is a common german medal, fitting to my uniform...
Loved the video. It's sad how many people (Even in Germany) don't know the origins of a lot of their symbolisms. Like the SS bolts were not designed by the Nazi Party and were old Germanic runes and used by other nations and cultures in Europe as well. Deaths Head (The Totenkopf) the SS-Totenkopfverbände used it on their collars. The Totenkopf came from Prussian many year before Germany became a state. I think even the Holy Roman empire used it before even Prussia.
I went with my family through things belonging to my great grandfather some time ago and found his Iron Cross 2nd Class and I was curious about it so I am glad you made this great video, it helped to clear up some things for me, thanks!
My great grand uncle (weird I know) left behind some souvenirs for our family after the war and I only say this as it’s kind of strange to me to see people who’s family history is on opposite ends.
Because of the war in afganistan in 2008 the bundeswehr cross of galantry was founded. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bundeswehr_Cross_of_Honour_for_Valour?wprov=sfti1
I got +1 STR buff and a -1CH nerf for an iron cross handbag. I didn't need the STR buff. My foes died laughing when I swung it at them. Best item in the game.
@Former K.G.B. oh nothing. Just he is good at speaking. Like some people are just better at English than other English speakers. He just has a gift with cadence and elegant pronunciation
Adiutrix Pia Fidelis For the wehrmacht team, when you upgrade the experience of the different unit types. For last level a voice over comes on and says that.
Thank you for this detailed lecture! As an artist I've always drawn some implied clusterfuck around the neck of my soldier characters, but now I understand the meaning of this medal.
One of those Romanian Iron Cross recipients migrated to Australia. He was commissioned into the Australian Army and was authorised to wear his , without swastika
I am a collector of the Iron Cross and l started collecting during the early 60s. My collection starts with the 1813 issue through to Knights Cross 1939 with Oakleaves and swords with all medals from the different makers. They are part of history but my prize possession is Pour le Merit.....the Blue Max. The history of the Iron Cross is fascinating and although it relates to our once enemies, it is still a medal to admire. Btw, my collection is now worth mega bucks, so it was a great investment
It could also be awarded for exceeding war production goals, breakthroughs in science or medicine, or even as simply as exceeding expectations that assisted the war effort. The War Merit Cross without swords replaced the civilian Iron Cross during WW2.
the nazis weren´t fond of monarchists? go tell me. they helped them disappear into obscurity, laundered their money away and then killed all the witnesses of their former colonial bureacracy. and whoever knew this was bound to die in the camps, at the guillotines of the volksgerichtshof or in the trenches and now their children are recreating this paradigm with the corporations they have turned the nazi warloot into - which they have inherited or taken control off. this is what the era Drumpf will ultimately be the testimony to. the heirs of project condor, paperclip and PROPAGANDADUE in power. the campaign to protect feudal land distributions grown on over 5000 years of slavery, war and rape and the campaign to kill all socialists and eradicate this very idea from our culture and gene pool the nazis were FEUDALLY FUNDED - AGAINST socialism. and the idea of the anarchic council structure of the 1st revolution after the romanoffs had been murdered. which they saw coming for themselves after versailles.... for a historian, this statement deserves a second look at the economic and dynastical continueities.
because feudal elites would NEVER associate with paupers in any other way but symbolically or through sectarian brainwashing clubs laundering their money
Thanks for filling in the fine details I couldn't. I never knew all the other dates other than 1871 didn't realize it was as far back as napoleonic wars.
there is none after WWII, its to nazi think the german politicans. A year ago they went trough all german army bases and threw away all old pictures and generally all stuff that could be in any case related to WWII...they see a little nazi behind every tree... Only iron crosses we have right now in germany, are the ones painted on every military vehicle...which is not nazi as the politicans think...dont ask for the logic behind this
The Bundeswehr Cross of Honour for Valour (German: Ehrenkreuz der Bundeswehr für Tapferkeit), established in 2008, is not supposed to be a new iteration of the Iron Cross, but the inspiration in undeniable. It is in all but name the current iteration and so the tradition lives on.
I can't see what they might have in common. The one I talk about is awarded for situations of combat, "in the face of exceptional danger to life and limb", and the one you mention was awarded for situations not in direct connection with combat.
It's a political thing. When they were discussing the medal, of course most people presented the ideia of the Iron Cross as traditional, but apparently whatever the nazis touch makes it unusable. So they went out of their way to make the new iron cross not look like an iron cross, but everyone knows. Again, the nazis win, sanity loses. Anyway, the maltese-style cross is, I think, closer to the Iron Cross models.
Thats not true though. The Ehrenkreuz was introduced in the 1980s and resembles the war merit cross. As a symbol the iron cross was always used and nobody cared.
when i was born in 2003 i love this iron cross(look like first class) so much and it still with here in 2020 the chain of it break but the cross still ok
So...roughly speaking, 2nd Class Iron Cross=US Bronze Star, 1st Class=US Silver Star, Knights Cross=Navy Cross and Distinguished Service Cross. Medal of Honor doesn't seem to have a German equivalent, as all the other Iron Crosses are cumulative awards.
No, I'm wrong. Silver Star and the various Crosses don't depend on winning the Bronze Star. Win a second Bronze star and they just add Oak Leaves. So there really are no equivalents.
+Military History Visualized the reason why the medal was reestablished for every war given around 1:30 is also the reason why Germany today has no iron cross. The parliament instead established the "Ehrenkreuz der Bundeswehr für Tapferkeit" you should have mentioned that the Iron Cross is still used as the symbol of the Bundeswehr today since the Bundeswehr sees itself in the Tradition of the volunteer units of the freedom wars.
well, it's called "Schwarzes Kreuz", if you look closely it is mix between the Iron Cross and the Balkenkreuz. I originally wanted to mention it, but let's face it this video took 30 hours, adding that part would likely increased it 32 hours or more, those small little details often take ages.
No, its still called "Eisernes Kreuz". www.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/bwde/start/aktuelles/weitere_themen/!ut/p/z1/hY9fC4IwFMW_kXdbmvNRicAaFtk_9xJDhxm2yVjSQx--jcA36T4cuOfc-7tc4HAFrsTYtcJ2Wone9RVf3jLKjowkhLATRShnBd1FBGEUhnCGy78R7mI0UymCspFQOUY8z1hACRx4I4NaK2m9Wqls57Q1wmoTDNrY3icvY1wSdA1UCK8yHE-n8CeJtpuM4jBc5dnBAx9iFO9pV9T-aajuQjW93Os6_RnDc02LImq_En_yfA!!/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/#Z7_B8LTL2922LU800ILN8O5201043 EDIT: From the Traditionserlass: "23. Tradition braucht Symbole, Zeichen und Zeremonielle. Sie könne die inneren Werte der Tradition nicht ersetzen, wohl aber auf sie verweisen und ihre zeitgemäße Bewahrung sichern. In der Traditionspflege der Bundeswehr haben besondere Bedeutung: - die schwarz-rot-goldene Flagge als Symbol freiheitlich-republikanischen Bürgersinns und staatsbürgerlich-demokratischer Mitverantwortung; - unsere Nationalhymne als Ausdruck des Strebens der Deutschen nach Einigkeit, Recht und Freiheit; - der Adler des deutschen Bundeswappens als Zeichen nationaler Souveränität, der dem Recht dienenden Macht und der geschichtlichen Kontinuität; - das *Eiserne Kreuz* als nationales Erkennungszeichen und als Sinnbild für Tapferkeit, Freiheitsliebe und Ritterlichkeit; - der Diensteid und das feierliche Gelöbnis der Soldaten als Bekenntnis und Versprechen, der Bundesrepublik Deutschland treu zu dienen und das Recht und die Freiheit des deutschen Volkes tapfer zu verteidigen. Die Bedeutung der Symbole, Zeichen und Zeremonielle muß in der soldatischen Ausbildung erklärt und wachgehalten werden. So haben auch der Große Zapfenstreich als Ausdruck des Zusammengehörigkeitsgefühls und das Lied vom guten Kameraden als Abschiedsgruß ebenfalls einen festen Platz in der Traditionspflege. "
It was my understanding that since the Iron Cross was originally a Prussian medal which was later expanded to be issued to Germans from other states it was discontinued after WWII when Prussia was abolished...with the exception of the 1957/39 Iron Cross that they issued minus the swastika, replaced by the three oak leaves, so veterans and military who has won the Iron Cross in WWII could wear them in public.
@Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix absolutely fascinating aces are, tanks planes whatever. Too see their personal experiences and thoughts along with their fame and glory.
For the Dislike of the National Sozialists of Monarchy Symbols the "Blue Max" or "Pour le Merite" which has been the highest ranking medal of Prussia has been dubbed by them as "Pour le Semite" What I really want to know is, if there is some source undermining that Soldiers awarded with the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross have to been saluted first regardless of rank (with the exception of Generals).
Looking for the source, though. Having read the "Reichsgesetzblätter" dealing with order foundation of the Knights Cross of the Iron cross, as well as some ZDV's, I couldn't find anything written down that bearers of the KC have to be saluted first.
I find it intresting how toward the end of ww2 the Iron Cross was awarded alot more towards the end particularly Battle of Berlin. Almost at times given just to get soldiers to fight harder and they were still awarding them hours before the end. You see this even in Downfall and its funny with how Goering was the only got the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross.
Peter: Goering was often laughed at because of the "plumber`s shop" he carried on his chest and around his neck. On the other hand, if you look at pictures of Soviet veterans or the bullet proof (because of a hundred or so ribbons) on the chests of American or British veterans Goering was not the only one who proudly displayed his more or less rightfully deserved medals.
of course they can. They have to use the 57er version though. Look at Steinhoff for example, he is wearing all is WW2 ribbons: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inspekteur_der_Luftwaffe#/media/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_146-1997-041-03,_Johannes_Steinhoff.jpg
When you mention specific regulations for the award of an Iron Cross in WW2, wasn't there also something specific in the Luftwaffe? I can't remember where I read this, but I thought a certain number of aerial kills automatically earned pilots a Knight's Cross. This, in turn, led to squadron leaders trying to run up large kill tallies themselves while keeping their wingmen away, especially when they were getting close to the required number. The other pilots developed a term for this; I can't remember the name in German, but it translates to "sore throat" or "itchy neck".
my next door neighbor's father won an iron cross second class in Russia the man has since passed away but I got to hold the medal and get a photo of it .
The iron cross is as explained not be worn, except for photos, etc.. The iron crosses were represented by the vertical ribbon (EK2) or chest medal (EK1). The EK was usually stored in a box at home.
"...The iron cross is as explained not be worn..." Hold on. On Documentaries, in particular the one filming Hilter meeting with Manstein during Kursk, I noticed Hilter wearing 1 on the chest, and Manstein wore a Knight Cross. Did they just do this for the film, or they did wear it most of the time.
usually the recipients of both classes would wear the ribbon to the second class on the buttonhole and the first class pinned on the left breast pocket, but you'll see pictures of German military service members wearing only the higher class cross on their uniform. General Hoth only wore his Oak leaf and swords to his Knights cross out of all the many decorations he had won.
From what I understand, following World War Two, a number of former German World War Two service personnel served in the new West German Army. Some of them had been awarded a version of the Iron Cross during the war, but wearing the Iron Cross with a Nazi Swastika was politically incorrect. As a result, a new version of the Iron Cross was created, and issued, this was identical to the 1939/World War Two version, but without the Swastika.
" a number of former German World War Two service personnel served in the new West German Army." That is quite an understatement. It can be safely assumed that the vast majority to the point of saying everyone of any rank above recruit (which would be the new draftees at the time) did serve during WW2.
Great video . I saw a video where veteran of english army met with the german veteran . I still remember when the german veteran told to englishman . you are here front of me wearing your medal . in your country you are a hero but i have medal to , but i cant wear them . because in my country(germany) i am not a hero like you english .
no its not . watch the video . after the german told the english veteran that could not wear medals and is not called heroes in germany . awkward silnce . men this is a huge taboo in germany . are soldiers of ww2 heroes as american russia and england .
Second World War Tiger Veterans | The Tank Museum please search it in youtube and watch video . min 9.00 he clearly says . we cant no wear those medals . we are are war criminals . dont cal me liar .
Great videos. Just wondering if you could do a video about the clean Wehrmacht myth, if you haven't already done so? I think it's important that with so many video games showcasing German equipment during world war 2 that we don't forget the context of how their successful employment lead to war crimes and atrocities. As you know, if we don't learn from history, we will be bound to repeat it!
6:13 The Prussian helmet splitting a baguette in half to illustrate the Franco-Prussian War was the icing in the cake
Now I want cake filled with icing. :/
Klobi for President
Right day for it. Happy Mardi Gras!
I noticed that!! I could almost hear the crunching of the crust!!!
I didn't notice that, but thats funny
SantiFiore and the French had a skill set of one button that said retreat
My Uncle Hans was a 15 year old Fallschirmjager during the Battle of the Bulge.He was awarded the E.K.2 and E.K.1 for the destruction of 5 Sherman tanks as a Panzerfaust operator.He would talk of the war as the scariest time of his life.Cold hungry homesick.
Very young soldier.
@@walkingduck1154 yes germany was standing on its last legs so, even old men, weak men all sorts of men and all sorts of ages were needed to protect the fatherland, that includes hitleryouths which were very young
My friend was his name (hans geog Schmidt von altenstadt ) because this was my name and apparently I died in a car explosion in Germany but this never happened I never died in Germany
My friend I wish u would respond god willing
I still don’t understand why UA-cam wouldn’t allow the use of things like like swastika in video’s as these as it is purely educational. I understand it’s an offensive symbol, but it’s still history and you cannot deny that.
Stalin had more people murdered than any other dictator. I find the hammer and sickle more offensive than the nazi cross
No cares about the offended their political views are only based on being offended!
They ban swastikas but not confederate flags
It doesn't depend on UA-cam, I think. It must come down to each country's legislation. In this case, Germany or Austria most likely.
@@MaxGalofre nope. It's legal in germany and austria.
ah feinälly samzing abaut ze eiron kross
Ja, zo mainy Luftwaffels haw zis glohrious haward!
"Nom, Nom, Nom"- Göring
sumzing abaut ze eiron kross*
Sheriff's Sim Shack
*feinälly *samzing
fixed
Last time I was this early, a Pickelhaube was still used to slice Baguette.
Bismarck - Military Aviation History pickelhaube is the Prussian/German spike helmet for anyone like myself wondering
Search for Forgotten Weapons' video on the Gewehr 1871 if you want to see it coupled with a glourious moustache.
What about now? Does it still exist with the Bundeswehr?
It is still used as the emblem of the Bundeswehr but it is not used as a medal anymore (NAZISIGN, REEE!!1!).
If i'm not mistaken, the Bundeswehr uses a modified version of the Iron Cross.
My grandfather got both 1st and 2nd class Iron Crosses in WW I. Hearing that these were given out like candy doesn't diminish him in my eyes at all. Anyone who survived that carnage is a hero in my eyes. His favorite story from that war was about how an officer once demanded that some soldiers hold up sheets while he was using the latrine so that he would have some privacy. All of a sudden the British started shelling and the soldiers dropped their sheets and ran for the trenches. The officer was very angry and shouted for the soldiers to come back but he then decided to pull up his pants and run for the trenches too. I hope I am not confusing his memoirs with stories told elsewhere but I believe he said that he went swimming during a ceasefire in a nearby river where he mingled with British soldiers also enjoying the ceasefire.
Of course Goering got his own medal.......
He even was supposed to get a special version like Blücher or Hindenburg.
He had one made in platinum as well as gold.
Love that (mentioned at 9:05) Goering got his own everything. Interesting individual.
Göring's is more like the Grandcross from Moltke and others. Blücher and Hindenburg recieved a unique form on a metal star, of which one during the Nazi era was created, but never awarded, and it is unknown, who was supposed to get it.
However, unlike Blücher's and Hindenburg's stars, we know where it is. The former two were looted during WW2 and disappeared.
@@skullman9535 Including his own Panzer division for the Luftwaffe.
I don't think I ever have read more civilised comments on UA-cam. You must be doing something right, MHV.
People with actual brains care about history rather than trying to bend/censor it.
@@jloe01
Fact :
if you tweet on twitter with
german language with word
"Deutsche","Fatherland","Reich"
twitter user will be mobs and
raid your tweet and you will see
how many twitter complained
that they are shaking and crying
when see that word and you probably got banned.
@@rahadityap2375 just call them snowflakes that were shat on
@@jloe01 For this reason the brainy people are drawn into the dark, forbitten depths of the subject of traditional military decorations, where normal people fear to tread.
My great grandfather was a German soldier in WWI and he got awarded the Iron Cross.
Same my grandfather has a iron croas
My great grandfather and my great uncle both were awarded the iron cross and we still have both of them
What he do for it
2. Or 1. Class?
I bought a plastic iron cross from amazon, lol, jk
I will just show this video to everyone who calls me a Nazi for having the iron cross as my emblem in Battlefield 1.
Eating Flashbang grandma asked me: omg are you wearing a swastika?! I said: first this is not a swastika, the cross has no hooks. Second it clearly states 1870, nazi's didn't even exist back then. Third, it is a common german medal, fitting to my uniform...
Wait, what uniform?
Robin de Roos dod you were the ww2 Version with the swastika?
Germanyball nop, the 1870 version
BobsAndVegane yep,cuz i am 148 years old... Remember the 1:2.53 ratio? What valor?
I give my full respect to the soldiers who got the iron cross and the men who didn't. Rest well my friends
That Franco-Prussian war graphic at 6:14 is bloody hilarious.
Rule 12: Pet a panzer when you encounter one
I'd rather pet British tanks than German. A Whippet is less likely to bite your leg off than a Tiger.
And don't turn your back against any panzer, they will attack
DO NOT FEED THE PANZER.
*may trample when startled*
+Light Dragon20
Also don't give Germans water at night...it makes for instant Hitlers.
Wonderful video, I have never seen such a concise or easy to understand explanation of the evolution of German medals.
Loved the video. It's sad how many people (Even in Germany) don't know the origins of a lot of their symbolisms. Like the SS bolts were not designed by the Nazi Party and were old Germanic runes and used by other nations and cultures in Europe as well. Deaths Head (The Totenkopf) the SS-Totenkopfverbände used it on their collars. The Totenkopf came from Prussian many year before Germany became a state. I think even the Holy Roman empire used it before even Prussia.
Totenkopf was a Hussar Unit of the Prussian Army I think.
@@comsubpac Well yes and no.
The sowulo rune from the elder futhark turned by 45° becomes the SS rune.
@@HaloFTW55 The Totenkopf was also worn by the famous Black Brunswickers, who fought against Napoleon in Spain and later at Waterloo,
I have to admit, hearing this coming from the mouth of somebody that speaks fluent German makes the video experience that much better.
I went with my family through things belonging to my great grandfather some time ago and found his Iron Cross 2nd Class and I was curious about it so I am glad you made this great video, it helped to clear up some things for me, thanks!
My great grand uncle (weird I know) left behind some souvenirs for our family after the war and I only say this as it’s kind of strange to me to see people who’s family history is on opposite ends.
I wish my history teacher explained things like you do
I wonder if the Iron Cross would ever be established again, if Germany were to find itself at war again.
mdk31 They would propably use a version of the Bundesverdienstkreuz.
Because of the war in afganistan in 2008 the bundeswehr cross of galantry was founded. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bundeswehr_Cross_of_Honour_for_Valour?wprov=sfti1
The Bundeswehr has Medals of it's own.
mdk31 Well they use it as a insignia for the Tanks and Airplanes
The Iron Cross was only awarded during big Wars. If anything like that would happen again we certainly would see a Iron Cross again.
I got +1 STR buff and a -1CH nerf for an iron cross handbag. I didn't need the STR buff. My foes died laughing when I swung it at them. Best item in the game.
Not as much as a Bag of Holding, as a Tasche zur Feststellung der Ordnung? ;)
1234gregor what's with the charisma hit is it due to ignorance on German military?
...which includes a sense of humor. So, about those German handbags...
I love listening to this guy speak German!
Me too.
Its the smoothest German I've ever heard. Can't say if its accurate though(I speak 0% german)
@Former K.G.B. he still speaks it better than 99% of native Germans
@Former K.G.B. oh nothing. Just he is good at speaking. Like some people are just better at English than other English speakers. He just has a gift with cadence and elegant pronunciation
@@laa0fa502 He simplify it, makes it very easy to understand for someone who study German for only 5 months
"On behalf of the grateful Fatherland and Glorious Struggle, honour and blood, I present to you this Iron Cross."
Roger R somebody likes company of heros
+Thomas Dosman which part is that? i need to know
Adiutrix Pia Fidelis
For the wehrmacht team, when you upgrade the experience of the different unit types. For last level a voice over comes on and says that.
ahh so thats what the announcer said when i upgraded my unit at kampfkraft center to elite
ua-cam.com/video/GwGzYEQIHMA/v-deo.html Listen to it here.
Thank you for this detailed lecture! As an artist I've always drawn some implied clusterfuck around the neck of my soldier characters, but now I understand the meaning of this medal.
Too bad it’s not awarded anymore
actually thats a good thing since it would mean WW3.
By carrying a iron cross bag you would have better streight instead of stamina (you can carry more) charisma is probably right tho :P
oh hell, i'm already anti Social and ugly as fuck so yeah i'll take the extra strenght point.😁
The bravery it must have taken for you to attempt saying 'laurel wreath'. Almost worthy of an Iron Cross!
Fact: the highest number of foreign recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross were the Romanians with 18 awards.
One of those Romanian Iron Cross recipients migrated to Australia. He was commissioned into the Australian Army and was authorised to wear his , without swastika
🤨🤨🤨🤨
Im romanian :))
peter k what is their name?
@@peterk2455 The only man to win both an Iron Cross and a Victoria Cross was an Irishman
thank you for this great quote from Veltzke. helped me to get a better understanding!
I am a collector of the Iron Cross and l started collecting during the early 60s. My collection starts with the 1813 issue through to Knights Cross 1939 with Oakleaves and swords with all medals from the different makers.
They are part of history but my prize possession is Pour le Merit.....the Blue Max.
The history of the Iron Cross is fascinating and although it relates to our once enemies, it is still a medal to admire.
Btw, my collection is now worth mega bucks, so it was a great investment
I want to See your collection 😮
I want your collection when you pass. I'll send my email with all relevant info . Thanks .
I hope my package arrives many, many years from now 😉
Pickelhaube >>>> baguette
Could you give examples of deeds that earned civilians the iron cross?
Look up Hanna Reitsch and Melitta Schenk Gräfin von Stauffenberg
It could also be awarded for exceeding war production goals, breakthroughs in science or medicine, or even as simply as exceeding expectations that assisted the war effort. The War Merit Cross without swords replaced the civilian Iron Cross during WW2.
i want one
Thank you. That has been really informative and has helped me better understand the distinctions between the variants.
Die Hälfte des videos ist einfach mal Deutsch
"Because I have plenty of troubles with youtube anyway" LMFAO, how fkn sad is that?
the nazis weren´t fond of monarchists? go tell me. they helped them disappear into obscurity, laundered their money away and then killed all the witnesses of their former colonial bureacracy. and whoever knew this was bound to die in the camps, at the guillotines of the volksgerichtshof or in the trenches and now their children are recreating this paradigm with the corporations they have turned the nazi warloot into - which they have inherited or taken control off. this is what the era Drumpf will ultimately be the testimony to. the heirs of project condor, paperclip and PROPAGANDADUE in power. the campaign to protect feudal land distributions grown on over 5000 years of slavery, war and rape and the campaign to kill all socialists and eradicate this very idea from our culture and gene pool
the nazis were FEUDALLY FUNDED - AGAINST socialism. and the idea of the anarchic council structure of the 1st revolution after the romanoffs had been murdered. which they saw coming for themselves after versailles....
for a historian, this statement deserves a second look at the economic and dynastical continueities.
They should bring it back.
It's already back?
@@Etzelsschizo yeah but with different colours
because feudal elites would NEVER associate with paupers in any other way but symbolically
or through sectarian brainwashing clubs laundering their money
Thanks for filling in the fine details I couldn't. I never knew all the other dates other than 1871 didn't realize it was as far back as napoleonic wars.
Nice Video, thank you. Could you do the same for the Victoria Cross and Medal of Honour ?
Thomas Brogden I second this.
"They'll give you the Iron Cross for this one Von Ryan!"
How about after WW2?
i think mentioning and relate it with german army today is kinda important to be honest..
there is none after WWII, its to nazi think the german politicans. A year ago they went trough all german army bases and threw away all old pictures and generally all stuff that could be in any case related to WWII...they see a little nazi behind every tree... Only iron crosses we have right now in germany, are the ones painted on every military vehicle...which is not nazi as the politicans think...dont ask for the logic behind this
Presbiter Well there is also a Iron Cross looking like the 1813-version in the Tip of every regimental flag.
5:27 "The Prussian Igel": The Prussian Hedgehog. :D
Iron Cross Handbag -1CH, +1ST 1HB 1d4+1 damage, chance to incapacitate (save vs. stun at -2)
I think my aunt had one of these.
The Bundeswehr Cross of Honour for Valour (German: Ehrenkreuz der Bundeswehr für Tapferkeit), established in 2008, is not supposed to be a new iteration of the Iron Cross, but the inspiration in undeniable. It is in all but name the current iteration and so the tradition lives on.
actually it was inspired by the war merit cross (Kriegsverdienstkreuz).
I can't see what they might have in common. The one I talk about is awarded for situations of combat, "in the face of exceptional danger to life and limb", and the one you mention was awarded for situations not in direct connection with combat.
I mean the design. At least that is what they said back then.
It's a political thing. When they were discussing the medal, of course most people presented the ideia of the Iron Cross as traditional, but apparently whatever the nazis touch makes it unusable. So they went out of their way to make the new iron cross not look like an iron cross, but everyone knows. Again, the nazis win, sanity loses. Anyway, the maltese-style cross is, I think, closer to the Iron Cross models.
Thats not true though. The Ehrenkreuz was introduced in the 1980s and resembles the war merit cross.
As a symbol the iron cross was always used and nobody cared.
Thanks for the history lesson!
when i was born in 2003 i love this iron cross(look like first class) so much and it still with here in 2020 the chain of it break but the cross still ok
Oh shit that Jordan peterson reference
Why is the baguette still funny? I think the reason is that it's so hard to eat one while fighting. Some people just can't take a choke.
"[...] as the term "world war" correctly suggests" :D made my day :D :D
It is an honor to be awarded the Iron Cross and The Knight Cross
Is the Iron Cross still being hand? or is it ban because of the whole Nazi thing?
Its not awarded during peace time. Its used as a symbol though.
Love the jordan peterson reference ;)
So...roughly speaking, 2nd Class Iron Cross=US Bronze Star, 1st Class=US Silver Star, Knights Cross=Navy Cross and Distinguished Service Cross. Medal of Honor doesn't seem to have a German equivalent, as all the other Iron Crosses are cumulative awards.
No, I'm wrong. Silver Star and the various Crosses don't depend on winning the Bronze Star. Win a second Bronze star and they just add Oak Leaves. So there really are no equivalents.
Fantastic. Thank you for that history lesson.
You forgot the number of Grand Crosses for the 1813 wars.
na, I just don't care about those. I only mentioned the Grand Cross in WW2 to put a weight on it.
Well, you gave the numbers for second class and first class, if just seems incomplete. Ich meine es ist ja nicht vollstaendig.
7 were awarded, the most famous recipient being Gebhard Von Bluecher.
A wonderfully informative video, thank you. Also, why do you get trouble on UA-cam ? Your videos are so informative
Is it true that if WW2 veterans want to wear the Iron Cross they needed to seitch them to one that had a oak leaf instead of a swastika?
yes, since displaying the swastika is illegal (except for historical and educational purposes)
Great video and very informative! Well done!
What has happened to this award since ww2
Its not awarded during peace.
It's been defunct since 1945 and in my opinion it will probably never be renewed again.
@Mumpel Tier lol good one
+Military History Visualized the reason why the medal was reestablished for every war given around 1:30 is also the reason why Germany today has no iron cross. The parliament instead established the "Ehrenkreuz der Bundeswehr für Tapferkeit"
you should have mentioned that the Iron Cross is still used as the symbol of the Bundeswehr today since the Bundeswehr sees itself in the Tradition of the volunteer units of the freedom wars.
Germany has several medals, yes.
well, it's called "Schwarzes Kreuz", if you look closely it is mix between the Iron Cross and the Balkenkreuz. I originally wanted to mention it, but let's face it this video took 30 hours, adding that part would likely increased it 32 hours or more, those small little details often take ages.
No, its still called "Eisernes Kreuz".
www.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/bwde/start/aktuelles/weitere_themen/!ut/p/z1/hY9fC4IwFMW_kXdbmvNRicAaFtk_9xJDhxm2yVjSQx--jcA36T4cuOfc-7tc4HAFrsTYtcJ2Wone9RVf3jLKjowkhLATRShnBd1FBGEUhnCGy78R7mI0UymCspFQOUY8z1hACRx4I4NaK2m9Wqls57Q1wmoTDNrY3icvY1wSdA1UCK8yHE-n8CeJtpuM4jBc5dnBAx9iFO9pV9T-aajuQjW93Os6_RnDc02LImq_En_yfA!!/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/#Z7_B8LTL2922LU800ILN8O5201043
EDIT: From the Traditionserlass:
"23. Tradition braucht Symbole, Zeichen und Zeremonielle. Sie könne die inneren Werte der Tradition nicht ersetzen, wohl aber auf sie verweisen und ihre zeitgemäße Bewahrung sichern. In der Traditionspflege der Bundeswehr haben besondere Bedeutung:
- die schwarz-rot-goldene Flagge als Symbol freiheitlich-republikanischen Bürgersinns und staatsbürgerlich-demokratischer Mitverantwortung;
- unsere Nationalhymne als Ausdruck des Strebens der Deutschen nach Einigkeit, Recht und Freiheit;
- der Adler des deutschen Bundeswappens als Zeichen nationaler Souveränität, der dem Recht dienenden Macht und der geschichtlichen Kontinuität;
- das *Eiserne Kreuz* als nationales Erkennungszeichen und als Sinnbild für Tapferkeit, Freiheitsliebe und Ritterlichkeit;
- der Diensteid und das feierliche Gelöbnis der Soldaten als Bekenntnis und Versprechen, der Bundesrepublik Deutschland treu zu dienen und das Recht und die Freiheit des deutschen Volkes tapfer zu verteidigen.
Die Bedeutung der Symbole, Zeichen und Zeremonielle muß in der soldatischen Ausbildung erklärt und wachgehalten werden. So haben auch der Große Zapfenstreich als Ausdruck des Zusammengehörigkeitsgefühls und das Lied vom guten Kameraden als Abschiedsgruß ebenfalls einen festen Platz in der Traditionspflege.
"
It was my understanding that since the Iron Cross was originally a Prussian medal which was later expanded to be issued to Germans from other states it was discontinued after WWII when Prussia was abolished...with the exception of the 1957/39 Iron Cross that they issued minus the swastika, replaced by the three oak leaves, so veterans and military who has won the Iron Cross in WWII could wear them in public.
Isn't the Ehren Kreuz der Bundeswehr still part of the order of the Iron cross, surprised you're seemingly the only other who knows of this.
I am a constitutional monarchist and hate nazism; however, fuck UA-cam 9:47.
Kurt Knispel never got the Knights Cross. A true soldier.
@Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix say whatever became of Otto Carius?
@Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix absolutely fascinating aces are, tanks planes whatever. Too see their personal experiences and thoughts along with their fame and glory.
Oh do a video on the Blue Max (Pour Le Merite)!!!!
We will get an iron cross for this comment Hans!
Abe Simpson was also awarded the Iron Cross for accidentally directing U.S. jeeps into Nazi minefields
I would not reject it, if they would offer it to me.
For the Dislike of the National Sozialists of Monarchy Symbols the "Blue Max" or "Pour le Merite" which has been the highest ranking medal of Prussia has been dubbed by them as "Pour le Semite"
What I really want to know is, if there is some source undermining that Soldiers awarded with the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross have to been saluted first regardless of rank (with the exception of Generals).
Yes, that is true that was taken over from the Pour le Merite when only the monarchs were saluted before.
Looking for the source, though.
Having read the "Reichsgesetzblätter" dealing with order foundation of the Knights Cross of the Iron cross, as well as some ZDV's, I couldn't find anything written down that bearers of the KC have to be saluted first.
Dude! Awesome video!!
Can you do another video on the Pour Le merite?
I find it intresting how toward the end of ww2 the Iron Cross was awarded alot more towards the end particularly Battle of Berlin. Almost at times given just to get soldiers to fight harder and they were still awarding them hours before the end. You see this even in Downfall and its funny with how Goering was the only got the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross.
Peter: Goering was often laughed at because of the "plumber`s shop" he carried on his chest and around his neck. On the other hand, if you look at pictures of Soviet veterans or the bullet proof (because of a hundred or so ribbons) on the chests of American or British veterans Goering was not the only one who proudly displayed his more or less rightfully deserved medals.
The Beta Iron Cross vs the Chad Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
(ofc the Iron Cross isn't beta, no disrespect intended)
Well, if I find any reichsmark laying around ...
Well i collect coins and i got a few Reich Coins since i live in germany. Actually found some coins in old cabinets
Who won 2 World Wars anyway?
9:50 imagine a swastika .How pathetic . A history is a history . Another 30 years from now you would have to imagine the whole cross .
Now I want a vid about the Crosses of St. George of Russia
very interresting video, thank you
I know that on Germany, veterans can't wear they medals, is the Eiserne Kreuz one of them?? ( This piss me off a lot)
of course they can. They have to use the 57er version though. Look at Steinhoff for example, he is wearing all is WW2 ribbons:
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inspekteur_der_Luftwaffe#/media/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_146-1997-041-03,_Johannes_Steinhoff.jpg
with 57er version you mean some kind of "New model of medals that can be wear?", or only the medals with swastikas are forbidden?
5:53 "German creativity.." lol. By the way, we have an iron cross 1914 from my great grand grandfather.
When you mention specific regulations for the award of an Iron Cross in WW2, wasn't there also something specific in the Luftwaffe? I can't remember where I read this, but I thought a certain number of aerial kills automatically earned pilots a Knight's Cross. This, in turn, led to squadron leaders trying to run up large kill tallies themselves while keeping their wingmen away, especially when they were getting close to the required number. The other pilots developed a term for this; I can't remember the name in German, but it translates to "sore throat" or "itchy neck".
Wolfeson: aerial kills had to be proven by an eye witness. In case an ace did not have a witness he usually said "give this one to the poor folks".
I’m honestly really sad that this awesome medal’s image was ruined by the nazis so now even the bunderswehr doesn’t use them anymore
That's why it's on their vehicles right?
They still use the symbol. The Iron Cross was always a war award, it has always been retired while Germany/Prussia been at peace.
my next door neighbor's father won an iron cross second class in Russia the man has since passed away but I got to hold the medal and get a photo of it .
So if you had both the secund and first class iron crosses you would wear both of them or just the higher one?
both of them
you would always wear all classes you have been awarded with.
The iron cross is as explained not be worn, except for photos, etc.. The iron crosses were represented by the vertical ribbon (EK2) or chest medal (EK1). The EK was usually stored in a box at home.
"...The iron cross is as explained not be worn..." Hold on. On Documentaries, in particular the one filming Hilter meeting with Manstein during Kursk, I noticed Hilter wearing 1 on the chest, and Manstein wore a Knight Cross. Did they just do this for the film, or they did wear it most of the time.
usually the recipients of both classes would wear the ribbon to the second class on the buttonhole and the first class pinned on the left breast pocket, but you'll see pictures of German military service members wearing only the higher class cross on their uniform. General Hoth only wore his Oak leaf and swords to his Knights cross out of all the many decorations he had won.
From what I understand, following World War Two, a number of former German World War Two service personnel served in the new West German Army. Some of them had been awarded a version of the Iron Cross during the war, but wearing the Iron Cross with a Nazi Swastika was politically incorrect. As a result, a new version of the Iron Cross was created, and issued, this was identical to the 1939/World War Two version, but without the Swastika.
yes, the 57er version. Is was not so much "political incorrect" but simply illegal to display the swastika.
" a number of former German World War Two service personnel served in the new West German Army."
That is quite an understatement.
It can be safely assumed that the vast majority to the point of saying everyone of any rank above recruit (which would be the new draftees at the time) did serve during WW2.
Excellent, clear explanation. If you were interested, more videos on decorations and medals would be appreciated
Sehr interessant!
Can you make a video on the pour le merits?
What are the highest medals in the German military now?
most likely the "Badge of Honour of the Bundeswehr" but its not really ranked.
Great video . I saw a video where veteran of english army met with the german veteran . I still remember when the german veteran told to englishman . you are here front of me wearing your medal . in your country you are a hero but i have medal to , but i cant wear them . because in my country(germany) i am not a hero like you english .
Which is complete nonsense though. He could wear his medals.
no its not . watch the video . after the german told the english veteran that could not wear medals and is not called heroes in germany . awkward silnce . men this is a huge taboo in germany . are soldiers of ww2 heroes as american russia and england .
I am from Germany and of course he can wear his medals.
Why should anyone call him a hero though?
Second World War Tiger Veterans | The Tank Museum
please search it in youtube and watch video . min 9.00 he clearly says . we cant no wear those medals . we are are war criminals . dont cal me liar .
Still it isn't true.
Damn Piefke.
14:33 Clean your lobsters, save the dragon, slay your old man in the underworld.
Bloody obvious, roughly speaking.
olavi kaskisaari Jordan Peterson reference?
R. McH
Yees
olavi kaskisaari god I love that us Jordan B. P. Appreciators are found everywherenlol
Great videos. Just wondering if you could do a video about the clean Wehrmacht myth, if you haven't already done so? I think it's important that with so many video games showcasing German equipment during world war 2 that we don't forget the context of how their successful employment lead to war crimes and atrocities. As you know, if we don't learn from history, we will be bound to repeat it!
The Knights iron cross golden oak leaves,sword and diamond was only develop for the Hans Rudel the greatest soldier in WW2
Please cover the USS Stark incident. The use of a modified business jet to attack a navy warship is interesting.
Great Video!!!!!
Every Reichsmark helps? Even the inflated 1923 ones that were played with, burned, dumped in the streets, and abandoned?
Sehr interessantes Video!
Der einzige Deutschsprechende hier
As I progress through this it starts to sound like a game with a crazy achievement system.
Isn't the Balkenkreuz the zoom out button for YT?
no, it is the other way ;)
Very neat, I have been wanting to learn about this unique military award for a while now.