What were the requirements for Iron Cross first and second class?

Upvote:1

There were four levels of "crosses." These were the Iron Crosses Second and First Class, the Knights Cross, and the Grand Gross. The first three of these "crosses" were awarded for successive acts of bravery. The Grand Cross was awarded to high-ranking officers for brilliant strategic decisions.

It was Hitler (a former corporal) who introduced the Knight's Cross to make it accessible to enlisted men. (It replaced the Pour le Merit that, like the Grand Gross, was available only to officers.) Then numerous gradations or decorations of Knights Cross were introduced such as oak leaves, swords, and diamonds, to allow for more awards.

Upvote:4

I find one time and group which used a 'point system' for attaining the Iron Cross and other awards, and that was among the Luftwaffe during World War 2. According to the book Luftwaffe Over Germany: Defense of the Reich ,By Don Caldwell, Richard Muller, a point system was in place which qualified pilots to receive rewards according to 'success' in combat. For instance points were allocated by planes shot down:

1 point          single engine fighter. 
2 points         twin-engine bomber.
4 points         four engine bomber.

The points then qualified the pilots for awards:

Iron Cross 2nd class       1 point.
Iron Cross 1st Class       3 points.
Honor Cup                  10 points.
German Cross in Gold       20 points.
Knight's Cross             40 points

So this gives you some idea of what each award was 'worth', at least to the Luftwaffe during WW2.

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