The Cross of
Honor, 1914 – 1918
(Ehrenkreuz,
1914 – 1918)
The Cross of Honor, also known as the “Hindenburg Cross” or the “Honor Cross of the World War 1914 – 1918”, was the only military commemorative award commissioned during the reign of the Thousand Year Reich.
The terms of the 1919 Treaty of Versailles presented by the Allies without negotiation with Germany were first published in Berlin on May 7th, 1919. The harsh terms, loss of lands, reparations, and virtual disarmament of the military angered and humbled the German people. The Cross of Honor was established by President Generalfeldmarshall Paul von Hindenburg on July 13th, 1934 in order to reestablish honor and pride in the military and in the German people who contributed to the first World War effort and suffered through the post Versailles Treaty Weimar Republic administration. It was commissioned by the German Reichs Chancellery and designed by Eugene Goted.
Three grades of the Cross of Honor were awarded for service during World War I. These were the combatants’ grade, non-combatants’ grade, and the next-of-kin grade. All three grades were common in size, 38mm across the Maltese cross, with raised edges, wreaths, and dates, all of 1 mm in height. All grades of the medal also had a flat reverse with either a manufacturers stamp or number. The combatants’ and non-combatants’ versions of the medal were generally made of bronzed iron or of bronze. The next-of-kin grade was blackened in order to recognize the loss of a family member.
All grades of the Cross of Honor had to applied for and approved by the Reichsminister of the Interior. The application must also have been accompanied by proof supporting the grade of the award. In May, 1942, the award was expanded to include Allies of Austria and Germany.
The combatant grade was awarded to only those soldiers and sailors who saw combat in the German Imperial Military. The combatants’ grade was a Maltese cross with a pair of swords, hilts at the bottom, crossing in an “X” between the arms of the Maltese. The swords measured 41 mm from the hilt to the tip. Each arm of the Maltese cross had raised edges highlighting the outline of the arm. The very center of the Maltese cross contained the raised numbers 1914 and 1918 indicating the duration of World War I. The year 1914 was presented directly above the year 1918. Outlining the center of the cross was a laurel wreath. Each side of the laurel was composed of five clusters of three leaves. A pair of laurel berries adorned each cluster joint. The base of the laurel wreath was tied with a ribbon. The ribbon ends curled outward slightly and flowed into the bottom arm of the cross. A ribbon ring was affixed to the upper arm of the cross and measured 1.5 to 2 mm. A ribbon loop passed through the ribbon ring.
The combatants’ grade ribbon was 25 to 30 mm in width. The ribbon itself had alternating bands of longitudinal orientation in colors from left to right of black, white, black, red, black, white, and black. This award was worn on a ribbon bar by the military and ranked below other combat awards but above occupation medals. A small set of golden crossed swords were affixed to the ribbon. The inactive combat veteran could wear the
ribbon bar affixed with a button through his coat lapel. Approximately 6,250,000 combatants’ versions of the Cross of Honor were awarded.
The non-combatant grade of the Cross of Honor was awarded to non-combatant military auxiliary staff such as administrators, and medical personnel. Additionally, some civilians such as State officials could be eligible for this award class. This grade of the Cross of Honor was very similar to the combatants’ grade, even realizing the same ribbon configuration and colors. However, this grade did not have the crossed swords reserved for the combat veteran. Additionally, the laurel wreath of the combatants’ grade was replaced by a wreath of entwined oak leaves. This wreath was also tied by the same ribbon representation. Approximately 1,200,000 non-combatants version of the Cross of Honor were awarded.
Parents or widows of soldiers who died or were reported as missing in action were eligible for the next-of-kin grade of the Cross of Honor . This grade was very similar to the non-combatants’ grade with the exceptions of the ribbon color orientation and the blackening of the medal itself. The ribbon had alternating bands of longitudinal orientation in colors from left to right of white, black, white, red, white, black, and white. This medal was intended to be worn on clothing by the next-of-kin in order to honor the fallen family member and therefore the ribbon was affixed with a horizontal pin and clasp. Approximately 720,000 medals of this class were awarded.
Sources:
1. German Militaria and Collectibles, http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~sansom/
2. Third Reich Factbook, http://www.skalman.nu/third-reich/index.htm
3. Wehrmacht Awards and Decorations, http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/
4. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, William L. Shirer
Kevin A. Sanders is a Manion’s Staff Writer and moderator of the Wehrmacht Collector’s Association. He operates World War Collectibles, specializing in documented appraisals, consignment, and research of 19th and 20th Century military history and collectibles, particularly WWI and WWII German militaria. He can be reached at PO Box 140412. Gainesville, Florida 32614-0412. Telephone 352.505.3825 – Cell 352.870.8385 – worldwarcollectibles@hotmail.com.