We have in hand another set of orders for this Iron Cross Second Class. The orders are once again for Josef Wenger, although at this point in his career he was a Private. The orders are dated 23 March 1943 and are signed by the Commanding General of the Luftwaffe Artillery in Finland. Seems like this ol' boy got around! I have more documents named to him and as soon as I get them interpreted I'll list them. This is a German Iron Cross 2nd Class from World War II. Adolf Hitler restored the Iron Cross in 1939 as a German decoration and continued to issue it in various classes. There were three different classes of the Iron Cross. The lowest award was the Iron Cross, then the Knight's Cross and finally the Grand Cross. The Iron Cross was subdivided into to classes, 1st and 2nd. The 2nd Class was the lowest Iron Cross one could be awarded for bravery on the field of battle. A soldier had to have been awarded the 2nd Class before he could receive the Iron Cross 1st Class and so on. The Iron Cross second class came with a ribbon that was black, white, red, white and black. It was worn on the uniform in two different ways. For the first day after it it was awarded the medal and ribbon was worn from the second button in the tunic. When if formal dress the entire cross was worn mounted alone or as part of a medal bar. For everyday wear only the ribbon was worn from the second button hole in the tunic. It is estimated that over 4 1/2 million 2nd Class Iron Crosses were awarded during World War II. This medal 1 3/4" x 1 3/4". The ribbon bearing the colors of Germany is 1 1/4" wide and 7 3/8" long. The medal is in very good condition with the swastika and the year 1939 being very legible. The back side of the medal is stamped with 1813 and has some loss of black paint. The ribbon is not torn but has some staining on both sides. It is still in very good display condition. Here's your opportunity to pick up another iconic medal from World War II to complete your collection.

Item # AA756

(Sold)