NAME

Oakleaves with Swords and Diamonds to the Knights Cross of the Order of the Iron Cross

DATE OF INSTITUTION

15. July 1941 as the sixth and new grade of the re-instituted Order of the Iron Cross

AWARD CRITERIA

The Oakleaves with Swords and Diamonds to the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross were awarded for exceptional bravery in the face of the enemy and for outstanding merit in troop leadership. The Swords were basically another award of the Knights Cross and they were solely awarded by the Führer upon the proposal of the soldiers unit and issued by the Heerespersonalamt. The “Diamonds” to the Knights Crosses were stored at the Ordenskanzlei in Berlin and were awarded by the Führer personally.

MANUFACTURERS

The first Oakleaves with Swords and Diamonds to the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross were produced by Godet, the later version ( A and B Type) by Klein/Hanau.

AWARD NUMBERS

The Oakleaves with Swords and Diamonds to the Knights Cross were awarded 27 times.

AWARD DOCUMENTS

The awardee received a preliminary document in A5 format and issued in the name of the Führer by the responsible personnel offices of the three branches of the Wehrmacht. The formal document (Große Mappe) was issued later and is exceptionally elaborate.

WEARING METHOD

The Oakleaves with Swords and Diamonds to the Knights Cross were worn around the neck on a wider red white and black ribbon, instead of the regular loop of the Knights Cross. They were presented in a black case together with a ribbon.