History of German cross in gold

The German Сross in Gold (DKiG) was founded in September 1941. In comparison with the Iron Cross (EK) created in Prussia in 1813, this was a completely new award and instead of bearing any image of an Iron Cross the main symbol was a swastika. This award with its star burst form was so big and heavy it could be easily become detached and lost while fighting, especially in the close confines of a tank or an aircraft. Therefore a new version of DKiG in cloth was approved very soon. This cloth version was very popular in tank
troops as the ordinary DKiG was usually left hanging on the edges of the narrow hatch.

Due to its size, form and swastika this award was called "a party badge for shortsighted" or simply "the Fried egg". However this award had nothing to do with the party (NSDAP). The DKiG was always an award for courage and bravery which is why it is still permitted to be worn today but only in the 1957 version. This means instead of swastika as the central symbol there is an Iron Cross motif with oak leaf spray inside the wreath.

Unfortunately, because of the enormous size of the swastika, the Allied
forces, not knowing the reasons behind the award often suspected the wearers
of being party members and oppressed the owners of this order. No wonder
that even today there are Germans which consider this order a party reward.

DKiG has a form of a star which according to the rules should be placed
opposite to all other German orders - in the middle right side of the
breast. From the status of the award we can suppose (unofficially) that it
could rank between the Iron Cross first class and Knight's Cross.

However, unlike the Knights Cross, which could be awarded to servicemen for
a prominent act, for example, making a decision or performing an act of
courage which contributed to the end of a battle and also which could also
be awarded for successful battle or campaign management without directly
participating in a fight, the DKiG always was an award purely for bravery.
In accordance with directives but to tell you the truth, never published as
such, the award could be handed to officers after eight acts of courage,
bravery, and to other ranks after six, each of whom would have been awarded
the Iron Cross first class.

Therefore, a pre-condition of being eligible for this award was that the serviceman should already be a recipient of the Iron Cross first class.
However this order should not be included in the Iron Cross award structure as it was often given to servicemen who had already been awarded the Knights Cross.

Also in 'Directives on the procedure of awarding the German Cross in Gold' it is written: "the German Cross in Gold is not some intermediate order in the sequence of classes of the Iron Cross.".

As the German Cross in Gold was founded only in September 1941, up to this
point the Knights cross was awarded for exploits which thereafter would be
rewarded by the DKiG.

Another class of this order was also planned - the German Cross in Gold with
Diamonds.

To be continued...