Iron Cross, Second Class found in Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 werke number 163824

German Iron Cross, Second Class, unnamed as issued. A cross pattee in black iron edged with silver. Obverse: A 'W' in the centre with a crown on the top and '1914' on the lower arm. Reverse: Three oak leaves in the centre surmounted by a crown over 'FW' and 1813 on the lower arm. The medal is fitted with a loose ring suspender and has a 30 mm wide ribbon featuring a broad central black band bordered by two narrower white bands with narrow black band edges.

First World War issue German Iron Cross, discovered under the pilot's seat of Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 (werke nummer 163824) when the aircraft was impounded by Australian Customs officials in 1979. Speculatively, the medal could have been carried by the pilot as a good luck charm or may have been mislaid by a member of the ground crew who had previously served in the First World War. The Messerschmitt is now in the War Memorial's collection.