Iron Cross Second Class

Iron Cross Second Class. A cross patee with a blackened iron centre with a two piece silver beaded edge. Obverse: A swastika in the centre and '1939' below. Reverse: Plain with '1813' on the lower arm. The cross is fitted with a loose ring suspender and a piece of 32 mm red ribbon which has white (inner) and black (outer) stripes on each edge.

Reinstituted in 1939 by Adolf Hitler the Iron Cross 2nd Class was awardeded for courage and exemplary conduct, irrespective of rank. When presented it was hung from the second button hole of the tunic. Thereafter recipients usually wore the ribbon alone. Approximately 5,000,000 are thought to have been awarded during the Second World War. This medal is part of a collection of Second World War German orders and decorations acquired by Flight Lieutenant K G Hesketh, RAAF Historical Records Section, who was based in London but who made a number of visits to Germany immediately after the Second World War.