Knight's Cross Recipients (1): Knight's Cross and Oakleaves 1939-40

Osprey's survey of the recipients of the Knight's Cross and Oak-Leaves awards during World War II (1939-1945). In 1939 a new grade in the Iron Cross series was introduced, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). It was awarded for a variety of reasons, from skilled leadership to a single act of extreme gallantry, and was bestowed across all ranks, grades, and branches of service. As the war progresed, further distinctions were created for bestowal on existing winners, namely Oak-Leaves (Eichenlaub); Oak-Leaves with Swords (Eichenlaub und Schwertern); and Oak-Leaves with Swords and Diamonds (Eichenlaub, Schwerter und Brillanten). This book, the first in a sequence of four, covers winners of the Knights Cross and the Oak-Leaves distinction in the period 1939-40.

in 1939 A New Grade In The Iron Cross Series Was Introduced, The Knight's Cross Of The Iron Cross (ritterkreuz Des Eisernen Kreuzes). It Was Awarded For A Variety Of Reasons, From Skilled Leadership To A Single Act Of Extreme Gallantry, And Was Bestowed Across All Ranks, Grades, And Branches Of Service. As The War Progresed, Further Distinctions Were Created For Bestowal On Existing Winners, Namely Oak-leaves (eichenlaub); Oak-leaves With Swords (eichenlaub Und Schwertern); And Oak-leaves With Swords And Diamonds (eichenlaub, Schwerter Und Brillanten). This Book, The First In A Sequence Of Four, Covers Winners Of The Knights Cross And The Oak-leaves Distinction In The Period 1939-40.

On 1st September 1939, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was created by Hitler. It was the highest Third Reich award and could be distributed to all ranks within any branch of the Wehrmacht, Waffen-SS or the auxiliary services. This is the first of four books looking at the winners of the Knight's Cross, from 1939-1940. THE IRON CROSS was instituted in 1813, and is what is known as a 'temporary' award - one that is only presented when the nation is in a state of war.