“In recognition of multiple acts of bravery or leadership, the Führer and Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht instituted the war award German Cross. The German Cross is an award of the Wehrmacht and is awarded in gold for multiple extraordinary services in military warfare, for multiple proven exceptional bravery or for multiple outstanding services in troop leadership. The award consists of an eight-pointed, dark gray, silver-rimmed star 65 millimeters in diameter, which bears a black, silver-rimmed swastika in a silver or gold laurel wreath on a matt silver field. The laurel wreath shows the year 1941 at the bottom. The German cross is worn without a ribbon on the right side.”
The German Cross was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 28 September 1941. The German Cross in Gold was first awarded to 38 members of the army on October 18, 1941. This award was nicknamed “Fried Egg” by the troops.
