German Cross In Gold, 1941 For Luftwaffe

The German Cross was introduced on September 28th 1941 in two classes of Gold and Silver. The Gold class Cross was awarded to military personnel for exceptional acts of bravery or achievement in combat while the Silver class was awarded for distinguished acts of service in the war effort. Criteria for bestowal of either Cross included that the recipient must first have been awarded the 1939 Iron Cross 1st class or the 1939 Bar to the 1914 Iron Cross 1st class. On introduction of the award a cloth version was also authorized for wear with the color of the base material indicating which branch of service the cross was awarded to with a field-grey base for award to Heer and Waffen-SS personnel, a black base for Panzer personnel, a blue/grey base for Luftwaffe personnel and a navy blue base for Kriegsmarine personnel.

Hand embroidered example features a eight point sunburst pattern with a gilt washed alloy wreath with embossed laurel leaves and a banner with the impressed introduction date: “1941” to the bottom center. The wreath encompasses an embroidered black swastika with a silver/aluminum thread outer border. The cross is mounted on a cut-out, blue/grey wool base indicating an Luftwaffe issue award. The reverse of the badge still has its original protective black paper backing intact. The cross was removed from a tunic and shows signs of age and real use.

Really nice, used Luftwaffe example!!