fbpx
Wikipedia

Spanish Cross

April 24, 2023

The Spanish Cross (German: Spanien-Kreuz)[1] was an award of Nazi Germany given to German troops who participated in the Spanish Civil War, fighting for nationalist general, later Spanish caudillo, Francisco Franco.[2]

Spanish Cross
Spanienkreuz
Spanish Cross in Bronze with Swords
TypeBadge
Presented byNazi Germany
EligibilityMilitary personnel
Campaign(s)Spanish Civil War
StatusObsolete
Established14 April 1939
TotalBronze without Swords – 7,869
Silver without Swords – 327
Bronze with Swords – 8,462
Silver with Swords – 8,304
Gold with Swords – 1,126
Gold with Swords and Diamonds – 28
Cross for next of kin: ribbon

History

See also: German involvement in the Spanish Civil War

With the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in July 1936, Germany sent the Condor Legion, drawn from the German air force and army, to aid Franco's Nationalist forces. On 14 April 1939, Germany instituted the Spanish Cross as a decoration for the German airmen and soldiers who fought in the Condor Legion during the war.[3] A number of German Navy ships served in Spanish waters, their crew also qualifying for the cross.[4]

The Spanish Cross was to be worn on the right breast below the pocket flap or, if awarded, below the Blood Order. After the death of the recipient, the award remains with the next-of-kin.[3]

The wear of Nazi era awards was banned in 1945. The Spanish Cross was not among those awards reauthorised for official wear by the Federal Republic of Germany in 1957.[5]

Classes

The Spanish Cross filled the dual role of gallantry decoration and campaign medal.[4] The Cross was awarded in Gold, Silver and Bronze classes to reflect the rank or merit of the recipient. The Silver and Bronze classes were awarded with and without swords, the Gold only with swords. For outstanding bravery in combat, the Gold class could be awarded with diamonds.[3]

Each class, and the numbers awarded, were:[4]

Bronze

The non-combatant version was awarded without swords to military personnel or civilian technicians for three months of service in Spain without combat experience.

7,869 bronze crosses were awarded.

 
The Spanish Cross in Bronze with Swords version.

Bronze with Swords

The Spanish Cross in Bronze with Swords was given to individuals involved in front line combat during the war.

8,462 bronze crosses with swords were awarded.

Silver

The Silver Cross without swords was a non-combatant version awarded for merit.

327 silver crosses were awarded.

Silver with Swords

The Spanish Cross in Silver was awarded to servicemen who took part in decisive battles or had considerable fighting experience.

8,304 silver crosses with swords were awarded.

Gold

The Spanish Cross in Gold was awarded, only with swords, to servicemen who showed great merit in combat or exceptional leadership.

1,126 gold crosses were awarded.

Gold with Diamonds

See also: List of Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords and Diamonds recipients

The Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords and Diamonds was the highest grade of the decoration. It was awarded to those who showed great leadership skills in battle or great merit.

28 gold crosses with diamonds were awarded, one of which was presented to Adolf Galland.

Next of Kin

A Cross of Honour for relatives of the German dead in Spain (German: Ehrenkreuz für hinterbliebene Deutscher Spanienkämpfer) was awarded to relatives of servicemen who died during their service in Spain.

315 next of kin crosses were awarded.

Design

The Spanish Cross is a Maltese cross with, in its centre, a swastika on a roundel. Between each arm of the cross is the Luftwaffe eagle and, for the versions with swords, two crossed swords, placed behind the eagle symbols. The diamond class had brilliants placed around the swastika in the central roundel.[6]

The reverse side is plain and has a pin used for wearing the cross on the uniform.[6]

The cross for next of kin is bronze and similar to the cross without swords, but smaller in size. Unlike the others, it is attached to a ribbon in black with edges in red, yellow, and red (the colours of the Spanish flag).[4]

Recipients

* Won the Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords and Diamonds version

References

Citations

  1. ^ Doehle 1943, p. 14.
  2. ^ Wehrmacht awards.com: Spanish Cross
  3. ^ a b c Doehle 1943, p. 15.
  4. ^ a b c d Littlejohn & Dodkins 1968, pp. 108–110.
  5. ^ German Federal regulation 1996, pp. 583–593, Anlage 13: List of authorised awards.
  6. ^ a b Angolia 1976, pp. 29–44.

Bibliography

  • Angolia, LTC John R (1976). For Führer And Fatherland: Military Awards of the Third Reich. R. James Bender Publishing. ISBN 0912138149.
  • Doehle, Dr Heinrich (1943). Medals & Decorations of the Third Reich: Badges, Decorations, Insignia. Reddick Enterprises. ISBN 0962488348.
  • Littlejohn, David; Dodkins, Colonel C. M. (1968). Orders, Decorations, Medals and Badges of the Third Reich. R. James Bender Publishing, California. ISBN 978-0854200801.
  • German Federal regulation (1996). Dienstvorschriften Nr. 14/97. Bezug: Anzugordnung für die Soldaten der Bundeswehr. ZDv 37/10 (in German).

April 24, 2023
spanish, cross, german, spanien, kreuz, award, nazi, germany, given, german, troops, participated, spanish, civil, fighting, nationalist, general, later, spanish, caudillo, francisco, franco, spanienkreuz, bronze, with, swordstypebadgepresented, bynazi, german. The Spanish Cross German Spanien Kreuz 1 was an award of Nazi Germany given to German troops who participated in the Spanish Civil War fighting for nationalist general later Spanish caudillo Francisco Franco 2 Spanish CrossSpanienkreuzSpanish Cross in Bronze with SwordsTypeBadgePresented byNazi GermanyEligibilityMilitary personnelCampaign s Spanish Civil WarStatusObsoleteEstablished14 April 1939TotalBronze without Swords 7 869Silver without Swords 327Bronze with Swords 8 462Silver with Swords 8 304Gold with Swords 1 126Gold with Swords and Diamonds 28Cross for next of kin ribbon Contents 1 History 2 Classes 2 1 Bronze 2 1 1 Bronze with Swords 2 2 Silver 2 2 1 Silver with Swords 2 3 Gold 2 3 1 Gold with Diamonds 2 4 Next of Kin 3 Design 4 Recipients 5 References 5 1 Citations 5 2 BibliographyHistory EditSee also German involvement in the Spanish Civil War With the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in July 1936 Germany sent the Condor Legion drawn from the German air force and army to aid Franco s Nationalist forces On 14 April 1939 Germany instituted the Spanish Cross as a decoration for the German airmen and soldiers who fought in the Condor Legion during the war 3 A number of German Navy ships served in Spanish waters their crew also qualifying for the cross 4 The Spanish Cross was to be worn on the right breast below the pocket flap or if awarded below the Blood Order After the death of the recipient the award remains with the next of kin 3 The wear of Nazi era awards was banned in 1945 The Spanish Cross was not among those awards reauthorised for official wear by the Federal Republic of Germany in 1957 5 Classes EditThe Spanish Cross filled the dual role of gallantry decoration and campaign medal 4 The Cross was awarded in Gold Silver and Bronze classes to reflect the rank or merit of the recipient The Silver and Bronze classes were awarded with and without swords the Gold only with swords For outstanding bravery in combat the Gold class could be awarded with diamonds 3 Each class and the numbers awarded were 4 Bronze Edit The non combatant version was awarded without swords to military personnel or civilian technicians for three months of service in Spain without combat experience 7 869 bronze crosses were awarded The Spanish Cross in Bronze with Swords version Bronze with Swords Edit The Spanish Cross in Bronze with Swords was given to individuals involved in front line combat during the war 8 462 bronze crosses with swords were awarded Silver Edit The Silver Cross without swords was a non combatant version awarded for merit 327 silver crosses were awarded Silver with Swords Edit The Spanish Cross in Silver was awarded to servicemen who took part in decisive battles or had considerable fighting experience 8 304 silver crosses with swords were awarded Gold Edit The Spanish Cross in Gold was awarded only with swords to servicemen who showed great merit in combat or exceptional leadership 1 126 gold crosses were awarded Gold with Diamonds Edit See also List of Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords and Diamonds recipients The Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords and Diamonds was the highest grade of the decoration It was awarded to those who showed great leadership skills in battle or great merit 28 gold crosses with diamonds were awarded one of which was presented to Adolf Galland Next of Kin Edit A Cross of Honour for relatives of the German dead in Spain German Ehrenkreuz fur hinterbliebene Deutscher Spanienkampfer was awarded to relatives of servicemen who died during their service in Spain 315 next of kin crosses were awarded Design EditThe Spanish Cross is a Maltese cross with in its centre a swastika on a roundel Between each arm of the cross is the Luftwaffe eagle and for the versions with swords two crossed swords placed behind the eagle symbols The diamond class had brilliants placed around the swastika in the central roundel 6 The reverse side is plain and has a pin used for wearing the cross on the uniform 6 The cross for next of kin is bronze and similar to the cross without swords but smaller in size Unlike the others it is attached to a ribbon in black with edges in red yellow and red the colours of the Spanish flag 4 Recipients EditWalter Adolph Wilhelm Balthasar Hans Henning Freiherr von Beust Gerhard Bigalk Hermann Boehm admiral Kurt Bohmer Hubertus von Bonin Eberhard Bopst Leopold Burkner Rolf Carls Otto Ciliax Hans Degen Ulrich Diesing Oskar Dirlewanger Paul Drekmann Walter Ehle Hans Ehlers Diethelm von Eichel Streiber Engelbert Endrass Wolfgang Ewald Klaus Ewerth Fritz Frauenheim Hans Georg von Friedeburg Hans von Funck Adolf Galland Walter Grabmann Karl Heinz Greisert Robert Gysae Gotthard Handrick Martin Harlinghausen Werner Hartenstein Hans Heidtmann Werner Henke Hajo Herrmann Johannes Hintz Erich Hippke Hermann Hogeback Herbert Ihlefeld Rolf Johannesson Bernhard Jope Rolf Kaldrack Bernd Klug Karl Heinz Krahl Fritz Julius Lemp Wolfgang Lippert pilot Fritz Losigkeit Walther Lucht Wolfgang Luth Gunther Lutzow August Maus Hans Karl Mayer Wilhelm Meentzen Wilhelm Meisel Karl Friedrich Merten Walter Model Johann Mohr Werner Molders Heinz Neukirchen Eduard Neumann fighter pilot Walter Oesau Jurgen Oesten Adolf Piening Rolf Pingel Hermann Plocher Gunther Radusch Hermann Rasch Hansjurgen Reinicke Rudolf Resch Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen Gustav Rodel Helmut Rosenbaum Jurgen von Rosenstiel Wolfgang Schellmann Joachim Schlichting Johann Schmid Rudolf Schmidt Major Herbert Schob Georg Wilhelm Schulz Hans Seidemann Reinhard Seiler Karl Smidt Hugo Sperrle Albert Stecken Alois Stoeckl Wilhelm Ritter von Thoma Horst Tietzen Werner Toniges Hannes Trautloft Heinrich Trettner Joachim Wandel Kurt Weyher Wolf Dietrich Wilcke Joachim Ziegler Felix Zymalkowski Won the Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords and Diamonds versionReferences EditCitations Edit Doehle 1943 p 14 Wehrmacht awards com Spanish Cross a b c Doehle 1943 p 15 a b c d Littlejohn amp Dodkins 1968 pp 108 110 German Federal regulation 1996 pp 583 593 Anlage 13 List of authorised awards a b Angolia 1976 pp 29 44 Bibliography Edit Angolia LTC John R 1976 For Fuhrer And Fatherland Military Awards of the Third Reich R James Bender Publishing ISBN 0912138149 Doehle Dr Heinrich 1943 Medals amp Decorations of the Third Reich Badges Decorations Insignia Reddick Enterprises ISBN 0962488348 Littlejohn David Dodkins Colonel C M 1968 Orders Decorations Medals and Badges of the Third Reich R James Bender Publishing California ISBN 978 0854200801 German Federal regulation 1996 Dienstvorschriften Nr 14 97 Bezug Anzugordnung fur die Soldaten der Bundeswehr ZDv 37 10 in German Portals Military of Germany World War II Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Spanish Cross amp oldid 1022643169, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.