1939 German Iron Cross, 1st Class (WW2)

The German Iron Cross has long been held as a symbol for bravery in combat, The Germans have been employing it as an award since the 1800's. The Iron Cross employed during WW2 is very similar to that used in WWI. The major differences between the two periods are the dates displayed in the lower arm of the cross and the absecense of a Swastika in the WWI type. The item featured here is a WW2 German Iron Cross first class, the Cross was instituted on September 1st 1939.