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Deutsches Kreuz in Silber

The German Cross (Deutschen Kreuz) is build up out of 5 separate parts and although the name suggests otherwise, it has the shape of a large 8-pointed breast star with in the center a large black swastika which is outlined in silver. The name of this award comes from this 21,5 mm big swastika. This swastika is placed upon a red-bordered silver disk and upon this red border is a silver laurel leaf wreath mounted. The silver wreath measures 39 mm across and is made out of single laurel leaves that are bounded together with a silk lint. At the bottom of the wreath is a square box with the year 1941 impressed into it. This date refers to the year of institution and from underneath this wreath emerge the eight star points. These points are chemically blackened and have the appearance of sunrays. Underneath these points is a 63 mm large silver backing plate placed which has the same shape as the award, only it’s slightly bigger so it forms the outer line of the award. At the reverse are 4 or 6 rivets visible and through the number of rivets you can recognize if the award was made in Germany or Austria. The German Crosses with 4 rivets were made in Germany and the pieces with 6 rivets in Austria. Further is there at the reverse a large width pin with a standard hook construction placed. If the award is marked with the LDO-number of the producer, then it is stamped in either the front or backside of the pin. To prevent damaging the award during combat, there was also a cloth version made. This cloth version has a metal wreath and the backing cloth colour is the same as the tunic colour of the corresponding Army branch. Fieldgrey is for the Army (Heer) and Waffen-SS, bleu-grey for the Air Force, (Luftwaffe) Marine bleu for the Navy (Kriegsmarine) and black for the Armored forces.

The German Cross in Silver (Deutsches Kreuz in Silber) was awarded for honourable military services in the execution of the war effort but where the Knight’s Cross wasn’t awarded for. The recipient did however already had to own the War Merit Cross 1st Class with swords (Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1 Klasse mit Schwertern) or the Iron Cross 1st Class. The exact number of times that the German Cross in Silver was bestowed is still unknown at this time.

The OBdW barred/blocked the awarding of the German Cross in Silver from May 3rd, 1944 until June 8th, 1944. On July 21st, 1944, a decree by Adolf Hitler was issued that recommendations to members of the Oberkommandos der Wehrmacht not were to be taken in consideration before it was known the person in question would end his service with the Oberkommando.

Alt, Erich* June 26th, 1887
† August 22nd, 1966

Grid List
Kaiser, Franz (9. Flak-Div.)* November 11th, 1912
† December 12th, 2003

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Kaltenbrunner, Ernst* October 4th, 1903
† October 16th, 1946

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Kanstein, Paul* May 31st, 1899
† September 7th, 1981

Kapherr, Freiherr von, Wolfgang Dr. jur.* November 2nd, 1898
† August 7th, 1970

Kastner-Kirdorf, Gustav (General der Flieger)* February 2nd, 1881
† May 4th, 1945
Row: 9 Grave: 1

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Katzschner, Helmut* December 15th, 1911

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Keitel, Bodewin Claus Eduard (General der Inf.)* December 25th, 1888
† July 29th, 1953

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Kempf, Siegfried* March 15th, 1896
† September 23rd, 1964

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Kienitz, Werner* June 3rd, 1885
† December 31st, 1959

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Kirchner, Paul* 1892
† April 27th, 1945

Kittel, Walther Prof.Dr. (Generalstabsarzt)* March 20th, 1887
† November 11th, 1971

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Klaffke, Heinz* March 5th, 1906

Klauser, Franz (211. ID)* February 1st, 1898

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Kleberger, Franz (Generalstab)* June 19th, 1888
† March 21st, 1971

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Kleikamp, Helmut* April 28th, 1901
† January 6th, 1985

Kleinschroth, Dipl.Ing., Heinrich* January 29th, 1895
† December 21st, 1965

Klingler, Josef (Generalstabsveterinär)* October 9th, 1878
† December 26th, 1960

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Kliszcz, Otto* September 27th, 1886
† September 18th, 1971

Knobelsdorff-Brenkenhoff, von, Friedrich* December 5th, 1890
† October 11th, 1950

Koch-Erpach, Rudolf* April 9th, 1886
† November 27th, 1971

Kohl, Otto (WH-Generalleutnant)* April 8th, 1886
† March 2nd, 1972

Kohlhauer, Erich* May 2nd, 1891
† December 14th, 1970

Kopkow, Horst* November 29th, 1910
† October 13th, 1996

Kopp, Ernst (KM)* September 3rd, 1894
† August 16th, 1945
Plot: 2A Grave: 25

Kortzfleisch, von, Joachim* January 3rd, 1890
† April 20th, 1945
Grave: 294

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Krasa, Karl* October 5th, 1901

Krause, Johannes* April 6th, 1893
† February 15th, 1978

Krause, Otto Wilhelm August* August 4th, 1889

Kreutzer, Erich (Armee-Pionier-Führer)* September 18th, 1896
† January 10th, 1946

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Krummel, Adolf* December 14th, 1890
† December 14th, 1960

Krüger, Dr.med., Richard (Generalarzt d.R.)* November 4th, 1881
† August 4th, 1970

Krüpl, Othmar* August 18th, 1893
† September 30th, 1992

Krämer, Ernst Friedrich* January 23rd, 1909
† June 9th, 1996

Kunowski, von, Werner Eduard Ernst Knud* February 12th, 1907
† March 10th, 1947
Grave: UNK

Kuntze, Walter* February 23rd, 1883
† April 1st, 1960

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Kuntzen, Gustav-Adolf* December 23rd, 1907

Kuschow, Otto Friedrich Karl* December 31st, 1890
† April 20th, 1945

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Kutzky, Reinhold* October 11th, 1895
† December 28th, 1971

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Kühl, Claus (Generalmajor)* August 18th, 1898
† February 25th, 1952

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Kühne, Gerhard Fritz (Generalmajor)* September 9th, 1899
† May 22nd, 1948

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Köhler, Dr. Erich (Generalstabsveterinär)* July 26th, 1885
† January 14th, 1955

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Köhler, Paul (Generalmajor)* June 30th, 1906
† 2001

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Sources