Iron Cross

The Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz) was a Prussian, from 1939 German military decoration for bravery in war instituted in 1813 and last awarded in 1945. During the Second World War it was awarded as the Iron Cross Second Class and First Class; there also existed the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with five degrees ranging from simple Knight's Cross to Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds.