Original German WWII Set of Seven Combat Award Postcards - War Merit Cross, Iron Cross, Knight's Cross, and More

Original Items: One Set of Seven Only. Here we have a lovely set of German WWII Era postcards, each bearing the image of a high level combat award on the front, along with the name of the award. These look to be part of a series called DIE KRIEGSORDEN DES GROSSDEUTSCHEN REICHES (The War Orders of the Greater German Empire), and they all represent typical, as well as some NOT so typical awards. The postcards measure approximately 4 1/8" x 5 3/4", and were never mailed or filled out, though one has a small note on the back.

The awards represented in this set are as follows (in order of precedence):

- KRIEGSVERDIENSTKREUZ II. KLASSE MIT SCHWERTERN - War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords. These were awarded for meritorious action in connection with combat that was not significant enough to receive the iron cross.

- KRIEGSVERDIENSTKREUZ I. KLASSE MIT SCHWERTERN - War Merit Cross 1st Class with Swords. These were awarded for meritorious action in connection with combat that was not significant enough to receive the Iron Cross.

- SPANGE ZUM EK II VON 1914 / EISERNES KREUZ II. KLASSE VON 1939 - Clasp for Iron Cross 2nd Class 1914 / Iron Cross 2nd Class 1939. This represented the two ways that an Iron Cross 2nd class 1939 would be awarded. If the recipient already had the EKII 1914, they would receive a Clasp, otherwise they would receive the full award.

- SPANGE ZUM EK I VON 1914 / EISERNES KREUZ I. KLASSE VON 1939 - Clasp for Iron Cross 1st Class 1914 / Iron Cross 1st Class 1939. This represented the two ways that an Iron Cross 1st class 1939 would be awarded. If the recipient already had the EKI 1914, they would receive a Clasp, otherwise they would receive the full award.

- RITTERKREUZ DES EISERNES KREUZES MIT EICHENLAUB - Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The "Knight's Cross" (Ritterkreuz) was awarded to successful commanders after major military actions. A second action would result in an upgrade in the form of an Oak Leaf device.

- RITTERKREUZ DES EISERNES KREUZES MIT EICHENLAUB UND SCHWERTERN - Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. The "Knight's Cross" (Ritterkreuz) was awarded to successful commanders after major military actions. A second action would result in an upgrade in the form of an Oak Leaf device, and a third action would upgrade this further with Crossed Swords.

- GROSSKREUZ DES EISERNES KREUZES - Grand Cross of the Iron Cross. This historically was awarded to victorious generals of the Prussian army, and it was reinstituted by Adolf H during WWII. As noted on the back of the postcard, "Only Goering has this medal.", as Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring was the only recipient of the new 1939 version.

A great set of German WWII Combat Award postcards, ready to display!