The Honor Cross was instituted by Generafeld Marschall Von Hindenburg on July 13th 1934. The official designation for the award
is "The Honor Cross of the World War 1914-1918". However, the medal is better known as the "Hindenburg Cross".
The medal's design was the creation of Eugene Godet of Berlin, who received specific directions from the Third Reich
Chancellery for its creation. The cross measured 38 mm. Later, a comercial version became available in pin back form
and measuring only 31.5 mm.
The cross was presented with an award document. The manner of presentation varied. Sometimes it was handed in a basic envelope.
Other times it came in a binder (award document on one side, medal on the other). The last format was in a case.
This is the only award issued during the Third Reich recognizing service provided during WWI.
The award came in three formats:
| Combatants "Fur Fron-tkamper" |
This was a bronze cross with the date 1914-1918 in the center surrounded by a laurel leaf wreath. Two crossed swords
ran between the arms of the cross. The back of the cross was plain with the exception of the manufacturer marking.
In some cases the marking was not present.
The ribbon consisted of colored stripes in the following pattern: Black/White/Black/Red/Black/White/Black
The number of medals approved and rendered as of February 1st 1937 were as follows:
Combatant: 6,202,883
|
| Non-Combatants "Fur andere Kriegsteilnehmer" |
Same as above but without any swords.
The number of medals approved and rendered as of February 1st 1937 were as follows:
Non-combatant: 1,120,449
|
| Widows or Parents "fur Witwen und Eltern" |
This cross was finished in black. The susoension ribbon was White/Black/White/Red/White/Black/White.
The number of medals approved and rendered as of February 1st 1937 were as follows:
Widow: 345,112
Parent: 373,950
|
|
