THE IRON CROSS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2305, 12 November 1914, Page 7

THE IRON CROSS

PRODIGAL. DISTRIBUTION

FOR CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY

It is reported 'that already 38,000 German soldiers have received the Iron Cross for conspicuous gallantry in the field. This German decoration, which is similar in design to our Victoria. Cross,' is ; 6aid to be cast out of guns captured in war, and in this connection it carries its resemblance to our decoration a little further, inasmuch as it is said that the Viotoria Cross is made out of guns captured in tho Crimea. The Prussian. Order was instituted on March 10, 1813, by Frederick William 111. Its inception was due to Gneisonau, who in 1811 proposed to the King ' a general rising against Napoleon, and suggested that all men who served with distinction' in the field should be decorated with.a black and white scarf or, a national cockade. The King,, however, favoured an emblem in the shape of two pieces of black and white ribbon sewn in the form of a cross on , the breast of the coat. The designs against Napoleon did not mature until after Moscow in 1813, and in that year the Order of the Iron 'Cross was instituted, as it was thought that a decoration of metal would be more suitable. On March,'lßl3, the King of Prussia decreed that _ "in the present critical' state of affairs, on which depends every-; ™Pg for the country, the brave spirit ~ which- the nation has so grandly shown deserves to be honoured and to be commemorated by some special form of recognition. We have therefore resolved specially to distinguish the merit which in the war now about to break out shall be displayed, either in actual.fight with, the enemy or in the field,or at home,. in connection with this great struggle for freedom'and independence, and after this war not.again to bestow this special form of recognition." By virtue of this decree the Iron Cross of two .classes and a Grand Cross were instituted, on the anniversary of the birthday of tho late Queen Luise. Fiftyseven years later, on July 19, 1870, the anniversary of the death of Queen Luise, war was declared against France, and it was thought that no better recognition could be conferred for valour Si ™! s campaign than the Order of 1813, although the King in.his decree had declared that this distinction would not again be bestowed. On July 19 another.decree by King .William reintroduced''the Order of the Iron Uross. "In view of the serious situation of the' Fatherland," he decreed, and in grateful remembrance of the' heroism of our ancestors in the greal years 0 f- the War- of Liberty, I revive in its full meaning and importance' the' Order of. tho Iron Cross instituted by my father, now in rest with God. Tho Iron Cross will be given' without distinction of ..rank or position as a reward for merit, gained either in actual fight with the; enemy, or at home, in connection with this war for the honour ■and independence of the beloved country." -\ '

Both classes' of the Iron. Cross have a precisely similar black cross of cast iron with silver edging. . On the front there is not any inscription. The front face of the cross of 1813.is bare-of-any insignia. On the reverse of the cross of 1870-71'' is. a," crown' and 'the ' date 1870. In the centred a "W.," the initial of the Christian name of the then King of Prussia. The cross : of 1813 bore tho initials" "F.W." In the centre" of the cross are' leay.esj / .and, the presence oilthe Oltte'r to-day'of the dates 1813 and 1870-71 indicates that ..the soldier upon'whbhi it ; is conferred •participates' '/by rijjht' in 'the honours of the previoiiS Tvars..' The, Grand Cross can • only be received '-by a;' commander' who' has' been 'victorious 1 in ;a decisive' battle, -after'-'whicli the' enemy has ovacuated his position, or who has captured ah important fortress, or by a commander wbb has unflinchingly defended, a fortress which has not fallen into the enemy's hands. The Iron. Cross is borne on- the standards and colours of the troops, and, like the Victoria Cross in our army, its bestowal is not confined to any one rank. In the campaign of 1813, ,331 firsWass and 6639 second-clas3 crosses were awarded, and six '. years. later it was reported that the cross was worn by 9136 soldiers and that there were 6813.inheritors of the decoration. After the Franco-German War of 1870 the number of crosses distributed totalled nearly 50,000. Of. this number 3000.were crosses with the white ribbon with black edging, indicating that.thoy had not. been awarded for service against the enemy. ...