GERMAN WW2 WAR MERIT MEDAL

This award was created by Adolf Hitler in October 1939 as a successor to the non-combatant Iron Cross which  used in earlier wars (a similar medal but with a different ribbon). It was graded in the same manner as the Iron Cross: War Merit Cross Second Class, War Merit Cross First Class, and Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross. It had two variants: with swords given to soldiers for exceptional service "not in direct connection with combat", and without swords given to civilians for meritorious service in "furtherance of the war effort". Recipients had to have the lower grade of the award before getting the next level

The wearing of Nazi era decorations was banned in Germany after the war, as was any display of the swastika. Veterans awarded the War Merit Cross were therefore unable to wear it, either in uniform or – publicly – on civilian dress. In 1957 the Federal Republic of Germany authorised alternative 'de-nazified' replacement versions of World War II period war decorations. These could be worn both on Bundeswehr uniform and on civilian dress.

Disclaimer: Items related to the Nazi regime or the Third Reich sold by dealers on this platform are intended solely for educational, historical, or TV/film prop purposes. I and Militaria Zone does not promote, and are strongly against, the hate ideologies and atrocities committed during WWI