Common Axis Decorations

Service and Long Service Awards

Instituted: 14 March 1936
Requirements: Service in the armed forces for a specified period of time.   Awarded in several grades, for 4, 12, 18, 25 and 40 years of service; only the two most recent awards could be worn concurrently.
Rarity: The 4 year award may have been fairly common, but the small size of the German armed forces in the 1930s would have resulted in the 12 and 18 year grades being much more rare, and those posessing them would probably have been too old to be serving as frontline soldiers.

Army	Luftwaffe

While issued in the form of a medal and ribbon, only the ribbon was worn on the uniform when in the field, on the ribbon bar (only) over the left breast..  The Army and the Luftwaffe had their own distinctive national insignia pinned to the ribbon.

Instituted: 18 October 1939
Requirements: Awarded to civilians and military personnel for outstanding service in furtherance of the war effort, in particular bravery or service not connected with direct military combat.  Awarded with swords for bravery not connected to front line action and without swords for meritorious service.  Until 21 September 1941, anyone holding the EK II was ineligible for this award, but Hitler personally changed this restriction on that date.  The War Merit Cross was thereafter worn with the Iron Cross, but behind it in order of precedence.
Rarity: On the order of 6,134,000+ awards of the Second Class award with swords were presented.

While issued in the form of a medal and ribbon, only the ribbon was worn on the uniform when in the field, either on the ribbon bar or as a buttonhole award. A swords device was worn on the ribbon when worn in the ribbon bar, but not when the ribbon was worn in the buttonhole.

Instituted: 18 October 1939
Requirements: Awarded to civilians and military personnel for outstanding service in furtherance of the war effort, in particular bravery or service not connected with direct military combat.  Awarded with swords for bravery not connected to front line action and without swords for meritorious service.  The award of the War Merit Cross 2nd Class was a prerequisite, though on rare occasions both awards were presented simultaneously.  Until 21 September 1941, anyone holding the EK I was ineligible for this award, but Hitler personally changed this restriction on that date.   The War Merit Cross was thereafter worn with the Iron Cross, but behind it in order of precedence.
Rarity: Over 483,000 awards of the First Class award with Swords were made.  91,239 of the First Class without Swords were awarded.

Instituted: 19 August 1940
Requirements: The cross without swords was introduced to recognize outstanding achievements by the civil population of Germany, the civil service, and members of the Party.  This cross was made of silver and in July 1944, a version of the cross in gold was created.
Rarity: Only 137 awards without swords in silver, and 12 without swords in gold, were made.   The silver award with swords was bestowed an estimated 118 times, with the gold version with swords being awarded only nine times.

War Service Badges

Instituted: 20 December 1939 (Silver version) and 1 June 1940 (Bronze version)
First Awarded: April 1940
Requirements: Participation in at least three seperate infantry assaults.
Restrictions: The silver version went to men in Infantry units, the bronze version to soldiers in Motorized Infantry units.  Only one type of assault badge could be worn, regardless of the number of transfers to other arms.
Rarity: An extremely common award, probably awarded in the millions.

Instituted: 20 December 1939 (Silver version) and 1 June 1940 (Bronze version)
Requirements: Participation in at least three seperate armoured assaults, having been wounded in an assault, or having been decorated for bravery during an assault.  
Restrictions: The silver version went to tank crews, the bronze version to crewmen of other armoured vehicles, such as self-propelled guns, panzergrenadier troops in halftracks, armoured medical personnel, etc.  Only one type of assault badge could be worn, regardless of the number of transfers to other arms.
Rarity: A fairly common award, especially for tank crewmen.

Instituted: 1 June 1940
Requirements: Participation in at least three seperate assaults, having been wounded in an assault, or having been decorated for bravery during an assault.  Also awarded for the single-handed destruction of enemy AFVs before the introduction of the Tank Destruction Badge.
Restrictions: Awarded to those troops not eligible for the Infantry or Armoured assault badges; especially combat engineers, but also assault gun crews, anti-aircraft artillerymen, anti-tank gun crews, and even medical personnel.
Rarity: Fairly common award, most commonly associated with Pionier and assault gun units.

Worn on the left pocket, centred if no other badges were worn, or on the left side of the EK I (as viewed from the front) when that medal was worn.  Only 1 assault badge could be worn at any one time, usually the first one awarded.

In September 1944, it was decreed that bestowal of the Close Combat Bar in Gold would automatically result in the award of the German Cross in Gold also to the deserving soldier.

Worn above the ribbon bar on the left breast.

Campaign Awards

While issued in the form of a medal and ribbon, only the ribbon was worn on the uniform when in the field, either on the ribbon bar or as a buttonhole award.

Instituted: 1942
Requirements: A semi-official award by the Italian Military Command.
Rarity: After the capitulation of Italy, this medal was prohibited (along with all other orders, medals and decorations issued by the Royal Italian military) for wear by German servicemen.  These orders took effect 29 March 1944.  No member of the Italian Armed service were ever issued this medal.

While issued in the form of a medal and ribbon, usually only the ribbon was worn on the uniform when in the field, either on the ribbon bar or as a buttonhole award.

Demjansk Shield (Demjanskschild)

Instituted: 25 Apr 1943
Requirements: To have served for sixty days in the Demjansk garrison, or to have been wounded or decorated for bravery while a member of the garrison.
Rarity: Approximately 100,000 men served in the garrison, and approximately the same number of awards of the shield were made

Kuban Shield (Kubanschild)

Instituted: 21 Sep 1943
Requirements: To have served in the Kuban bridgehead for sixty days, to have been wounded while serving in the bridgehead, or to have participated in at least one major operation.

Worn on the left sleeve of the field blouse or greatcoat, overtop of rank chevrons where present.  In rare cases where more than one badge was worn, they were worn side by side, a third badge was worn over the other two.   Each badge was backed with an appropriate piece of uniform cloth (field grey or black as appropriate)

Afrika Cuff Title (Afrika armelband)

Instituted: 15 January 1943
Requirements: To have served on North African soil for at least six months; to have been in combat in the African theatre of operations;  to have contracted an illness while in Africa after being in theatre at least three months; any soldier awarded the Iron Cross or the German Cross in Gold for actions in theatre received the cuff title automatically.

On 6 May 1943, Hitler personally reduced the time requirement for this award from six months to four months.

Worn on the left forearm, 15 cm from the edge of the cuff.

Worn on the left forearm, 15 cm from the edge of the cuff.  This title was a true campaign title.  Previous titles (AFRIKAKORPS in silver on green, and AFRIKA on dark blue) worn by the Army and Luftwaffe as simple unit identification were being worn unofficially as campaign titles before this title was instituted.

Wounds Badges

Achievement Awards

Worn on the right sleeve of the field blouse, halfway between the shoulder seam and the elbow.

Bravery, Leadership and Gallantry Awards

Instituted: 1 September 1939 (reissue of a similar medal awarded in WW I as well as earlier conflicts dating back to 1813)
Requirements: Awarded for outstanding service and/or bravery in the face of the enemy.
Rarity: A fairly common award, some 4 to 5 million awards were made to all the armed services during the Second World War.

While issued in the form of a medal and ribbon, only the ribbon was worn on the uniform when in the field, either on the ribbon bar or as a buttonhole award.

Instituted: 1 September 1939 (reissue of a similar medal awarded in WW I as well as earlier conflicts dating back to 1813)
Requirements: .Unlike famous gallantry awards from other nations, the Iron Cross and Knight's Cross could also be awarded for leadership in addition to individual acts of courage.
Restrictions: While the EK II and EK I were sometimes awarded concurrently, the EK I was never awarded without the recipient already having the EK II.
Rarity: Estimates vary from 300,000 to 750,000 awards to all the armed services.

Always worn centred on the left breast pocket.  Other awards, if present, were worn to the side or below the EK I.

Instituted: 30 January 1944
Requirements: An Honor Roll of the German Army had been instituted in July 1941, but no tangible sign of being named to this roll was made until the 1944 anniversary of Hitler's ascension to power.  The requirements for being named to the roll included prior award of the Iron Cross First Class, and performing acts of bravery not as high as the standard for the German Cross in Gold or Knight's Cross.
Rarity: Only 4,556 awards were made between institution and the end of the war.

The Honor Roll clasp was worn pinned to the ribbon of the Iron Cross Second Class.

Instituted: 5 August 1944
Requirements: Not wanting to be outdone by the Army, Hermann Goering personally instituted an Honor Roll of the Luftwaffe.  The requirements for being named to the roll included prior award of the Iron Cross First Class, and performing acts of bravery not as high as the standard for the German Cross in Gold or Knight's Cross.
Rarity: It is possible some 30,000 clasps were awarded by the end of the war, making this a not uncommon award.

 
The Honor Roll clasp was worn pinned to the ribbon of the Iron Cross Second Class.

Instituted: 28  September 1941
Requirements: Awarded for outstanding service and bravery in the face of the enemy.  The German Cross was not a part of the Iron Cross series of awards, per se, and was while it was usually awarded for deeds that were determined not quite enough for award of the Knight's Cross but greater than required for award of the Iron Cross First Class, there were instances in which Knight's Cross winners were awarded the German Cross.   In September 1944, it was decreed that bestowal of the Close Combat Bar in Gold would automatically result in the award of the German Cross in Gold also to the deserving soldier.
Rarity: Approximately 14,637 went to men of the Army, with 14,000 more going to other recipients including Waffen SS, Navy and Air Force personnel of all branches.

Worn centred on the right breast pocket.

Instituted:  September 1939
Requirements: Unlike famous gallantry awards from other nations, the Iron Cross and Knight's Cross could also be awarded for leadership rather than individual acts of courage.
Restrictions: Only awarded to those already holding the EK I.
Rarity: Some 7361 awards were made, with 4777 going to the Army (65%) and 438 (6%)  to the Waffen SS.  In the Army, they were most commonly awarded to company-grade officers, with 932 going to men ranked Hauptmann, and 630 to men ranked Oberleutnant, as opposed to just 6 to private soldiers (Schützen/equivalent).   Viewed another way, company grade officers (Leutnant, Oberleutnant, Hauptmann) received 1976 (41 percent of the Army's total), while NCOs (Unteroffizier through Stabsfeldwebel, including officer candidates) received 961 (20 percent) and men (all ranks below Unteroffizier) received 223 (4 percent). 

Of some 13 million soldiers in the Army, 1 in 2721 received a Knight's Cross.  That figure was 1 in 2283 for the 1 million man Waffen SS.

Worn suspended around the neck with the ribbon concealed by the shirt or tunic collar and exposed at the neck.

Instituted:  3 June 1940
Requirements: Unlike famous gallantry awards from other nations, the Iron Cross and Knight's Cross could also be awarded for leadership rather than individual acts of courage.
Restrictions: Only awarded to those already holding the Ritterkreuz.
Rarity: Exactly 883 awards were made to all branches of the armed forces.  583 went to the Army and Waffen SS, 246 went to the Luftwaffe (all branches).   Of the Army awards, only 56 went to men below the rank of Hauptmann, the lowest ranking of whom was an Unteroffizier.  74 in total went to the Waffen SS, with only 5 going to men below the rank of Hauptmann/Hauptscharführer, and all of these went to junior officers - none to NCO's or men.

Attached directly to the ribbon of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

Wearing of German Awards

When worn on the ribbon bar, ribbons were worn in order of importance, most important on the left.  The order of the most common medal ribbons shown here would be, in order from left to right, Iron Cross Second Class, War Merit Cross Second Class, Eastern Front Medal, and Long Service Medal.  Optionally, a maximum of two ribbons could be worn in the second buttonhole (except the Long Service medal ribbon which was not worn in this manner at all.)

Only EK I awarded	EK I and one decoration awarded.  In some cases the Wounds Badge or assault badge were worn directly below the EK I because of their small size.	EK I and two decorations awarded - the Assault Badge generally went on the left side as shown.  In some instances the Wounds Badge was worn directly below EK I,

Wound Awards

Instituted:
Requirements: A gold chevron was awarded for wounds received in action, silver for wounds received in service, and red for wounds received in the national cause.

Bravery, Leadership and Gallantry Awards

Instituted:  Established by Royal Decree on 20.2.1868 by King Vittorio Emanuele II after the annexation of the Venetian Region and the completion of Italy's unity.
Requirements: It was awarded to Italian and foreigner citizens, both civilians and soldiers, as a token of national gratitude for accomplishments which could include such things as a long military career with unblemished record. This Order was less exclusive than the Order of the Annunciation or the Order of St. Maurice and Lazarus.
Grades: Divided in the usual five classes, worn in the customary ways: Knight, Officer, Commander, Grand Officer, Grand Cross. Between the cross arms were four knots of Savoy ("love knots) in gold filigree. On the obverse the cross was "chargé" by the "Iron Crown" encircled in gold and blue; on the reverse there was a black eagle with the Arms of Savoy "en coeur", encircled in red. The Order was named after the famed "Iron Crown", kept in Monza's Cathedral and allegedly crafted from a nail of the Holy Cross. The crown was used for the coronation - among many others - of Charlemagne, Napoleon I and all the Kings of Italy. With the fall of monarchy the order, being considered national, and not of dynastic property, was discontinued and replaced in 1951 by the Meritorious Order of the Republic of Italy ("Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana").

Instituted: March 1883 by King Albert of Sardinia for award to Army and Navy personnel.  In 1836 and 1927 additional awards were created to include other branches of the military.
Requirements: Awarded in three classes to members of the military for exceptional valour which did not warrant the award of the Military Order of Savoia.  Awarded in gold, silver and bronze.  After the capitulation to the Allies, a new design was created in 1943.

Instituted: Bronze award created on 19 January 1918  by King Victor Emanuel III for award to those who were wounded in combat and received the Medal of the Wounded, or to those personnel named for war merit that had  received a promotion.

Also, when having performed an act of valour which was deemed insufficient for the Medal of Military Valour, the War Merit Cross could be awarded instead. From 1922 onwards a bronze sword on the ribbon designated such an award.

Slight alterations to the reverse of the medal were made in 1941.  Some changes may have been made between 1943 and 1945 after the capitulation to the Allies.

Requirements: Awarded to members of the armed forces for war merit in operations on land, sea or in the air, after minimum one year of service in the trenches or elsewhere, in contact with an enemy.  Awarded in three classes, gold, silver and bronze.  After the capitulation to the Allies, a new design was created in 1943.

Number awarded:   From its institution till 30 May 1927 1,034,924 Crosses were issued. A second award was indicated by a bronze star on the ribbon.

Worn on the breast pocket of the uniform.