HISTORY OF THE GERMAN IRON CROSS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11360, 12 April 1915, Page 4

HISTORY OF THE GERMAN IRON CROSS

The German decoration of the Iron. Cross, which is similar to the British Victoria Cross, is said to be east out of guns captured in war, and in this connection it carries tho resemblance a little further, we read in the Manchaster (England) " Guardian," inasmuch as it is said that tho Victoria Cross is made out of guns captured in the Crimea,. The Prussian order was instituted in 1813 by Frederick William 111. Its inception was due to Gneisenau, who in 1811 proposed to the King a general rising against Napoleon, and that all men who served with distinction in tho 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 1813, and in that year the order oi the iron Cross was instituted, as it was thought that a decoration of metal wonld be rnoro suitable. Both classes of the Iron Cross have a, precisely similar black cross of cast iron with silver edging. On the front there is no 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 tno date 1870. In the centreis a "W," the initial of the Christian name of the then King of Prussia,. The cro«s of IS'l3 bore the initials " K.W." | M the centre of the cross are throe oak

loaves. 'J'ho Iron Cress is born© on tho standards and colours of tho troops, and, liko the Victoria Cross. its bestowal i.s not; confined to any one rank.