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The Iron Cross, known as 'Eisernes Kreuz' in German, was initially established by King Frederick William III of Prussia in 1813, and its design was inspired by the medieval Teutonic Order's insignia.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Iron Cross was established by King Frederick William III of Prussia in 1813, and its design was indeed inspired by the insignia of the medieval Teutonic Order.
By 1817, 670 chevaliers had received the Iron Cross 1st Class, which was created in cast iron with silver borders.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Iron Cross 1st Class was created in cast iron with silver borders by an order in June 1813, and by 1817, 670 chevaliers had received this award.
The Iron Cross was awarded during the Napoleonic Wars, Franco-Prussian War, World War I, and World War II.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Iron Cross was indeed awarded during the Napoleonic Wars (1813), the Franco-Prussian War (1870), World War I (1914), and World War II (1939).
The first individual to receive the Iron Cross was King Frederick William III's late wife, Queen Louise, posthumously.
Answer: True
Explanation: Queen Louise, King Frederick William III's late wife, was the first person to receive the Iron Cross, awarded posthumously and backdated to her birthday.
The Iron Cross influenced the naming of Kreuzberg in Berlin because Karl Friedrich Schinkel crowned the National Monument for the Liberation Wars with an Iron Cross in 1821.
Answer: True
Explanation: The hill on which Karl Friedrich Schinkel's National Monument for the Liberation Wars stands was named Kreuzberg (cross mountain) after he crowned the monument with an Iron Cross in 1821.
The Iron Cross was unique among German states' military decorations for being awarded without regard to the recipient's rank.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Iron Cross was indeed notable for its egalitarian nature, as it was awarded without regard to rank, distinguishing it from many other German states' military decorations.
From which historical insignia did the design of the Iron Cross originate?
Answer: The insignia of the medieval Teutonic Order
Explanation: The design of the Iron Cross originated from the insignia of the medieval Teutonic Order, a black cross pattée with a white or silver outline.
Who established the Iron Cross award and in what year?
Answer: King Frederick William III in 1813
Explanation: King Frederick William III of Prussia established the Iron Cross award on March 17, 1813, during the Napoleonic Wars.
What was inserted into the Goddess of Peace's laurel wreath atop Berlin's Brandenburg Gate after Napoleon's defeat?
Answer: An Iron Cross
Explanation: After Napoleon's defeat, an Iron Cross was inserted into the Goddess of Peace's laurel wreath atop Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, transforming her into a Goddess of Victory.
Which of the following conflicts was NOT a period during which the Iron Cross was awarded?
Answer: The Thirty Years' War
Explanation: The Iron Cross was awarded during the Napoleonic Wars, Franco-Prussian War, World War I, and World War II, but not during the Thirty Years' War.
Who was the first recipient of the Iron Cross, awarded posthumously?
Answer: Queen Louise
Explanation: Queen Louise, the late wife of King Frederick William III, was the first person to receive the Iron Cross, awarded posthumously.
William Manley is recognized as the only individual to have received both the Iron Cross and the Victoria Cross, awarded for his service during the Franco-Prussian War.
Answer: True
Explanation: William Manley is noted as possibly the only individual to have received both the Iron Cross and the Victoria Cross, with the Iron Cross awarded for his service during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71.
The Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was primarily intended for senior generals of the Prussian or German Army, recognizing high-level military leadership.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was indeed primarily intended for senior generals of the Prussian or German Army, recognizing their high-level military leadership.
Adolf Hitler, an Austrian citizen, received both the 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class and 1st Class for bravery during World War I.
Answer: True
Explanation: Adolf Hitler, an Austrian citizen serving in the Bavarian Army, was a notable recipient of both the 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class and 1st Class for his bravery during World War I.
When was the Black Cross replaced as the German Army symbol, and by what?
Answer: 1915, by a simpler Balkenkreuz
Explanation: The Black Cross was replaced as the German Army symbol in 1915 by a simpler Balkenkreuz (bar cross).
What was the prerequisite for receiving the Iron Cross 1st Class during World War I?
Answer: Having already received the 2nd Class.
Explanation: To receive the Iron Cross 1st Class during World War I, an individual generally had to already possess the 2nd Class.
Approximately how many Iron Cross 1st Class medals were awarded during World War I?
Answer: 218,000
Explanation: During World War I, approximately 218,000 Iron Cross 1st Class medals were awarded.
Which of the following was NOT an example of anti-German propaganda versions of the Iron Cross created by the Allies during World War I?
Answer: Displaying a German eagle and the year '1918'
Explanation: Allied propaganda versions of the Iron Cross during World War I included inscriptions like 'FOR KULTUR,' names of destroyed towns, or commemorated specific raids, but not a generic German eagle and the year '1918'.
In 1895, what special authorization was given to recipients of the 1870 Iron Cross who were still in service?
Answer: They were authorized to purchase and wear a 'Jubiläumsspange' (Jubilee clip).
Explanation: Recipients of the 1870 Iron Cross who remained in service in 1895 were authorized to wear a 'Jubiläumsspange' (Jubilee clip) above the cross, commemorating 25 years since the award.
Who were the only two recipients of the Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross prior to World War II?
Answer: Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher and Paul von Hindenburg
Explanation: The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded only twice before World War II, to Generalfeldmarschall Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher in 1813 and Generalfeldmarschall Paul von Hindenburg in 1918.
What was the highest grade of the Iron Cross during World War I?
Answer: Grand Cross of the Iron Cross
Explanation: During World War I, the highest grade of the Iron Cross was the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross ('Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes').
The Iron Cross was exclusively a military decoration and was never awarded to civilians, even for military-related roles.
Answer: False
Explanation: While primarily a military decoration, the Iron Cross was awarded to some civilians, such as test pilots Hanna Reitsch and Melitta Schenk Gräfin von Stauffenberg, for their military-related contributions during World War II.
Adolf Hitler restored the Iron Cross in 1939 as a Prussian decoration, maintaining its original regional identity.
Answer: False
Explanation: Adolf Hitler restored the Iron Cross in 1939 as a German decoration, not a Prussian one, thereby changing its regional identity to a national one.
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross replaced the Prussian 'Pour le Mérite' because Hitler wanted an award that could be given to all ranks, not just officers.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Knight's Cross replaced the 'Pour le Mérite' because Hitler sought an award that could be bestowed upon all ranks, unlike the 'Pour le Mérite' which was exclusively for officers.
The War Merit Cross was created by Adolf Hitler to replace the combatant version of the Iron Cross during World War II.
Answer: False
Explanation: The War Merit Cross was created by Adolf Hitler to replace the *non-combatant* version of the Iron Cross during World War II, not the combatant version.
During World War II, the Iron Cross was awarded for bravery in battle and other significant military contributions within a battlefield environment.
Answer: True
Explanation: During World War II, the Iron Cross was awarded for bravery demonstrated in battle and for other significant military contributions made within a battlefield environment.
Approximately 4.5 million 1st Class Iron Crosses and 300,000 2nd Class Iron Crosses were awarded during World War II.
Answer: False
Explanation: During World War II, approximately 4.5 million 2nd Class Iron Crosses and 300,000 1st Class Iron Crosses were awarded, meaning the numbers for 1st and 2nd Class were reversed in the statement.
Only two women, Hanna Reitsch and Else Grossmann, are known to have received the Iron Cross 1st Class during World War II.
Answer: True
Explanation: Hanna Reitsch and Else Grossmann are the two known women recipients of the Iron Cross 1st Class during World War II.
Halim Malkoč, a Muslim SS member, received the Iron Cross 2nd Class and wore the full cross despite his faith.
Answer: False
Explanation: Halim Malkoč, a Muslim SS member, received the Iron Cross 2nd Class but wore only the ribbon of the award, not the full cross, due to his Muslim faith.
All three Finnish Jewish individuals awarded the Iron Cross during World War II accepted the decoration.
Answer: False
Explanation: The three Finnish Jewish individuals awarded the Iron Cross during World War II—Major Leo Skurnik, Captain Salomon Klass, and nurse Dina Poljakoff—all refused the decoration.
The Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds was awarded multiple times during World War II to various high-ranking officers.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds was awarded only once during World War II, to Oberst Hans-Ulrich Rudel.
Hermann Göring was the only recipient of the 1939 Grand Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II, awarded for his command of the Luftwaffe after the Battle of France.
Answer: True
Explanation: Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring was the sole recipient of the 1939 Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, awarded on July 19, 1940, for his command of the Luftwaffe following the Battle of France.
During the Nazi period, officers with multiple Iron Cross awards were entitled to wear a pin exhibiting three Iron Crosses with an exaggerated swastika.
Answer: True
Explanation: During the Nazi period, officers with multiple Iron Cross awards were entitled to wear a pin exhibiting three Iron Crosses with an exaggerated swastika as a consolidated decoration.
How did the Nazi regime modify the Iron Cross during World War II?
Answer: They superimposed a swastika onto the medal.
Explanation: During World War II, the Nazi regime modified the Iron Cross by superimposing a swastika onto the medal, replacing the monarch's initial.
What symbol replaced the monarch's initial on the final version of the Iron Cross during World War II?
Answer: A swastika
Explanation: On the final version of the Iron Cross during World War II, a swastika was displayed instead of a letter for a German monarch, representing the Nazi Party.
What was the legal basis for Adolf Hitler restoring the Iron Cross in 1939?
Answer: The 'Enactment for the re-introduction of the Iron Cross'
Explanation: Adolf Hitler restored the Iron Cross in 1939 as a German decoration based on the 'Enactment for the re-introduction of the Iron Cross' ('Verordnung über die Erneuerung des Eisernen Kreuzes').
What Prussian order did the Knight's Cross replace, and why did Hitler prefer the new award?
Answer: The 'Pour le Mérite', because it was only for officers.
Explanation: The Knight's Cross replaced the Prussian 'Pour le Mérite' because Hitler wanted an award that could be given to all ranks, not just officers.
What were the two standard grades of the 1939 Iron Cross?
Answer: Iron Cross, 2nd Class and Iron Cross, 1st Class
Explanation: The two standard grades of the 1939 Iron Cross were the Iron Cross, 2nd Class (EK II), and the Iron Cross, 1st Class (EK I).
Approximately how many 1st Class Iron Crosses were awarded during World War II?
Answer: 300,000
Explanation: Approximately 300,000 1st Class Iron Crosses were awarded during World War II.
Which of the following women received the Iron Cross 1st Class during World War II?
Answer: Hanna Reitsch
Explanation: Test pilot 'Flugkapitän' Hanna Reitsch is one of at least two women known to have received the Iron Cross 1st Class during World War II.
Why did Halim Malkoč, a Muslim SS member, wear only the ribbon of his Iron Cross 2nd Class?
Answer: Due to his Muslim faith, he wore only the ribbon.
Explanation: Halim Malkoč, a Muslim SS member, wore only the ribbon of his Iron Cross 2nd Class due to his Muslim faith, rather than the full cross itself.
What was the response of the three Finnish Jewish individuals who were awarded the Iron Cross during World War II?
Answer: They refused the award.
Explanation: The three Finnish Jewish individuals awarded the Iron Cross during World War II—Major Leo Skurnik, Captain Salomon Klass, and nurse Dina Poljakoff—all refused the decoration.
Who was the sole recipient of the Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds?
Answer: Hans-Ulrich Rudel
Explanation: Oberst Hans-Ulrich Rudel was the sole recipient of the Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds.
What was the primary achievement for which Hermann Göring received the 1939 Grand Cross of the Iron Cross?
Answer: His command of the Luftwaffe after the Battle of France.
Explanation: Hermann Göring received the 1939 Grand Cross of the Iron Cross for his command of the Luftwaffe following the Battle of France in 1940.
The Bundeswehr, Germany's modern armed forces, adopted the Iron Cross emblem in 1956, using a traditional black design on armored vehicles and aircraft.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Bundeswehr adopted the Iron Cross emblem from October 1, 1956, and continues to use the traditional black design on its armored vehicles and aircraft.
The '1957' issue of the Iron Cross was a new award created for post-war military service, distinct from the earlier 1939 series.
Answer: False
Explanation: The '1957' issue of the Iron Cross was a replacement medal for holders of the 1939 series, designed to substitute an oak-leaf cluster for the banned swastika, rather than a new award for post-war service.
The West German government authorized replacement Iron Crosses in 1957 that featured a swastika, but only for private display.
Answer: False
Explanation: The West German government authorized replacement Iron Crosses in 1957 that featured a trifoliate Oak Leaf Cluster instead of a swastika, specifically because German law prohibits the display of Nazi insignia.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) considers any depiction of the Iron Cross, even without a swastika, to be a definitive hate symbol.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) states that an Iron Cross in isolation (without a swastika or other accompanying hate symbols) cannot be definitively determined to be a hate symbol, as its interpretation relies on context.
Which of the following German military entities currently uses the Iron Cross as its emblem?
Answer: The Bundeswehr
Explanation: The Bundeswehr, Germany's modern armed forces, currently uses the Iron Cross as its emblem, having adopted it from October 1, 1956.
In what non-military contexts has the Iron Cross symbol been adopted since the late 20th century?
Answer: Outlaw motorcycle subculture and heavy metal fashion
Explanation: Since the late 20th century, the Iron Cross symbol has been adopted into the outlaw motorcycle subculture and heavy metal fashion, often for its rebellious or shock value.
What was the purpose of the '1957' issue of the Iron Cross?
Answer: To replace 1939 series medals with a non-Nazi insignia version.
Explanation: The '1957' issue was a replacement medal for holders of the 1939 series of the Iron Cross, created to substitute an oak-leaf cluster for the banned swastika, in adherence to post-World War II German law.
What did the replacement Iron Crosses authorized by the West German government in 1957 feature instead of a swastika?
Answer: A trifoliate Oak Leaf Cluster
Explanation: The replacement Iron Crosses authorized by the West German government in 1957 featured a trifoliate Oak Leaf Cluster in place of the swastika, adhering to post-war German law.
According to the ADL, when can an Iron Cross in isolation (without a swastika) be definitively determined as a hate symbol?
Answer: Its interpretation relies on context, so not definitively in isolation.
Explanation: The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) states that an Iron Cross in isolation (without a swastika) cannot be definitively determined to be a hate symbol, as its interpretation relies on context.
The Black Cross emblem, designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, was replaced as the German Army symbol in 1939 by the Balkenkreuz.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Black Cross emblem was replaced as the German Army symbol by a simpler Balkenkreuz in 1915, not 1939.
The ribbon for the 1813, 1870, and 1914 Iron Cross (2nd Class) was black with two thin white bands, and these colors were reversed for the non-combatant version.
Answer: True
Explanation: The ribbon for the 1813, 1870, and 1914 Iron Cross (2nd Class) was indeed black with two thin white bands, and these colors were reversed for the non-combatant version.
The 1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class (EKII) ribbon featured only black and white colors, maintaining the traditional Prussian design.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class ribbon incorporated red in addition to black and white, reflecting the colors of Nazi Germany, rather than solely the traditional Prussian black and white.
All versions of the Iron Cross, regardless of the era, featured the initials 'FW' for King Friedrich Wilhelm III on their reverse.
Answer: False
Explanation: While the 1813 Iron Cross featured 'FW' for King Friedrich Wilhelm III, subsequent versions (1870, 1914) bore a 'W' for their respective kaisers, and the 1939 version featured a swastika.
During World War I, the Iron Cross 1st Class was worn suspended from a neck ribbon, similar to the Grand Cross.
Answer: False
Explanation: During World War I, the Iron Cross 1st Class was a pin-on medal worn on the left side of the uniform, whereas the Grand Cross was suspended from a neck ribbon.
The ribbon colors of the 1939 Iron Cross (2nd Class and Knight's Cross) were identical to the 1813 version, consisting solely of black and white.
Answer: False
Explanation: The ribbon of the 1939 Iron Cross (2nd Class and Knight's Cross) included the color red, in addition to black and white, reflecting the national colors of Nazi Germany, unlike the earlier 1813 version which was solely black and white.
The 1939 Iron Cross 1st Class was a pin-on medal worn centered on a uniform breast pocket, without a ribbon.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 1939 Iron Cross 1st Class was indeed a pin-on medal, worn centered on a uniform breast pocket, and did not feature a ribbon.
The 1939 Grand Cross was physically smaller than the Knight's Cross but featured a wider ribbon.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 1939 Grand Cross was a larger version of the Knight's Cross, measuring 63mm wide compared to about 48.5mm for the Knight's Cross, and it was worn with a wider ribbon.
The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was intended for bestowal upon successful general officers and was pinned to the left breast.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was indeed intended for successful general officers and was pinned to the left breast, above the Iron Cross 1st Class.
The 1870, 1914, and 1939 Iron Crosses all featured the year '1870' on their lower arm to commemorate the Franco-Prussian War.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 1870, 1914, and 1939 series of Iron Crosses all featured the year '1813' on their lower arm, symbolizing the original creation of the award, while the front of each medal bore the year of its specific re-establishment (e.g., 1870, 1914, 1939).
Who designed the Black Cross emblem?
Answer: Karl Friedrich Schinkel
Explanation: The Black Cross emblem was designed by the neoclassical architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel.
What was the ribbon design for the non-combatant version of the 1813, 1870, and 1914 Iron Cross (2nd Class)?
Answer: White with two thin black bands
Explanation: For the non-combatant version of the 1813, 1870, and 1914 Iron Cross (2nd Class), the ribbon colors were reversed from the combatant version, making it white with two thin black bands.
What year appeared on the lower arm of the reverse side of the 1870, 1914, and 1939 Iron Crosses?
Answer: 1813
Explanation: The reverse of the 1870, 1914, and 1939 series of Iron Crosses featured the year '1813' on the lower arm, symbolizing the year the award was originally created.
How was the 1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class typically worn for everyday occasions?
Answer: Only the ribbon was worn from the second buttonhole.
Explanation: For everyday wear, only the ribbon of the 1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class was worn from the second buttonhole in the tunic.
How did the physical size of the 1939 Grand Cross compare to the Knight's Cross?
Answer: The Grand Cross was larger.
Explanation: The 1939 Grand Cross was a larger version of the Knight's Cross, measuring 63mm wide compared to about 48.5mm for the Knight's Cross.
What unique item was sometimes given along with an Iron Cross?
Answer: A Minox miniature camera
Explanation: In some instances, Minox miniature cameras were given to individuals along with an Iron Cross.