| War Merit Cross |
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The War Merit Cross was a decoration of Nazi Germany during the Second World War , which could be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel. This award was created by for civilians in order to offset the large number of 2nd class without swords being awarded. Recipients had to have the lower grade of the award before getting the next level. The award had two variants: ''with swords'' given to soldiers for exceptional service in battle above and beyond the call of duty (but not worthy of an Iron Cross which was more a bravery award), and ''without swords'' for meritorious service behind the lines which could be awarded to civilians. One notable winner of the War Merit Cross was William Joyce (aka Lord Haw-Haw ). A tradition was set up that winners of the Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross would be awarded the medal by winners of the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross, symbolizing the link between the combat soldier and their supporters who helped keep the war effort going. There was one extra grade of the War Merit Cross, which was created at the suggestion of and Karl Saur . The ribbon of the War Merit Cross was in red-white-black-white-red; that was, the red and black colors being reversed from the ribbon of the World War II version of the Iron Cross. |
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