GERMAN WWII HINDENBURG CROSS
Paul von Hindenburg (2 October 1847 – 2 August 1934) was a German field marshal, statesman, and politician, and served as the second President of Germany from 1925 to 1934.
Hindenburg enjoyed a long career in the Prussian Army, retiring in 1911. He was recalled at the outbreak of World War I, and first came to national attention, at the age of 66, as the victor at Tannenberg in 1914. As Germany's Chief of the General Staff from 1916, he and his deputy, Erich Ludendorff, rose in the German public's esteem until Hindenburg came to eclipse the Kaiser himself. Hindenburg retired again in 1919, but returned to public life one more time in 1925 to be elected as the second President of Germany.
Though 84 years old and in poor health, Hindenburg was persuaded to run for re-election in 1932, as he was considered the only candidate who could defeat Adolf Hitler. Hindenburg was re-elected in a runoff but nonetheless played an important role in the Nazi Party's rise to power, dissolving parliament twice in 1932 and eventually appointing Hitler as Chancellor in January 1933. In February, he issued the Reichstag Fire Decree which suspended various civil liberties, and in March he signed the Enabling Act, in which parliament gave Hitler's administration legislative powers. Hindenburg died the following year, after which Hitler declared the office of President vacant and, as "Führer und Reichskanzler", made himself head of state.
This is a WWII Hindenburg cross. Various manufacturers produced this medal.
The Honor Cross was instituted by Generafeld Marschall Von Hindenburg on July 13th 1934. The official designation
for the award is "The Honor Cross of the World War 1914-1918". However, the medal is better known as the
"Hindenburg Cross".
This page is a recognition and identification guide for WWII German badges and awards. Multiple
detailed photos of a specific sample are provided. Descriptions point out clearly defined points
that should be noted.
One of the most commonly asked questions is "How much is my WWII German badge worth?". A price
guide is included here to address this question. The value of the badges and awards is reviewed
over a period of several years. A trend can be observed. The present worth of the German
badges in the collector's market is illustrated.
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The medal's design was the creation of Eugene Godet of Berlin, who received specific directions from the Third
Reich Chancellery for its creation. The cross measured 38 mm. Later, a commercial version became available in pin
back form and measuring only 31.5 mm. Of metal construction. The designed consisted of a cross suspended by a
ribbon.
This item is currently being
reproduced.
It is becoming more difficult to be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because the quality
of the reproductions is improving. The collector must become familiarized with the construction style
and materials employed in the manufacturing items like this one. Attention to the details is critical
in order to be able to determine the authenticity of the Imperial Germany items.
If you have an interest is seeing other WWI German Military Collectibles, you can
do so by going to our
WWI German Militaria
identification guide.
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