The War Merit Cross with Swords recognized those military
 men whose acts of courage were above the call
of duty, yet did not meet the criteria for the Iron Cross. These acts could
either be in the form of bravery not under direct enemy fire or the
planning/leading of combat operations. All members of the military were eligible without distinction to
rank, and non-Germans Allies were equally eligible.
The Cross without swords was generally awarded for general
meritorious actions. Military personnel who qualified for the War Merit
Cross in an administrative, medical, or other service away from the front
line received this award, as did civilians whose contributions were of
significant importance to the war effort. Civilians were awarded the War
Merit Cross without regard to age or social class, from Diplomats to factory
floor workers.
It was necessary to have the lower Class in order to
receive a higher Class, though in some rare cases the 2nd and 1st Classes
were awarded simultaneously. If the War Merit Cross with Swords was awarded
to an individual who held the class without Swords, only the Cross with
Swords was to be worn. It was initially decreed that the War Merit Cross
could not be awarded or worn by Iron Cross recipients but this regulation
was revoked on September 28, 1941.
The War Merit Cross was eventually used to recognize
virtually any service, and was to become the German decoration most widely
presented during the war.
Source: Wehrmacht-Awards.com |
