1915 Highway 281 North
Blanco, TX 78606
ph: 830-833-5708
On display are the German miltary awards and badges. It covers the classes of the Iron Cross, the War Merit Cross, the various Infantry, Panzer and General Assault Badges, Close Combat, Wound, Anti Partisan, and various other badges and campaign medals.
Knights Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes), or simply the Knight's Cross (Ritterkreuz) was a grade of the 1939 version of the Iron Cross, which had been created in 1813. The Knight's Cross was the highest award made by the German military in WW2 to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or outstanding military leadership.
The Knight's Cross grade of the Iron Cross was worn at the neck and was slightly larger but similar in appearance to the 1813 Iron Cross. The order could be presented to German soldiers of all ranks and to the allies of the Third Reich. Its first presentation was made on 30 September 1939, following the invasion of Poland. As the war progressed, some of the recipients distinguished themselves further, and a higher grade, the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was instituted in 1940. In 1941, two higher grades of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves were instituted with Oak Leaves and Swords and with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds.
This particular award was presented to Captain Heinrich Schuler in 1942 who would later go on to win the Knights Cross with Swords in 1944. He was killed in action in Poland in February of 1945.
The museum offers a good display of German headgear from the basic combat helmet, various grades of visor caps including one from General officer, and the overseas and visored field caps which were the standard of all branches.
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1915 Highway 281 North
Blanco, TX 78606
ph: 830-833-5708