Many nations offer awards for gallantry or for other personal achievement. In some nations, these are given upon a certain criteria wherein the recipient can be awarded the same award a multiple of times. In other nations, these awards are accumulative wherein one has to earn the lower award to be able to go on to the next higher version.

In WWII Germany, this award was the Knight's Cross. It was given for any number of reasons from the number of aircraft shot down by a pilot, to the sinking of a lot of ships by a submarine captain to saving the life of several comrades while putting oneself at risk. It was also given to commanders at the conclusion of a successful operation or performing well in battle (such as that given to Erwin Rommel).

When mid 1941 came around, many men had received what was the highest award of the time, the Knight's cross with  Oak Leaves and Swords. Since the war was supposed to be short, it was felt that this award was as high as anyone could get. Those who felt that was were wrong and so a higher award which added diamonds to the Oak Leaves and Swords was established. This was no cheap trinket as the base of the medal was platinum and the diamond were real.

28 Men earned this award during the war.

The first was Werner Mölders in September 1941 for being the first pilot to shoot down 100 enemy aircraft. There were other pilots such as Galland, Rudel and Hartmann who received this honor. Also submarine commanders, tank commanders and quite a few generals. But the majority were Luftwaffe fighter pilots. The last was General Dietrich von Saucken, a panzer general who was awarded his on the last day of the war.

Amazingly, many of these men survived the war and but a few of these awards were ever sold. Most of these found their way to museums, but the majority of these are sill being held by the families of these men.

Gordon Williamson's book gives a brief description of the life and career of each of these 28 men and the events that led to the receipt of the award. Excellent illustrations of some of these men and photographs of extant awards only adds to what is a fascinating book on some of the most honored men in warfare.

Yet another superb title from Osprey and one that is a superb read.

April  2006

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