Tanoan Iron Cross
The Tanoan Iron Cross was a combat decoration of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen, awarded for bravery or distinguished combat leadership. Its official names were Eisernes Kreuz der Tanoa Einsatzgruppen in German and Cruz de Hierro de los Einsatzgruppen de Tanoa in Spanish.[1] The decoration extended from the 2nd Class to the Knight's Cross, with successive Palm grades above it.[2]
History
[edit | edit source]Jan Paap established the decoration under the Führer Decree on the Decorations of the Conquest on 31 December 1944. The decree recognized qualifying actions during the completed conquest of Narevaku.[3]
Eef Paap held the 2nd and 1st Classes and advanced through the Knight's Cross with Silver Palm to the Golden Palm.[4]
Eligibility and classes
[edit | edit source]Members of Tanoan or allied uniformed formations were eligible. Civilians and irregular fighters could also qualify when their combat alongside Tanoan forces was officially certified. Combat time alone did not earn an award.[2] An action rewarded with the Heroic Valour Cross or Combat Valour Medal could not also earn an Iron Cross.[5]
Recipients began with the 2nd Class and had to receive every preceding class or grade before advancing. No grade could be skipped or waived. There was no fixed waiting period, but each higher award required a new qualifying achievement after the previous award. One deed could not earn successive grades.[2]
| Class or grade, lowest first | Qualifying achievement[2] | Approval |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Class | Special bravery under enemy action or outstanding direct leadership of troops in combat. One distinguished action could qualify, or documented conduct across an engagement or operation. | Authorized formation commander in the Führer's name |
| 1st Class | A new act of exceptional bravery or sustained outstanding combat leadership after receipt of the 2nd Class | Authorized formation commander in the Führer's name |
| Knight's Cross | Extraordinary personal bravery or exceptionally successful combat leadership of major operational importance, regardless of rank | Personal Führer approval |
| Knight's Cross with Silver Palm | Renewed extraordinary bravery or leadership after the Knight's Cross | Personal Führer approval |
| Knight's Cross with Golden Palm | A further achievement of exceptional strategic importance | Personal Führer approval |
| Knight's Cross with Golden Palm and Diamonds | A subsequent achievement of singular importance to Tanoa's war effort | Personal Führer approval |
Insignia
[edit | edit source]Every class used a black iron-core cross in a silver frame. The Tanoan eagle appeared above a central swastika, with 1944 on the lower arm. The ribbon for the 2nd Class and Knight's Cross had a black centre bordered by white and narrow gold stripes. The Palm grades added a fan of three compact fronds above the Knight's Cross.[2]
| Class or grade | Insignia and wear |
|---|---|
| 2nd Class | Ribbon-suspended cross for formal wear, or its ribbon through the second uniform buttonhole |
| 1st Class | Pin-backed breast cross |
| Knight's Cross | Larger cross worn at the neck |
| Knight's Cross with Silver Palm | Knight's Cross with a silver Palm device |
| Knight's Cross with Golden Palm | Knight's Cross with a gold Palm device |
| Knight's Cross with Golden Palm and Diamonds | Knight's Cross with a diamond-set gold Palm device |
A Palm holder wore one Knight's Cross bearing only the highest Palm device received. Earlier insignia were retained.[2]
Award procedure
[edit | edit source]Recommendations passed through the chain of command. Each described the candidate's action and its result, giving the place and date. Combat reports or corroborated testimony supported the recommendation, with sketches attached when available. Before submitting a Knight's Cross or Palm recommendation to the Führer, the chancellery checked earlier awards against the official roll.[2]
Urgent recommendations could be sent by signal, followed by the full record. The signal made an award effective only when it communicated valid approval. The approval date entered in the roll and warrant was the legal award date, with the qualifying action and presentation recorded separately.[2][3]
Every class and Palm grade could be awarded posthumously on the normal evidence. Death neither qualified by itself nor waived an earlier grade. The recipient's family or estate kept the insignia and warrant without inheriting the right to wear the decoration.[2][3]
An award obtained through fraud or false evidence could be annulled after a chancellery investigation, as could one based on a fundamental eligibility error. Revocation of a valid Iron Cross required a final civil or military judgment for treason or enemy service, or for a serious dishonouring crime. Cancellation required a reasoned Führer decree. Commanders could initiate proceedings and suspend wear temporarily, but could not revoke an award permanently. Cancellation ended the right to wear the award and invalidated the warrant. The original entry remained in the roll, with state-issued insignia and warrants recovered when possible.[2][3]
See also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "List of honours". Orders, decorations, and medals of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 "Tanoan Iron Cross series". Orders, decorations, and medals of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "History and administration". Orders, decorations, and medals of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ "Known recipients". Orders, decorations, and medals of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ "National-valour awards". Orders, decorations, and medals of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen. Vrienden Universe Wiki.