Originally Posted by Tankertrashnav
So you can see, whatever the original intention, in its WW2 form the Iron Cross was far from classless, and you can bet there were no gefreiters wearing the Knight's Cross in any of its variations.
ISTR that one had to 'move up the ladder' with the Iron Cross, i.e. You couldn't get the Knight's Cross unless you had already been awarded the 1st Class [etc etc]. I believe there were a few exceptions, however.
I wish I could recall which book I was reading when I saw that ... something on tanks on the Eastern front?
(EDIT = Thank you Wiki ... "The Iron Cross 1st Class and the Iron Cross 2nd Class were awarded without regard to rank. One had to possess the 2nd Class already in order to receive the 1st Class (though in some cases both could be awarded simultaneously)."
Originally Posted by handsfree
Don't know if it's the well known one but will this do ?
They're lightweights ... nothing on their trouser legs, for a start!