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The German Order (WW2)

The German Order was the highest honor the Nazi Party could confer on an individual for exceptional services to the state and party.

The German Order (or Deutscher Orden in German) was the highest honor the Nazi Party could confer on an individual for exceptional services to the state and party.

Designed by Benno von Arent, it was first awarded posthumously by Adolf Hitler to Reichsminister Fritz Todt at Todt’s funeral in February 1942. A second posthumous award was given to SS-Obergruppenführer Reinhard Heydrich during his funeral in June of the same year.

Due to its frequent posthumous bestowal, it was cynically referred to as the “dead hero order.” The only two recipients who survived the war were Konstantin Hierl and Artur Axmann.

Hitler viewed the German Order as his personal decoration, reserved for those whose contributions he deemed exceptionally valuable to the state, party, and people. This exclusivity, combined with the presence of Hitler’s facsimile signature on the reverse, led to it being informally known as the “Hitler Order.” The awardees were intended to form a special confraternity, symbolizing their distinguished status within the Nazi regime.

The German Order Design

The German Order’s design incorporated elements reminiscent of the Iron Cross and the Order of the German Eagle.

It featured a black enamel cross measuring 48.5 mm across, with a central medallion of 20.5 mm. Between the cross’s arms were national eagles with furled wings, each clutching a wreath. The center displayed the Golden Party Badge.

The design was inspired by the regalia of the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, the Marian Cross, theKnight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, and the Knight of Justice of the Order of St. John (Bailiwick of Brandenburg). Although intended to be awarded in three grades, only the neck order (the highest grade) was ever issued. It is considered the second rarest Nazi Germany award after the National Prize for Art and Science.

The Honor Chevron for the Old Guard

The Honor Chevron for the Old Guard was a decoration worn by members of the Nazi Party’s SS. It was nstituted by Adolf Hitler in 1934.

The Honor Chevron for the Old Guard (or Ehrenwinkel der Alten Kämpfer in German) was a distinctive decoration worn by members of the Nazi Party’s SS. Instituted by Adolf Hitler in February 1934, this silver chevron was worn on the upper right sleeve and signified early membership in the Nazi movement.

This chevron was awarded to all members of the SS who had joined the Allgemeine SS, the NSDAP, or any other affiliated party organization before January 30, 1933. This date marked the Nazi Party’s rise to power, and thus early membership was highly prized as a sign of loyalty and commitment to the party’s cause.

Following the Anschluss, the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in 1938, the eligibility for the Honor Chevron was extended. Austrians who had joined the Austrian National Socialist Workers’ Party (DNSAP) before February 18, 1938, were also entitled to wear the insignia. Additionally, this decoration was later made available to former members of various Nazi security services, the Ordnungspolizei (order police), and the Wehrmacht, provided they met specific criteria.

The Honor Chevron for the Old Guard Design and Wear

The Honor Chevron for the Old Guard served not only as a mark of early and dedicated support for the Nazi Party but also as a symbol of elite status within the SS and other Nazi organizations. Its display on the uniform was a visible indication of the wearer’s longstanding loyalty to Hitler and the Nazi ideology.

The Nuremberg Party Day Badge

The Nuremberg Party Day Badge was a highly esteemed political decoration within the NSDAP and the second national award of the party.

The Nuremberg Party Day Badge (or Das Nürnberger Parteiabzeichen von 1929 in German) was a highly esteemed political decoration within the Nazi Party (NSDAP). Recognized as the second national award of the party, it was established through regulations on November 6, 1936, to commemorate the 4th Reichsparteitag (National Party Day) held in Nuremberg from August 1-4, 1929.

Also referred to as the “1929 Nürnberg Party Badge,” this special honor badge was awarded to Nazi Party members who attended the 1929 national rally in Nuremberg. The badge symbolized the “Old Guard” and was prominently worn by high-ranking Nazi leaders, including Adolf Hitler, during subsequent rallies in Nuremberg. Permission to wear the badge was granted by the Gauleiter (Senior district leader), and the right to wear it could be revoked by Hitler or Martin Bormann, the chief of the Nazi Party Chancellery.

In a 1936 order by Hitler regarding Nazi awards, the Nuremberg Party Badge was ranked second, preceded only by the Coburg Badge and followed by the SA Rally Badge of 1931, the Golden Party Badge, and the Blood Order.

The Nuremberg Party Day Badge Design

The badge was to be worn on the left breast side of a uniform and measured 21mm wide by 48mm high. It featured the Nuremberg Castle at the top with the word “Nürnberg” underneath. An eagle perched atop a helmet was depicted in the center, with inscriptions around it reading “1914-1919” and “N.S.D.A.P. 1929 Partei Tag.”

The Danzig Cross

The Danzig Cross or Danziger Kreuz was a Nazi decoration established in the Free City of Danzig prior to its incorporation into Germany.

The Danzig Cross (or Danziger Kreuz in German) was a Nazi decoration established in the Free City of Danzig. Instituted on August 31, 1939, by Danzig Gauleiter Albert Forster, this decoration recognized individuals who contributed significantly to the development of the Nazi Party in Danzig prior to its incorporation into Germany on September 1, 1939.

By December 1939, a total of 88 first-class crosses and 253 second-class crosses had been awarded, most during a ceremony on October 24, 1939. Among the recipients was Hans Frank, who received his award on May 19, 1940.

As a decoration from the National Socialist government of Danzig, the Danzig Cross was recognized as an official state award and could be worn on both Nazi Party and Wehrmacht uniforms. After Germany’s defeat in 1945, all Nazi-era decorations were banned. The Danzig Cross was not re-authorized for wear by the Federal Republic of Germany in 1957.

The Danzig Cross Design

The Danzig Cross was designed by Benno von Arent. The cross featured elongated upper and lower arms and was crafted from white enamel with gilt outlines. The top arm and center displayed the coronet and twin cross from the Danzig coat of arms, also in gilt. The reverse side of the cross was plain, marked by the manufacturer Huelse Berlin.

  • Second Class Cross: Measures 43mm in height and 31mm in width. It is attached to a red ribbon with yellow and white stripes along its edges.
  • First Class Cross: Slightly larger at 60mm by 44mm, it is convex and features a pin on the reverse, allowing it to be worn on the left side of the jacket.

The Brunswick Rally Badge

The Brunswick Rally Badge was established in 1936 and was the third badge to be recognized as a national award by the Nazi Party (NSDAP).

The Brunswick Rally Badge, officially known as the Badge of the SA Rally at Brunswick 1931 (or Das Abzeichen vom SA – Treffen in Braunschweig 1931 in German), was the third badge to be recognized as a national award by the Nazi Party (NSDAP).

Established through regulations issued on November 6, 1936, this special Party Honor Badge commemorated the SA Assembly in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, held on October 17-18, 1931.

The Rally Event

The Brunswick rally was a significant joint event involving members of the Sturmabteilung (SA) and Schutzstaffel (SS). It aimed to demonstrate the strength and solidarity of these paramilitary groups in a Germany weary from internal strife and political instability.

Held before Adolf Hitler became Chancellor in January 1933, the rally saw a massive participation of 104,000 SA and SS men who marched in a six-hour parade reviewed by Hitler. This event also marked the first inspection of the SA Motor and National Socialist Motor Corps (NSKK) units.

The rally was organized by SA-Gruppe Nord under the leadership of then SA-Gruppenführer Viktor Lutze. During the event, the SA pledged their loyalty to Hitler, who in turn expanded the SA by creating 24 new Standarten (regiment-sized formations). Hitler later rewarded Lutze’s loyalty by appointing him as the commander of the SA in 1934, following the purge of Ernst Röhm during the Night of the Long Knives.

The Brunswick Rally Badge Design

The Brunswick Rally Badge was created to commemorate this large-scale rally and honor its participants. To qualify for purchasing and wearing the badge, one had to have officially attended the rally. The badge was worn on the left breast of the uniform and was made in two patterns.

  • Pattern 1: Measuring 37mm wide by 50mm high, it featured the Party eagle at the top and an oak leaf wreath around the edge, with a bow at the bottom. Inside the wreath was inscribed “S—A Treffen Braunschweig 17./18. Oktober 1931.”
  • Pattern 2: Slightly larger at 37mm wide by 52mm high, it retained the same basic design as the first pattern. Early badges were stamped out of tin and silver in color, while later ones were stamped with a solid back and were grey.

Permission to wear the badge had to be confirmed by a senior SA Party leader or higher, and the authorization to wear it could be revoked by SA-Stabschef Viktor Lutze or his successors.

The Frontbann Badge

The Frontbann Badge was introduced in 1932 by the SA Group Berlin-Brandenburg to honor the members of the Frontbann organization.

The Frontbann Badge (or Frontbannabzeichen in German) was introduced in 1932 by the SA Group Berlin-Brandenburg to honor the members of the Frontbann organization.

This badge was awarded to individuals who had joined the Frontbann before December 31, 1927, and who also had been members of the Nazi Party or another right-wing paramilitary group prior to that date. 

In 1933, it was officially recognized as a Nazi Party decoration. However, by the end of 1934, the badge was no longer authorized for wear by members of the NSDAP.

The Frontbann Badge Design

The badge was made of silver, featured a pin-back, and measured 20 mm in diameter.

Its design included a swastika with a German helmet at the center, and the inscription “WIR-WOLLEN-FREI-WERDEN” (“We want to be free”) on the arms of the swastika.

The Nazi Party Long Service Award

The Nazi Party Long Service Award was a distinguished political decoration presented in the form of a badge by the Nazi Party.

The Nazi Party Long Service Award, officially known as Die Dienstauszeichnung der NSDAP in German, was a distinguished political decoration presented in the form of a badge by the Nazi Party.

Instituted on April 2, 1939, by Adolf Hitler, this award recognized long-term service of male and female members of the NSDAP. The decoration was first bestowed on January 30, 1940. 

Due to the Nazi Party’s relatively short existence (1920–1945), the awards were granted before the actual service years were completed. The period from February 1925 to January 1933 was considered the “Kampfzeit” (Time of Struggle), and service during this time was counted double. Continuous service in any Nazi Party organization or formation qualified, with exceptions for up to two years of compulsory military service, military service against the Republican Government in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), and German military service post-September 1939.

The Nazi Party Long Service Award Classes

The award featured three classes: ten years (bronze), fifteen years (silver), and twenty-five years (gold).

Ten-Year Award: The ten-year service medal (3rd class) was a bronze medal measuring 43mm, suspended from a dark brown ribbon with two narrow white side stripes. The reverse side featured raised lettering.

Fifteen-Year Award: The fifteen-year service medal (2nd class) had a similar design but was plated in silver and featured dark blue enamel on the cross arms and the center section. The reverse side inscription was in blue enamel with silver lettering. The ribbon was blue with two narrow silver-gray side stripes.

Twenty-Five-Year Award: The twenty-five-year service medal (1st class) was gold-plated with white enamel on the cross arms and center section. The reverse inscription was white enamel with gold lettering. The ribbon was red with white edge stripes and a small gold center stripe. This medal was sometimes awarded posthumously.

Nazi Party Long Service Award - 25 Years.
Nazi Party Long Service Award - 10 Years.
The Nazi Party Long Service Award - Germany Medals, Interwar
The Nazi Party Long Service Award - 15 Years.
Nazi Party Long Service Award - 25 Years.
Nazi Party Long Service Award - 25 Years.

The Nazi Party Long Service Award Design

Each medal bore the inscription “Treue für Führer und Volk” (Loyalty to Leader and People) on the reverse side. The service award was a four-pointed cross with slightly curved arms, featuring a national eagle and an oak leaf wreath at the center.

When awarded to men, the medals were worn on the left breast pocket medal bar. Women wore the award as a neck order or a brooch medal from a 15mm ribbon. On the small ribbon bar, the ribbon included a small national eagle within a wreath in the class-specific color.

All three classes could be worn simultaneously.

The Blood Order or Blutorden

The Blood Order or Blutorden was a highly prestigious Nazi Party decoration established by Adolf Hitler in March 1934.

The Blood Order (or Blutorden in German), formally known as the Decoration in Memory of 9 November 1923 (Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 9. November 1923), was a highly prestigious Nazi Party decoration.

Established by Adolf Hitler in March 1934, it commemorated the failed Beer Hall Putsch of November 9, 1923. 

Initially, the Blood Order was awarded to 1,500 putsch participants who were members of the Nazi Party or its formations before January 1932, or cadets from the Munich Infantry School. These first medals, made of 99% pure silver, were carefully numbered except for those given to Hitler and Göring. Recipients wore the ribbon on the right breast in a rosette form, with the medal sometimes pinned below.

In May 1938, eligibility expanded to include those imprisoned or sentenced to death for Nazi activities before 1933, those severely wounded in service of the Party, Austrian Nazi participants in the 1934 July Putsch, and others at Hitler’s discretion. Reinhard Heydrich was the last posthumous recipient.

The Blood Order or Blutorden Rank

Holders who left the Nazi Party had to return the medal. Among the recipients were 16 women, with fewer than 6,000 total awards given, including the original putsch participants and those from the 1938 extensions.

Hitler’s 1936 “Orders and Awards” decree ranked the Blood Order fifth among top NSDAP honors, after the Coburg Badge, Nürnberg Party Badge of 1929, SA Treffen at Brunswick 1931, and the Golden Party Badge, followed by Gau badges and the Golden HJ Badge.

The Blood Order or Blutorden Design

The medal is silver, featuring an eagle clutching an oak wreath with the date “9. Nov” and “München 1923–1933” inscribed on the obverse. The later medals, struck in 80% silver, carried serial numbers above 1500 and lacked the maker’s name, unlike the initial Type I medals. 

The reverse shows the Feldherrnhalle entrance, a swastika with sun rays, and the motto “UND IHR HABT DOCH GESIEGT” (“And after all, you won”).

The Medals that Adolf Hitler Wore

Adolf Hitler wore several medals throughout his life, reflecting his military service and political career. Here is the complete list.

Adolf Hitler wore and received medals for several reasons. During World War I, for instance, he served as a soldier in the Bavarian Army during World War I. His role as a dispatch runner was dangerous, involving carrying messages between command posts and front lines under fire. 

As the leader of the Nazi Party, Hitler also received medals that reflected his central role in the party and its activities. For example, the Golden Party Badge of the NSDAP was awarded in 1933 and was a mark of his status and contributions to the Nazi Party.

Here are the medals worn by Adolf Hitler both during his military career and political tenure:

The Tinnies

Adolf Hitler also wore some tinnies, or small badges. These were commonly produced for Third Reich events and were usually mad of cheaper metal.

These events were pivotal in the Nazi Party’s strategy to build support, disseminate propaganda, and solidify their control over Germany. Each rally or celebration served to project the power and unity of the Nazi movement and to cultivate a sense of belonging among their followers. Many people bought them as souvenirs.

German WW2 Tinnies: Reichsparteitag 1929
1929: Reichsparteitag Nurnberg (Obverse)

The Reichsparteitag Nurnberg Badge

2-4 August 1929

The Reichparteitag, or Nuremberg Rally, of 1929 was the first major propaganda event held by the Nazi Party in Nuremberg. This rally marked the Nazi Party’s growing influence in German politics and was used to showcase their ideology and military discipline.

German WW2 Tinnies: Reichsjugendtages Potsdam 1932
1932: Reichsjugendtages Potsdam (Obverse)

The Reichsjugendtages Potsdam Badge

1-2 October 1932

The First Reich Youth Day in Potsdam was a significant event aimed at mobilizing the German youth under the Nazi banner. This event was part of the broader Nazi strategy to indoctrinate young Germans with their ideology.

German WW2 Tinnies: Gera’s Gauparteitag1931
1931: Gera’s Gauparteitag (Obverse)

The Gera's Gauparteitag Badge

5 September 1931

Gera’s Gauparteitag was a regional Nazi Party meeting held in Gera. These regional gatherings (Gauparteitag) were important for consolidating party support at the local level and mobilizing party members and supporters.

German WW2 Tinnies: Gautag in Essen 1932
1932: Gautag in Essen (Obverse)

The Gautag in Essen Badge

30 October 1932

The Gautag in Essen was another regional Nazi rally. Held in the industrial heartland of Germany, such events were crucial for the Nazis to garner support among the working class and industrial workers.

German WW2 Tinnies: Grossdeutscher Tag Berchtesgaden 1932
1932: Grossdeutscher Tag Berchtesgaden (Obverse)

The Grossdeutscher Tag Berchtesgaden Badge

10 July 1932

The “Greater German Day” in Berchtesgaden was a Nazi rally aimed at promoting the idea of a Greater Germany that would include all German-speaking peoples. Berchtesgaden was also significant as it was near Hitler’s mountain retreat.

German WW2 Tinnies: Hitler Woche in Königsberg 1932
1932: Hitler Woche in Königsberg (Obverse)

The Hitler Woche in Königsberg Badge

17 July 1932

“Hitler Week” in Königsberg was a week-long series of events designed to promote Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in the East Prussian city of Königsberg. Such events were part of the broader strategy to solidify Hitler’s image and the party’s popularity across Germany.

German WW2 Tinnies: Dortmund SA Rally 1933
1933: Dortmund SA Rally (Obverse)

The Dortmund SA Rally 1932 Badge

9 July 1933

This rally in Dortmund was an SA (Sturmabteilung) event, emphasizing the paramilitary organization’s loyalty to Hitler and its role in enforcing Nazi policies and suppressing opposition.

German WW2 Tinnies: Reichparteitag 1933
1933 Reichparteitag (Obverse)

The Reichparteitag 1933 Badge

30 August – 3 September 1933

The Reichparteitag of 1933, also known as the “Rally of Victory,” was the first Nuremberg Rally after Hitler’s rise to power. It celebrated the Nazi seizure of power and showcased the unity and strength of the Nazi regime.

German WW2 Tinnies: Befreiungsfeier in Kelheim 1933
1933: Befreiungsfeier in Kelheim (Obverse)

The Befreiungsfeier in Kelheim Badge

22 October 1933 (source)

The “Liberation Celebration” in Kelheim commemorated the Nazi Party’s political victories and the consolidation of power in 1933. These celebrations were used to reinforce the narrative of liberation from the Weimar Republic and the triumph of Nazi ideology.

German WW2 Tinnies: Tag der Arbeit 1934
1934: Tag der Arbeit (Obverse)

The Tag der Arbeit 1934 Badge

1 May 1934

“Tag der Arbeit” or “Day of Labor” was the Nazi celebration of International Workers’ Day. The Nazis co-opted this day to align the labor movement with Nazi ideology, promoting the message of national solidarity and labor’s role in the Nazi state.

Other Awards Given to Hitler

Adolf Hitler received numerous awards throughout his life due to his involvement in World War I, his membership in the Nazi Party (NSDAP) and the SS, and his roles as the Führer and commander-in-chief of the German military.

World War I awards

    • Iron Cross, Second Class – 12 February 1915
    • Bavarian Cross of Military Merit, Third Class with Swords – 17 September 1917
    • Regimental List Diploma – 5 May 1918
    • Wound Badge in Black – 18 May 1918
    • Iron Cross, First Class – 4 August 1918
    • Bavarian Medal of Military Service, Third Class – 25 August 1918
    • Cross of Honor with Swords – 13 July 1934

Political badges

Awards of the SS (Adolf Hitler was supreme commander of the SS (SS member #1) and qualified for two SS awards, which he never wore)

NSDAP awards

WWII awards (As supreme commander of the armed forces and commander in chief of the army, Hitler qualified for some military decorations, which he never wore)

The Ordre de la Sincérité (Order of Sincerity)

The Ordre de la Sincérité was a knighthood order established in 1705 by the House of Hohenzollern in the German Margrave of Bayreuth.

  • Time Period: Pre-WW1
  • Institution: 17 November 1705
  • Country: Germany (German Margrave of Bayreuth)

The Order of Sincerity, originally known as “Ordre de la Sincérité” due to the 18th-century French-speaking courtiers, was a knighthood order established by the German Margrave of Bayreuth.

This order was later renamed the Order of the Brandenburg Red Eagle and eventually became known as the Order of the Red Eagle.

The Order of Sincerity was founded on November 17, 1705, by Margrave George William of Brandenburg-Bayreuth, a member of the House of Hohenzollern. Similar to many knighthood orders of small German courts, it initially fell into disuse. It was revived in 1712 in Brandenburg-Bayreuth and again in 1734 in Brandenburg-Ansbach, where it was renamed the “Order of the Brandenburg Red Eagle.” In 1777, its statutes were revised, and it was referred to as the “Order of the Red Eagle.” This order was limited to fifty knights and was conferred in one class. The church associated with the order was the Ordenskirche St. Georgen in Bayreuth.

In January 1792, the Kingdom of Prussia acquired Brandenburg-Bayreuth and Brandenburg-Ansbach. On June 12, 1792, King Frederick William II revived the order as a Prussian royal order. It became the second-highest order in the kingdom, following the Order of the Black Eagle. Although it was abolished as a state order in 1918, it continues to exist as a House Order of the House of Hohenzollern.

The Ordre de la Sincérité Design

The medal features a white enamel cross with broad arms. The cross is a Maltese cross, characterized by its four equal arms that are narrower at the center and wider at the ends.

At the center of the cross, in the obverse, there is a circular medallion with a red eagle, which is a significant symbol in German heraldry. The eagle is detailed with red enamel and appears to be crowned and holding a scepter and orb, signifying sovereignty and authority.

The top of the medal is adorned with an enameled crown. The crown is red with white and blue details and attached to a loop.

The ribbon of the order is orange. 

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