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The Order of Saint John (Johanniter Order)

The Bailiwick of Brandenburg of the Chivalric Order of Saint John of the Hospital at Jerusalem is the oldest surviving chivalry order.

The Bailiwick of Brandenburg of the Chivalric Order of Saint John of the Hospital at Jerusalem (or Balley Brandenburg des Ritterlichen Ordens Sankt Johannis vom Spital zu Jerusalem in German), also known as the Order of Saint John or the Johanniter Order, is the German Protestant branch of the Knights Hospitaller, the oldest surviving chivalry order.

The order is considered to have been founded in Jerusalem in the year 1099 AD.

It is led by its thirty-seventh Herrenmeister (“Master of the Knights” or Grand Master), Prince Oskar of Prussia. Each of its knights is either a Knight of Justice (Rechtsritter) or a Knight of Honor (Ehrenritter). There are also classes of Honorary Commander (Ehrenkommendator), given to Knights of Justice who have rendered distinguished service to the Order, and Honorary Member (Ehrenmitglieder).

Along with the Roman Catholic Sovereign Military Order of Malta, these four “Alliance Orders” represent the legitimate heirs of the Knights Hospitaller: The London-based Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, the Swedish Johanniterorden i Sverige, and the Dutch Johanniter Orde in Nederland.

The Order of Saint John Design

The basic insignia of the Order is a white-enamelled Maltese cross. The crowned Brandenburg eagles between the arms of the crosses date from 1668; they are gold for Knights of Justice, Honorary Commanders, Commanders, and the Herrenmeister. On the crosses of Knights of Honour and Honorary Members, the eagles are enameled black with only the tiny crowns on each eagle’s head left enameled gold.

The cloak of the Order is plain black with a large, white, linen eight-pointed cross on the left breast. 

Excluding the crown, the cross is between 5 cm and 7cm in diameter, depending on the rank. Each cross is worn from a black-moire, 4.5-centimeter-wide ribbon worn about the neck. All members of the Order may also wear a plain, Maltese cross as a star or ‘breast badge’. A white-enameled Maltese cross in either gold or silver may be worn on the left lapel of a knight’s suit coat or sportcoat.

From the late eighteenth century, the Johanniter have had a uniform similar to the Knights of Malta. Though not abolished, this uniform has not been worn since before the Second World War.

More Prussian Orders

Throughout Prussian history, these orders played a significant role in the social hierarchy and served as tangible expressions of royal favor and recognition. They continued to be awarded even after the dissolution of the Kingdom of Prussia, remaining as enduring symbols of valor, service, and honor in German society. Here are some more about Prussian Orders:

Orden of Merit Pour le Mérite

The Pour le Mérite (“For Merit” in French) is an order of merit established in 1740 by King Frederick II of Prussia.

The Pour le Mérite (“For Merit” in French) is an order of merit established in 1740 by King Frederick II of Prussia. The order was awarded as both a military and civil honor and ranked, along with the Order of the Black Eagle, the Order of the Red Eagle and the House Order of Hohenzollern, counting among the highest orders of merit in the Kingdom of Prussia.

The Pour le Mérite was conferred both for military (1740–1918) and civil (1740–1810, after 1842 as a separate class) services, strictly as a recognition of extraordinary personal achievement – rather than a general marker of social status or a courtesy-honour.

The order was secular, and membership endured for the remaining lifetime of the recipient, unless renounced or revoked. The order was named in French because it was the leading international language and the favored language at Frederick’s court. Despite the rising tide of nationalism and increasing hostility between French and Germans during the 19th century, the name remained the same. Ironically, many of its recipients were honored for acts performed in wars against France.

The Pour le Mérite Design

The insignia of the military award is a blue-enameled Maltese Cross with golden eagles between the arms (which is based on the symbol of the Johanniter Order).

The Prussian royal cypher and the words “Pour le Mérite” (“For Merit”) are written in gold letters on the body of the cross.

More Prussian Orders

Throughout Prussian history, these orders played a significant role in the social hierarchy and served as tangible expressions of royal favor and recognition. They continued to be awarded even after the dissolution of the Kingdom of Prussia, remaining as enduring symbols of valor, service, and honor in German society. Here are some more about Prussian Orders:

The House Order of Hohenzollern

The House Order of Hohenzollern is a dynastic order of knighthood of the House of Hohenzollern awarded to officers and civilians.

The House Order of Hohenzollern (or Hausorden von Hohenzollern or Hohenzollernscher Hausorden in German) is a dynastic order of knighthood of the House of Hohenzollern awarded to military commissioned officers and civilians of comparable status.

The House Order of Hohenzollern was instituted on December 5, 1841, by joint decree of Prince Konstantin of Hohenzollern-Hechingen and Prince Karl Anton of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. These two principalities in southern Germany were Catholic collateral lines of the House of Hohenzollern, cousins to the Protestant ruling house of Prussia. On August 23, 1851, after the two principalities had been annexed by Prussia, the order was adopted by the Prussian branch of the house.

Associated with the various versions of the order were crosses and medals which could be awarded to lower-ranking soldiers and civilians.

The Royal House Order of Hohenzollern came in the following classes:

  • Grand Commander (Großkomtur)
  • Commander (Komtur)
  • Knight (Ritter)
  • Member (Inhaber) – For soldiers who were not officers, as well as civilians.

The House Order of Hohenzollern Design

The badge is a cross pattée or “Alisee” cross with convex edges and curved arms. All versions of the badge feature white enamel on the higher classes and a black enameled stripe near the sides of the cross. Between the arms of the cross is a wreath of laurel leaves (left side) and oak leaves (right side).

The cross bears a center medallion with different coats of arms, mottos, dates and ciphers for each of the Royal, Princely and Romanian versions:

  • The white-enameled medallion bears a black Prussian royal eagle with the Hohenzollern house coat of arms on a shield on the eagle’s chest and a gold-rimmed band of blue enamel with the motto in gold letters: vom Fels zum Meer (“From the cliffs to the sea”) and a wreath of laurel below.
  • The white-enameled medallion of the Princely House Order of Hohenzollern bears the Hohenzollern coat of arms (a quartered shield of black and white) under a princely crown.
  • The white-enameled medallion of the Romanian House Order bore a black Romanian eagle with the Hohenzollern coat of arms on a shield on the eagle’s chest.

The ribbon of the order is white with three black stripes (with slight variations among the Royal, Princely and Romanian versions).

More Prussian Orders

Throughout Prussian history, these orders played a significant role in the social hierarchy and served as tangible expressions of royal favor and recognition. They continued to be awarded even after the dissolution of the Kingdom of Prussia, remaining as enduring symbols of valor, service, and honor in German society. Here are some more about Prussian Orders:

The Order of the Crown (Prussia)

The Royal Order of the Crown was a Prussian order of chivalry instituted in 1861 as an honor equal in rank to the Order of the Red Eagle.

The Royal Order of the Crown (or Königlicher Kronen-Orden in German) was a Prussian order of chivalry instituted in 1861 as an honour equal in rank to the Order of the Red Eagle (officially both orders were equal, but most officials preferred to be appointed in the older Order of the Red Eagle).

Membership could only be conferred upon commissioned officers (or civilians of equivalent status), but there was a medal associated with the order which could be earned by non-commissioned officers and enlisted men.

The Order had six classes:

  • Grand Cross – wore the Grand Cross badge on a sash on the right shoulder, plus the star on the left chest;
  • 1st Class – wore the badge on a sash on the right shoulder, plus the star on the left chest;
  • 2nd Class – wore the badge on a necklet, plus the star on the left chest;
  • 3rd Class – wore the badge on a ribbon on the left chest;
  • 4th Class – wore the badge on a ribbon on the left chest;
  • Medal – wore the medal on a ribbon on the left chest.

The Order of the Crown Design

The insignia of the order could be awarded in dozens of variations. For example with superimposed Cross of Geneva (Red Cross – normally given to doctors for meritorious service), with swords and with oak leaves. The badge for the 1st to 4th classes is a gilt cross pattée with white enamel (except for the 4th Class, which was plain).

The obverse gilt central disc bears the crown of Prussia surrounded by a blue enamel ring bearing the motto of the German Empire “Gott Mit Uns” (“God With Us”).

The reverse gilt disc has the Prussian royal monogram, surrounded by a blue enamel ring with the date 18 October 1861.

The star of the Order is (for Grand Cross) a gilt eight-pointed star, (for 1st Class) a silver eight-pointed star, or (for 2nd Class) a silver four-pointed star, all with straight rays.

The ribbon of the Order is blue.

More Prussian Orders

Throughout Prussian history, these orders played a significant role in the social hierarchy and served as tangible expressions of royal favor and recognition. They continued to be awarded even after the dissolution of the Kingdom of Prussia, remaining as enduring symbols of valor, service, and honor in German society. Here are some more about Prussian Orders:

The Order of the Red Eagle

The Order of the Red Eagle (Roter Adlerorden) was an order of chivalry of the Kingdom of Prussia awarded to military personnel and civilians.

The Order of the Red Eagle (or Roter Adlerorden in German) is an order of chivalry of the Kingdom of Prussia awarded to both military personnel and civilians to recognize valor in combat, excellence in military leadership, long and faithful service to the kingdom, or other achievements.

The predecessor to the Order of the Red Eagle was founded on November 17, 1705, by the Margrave Georg Wilhelm of Brandenburg-Bayreuth as the Ordre de la Sincerité. It was revived in 1712 and again in 1734 in Brandenburg-Ansbach, where it first received the name of “Order of the Brandenburg Red Eagle”. The Kingdom of Prussia absorbed both Brandenburg-Bayreuth and Brandenburg-Ansbach in January 1792, and on June 12, 1792, King Frederick William II again revived the order as a Prussian royal order.

The Order of the Red Eagle could only be awarded to commissioned officers or civilians of approximately equivalent status. However, there was a medal of the order, which could be awarded to non-commissioned officers and enlisted men, lower ranking civil servants and other civilians.

The Order of the Red Eagle Design

The badge is a gold (gilt after 1916) Maltese Cross enameled in white, with red enameled eagles between the arms of the cross. The central disc, in gold, bears the Royal monogram surrounded by a blue enameled ring bearing the motto of the Order, Sincere et Constanter.

The badge for the 1st to 3rd classes is a gold (gilt after 1916) cross pattée, enameled in white; that for the 4th class was similar but with smooth, plain silver arms. The enlisted man’s medal was of a relatively simple, round design, topped with the Prussian crown.

After September 16, 1848, awards of all classes (except the medal) bestowed for military merit had two golden swords crossed through the central medallion.

The traditional ribbon of the order was white with two orange stripes at the edges, but combat awards were frequently conferred with a black and white ribbon similar to that of the Iron Cross.

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More Prussian Orders

Throughout Prussian history, these orders played a significant role in the social hierarchy and served as tangible expressions of royal favor and recognition. They continued to be awarded even after the dissolution of the Kingdom of Prussia, remaining as enduring symbols of valor, service, and honor in German society. Here are some more about Prussian Orders:

The Order of Merit of the Prussian Crown

The Order of Merit of the Prussian Crown is an award of civil and military merit established on the bicentennial of the Kingdom of Prussia.

The Order of Merit of the Prussian Crown (or Verdienstorden der Preußischen Krone in German) is an award of civil and military merit established on the occasion of the bicentennial of the establishment of the Kingdom of Prussia 18 January 1901 by King Wilhelm II.

The order was presented in one class and consisted of a badge and a breast star. For military merit the award was presented with crossed swords. Once, it was presented with diamonds (to Maximilian von Seinsheim, from the Bavarian Court on 15 December 1913).

The medal was awarded only 57 times. General von Gossler was the only person who received the awards in both departments.

The Order of Merit of the Prussian Crown Design

The order consists of a badge (which is worn on a sash from right shoulder to the left hip), and a star worn on the left chest.

The badge is a blue-enamelled, eighteen-karat, yellow-gold Maltese cross with a granular border. In each of the compartments between the four arms of the cross is a red-enamelled crown surmounting the royal monogram (“W II”, for Wilhelm II).

The central disc on the obverse of the badge shows a golden crown with red enamel, surrounded by a blue-enamelled circular band bearing the gold-lettered motto, “Gott Mit Uns” (“God with Us”).

The disc on the reverse bears the intertwined initials “IR W II” (for “Imperator Rex Wilhelm II”: “Emperor King William II”), encircled by the date “18 January 1901”.

The star is a golden eight-pointed star with straight rays, displaying the central disc from the obverse of the badge. The sash of the order is blue, edged with orange stripes.

More Prussian Orders

Throughout Prussian history, these orders played a significant role in the social hierarchy and served as tangible expressions of royal favor and recognition. They continued to be awarded even after the dissolution of the Kingdom of Prussia, remaining as enduring symbols of valor, service, and honor in German society. Here are some more about Prussian Orders:

The Order of the Black Eagle

The Order of the Black Eagle was the highest order of chivalry in the Kingdom of Prussia. It was founded in 1701 by Elector Friedrich III.

The Order of the Black Eagle (or Hoher Orden vom Schwarzen Adler in German) was the highest order of chivalry in the Kingdom of Prussia. The order was founded on 17 January 1701 by Elector Friedrich III of Brandenburg (soon after Friedrich I, King in Prussia).

In his Dutch exile after World War I, deposed Emperor Wilhelm II continued to award the order to his family (he made his second wife, Princess Hermine Reuss of Greiz, a Lady in the Order of the Black Eagle.

Membership in the Order of the Black Eagle was limited to a small number of knights, and was divided into two classes: On the one hand, members of reigning houses, and on the other capitular knights (before 1847 membership was limited to nobles). Capitular knights were generally high-ranking government officials or military officers.

The Order of the Black Eagle had only one class, but could also be awarded at the king’s prerogative “with the Chain” (“mit der Kette“) or without (“ohne Kette“).

From its founding in 1701 to 1918, the Order of the Black Eagle was awarded 407 times, with 57 of these installations occurring during the reign of Friedrich I (1701–1713).

The Order of the Black Eagle Design

The badge is a gold Maltese cross, enameled in blue, with gold-crowned black eagles between the arms of the cross. The gold center medallion bears the royal monogram of Friedrich I (“FR”, for Fredericus Rex).

The badge was worn from either a broad ribbon or a collar. The ribbon was an orange moiré sash worn from the left shoulder to the right hip, with the badge resting on the hip. The sash color was chosen in honor of Louise Henriette of Nassau, daughter of the prince of Orange and first wife of the great elector.

The collar or chain (Kette) was worn around the neck and resting upon the shoulders, with the badge suspended from the front center.

The star of the Order is a silver eight-pointed star, with straight or faceted rays depending on the jeweler’s design. The center medallion displays a black eagle gripping a wreath of laurels in its left claws and a scepter in its right on a golden background, surrounded by a white enamelled ring bearing a wreath of laurels and the motto of the Order.

At certain ceremonies, the knights wore red velvet capes with blue linings. Embroidered on the left shoulder of each cape was a large star of the Order.

More Prussian Orders

Throughout Prussian history, these orders played a significant role in the social hierarchy and served as tangible expressions of royal favor and recognition. They continued to be awarded even after the dissolution of the Kingdom of Prussia, remaining as enduring symbols of valor, service, and honor in German society. Here are some more about Prussian Orders:

The U-boat War Badge (WW1)

The U-boat War Badge was a German war badge that was awarded to U-boat (submarine) crew members during World War I and World War II.

The U-boat War Badge (or U-Boot-Kriegsabzeichen in German) was a German war badge that was awarded to U-boat (submarine) crew members during World War I and also World War II. It was originally instituted during WW1 on February 1, 1918, to recognize U-boat crews who had completed three war patrols. 

The U-Boat War Badge Design

The badge was worn on the lower left side of the uniform and was oval shaped resembling a wreath of laurel leaves. On the obverse is a submarine laying across the center. The German State Crown is inlaid at the top center of the wreath.

The 1939 version was very similar to the original badge with the exception of the imperial crown being replaced with a German Eagle above a swastika, and a more modernized submarine now facing towards the left was used.

The new version was first made of bronze metal, with later ones made of zinc with a “gold wash”.

More Variants of the U-Boat Badge

Imperial U-Boat Badge, reverse.
Imperial U-Boat Badge, reverse. The "M" is an original maker mark but the manufacturer is unknown.
The U-boat War Badge - German WW1 Medals & Badges
The WW1 U-boat War Badge - Obverse.
U-Boat Badge with diamonds, reverse.
German WW2 U-Boat Badge with diamonds. 1939 version, obverse.

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The U-boat War Badge (Nazi Germany)

The U-boat War Badge (or U-Boot-Kriegsabzeichen) was a German war badge that was awarded to U-boat (submarine) crew members in WW2.

The U-boat War Badge (or U-Boot-Kriegsabzeichen in German) was a German war badge that was awarded to U-boat (submarine) crew members during World War I and World War II.

The original U-boat War Badge was originally instituted during WW1 on February 1, 1918, to recognize U-boat crews who had completed three war patrols. On October 13, 1939, the U-boat War Badge was reinstituted and bestowed in two classes:

  • U-Boat War Badge: For the completion of two or more war patrols. Completing two war patrols could be equally dangerous as the U-boat has to endure constant attacks by Allied aircraft and warships. The other occasion when this badge was awarded was having been wounded during a patrol or killed in action.
  • U-boat War Badge with Diamonds: It was instituted by Großadmiral Karl Dönitz after he had received from Grand Admiral Erich Raeder a special solid gold version of the U-boat War Badge in which the wreath as well as the swastika were inlaid with diamonds.

This second version of the badge was a special issue award given to U-boat commanders who had received the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. Made of gold plate over silver and manufactured by Schwerin u. Sohn and Gebr. Godet & Co., it was the same as the basic pattern but with nine small diamonds inlaid in the swastika. 

This award was more of a personal award by Dönitz, and approximately 30 were awarded, including the original one to Admiral Dönitz.

The U-Boat War Badge Design

The badge was worn on the lower left side of the uniform and was oval shaped resembling a wreath of laurel leaves. A submarine lay across the center and the German State Crown was inlaid at the top center of the wreath.

The 1939 version was very similar to the original badge with the exception of the imperial crown being replaced with a German Eagle above a swastika, and a more modernized submarine now facing towards the left was used.

The new version was first made of bronze metal, with later ones made of zinc with a “gold wash”.

Imperial U-Boat Badge, reverse.
Imperial U-Boat Badge, reverse. The "M" is an original maker mark but the manufacturer is unknown.
The U-boat War Badge - German WW1 Medals & Badges
The WW1 U-boat War Badge - Obverse.
U-Boat Badge with diamonds, reverse.
German WW2 U-Boat Badge with diamonds. 1939 version, obverse.

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More Naval War Badges

The Naval War Badges (Kriegsmarine) badges were awarded to sailors, officers, and personnel of the Kriegsmarine who demonstrated exceptional skill, bravery, and dedication in naval warfare. Explore the complete collection below:

See all war badges >

The Eastern Front Medal Winterschlacht im Osten

The Eastern Front Medal was a World War II German military decoration awarded to those who served during the winter campaign.

The Eastern Front Medal (or Medaille „Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42“) was a World War II German military decoration awarded to both German and Axis personnel. It was awarded to those who served on the German Eastern Front during the winter campaign period of 15 November 1941 to 15 April 1942.

The medal was instituted on 26 May 1942 and was commonly known as the Ostmedaille (East Medal) or Russian Front Medal.

The medal was wryly called the Frozen Meat Medal or the “Order of the Frozen Flesh” (or Gefrierfleischorden in German) by Heer, Luftwaffe and Waffen-SS personnel to whom it was awarded. Armed service personnel qualified for the badge after a minimum of 14 days served in active combat; 30 combat sorties for Luftwaffe members; 60 days of continuous service in a combat zone; being wounded or suffering a “frozen limb”, severe enough to warrant the issue of a Wound Badge.

The medal could be awarded posthumously. It was officially decommissioned by Oberkommando der Wehrmacht on 4 September 1944.

The Eastern Front Medal Design

The medal measures 3.6 cm (1.4 in) in diameter, and is generally made of zinc. The medal was given a gun-metal coloured coating.

The concave obverse side features a national socialist eagle grasping a swastika with laurel behind.

The reverse features the text in capital letters: “WINTERSCHLACHT IM OSTEN 1941/42” (“Winter Battle in the East 1941/42”) featuring a crossed sword and branch below the text. A helmet and stick grenade below the medal loop as well as outer ring were finished in a polished silver effect.

The ribbon featured a central white-black-white (white for snow, black for the fallen soldiers) stripe with red (for blood) either side. The medal and ribbon were presented in a paper packet with the name of the medal on the front and the maker name on the reverse.

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