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Adolf Hitler re-introduced the Iron Cross as a German decoration in September 1939, with the Grand Cross as the highest grade, above the various classes of the Knight's Cross. Hermann Göring was the only recipient of Das Grosskreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes during World War II. It was awarded to him on 19 July 1940 for his role as the Supreme Commander of the Luftwaffe who lead them to victory in the French campaign in the spring of 1940.

The book we offer here, Das Grosskreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, Bilder aus dem Leben seiner Inhaber or “Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, Views of the Lives of Their Owners”. After a chapter with historic information about the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, this 5 x 7-¾ inch, 112-page book has chapters on the recipients of the Grosskreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes. Recipients include soldiers such as Helmuth von Moltke, Edwin Freiherr von Manteuffel, Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm von Preussen, Erich Ludendorff, and Hermann Goering, to name just a few.

This original Third Reich book was published by Limpert-Verlag in Berlin for the Luftwaffe Führungsstab 1c/VIII. It is undated but the book clearly came out after July 1940. This 80 + year old example of Das Grosskreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes is in very nice used condition, and has no unpleasant odor.