Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive German WWII 1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse, commonly abbreviated EKII), displayed together with a named period award document in a modern custom shadowbox-style frame measuring approximately 10 ½” x 10 ½”.

The document was issued to Gefreiten Franz Knoll, serving with the Stab, Aufklärungs-Abteilung 94, and records his award of the Iron Cross 2nd Class. It is dated München, 31 May 1943, and bears the official seal of the Stellvertretendes Generalkommando VII. Armeekorps. The handwritten signature at the bottom reads Kriebel, consistent with General der Infanterie Karl Kriebel, who had taken command of the Stellvertretendes Generalkommando VII. Armeekorps and Wehrkreis VII in March 1943.

The document reads:

IM NAMEN DES FÜHRERS
UND OBERSTEN BEFEHLSHABERS
DER WEHRMACHT
VERLEIHE ICH
DEM

Gefreiten Franz K n o l l
Stab Aufklärungs-Abteilung 94

DAS
EISERNE KREUZ
2. KLASSE

München, 31. Mai 1943.

Der Stellv. Kommandierende General
und Befehlshaber im Wehrkreis VII:

Kriebel

General der Infanterie.

(DIENSTGRAD UND DIENSTSTELLUNG)

The circular official stamp at lower left is partly indistinct, but reads approximately:

Stellv. Generalkommando VII. A.K.
(DIENSTSIEGEL)
(In Abt. VII)

It roughly translates to:

IN THE NAME OF THE FÜHRER
AND SUPREME COMMANDER
OF THE WEHRMACHT
I AWARD
TO

Private First Class Franz Knoll
Headquarters, Reconnaissance Battalion 94

THE
IRON CROSS
2ND CLASS

Munich, 31 May 1943

The Deputy Commanding General
and Commander in Military District VII:

Kriebel

General of Infantry

(RANK AND OFFICIAL POSITION)

The Iron Cross remains in very good display condition, with an attractive darkened patina to the frame and only minor surface and high-point wear. The black center retains strong finish overall, while the ribbon remains presentable with light age and handling evidence.

The award document shows expected period wear, including toning, a prominent horizontal fold, and some staining or discoloration toward the center and lower right. Importantly, the recipient's name, unit, award, date, official stamp, and signature remain clearly legible.

Both pieces have been professionally arranged in a modern custom frame, making the group particularly suitable for display. Please consult the photographs for the exact condition.

The 1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class was the entry grade of the wartime Iron Cross series and was awarded for bravery and military merit in connection with combat. The decoration retained the traditional cross pattée form of the earlier Iron Cross, with the 1939 version carrying the central swas. and the date 1939. The EKII was suspended from a ribbon, and after the formal presentation it was common for the recipient to wear only the ribbon through the uniform buttonhole.

Of particular interest is Knoll's unit. Aufklärungs-Abteilung 94 was the reconnaissance battalion of the 4. Gebirgs-Division. The unit had originally been formed in November 1940, was redesignated Radfahr-Abteilung 94 in October 1942, and then returned to the designation Aufklärungs-Abteilung 94 on 1 May 1943, only one month before Knoll's award document was issued. At the time of this 31 May 1943 award, the 4. Gebirgs-Division was serving with the German 17th Army in the Kuban region following the withdrawal from the Caucasus.