Evolution of the 1939 iron cross

Fritz Kosmahl, destined to become one of Germany’s most highly decorated two-seater pilots, was born in Leipzig on 5 September 1892. His early interest in aviation led him to undertake pilot training

Subordinate to Dr Joseph Goebbels’ Reichsministerium für Volksaufklärung und Propaganda (Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda) but reporting through the Wehrmacht Propaganda department of O

Essentially heavy cruisers that were constructed in accordance with the restrictions imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles, the Deutschland-class vessels boasted six 28 cm (11-in.) guns in tw

When the soldiers of 8. Württembergisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 126 (IR. 126) ‘Großherzog Friedrich von Baden’ left southern Alsace on the night of 14 August 1914, they had already experienced days

This fantastic plan, which led the then Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (DCAS), Air Vice-Marshal Arthur T Harris, to remark ‘the story, that appears too fantastic for words, might have a fortunate outco

E rich R Döbrich was born in Sonnenberg, Thuringia, on 31 May 1896 – he added ‘-Steglitz’ to his name following his service in the First World War. During that conflict, he had served as an Ulan with