Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, and Swords

Prestigious German Medal of WWII

The "Swords," as the German aces called this award, was another (very high) level in the proliferation of German medals in World War Two. Only 159 were awarded.

From the original Iron Cross, first awarded in 1813, two classes were introduced, and then the "Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross." But then, there seemed a needed for higher levels of that, leading to:
Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, and Swords
Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds

Awarded To:

Officers and men of all ranks within any branch of the Wehrmacht, Waffen-SS or the auxiliary service organizations.

Luftwaffe Qualifications:
- The previous award of the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves, and
- Continued accumulation of points, 1 point for downing a single-engine aircraft, 2 points for a twin-engine aircraft and 3 points for a four-engine aircraft. All points were x2 at night. This total was continuously raised as the war went on.

Kriegsmarine Qualifications:
- The previous award of the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves, and
- Continued accumulation of tons of shipping sunk for Uboots, and/or
- Continued performance of outstanding actions of combat bravery above and beyond the call of duty.

Some of the high-scoring German aces who were awarded "the Swords" include:

Top German Aces	Kills	Comments	Medal	Unit	East	West	Plane
Gerhard Barkhorn	301	120 sorties w/o a kill	KCOS	JG 52, 6, JV 44	301	-	Bf 109
Günther Rall	275	two long injury layoffs	KCOS	JG 52, 11, 300	272	3	Bf 109
Otto Kittel	267	583 sorties, KIA Feb '45	KCOS	JG 54	267	-	Fw 190
Wilhelm Batz	237	-	KCOS	JG 52	232	5	Bf 109
Erich Rudorffer	222	1000+ sorties, downed 16 times, 12 Me 262 kills	KCOS	JG 2, 54, 7	136	86	Fw 190
Heinz Bär	220	16 in Me 262, downed 18 times	KCOS	various	96	124	various
Hans Philipp	206	shot down by Robert S. Johnson	KCOS	JG 76, 54, 1	177	29	Fw 190
Anton Hackl	192	-	KCOS	JG 77	130	62	Bf 109
Johannes "Macky" Steinhoff	176	-	KCOS	JG 52	148	28	Bf 109
Knights Cross (KC) with Oak Leaves (O), Swords (S)