Quote:
Originally Posted by Panzermacher
I believe LT is correct. Only Rudel got that one.
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Well, hate to disagree, but "Knights of the Iron Cross" states otherwise.
Working off official records it lists:
Winners of the Diamonds, 27.
Winners of the Swords, 159.
Thereby at least 27, including Rudel, were recipients of the whole package.
Rudel, however, was issued a special additional rank of the award, The Golden Swords. Instituted on December 29, 1944, and set aside for 12 recipients only. Although not specifically designed for Rudel, as the war worsened such matters were forgotten and Rudel wound up being the only one decorated with the advanced rank of the award.
Most histories however fail to distinguish between the Swords and Golden Swords, thereby leading to confusion over the award.
In fact, the was one award of the Swords made to a foreign solider during the war.
Anyone know who that was?