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General
Some people have identified the Maltese cross with the Third
Reich/Hitler Germany/The Nazis. Strictly speaking, in this context by
"Maltese Cross" is meant a version of the "Cross Pattée".
In other words, the term "Maltese Cross" is being used
as a general term for crosses with splayed arms.
The use of the Cross by the Crusaders
The Cross was also used to show a sign of commitment to fight against
the Muslim world, which had with great vigor conquered former Christian
territories. Whilst the west is criticized for the Crusades, it must be
remembered that Islamic nations expanded their territory and overran the
Christian East. It was through the counter-attacks known today as the
Crusades, that the cross was adopted by the Crusaders.
The Hospitaller's Cross.
Following the first crusade, a Hospitaller Order which as a Christian
Order had adopted a simple form of the Cross (the Greek cross). This
Order based in Jerusalem took on a military wing to defend Christians,
and as the Order developed, its hitherto plain cross became more ornate
in form. Specifically this is how the Cross today known as the Maltese
Cross began its development.
The origins of the Prussian/German "Iron
Cross".
The tradition of the Iron Cross (which was Cross Pattée in shape)
had an honorable beginning, when it was instituted as a Prussian
decoration, in March 1813, by King Friedrich Wilheim III during
the War of Liberation against Napoleon. It was awarded without
regard for nationality or social class to combatants for acts of
heroism, bravery or leadership skills. It was reintroduced
in 1870 for the Franco-Prussian War, and re-introduced again on
5th August 1914, by Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany and the King of
Prussia for the Great War of 1914-1918, to decorate those who
showed particular bravery or valor. During this war Germany
awarded over five million of these medals to members of the armed
forces: Grand Cross (5), First Class (288,000) and Second Class
(5,200,000).
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Hitler's re-introduction of the Iron Cross.
The defeat of Germany in that war did not diminish military pride,
and the Iron Cross awarded for recognized valor continued to be a
symbol of prestige in the inter-war years. In the opening hours of
World War II, Hitler re-introduced the Iron Cross on the 1st
September 1939, to invoke the imagery of the gallant Prussian
warriors, the great victories of the Bismark era, and the brave
soldiers of World War I. On the reverse side of the Nazi Iron
Cross was the date 1813, recalling the former Cross of a nobler
era. Superimposed on the centre of the Cross re-introduced by
Hitler was the Nazi swastika. Through the evil purposes which unraveled
as Hitler continued in power, the Iron Cross became identified
with a more sinister purpose. |
The outlawing of the Iron Cross 1945, and it re-introduction in 1957.
Following the end of the Second World War the Swastika was outlawed and
its public display prohibited, this included all military and political
awards that included this symbol.
However, some time after the War, in1957, in West Germany,
legislation was passed to allow those who earned the Iron Cross in World
War II to once again wear it, this time with all vestiges of Nazi
symbols removed. This law signified that the Iron Cross was an award for
Military bravery and not a political award, and those who continue to
wear it, do so, indicating true valor.
The use of the Iron Cross by neo-Nazis.
Sadly continuing the sinister dimension of the Iron Cross is the
that this symbol is often displayed by neo-Nazi groups, especially
as pendants. The Iron Cross without the swastika is also
frequently used as a hate symbol in the same manner as the
Nazi-era Iron Cross. It is sometimes used for shock effect
as it conjures up images of Nazi Germany and its military without
being explicitly Nazi itself. In this guise, it is often displayed
on clothing and accessories. This is the present sinister
connotations of the so-called 'Maltese Cross' - which in fact is
an Iron Cross as used by the Nazis and the present day Neo-Nazis.
Why Does ITMC wear the Iron Cross?
Congratulations. If you have bothered to read this far, you
no doubt learned something. So to put it into
perspective, ITMC is NOT a Christian
organization, we are NOT on any crusade, we are NOT
a group of Neo-Nazis (or affiliated with them in in way).
So why do we PROUDLY wear the Iron Cross?
BECAUSE WE CAN!
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