Iron Cross

Iron Cross is the UK’s only magazine of German military history from the First World War to the end of the Second World War. Covering all aspects of German military history including the Imperial German forces of the Great War, the Weimar period and the Nazi period. Iron Cross prides itself on the highest quality production with stunning content in the unique and ground-breaking features, often revealing untold stories and publishing photographs that have never been seen before. Iron Cross features specially commissioned and innovative artwork in all issues.

Iron Cross

Editorial

‘Made in Germany -Finished in England’ • When German aircraft were downed over Britain in 1940, it was sometimes only the end of their useful life as far as the Luftwaffe were concerned. As AndySaunders explains, the British repurposed many of them – especially Messerschmitt 109s.

“Ich hatt’ einen Kameraden” • In terms of the identification and burial of battlefield casualties, Germany was a leader and innovator in the field.DrSarah Ashbridge looks at how German soldiers buried and commemorated their dead.

“Ich hatt’ einen Kameraden”

The Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge

Second World War Burials • The traditions and cultures established for the burial and commemoration of German war dead during the First World War were maintained into the Second World War as outlined by Andy Saunders

Hitler’s Vikings • In the previous issue of Iron Cross magazine, JonTrigg looked at the Flemish units which fought with the Waffen-SS. He follows up that feature with an account of the Scandinavian volunteers who served Hitler’s Third Reich.

Egon Christophersen: Danish Knight’s Cross Winner

SUBSCRIBE TO IRON CROSS MAGAZINE • Guarantee issues 12, 13, 14 and 15 with a subscription

The Hapless L 20 • Assailed by AA guns and explosive and incendiary bullets, or broken by crash landings, the crumpled wreckage of shattered Zeppelins became ever more commonplace as the Great War progressed. However, as Ian Castle describes, only one was destroyed by firing squad.

Zeppelin Bombs

The Kniewerk Raid • On 22 February 1916, Germany’s Reserve Infantry Regiment 99 carried out a raid against the Kniewerk at Fricourt on the Western Front. Jonathan Porter has researched that raid in depth, his work unlocking the story behind what was hitherto a ‘mystery’ photograph.

BOOK REVIEWS • BLITZKRIEG The Invasion of Poland to the Fall of France

THE HISTORY OF THE PANZERWAFFE VOL 1, 1939-1942

CROSS AND COCKADE 2022 Calendar

Next Issue • The next issue of Iron Cross (Issue No 12) will be on sale 30 March 2022 and the following features will be included as just some of the magazine’s exciting content.

The Air Transport Conundrum • The Wehrmacht’s efforts to expand its available airlift capacity during the Second World War is examined by Dr Graham Goodlad and the reasons for its lack of success outlined.

A Perfect ‘Rhubarb’ Day • Being a senior officer in the armed service of any nation does not protect that individual from death in action or on active service. Chris Goss narrates the demise of a Luftwaffe general in 1941.

The Victors

Female Eagles • Around 300,000 German women and girls served as Luftwaffenhelferinnen during the Second World War. As Victoria Taylorexplains, their presence reflected the growing demands of the German air war and were also an important anomaly in Nazi gender roles for women.

Air Ministry Weekly Intelligence Summary no.293, 14 April 1945

Another pilot is lost

COMPETITION • Win a U-Boat book from Frontline Books! Hitler’s Attack U-Boats

Wardrobe Malfunction • When a complete Luftwaffe dress uniform on a coat hanger descended from the sky over England in 1940...