100% Genuine Original Militaria: Germany – Third Reich: Cross of Honour of the German Mother, 1st Class in Gold, with full length of issue ribbon, in box of issue by S.H. Mayer, Pforzheim – for 8+ Children

(005320.38-E003569.93NHORLOSUC20V)   

Germany – Third Reich: Cross of Honour of the German Mother, 1st Class in Gold, with full length of issue ribbon, in box of issue by S.H. Mayer, Pforzheim

Condition: some scuffing to around the edges of the box, Nearly Extremely Fine

In recognition of the substantial importance a woman’s role and motherhood was in support of a strong German Reich nation, the Cross of Honour of the German Mother was introduced by decree in Berlin on 16 December 1938 by Adolf Hitler. The preamble of the statutory decree declared: ‘As a visible sign of gratitude of the German nation to children-rich mothers I establish this Cross of Honour of the German Mother’. The crosses were awarded annually on the second Sunday in May (Mothering Sunday or Mother’s Day), but also extended to include other national annual occasions of celebration. So despite its institution in 1938, the first awards were rendered in May 1939. The 3rd Class in Bronze was eligible for mothers with four to five children, the 2nd Class in Silver was eligible for mothers with six to seven children, and the 1st Class in Gold was eligible for mothers with eight or more children.

Ehrenkreuz der deutschen Mutter 1. stufe was awarded for exceptional merit to the German nation.” (to Reichsdeutsche and Volksdeutsche mothers who exhibited probity, exemplary motherhood, and who conceived and raised more than 7 children in the role of a parent)

[SPECIAL NOTE FROM JAN: This is a collector’s item. It is bona fide militaria and the Cross and the Box are genuine. I double checked this. I have sold a similar one to this here on White Shop. Jan]

[Every year on his mother’s birthday and on Mother’s day he issued medals to German women according to how many children they raised. Bronze Cross: Awarded to mothers with four to five children. Silver Cross: Awarded to mothers with six to seven children. Gold Cross: Awarded to mothers with eight or more children. I have also read the story of how Hitler personally cared for his mother when she was dying of cancer. He cleaned the house and cooked by himself and cared for his mother until she died – he was only 18 years old. Jan]

Price: $137.00