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

CONTRIBUTORS • Introducing you to some of our main contributors for this issue:-

The Condor Aces • In 1936, the Luftwaffe sent men and aircraft to Spain as its Legion Condor in support of Franco’s Nationalist forces. As Robert Forsyth describes, some of the Legion’s fighter pilots also became the Luftwaffe’s first aces.

The Olympian

The Spanish Cross

Third Reich Feldmarschall Baton • The Third Reich’s Feldmarschall baton was a lavish symbol of rank, its design typical of ostentatious Nazi paraphernalia and a visible projection of power. Dietrich Maerz outlines the surprising background of the award, how it was made, and spotlights a surviving original example.

TANKS OF WWII

Hitler’s ‘Titanic’ • In January 1945, a Soviet submarine shadowed and sank a German passenger liner overloaded with thousands of civilians and servicemen. As Mark Wood explains, it resulted in what was the greatest maritime disaster of all time.

The Wilhelm Gustloff

Next Issue • The next issue of Iron Cross will be on sale 27 September 2023 and the following features will be included as just some of the magazine’s exciting content.

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Zerstörer Down! • As with all fighter aircraft deployed during the Battle of Britain, there was a significant attrition rate. Andy Saunders puts the spotlight on three Messerschmitt Bf 110s that came to grief over England in separate incidents during 1940.

Zerstörer Unit Emblems

Luftwaffe Camera Gun Cassette • In this issue’s presentation looking at German military objects we examine a rare and unusual Luftwaffe film cassette dating from 1940.

Deeply Buried on Impact • When the operational use of the Messerschmitt Bf 110 over Britain drew down, so the loss of one aircraft and its crew over Dorset in October 1940 remained an unsolved mystery until 1976. Andy Saunders outlines the story.

The Zerstörer - A Failure? • Much has been written across the decades since 1940 as to the supposed ‘failure’ of the Messerschmitt Bf 110 during the Battle of Britain. But what is the truth behind suggestions of its apparently hopeless performance? Andy Saunders looks at the facts.

The Messerschmitt Bf 110

The Model P08 Luger • The Luger pistol was an iconic German weapon and one that was used by German armed forces in both the First and Second World Wars. It was also widely used by other armed forces around the world and sold commercially in large numbers. Mark Khan looks at its development and use.

Eisenbahn-Bettungsgeschütze

Ditched • When a Luftwaffe bomber crew ditched in the North Sea in 1941 they endured four gruelling days adrift in a dinghy. Chris Goss reveals the story of their ordeal as written up in contemporary reports.

Minenkrieg • Bitter fighting scarred landscapes of the Western Front during the First World War, but some of that scarring was the result of subterranean battles conducted by both sides. Simon Jones looks at mining warfare conducted by Bavarian and Württemberg Pioneers on the Somme.

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THE KNIGHTS CROSS OF THE...