Germany Award and Document Post WWI Iron Cross 1st Class

This is an interesting post-WW I Iron Cross 1st Class and award document.

As was the case after the Napoleonic Wars ended in 1815 and the Franco-Prussian War ceased in 1871, WW I’s Iron Crosses often took several years to be distributed to their worthy recipients. This is one of the latest awards of the 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class that I have ever encountered.

The Besiß-Zeugnis (document), which measures 8 ½” x 6 ½,” was issued in 1924, some six years after WW I’s end. The document is signed by a General der Infanterie. It bears Gruppenkommando 2’s unit stamp. Gruppenkommando 2 was based at Cassel.

Along with the Besiß-Zeugnis is a 1914 Iron Cross without a hallmark that shows signs of wear.