Pour le Merite in WWII?

Hi everyone,

I've been researching the Pour le Merite, and I can find very little about it in connection with WWII. So far as I can tell, in fact, it simply wasn't used. I wonder why not.

I realize it was an imperial decoration, and thus rendered obsolete by the fall of the Hohenzollerns. But I see it was revived, at least in limited use, in the 1920s. I also noticed a photo of Goering as Reichsmarshall wearing his. Is there any particular reason the Nazis avoided using the Pour le Merite?

TIA

Andy Katz

Goering is wearing it because he won it during WW1 as a fighter pilot.

It was not just a 'decoration', but a title: the Ordre Pour le Merite.

Like all orders, titles, and such, it derived from 'the fount of honor', the monarch - the King of Prussia or German Emperor.

With the abolition of the German monarchy in 1918, all such orders were abolished.

Did Goering wear his Pour le Merite cross in the 1920s?

Why not? The award to him had not been rescinded. The achievements it recognized (Goering's service as a fighter ace in WW I) had not been discredited.

Was the award issued again? Of course not. The award was a creation of and dependent on the Prussian/German monarchy. Neither the Weimar Republic nor the Third Reich felt any need to imitate the Kaisers.

A comparable situation would be the Order of the Indian Empire, which was presented to distinguished Indian subjects of the British crown.

The 'Indian Empire' ceased to exist in 1948, and the Republic of India would never issue such an award, of course. But those individuals who had been awarded this honor continued to hold it, and to wear it when appropriate.

For instance, SIR M. VISVESWARAIAH, an eminent Indian civil engineer, was made CIE (Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire) in 1911 and KCIE (Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire) in 1915.

He was born in 1861, and lived to be nearly 100 years old - more than a decade after independence. I am sure that he retained his star medallion and wore it proudly, even after 1948.

What were the circumstances of its use in the 1920's?

As for WW2 I don't think the Nazis were interested in tying themselves to the old dynasty since they thought they were making thier own.

Did the Nazis invent the Swords, Oak Leaves and Diamonds awards to the Iron Cross or had they been used before?

John Dupre'

The oakleaves date back to the time of Frederick II? The centre of the oakleaf forms an L which is the initial of his wife Louisa if I remember correctly. I think the swords and diamonds are a Nazi invention. There was also another medal designed by Hitler himself.This was the Grand cross of the Iron cross.Only 2 where ever made and only one was awarded:that went to Herman Goering,and he was wearing it when he surrendered to the allies in 45.

Andy Katz