The Deutsches Kreuz in Gold, also known as the German Cross in Gold, was a prestigious Nazi German military decoration instituted by Adolf Hitler on September 28, 1941, during World War II. Designed as a large eight-pointed star breast badge featuring a central black swastika on a silver field encircled by a gold laurel wreath with the date 1941 at the bottom, it ranked between the Iron Cross First Class and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The award was given primarily for repeated acts of exceptional bravery in combat or outstanding military leadership, requiring the recipient to already hold the Iron Cross First Class. Approximately 26,000 were bestowed, making it a notable recognition for sustained valor on the battlefield, with a cloth version also produced for practical wear in the field. Though obsolete since the end of the war, it remains a significant artifact in the study of Third Reich military honors.
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Franz Pöschl received the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on 30 July 1942 while serving as an Oberleutnant and Chef 3.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100 / 5.Gebirgs-Division on the Eastern Front. During intense fighting near Lake Ladoga and the Volkhov River in Russia, Pöschl demonstrated extraordinary combat bravery by leading his mountain troops in a determined defense and counterattack against a dangerous Soviet tank incursion that threatened to break through German lines. His leadership, personal courage under fire, and decisive actions in repelling the armored assault were cited as the primary reasons for the high award, which recognized exceptional merit in battle beyond what was required for the Iron Cross. The decoration was formally presented shortly thereafter, adding to his growing list of honors earned through multiple campaigns from Poland and Crete to the harsh winter battles in the East.
Source :
https://www.tracesofwar.com/awards/614/deutsches-kreuz-in-gold.htm
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