The next succession in the Iron Cross series was the Iron Cross Ist. Class. This award, like the Iron cross 2nd Class, came into being on September 1, 1939. The criteria for the award were much the same as the 2nd Class except that three to five additional acts of bravery were required.

 On September 1. 1939, Hitler reinstituted the wound badge. The basic design was the same as the World War One design with the addition of the swastika and the M35 helmet. All military, non-military uniformed formations and later civilians wounded in air raids were eligible for the award. It came in 3 classes:

1.Black -one or two wounds 
2.Silver -three or four wounds 
3.Gold -five or more wounds

 This progression was waived in the event of a severe wound in which case the silver was automatically awarded. 

 The Iron Cross II class came into existence with the institution of the award on Sept. 1. 1939. It was authorised for the single act of bravery in combat beyond the normal fulfilment of duty. It could be awarded to all members of the Wehrmacht and those organisational personnel in direct support of the military.
 

 Issued under orders of the OKW {same order which authorized the Infantry Assault Badge: Army Regulations, Section B, Publication 56, Page 379} on 1 June 1940. It was awarded to assault artillery personnel, "...Who along with other infantry or armoured units as well as their own units who may qualify for the Infantry Assault Badge." Award authority was with the division commander. This included engineers {Pionier} and anti-tank units {Panzerjäger}. The badge was designed by jeweller Ernst Peekhaus of Berlin. 

 The badge was awarded in one grade only until 1943, when the four classes, II {for 25 assaults}, III {for 50 assaults}, IV {for 75 assaults} and V {for 100 assaults} were created. The basic badge was awarded after three offensive actions, later amended to three actions, involving combat with an enemy force. The further classes were awarded on a combat time basis {for example, 7 months' service in the line counted as 10 assaults}.

 Surrounded by the traditional oak leaves and acorns, the eagle represented the German Wehrmacht, and the stick grenade and bayonet the weapons of close combat. This same motif was used in the design of the Close Combat Clasp.

 Effective 25. November 1942 Hitler ordered that all officers and men of the Army who engaged in hand-to-hand combat when unsupported by armour would be recognised for their heroism providing they qualified. The bar was struck in bronze, silver and gold (this example) for 15, 30 and 50 days respectively of hand-to-hand or in close-combat, the criteria was reduced to 10, 20 and 40 days respectively. 

 The bar was primarily for award to Infantry soldiers, however other units were also eligible. Retroactive credit was authorised for those persons who took part in the Russian Campaign from June 1941 onwards, a service to combat days ratio was established on the following scales: 

 5 combat days were credited for 8 months service. 
10 combat days were credited for 12 months service. 
15 combat days were credited for 15 months service. 

 An Infantry Assault Badge in silver was instituted on December 20. 1939 by order of Generaloberst von Brauchitsch to single out the combat participation of officers and men of the infantry and Mountain troops.  It comprised of an oak leaf wreath with national emblem and a rifle with affixed bayonet. Initial badges were produced in bronze with a silver wash, but as the war progressed this was changed to zinc, and pot-metal. Award of the badge could take place for actions that occurred after January 1, 1940. The criteria for the award was:

1. Participation in at least 3 infantry assaults. 
2. 3 armed reconnaissance patrols. 
3. Restoration of the combat line on 3 different days.

 This badge could be given in conjunction with any other distinction that the soldier might win.  The first award was given to a young Infantry Lieutenant, Willie Korbel, in April, 1940. A bronze version of the same badge was authorised for member of the Motorised Infantry on June 1, 1940. The award could be authorised by the regimental commander. It was worn on the lower left breast on all uniform tunics, but not on the greatcoat. 

1. to have taken part in the land battle (this applied to Gebirgsjäger personal of the 5th Division 100th Regiment and Fallschirmjäger);

2. to have made a parachute or gliderborne landing on the island of Crete between 20 and 27th May 1941 (this applied mainly to Luftwaffe Parachute and Army troops);

3. to have taken part in the air operations over Crete (mostly aircrew);

4. to have been on active service at sea in the Cretan theatre of operations up to 27 May 1941 (predominantly naval personal).

The white cloth cuff title was 33 mm wide with yellow 'Latin' lettering 'Kreta' flanked by yellow coloured stylized acanthus leaf motifs. The edging of the title had yellow russa braiding. There was no quality distinction made for those titles worn by the troops of those worn by officers. It was worn on the left forearm.