The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its variants were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded for a wide range of reasons and across all ranks, from a senior commander for skilled leadership of his troops in battle to a low-ranking soldier for a single act of extreme gallantry. A total of 7,321 awards were made between its first presentation on 30 September 1939 and its last bestowal on 17 June 1945. This number is based on the analysis and acceptance of the order commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR). Presentations were made to members of the three military branches of the Wehrmacht—the Heer (Army), Kriegsmarine (Navy) and Luftwaffe —as well as the Waffen-SS, the Reichsarbeitsdienst and the Volkssturm. There were also 43 recipients in the military forces of allies of the Third Reich.
Fritz Langanke, German lieutenant (died 2012)
On July 15, in the year 1919, Fritz Langanke, German lieutenant (died 2012). This event is recorded as a Notable Births event in the history of July 15, one of 457 recorded events on this date across all of history.
1 notable person is associated with this event, including List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (L). Learn more below.
Key Facts
- This event took place on July 15, 1919 (AD era).
- It is categorised as a Notable Births event in recorded history.
- Referenced in 1 Wikipedia article.
- 1 notable person is recorded as involved in or associated with this event.
- Wikipedia source last updated on 6 July 2025.
On This Date in History 457
This article draws on content from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
People Involved
More on July 15
Jens Juel, Danish politician and diplomat, Governor-general of Norway (died 1700)
Jens Juel was a Danish diplomat and statesman of great influence at the Danish–Norwegian court. He was created Baron and granted Juellinge in 1672 and also established Juellund in…
Jens Juel, Danish politician and diplomat, Governor-general of Norway (died 1700)
Richard Cumberland, English philosopher (died 1718)
Richard Cumberland was an English philosopher, and Bishop of Peterborough from 1691. In 1672, he published his major work, De legibus naturae, propounding utilitarianism and oppos…
Richard Cumberland, English philosopher (died 1718)
Gu Yanwu, Chinese philologist and geographer (died 1682)
Gu Yanwu was a Chinese historian, philologist, and poet. After failing to pass the civil service examination and after surviving the upheaval of the Qing conquest of the Ming dyna…
Gu Yanwu, Chinese philologist and geographer (died 1682)
Jai Singh I, maharaja of Jaipur (died 1667)
Mirza Raja Jai Singh I was the Kachhwaha ruler of the Kingdom of Amber as well as a senior most general and a high-ranking mansabdar at the imperial court of Mughal Empire. His pr…
Jai Singh I, maharaja of Jaipur (died 1667)
Rembrandt, Dutch painter and etcher (died 1669)
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman. He is generally considered one of the greatest visual…
Rembrandt, Dutch painter and etcher (died 1669)
Jan Cossiers, Flemish painter (died 1671)
Jan Cossiers was a Flemish painter and draughtsman. Cossiers' earliest works were Caravaggesque genre works depicting low life scenes. Later in his career he painted mostly histor…
Jan Cossiers, Flemish painter (died 1671)
Comments 0
Sign in to join the discussion.