German War Merit Cross Second Class Without Swords, 1939 This is a War Merit Cross Second Class, without swords, retaining its original red-white-black ribbon. The obverse displays a swastika at center within a wreath, and the reverse carries the date 1939 in a laurel surround, the standard reverse for this class of the decoration. The War Merit Cross was instituted by Hitler in October 1939 to recognize wartime service and contributions made away from combat duty, distinguishing it from the Iron Cross, which was reserved for frontline gallantry. The "without swords" variant was awarded for meritorious civilian or non-combatant service, while the version with swords denoted a role closer to the front. It was issued widely throughout the Wehrmacht, civil administration, and war industries during the Second World War. The War Merit Cross was established by Hitler on 18 October 1939 to reward wartime contributions outside combat, complementing the Iron Cross which remained the preserve of frontline valour. The Second Class without swords was typically conferred on civilians, administrators, and workers in the war economy, as well as military personnel serving in non-combatant capacities, marking their contribution to the German war effort. It was produced and awarded in large numbers throughout the Third Reich's civil and military hierarchy between 1939 and 1945.