Osprey Elite 133 : Knight's Cross, Oak-Leaves and Swords Recipients 1941-1945

On 21 June 1941, as the Wehrmacht stormed forward across the frontiers of the Soviet Union, Hitler instituted a new higher grade of the Knight's Cross decoration for gallantry and leadership: the silver clasp of the Oak-Leaves with Swords. It would be awarded to only 159 men of the approximately 15 million who served in the German armed forces during World War II. This book describes and illustrates a selection of the recipients: from much-wounded front line infantry officers, to Hitler's 'brother-in-law'; from a sergeant pilot fighter ace, to the commanding general of the greatest tank force ever gathered on the Russian Front. Text by Gordon Williamson with illustrations by Ramiro Bujeiro.

Contents

• Introduction
• Description
• Awards
• Distribution of the Awards
• Recipients
• Glossary
• Colour Plate Commentary
• Index