Germany awards first bravery medals since Second World War
Germany has awarded the first medals for bravery in combat since the Second World War in a move to rally public support for its military missions abroad.
The military has had no medal for bravery since it stopped awarding the Iron Cross, which was first issued in 1813 but bestowed so frequently under the Nazis that it become associated with Hitler's regime.
Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, honoured four soldiers who aided injured soldiers and civilians after a suicide bombing in Afghanistan, saying that the Cross of Honour for Bravery is an "important innovation" in Germany's military tradition and that they were deserving of the award.
Read entire article at Telegraph (UK)
The military has had no medal for bravery since it stopped awarding the Iron Cross, which was first issued in 1813 but bestowed so frequently under the Nazis that it become associated with Hitler's regime.
Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, honoured four soldiers who aided injured soldiers and civilians after a suicide bombing in Afghanistan, saying that the Cross of Honour for Bravery is an "important innovation" in Germany's military tradition and that they were deserving of the award.