Iron Cross

Iron Cross is the UK’s only magazine of German military history from the First World War to the end of the Second World War. Covering all aspects of German military history including the Imperial German forces of the Great War, the Weimar period and the Nazi period. Iron Cross prides itself on the highest quality production with stunning content in the unique and ground-breaking features, often revealing untold stories and publishing photographs that have never been seen before. Iron Cross features specially commissioned and innovative artwork in all issues.

Your largest resource of German military history from 1914–1945 • Access Iron Cross anytime, anywhere when you go digital!

Iron Cross

Editorial

CONTRIBUTORS • Introducing you to some of our main contributors for this issue:-

The Plot to Kidnap Hitler • Improbable, impossible and implausible are perhaps three words that might adequately describe an apparent plan to abduct the Führer and bring him to Britain during early 1941. Andy Saunders examines the background behind this astonishing proposal.

Heinz Macher’s SS Dagger • The dagger of one of Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler’s personal assistants has been unearthed by medals and military antiques dealers War & Son, as Stephen Nuwar explains.

Opposing Jubilee • On 19 August 1942, the landing of more than 6,000 predominantly Canadian infantrymen at Dieppe during Operation Jubilee was the first attempt by the Allies to carry out an assault from the sea on a selected port in occupied Europe. Using previously unpublished documents and photographs, Thomas Anderson attempts to convey the German defenders’ view of an attack that was actually expected.

Admiral Scheer • With the defeat of Germany in November 1918, its once-powerful Kaiserliche Marine was dismantled and the new, provisional, Reichsmarine established in its place. As Tony Holmes reveals, the German navy began to increase in size – and prestige – in the late 1920s through the creation of one class of vessel, the Panzerschiffe. Three were built, with Admiral Scheer being the second Deutschland-class pocket battleship to enter service.

Bombing Britain

BOOKS & PRODUCTS

More Two-Seater Aces • Issue 22 of Iron Cross presented an article focusing on the exploits of pilot/observer teams of the First World War who attained highly coveted ace status. In this follow-up feature, Gregory VanWyngarden details the careers of several more aces who achieved success flying two-seater aircraft.

Baptism of Fire • 8. Württembergisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 126 ‘Großherzog Friedrich von Baden’ was one of Germany’s oldest regiments at the start of the First World War, and as Florian Wein relates, it was also amongst the first to see combat when committed to the Battle of Mühlhausen/Mulhouse.

Exerziergewehr 16 Drill Rifle • Exerziergewehr (drill rifles) were a key learning tool for would-be German infantrymen during the First World War, as Michael Heidler explains.

Disabled in Tunisia • Symbolising the Axis defeat in North Africa in May 1943, an abandoned Junkers Ju 290 transport was discovered by US troops when they captured Sidi Ahmed airfield in Tunisia. Barry Wheeler relates the story behind the aircraft’s demise.

Luftwaffe War Reporters • Prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, the German military had an established and fully functioning propaganda arm. Chris Goss explains what the Luftwaffe’s Kriegsberichter (war reporter) organisation looked like and the part it played during the conflict.

The King’s Guests • When two German aircraft were brought down in Windsor Great Park in 1940 and 1941, the surviving Luftwaffe airmen became ‘guests’ of His Majesty The King, in whose estate they had ended up. Andy Saunders explores the fascinating tale of both aircraft...