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.

Iron Cross

Editorial

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

Finding Franz • The mystery surrounding the loss of a Dornier 217 crew member in March 1943 might easily have been resolved in August 1989. Instead, as Andy Saunders explains, it took another sixteen years before the puzzle was finally unravelled.

The Bomb Load

The Silent Sound of Defeat • As German forces reached Dunkirk after the British evacuation in 1940, they were astonished by the scale of destruction they discovered. One German officer compiled a report on what he saw there, and Martin Mace presents the visceral words of that document and some of the officer’s accompanying photographs.

Rommel’s Diamonds • Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel’s ‘A-Piece’ Oakleaves, Swords, and Diamonds award to his Knight’s Cross is discussed by Dietrich Maerz in his regular study of the high awards of the Third Reich.

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Wasps Over Biscay • To counter Allied air activity over the Bay of Biscay during the summer of 1943, Messerschmitt Bf 110s of the Luftwaffe’s Wespengeschwader were deployed to deal with the threat. As Chris Goss explains, the victories the unit claimed can only be regarded as somewhat pyrrhic.

Spilling The Beans

Luftwaffe Flying Kit • The flying kit used by the Luftwaffe is often considered to have been superior to RAF flying clothing of the Second World War, and especially so during the early stages of the conflict. Mark Hillier examines some of the main pieces of equipment in use by German fliers during 1940.

OTHER KIT AND EQUIPMENT

Panzer Parade • Our ‘house’ colourisation artist Richard J Molloy presents a varied selection of his colourisation work in which he looks at German armour from the First World War through to the end of the Second World War.

Tale of a Tail • Studying contemporary photographs from the battles and campaigns of the First and Second World War can reveal a mass of historical detail. Sometimes, as Andy Saunders shows, such photos throw up more questions than answers. Unlocking the story can take time and patience - and a bit of luck.

Next Issue • The next issue of Iron Cross will be on sale 27 June 2024 and the following features will be included as just some of the magazine’s unique content.

Weserübung and Blücher • On 9 April 1940, German forces launched their attack on Norway and during the Battle of Drøbak Sound in Oslofjord the defenders achieved one of their biggest victories that fateful day as John Grehan reveals.

BOOK REVIEWS

To The Last Round • When German forces established themselves along the coast of France in 1940, they set up formidable batteries of long-range guns to pound Dover, Folkestone, and shipping. Andy Saunders outlines the story behind a series of remarkable photos and drawings.

A Panzer for all Fronts • The Wehrmacht’s Panzer III, in all its various guises, has often been perceived as a tank that was outclassed, outgunned, and outperformed in its various theatres of operation. Thomas Anderson takes a critical look at the mainstay of the Panzertruppe across all theatres between 1939 and 1945.

The Clausewitz Factor...