Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross I Class With Swords GTRexclude Kraus received his final promotion

Kraus received his final promotion to Obergefreiter (Corporal) on March 1

The rear of the busby features a lion's head insignia with hook

underneath a transparent teardrop-shaped moisture guard

The Order of the Auspicious Phoenix]

Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross I Class With Swords GTRexclude Kraus received his final promotion(Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern). Constructed of silvered tombak, consisting of a vaulted Maltese Cross with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse with a barrel hinge and tapering vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, unmarked, measuring 47. 90 mm (w) x 47. 94 mm (h), weighing 21. 4 grams, in extremely fine condition.