Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German language: "Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes", often just "Ritterkreuz") was a level of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the second highest military order of the Third Reich, second only to the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross. It was awarded for extreme battlefield bravery or military leadership during World War II.