THis is NOT the new iron cross.
They considered to reissue the "Iron cross", but this request was
denied.
The iron cross is not political correct, because it is a symbol of war, aggression bla-bla-bla.
The request to reissue was therefore officially
rejected.
The other thing is: They only issued the Iron cross during war time.
1813, 1914, 1939. Today, there is no official war. Even the "war on terrorismn" in Afghanistan is no war, it is more likely a
"reconstruction & protection job" or a police action.
(The word Police Action was used in the beginnig of the Korean conflict, too)
The German politicians wants to be
100% politial correct.
The German officials do avoid the word "war".
As a compromise the German military added another "class" to the already existing service medal. That's it.
It is not intended to give this new medal to a soldier for typical acts of heroismn, like wasting an enemy machine gun position,etc.
(Because this medal will not receive somebody for killing another human)
It is not intended to award "killing".
It is a "Medal Of Honor" for soldiers sent out to a war called Police action or reconstruction help by a pacifistic Goverment.
Did you guys know the if a German soldier kills somebody in his line of duty, that the District Attorny in Potsdam(Germany) has automaticly to investigate EVERY case?
Rediculous-but true
Some pics:
http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fo...cke-50029.html