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| Germany awards 'new Iron Cross' | Germany awards 'new Iron Cross' |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| Germany's Chancellor, Angela Merkel, has presented four soldiers with the country's new medal for bravery, the first to be awarded since World War II. | Germany's Chancellor, Angela Merkel, has presented four soldiers with the country's new medal for bravery, the first to be awarded since World War II. |
| The Cross of Honour for Bravery features a golden cross with an eagle in the centre, held on a black, red and gold ribbon with oak leaves. | |
| It is the Bundeswehr's first decoration for bravery since the Iron Cross was shunned due to its WWII association. | It is the Bundeswehr's first decoration for bravery since the Iron Cross was shunned due to its WWII association. |
| The soldiers are being honoured for their bravery in Afghanistan in 2008. | The soldiers are being honoured for their bravery in Afghanistan in 2008. |
| The four risked their lives to aid those wounded in a suicide attack near Kunduz that left two soldiers and five children dead, the defence ministry said in a statement on its website. | The four risked their lives to aid those wounded in a suicide attack near Kunduz that left two soldiers and five children dead, the defence ministry said in a statement on its website. |
| "Despite burning vehicles and exploding munitions, the soldiers attempted to rescue their comrades and Afghan civilians," it added. | "Despite burning vehicles and exploding munitions, the soldiers attempted to rescue their comrades and Afghan civilians," it added. |
| The German army did not previously have a bravery medal | The German army did not previously have a bravery medal |
| Germany has some 7,200 troops currently serving abroad, including 3,830 in Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf). | Germany has some 7,200 troops currently serving abroad, including 3,830 in Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf). |
| Ulrich Kirsch, chairman of the Federal Armed Forces Federation, a union representing German soldiers, told ARD television that the medal was fitting recognition of the military's increasing role. | Ulrich Kirsch, chairman of the Federal Armed Forces Federation, a union representing German soldiers, told ARD television that the medal was fitting recognition of the military's increasing role. |
| "The soldiers are so close to death and injury - that's not the situation in other jobs," he said. "We consider this honour absolutely appropriate." | "The soldiers are so close to death and injury - that's not the situation in other jobs," he said. "We consider this honour absolutely appropriate." |
| Before the creation of the Cross of Honour for Bravery, the Bundeswehr's four existing decorations were given only for "loyal services and in appreciation of exemplary soldierly acquittal of duty". | Before the creation of the Cross of Honour for Bravery, the Bundeswehr's four existing decorations were given only for "loyal services and in appreciation of exemplary soldierly acquittal of duty". |
| The Iron Cross was established originally as a Prussian military honour by King Frederick Wilhelm III in 1813. | The Iron Cross was established originally as a Prussian military honour by King Frederick Wilhelm III in 1813. |
| The medal was later awarded as a top honour to German servicemen during both world wars, but was abandoned in 1945. | The medal was later awarded as a top honour to German servicemen during both world wars, but was abandoned in 1945. |