Change from Iron Cross to Balkenkreuz?

[Kanone]

It has always mystified me why Imperial Germany switched from marking aircraft with the Iron Cross to the Balkenkreuz (with the straight arms instead of curved arms). The change is noted in books as taking place around April of 1918 or so, but they don't give a reason for the change. I haven't found it by googling either.

What was the official reason behind this rather dramatic visible change?

Thanks...

[Scott]

See German section of National Markings.

[Kanone]

Thanks Scott,

I hadn't stumbled into that section yet, and it contains a whole lot of other info I'll have to read.

As to the switch it says this:

quote: "The Eisernes Kreuz is replaced by the Balkenkreuz or beam cross, allegedly due to the curved shape of the Eisernes Kreuz being too easily mistakable for an Allied cockade."

It's interesting that the words "allegedly due" are used, as if, perhaps, there is some doubt whether this is the correct reason. This question must be examined in detail somewhere as the field of WWI aircraft appears to be very well researched and studied by interested and dedicated persons.

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Kanone:
In the IdFlieg directive of 20 March 1918 to all manufacturers state in the first sentence, translated to English:
"To improve the recognition of our aircraft, the following is ordered:"-...
IN PARAGRAPH 2., second sentence: "This alteration is to be carried out by 15 April 1918."
The closing sentence reads: "Order 41390 is to be speedily executed."
Very clear, the cause and the action. This directive supplements the directive of 17 March 1918. I'll find this directive and get the precise statement.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

[tcrean7828]

Mates,
Thanks for the info Dan-San, always wondered about that little point myself. Will await further info from your infinate resources.

Thanks for sharing.

ttfn

tcrean7828

tom

[Kanone]

Originally Posted by Dan_San_Abbott

Kanone:
In the IdFlieg directive of 20 March 1918 to all manufacturers state in the first sentence, translated to English:
"To improve the recognition of our aircraft, the following is ordered:"-...
IN PARAGRAPH 2., second sentence: "This alteration is to be carried out by 15 April 1918."
The closing sentence reads: "Order 41390 is to be speedily executed."
Very clear, the cause and the action. This directive supplements the directive of 17 March 1918. I'll find this directive and get the precise statement.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

Yes, clear indeed, and good info about something that has long mystified me!

On the face of it the directive seems counter-intuitive, as the Iron Cross type is more dramatic and striking a symbol than the Balkankreuz. Yet given the addition of distance, unusual atmospheric conditions, and the frenzy of battle, it does seem possible that the flared ends of the Iron Cross could be perceived incorrectly as an allied roundel as alluded to in an earlier post. It would be good to see the full directive, in both English and in German if possible, and see the German names for both of the cross-types in original usage.

Thanks!

PS: looks like I spelled Balkan wrong in the OP and title. Sorry about that!

[Hans]

I really wonder when the Balkankreuz will be exterminated....maybe it will need a meteor...

The correct spelling is Balkenkreuz. This is the correkt heraldic name for a straight cross.

Balkankreuz means ' Balkan's Cross'. It has nothing to do with the Balkans......


Dan-San, I think the real reason behind the order was speeding up the production. Painting the Iron Cross will take more time, wouldn't it?

H.

[SCMc]

Hans,

Your argument seems to make sense. The Iron Cross would require more time (and paint), but if that were the reason, why require changes in the field?

Jasta commanders must have loved these changes. I am sure that their ground crews had better things to do than repaint crosses.

Steve

[Hans]

why require changes in the field?

I think it would not be very useful to show two different signs. If the straight one would be the one new pilots where used to, then the danger of mixing the 'round' one with a roundel would be real. That's exactly the reason what IdFlieg claimed to be the reason.

H

[Kanone]

Thanks Hans,

I can't seem to find a definitive answer on the origin of the name, or the spelling either, altho I think you're probably right. But it is commonly used both ways. Somewhere the meaning and correct spelling must be explained in detail but googling around I didn't find it. Do you have more information on where the name derives from? That was my next question.

In my original post I used the Osprey "Dr.I Aces" spelling Balkenkreuz, but online the "a" spelling seems more common as "Balkan Cross." Seems like the matter is very confused.

If it's "balken" what does that word mean? It doesn't show up in the dictionary.