A beautiful original WWII German War Merit Cross 2nd Class (w/ Swords) complete with award document and paper factory packet. This War Merit Cross was awarded to Wilhelm Deitrich, Obergefreiter in 8. Art/Regt.342, on November 25th, 1942. The factory packet is maker marked for Ph. Turks Wwe Wien 107. Condition is near mint and would be difficult to upgrade from. 
 
 
This award was created by Adolf Hitler in October 1939 as a successor to the non-combatant Iron Cross which was used in earlier wars (similar medal but with a different ribbon). The award was graded in the same manner as the Iron Cross. The award had two variants: with swords given to soldiers for exceptional service "not in direct connection with combat", and without swords given to civilians for meritorious service in "furtherance of the war effort".