<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td_colspan="2"> </Td> <Td_colspan="2"> </Td> <Td_colspan="2"> </Td> <Td_colspan="2"> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td_colspan="6"> Soldier </Td> <Td_colspan="2"> </Td> </Tr> <P> To qualify for the Knight's Cross, a soldier had to already hold the 1939 Iron Cross First Class, though the Iron Cross First Class was awarded concurrently with the Knight's Cross in some cases . Unit commanders could also be awarded the medal for the exemplary conduct of the unit as a whole . Also, U-boat commanders could qualify for sinking 100,000 tons of shipping and Luftwaffe pilots could qualify for accumulating 20 "points" (with one point being awarded for shooting down a single - engine plane, two points for a twin - engine plane and three for a four - engine plane, with all points being doubled at night). It was issued from 1939 to 1945, with the requirements being gradually raised as the war went on . </P> <P> Nominations for the Knight's Cross could be made at company level or higher . Commanders could not nominate themselves . In this instance the division adjutant made the recommendation . In the Luftwaffe the lowest level was the Geschwader and in the Kriegsmarine the respective flotilla was authorized to make the nomination . It was also possible to nominate subordinated foreign units . The nomination by the troop had to be submitted in writing and in double copy . The format and the content were predefined . Every nomination contained the personal data, the rank and unit at the time of the act, since when the soldier held this position, the military service entry date, previous military decorations awarded and date of presentation, etc . For enlisted soldiers and noncommissioned officers the résumé had to be submitted as well . </P>

Knight's cross of the iron cross with oak leaves