Eef Paap Labour Merit Cross

The Eef Paap Labour Merit Cross was a decoration of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen for exceptional personal achievements that materially increased national production. Its official names were Eef-Paap-Arbeitsverdienstkreuz in German and Cruz al Mérito del Trabajo Eef Paap in Spanish. Eef Paap established it under the honours reform of 6 November 1987.

It was the principal productivity decoration. All three classes ranked below the national orders, major combat decorations and Cross of the Cigar Order, but above the remaining specialized honours introduced in 1987.

Eligibility

Tanoan citizens and subjects could qualify at any occupational rank. Qualifying work included record production or the removal of an industrial bottleneck. Significant manufacturing innovations and exceptional completion of important construction work could also justify an award. Routine work and meeting a quota did not qualify.

The Cross rewarded individuals rather than collective bodies. If another honour recognized the same project, a Labour Merit Cross required a separate productive achievement.

Classes

The importance of the achievement determined the class.

Class	Qualifying achievement	Approval
Bronze	Exceptional achievement within a workplace, project or local administration	Chancellery in the Führer's name
Silver	Major achievement affecting an industry, territory or strategic production programme	Chancellery in the Führer's name
Gold	Extraordinary achievement of lasting national importance	Personal approval by the Führer

Recipients could receive the appropriate class directly, without first receiving a lower one. Each class could be awarded once. A higher class required a new achievement of greater importance and barred any later award of a lower class.

The German class names used in Bronze, in Silber and in Gold. The Spanish forms were en Bronce, en Plata and en Oro.

Award procedure

Economic ministries, the Bau-Einsatz, service chiefs and territorial administrations submitted nominations. Employers supplied evidence through one of these authorities. A nomination identified the achievement and its date, with justification for the proposed class. Production records or technical reports required confirmation from responsible officials or specialists. Results were measured where possible, without a points system.

The chancellery checked employment and disciplinary records against previous awards. A supervisor's unsupported letter was insufficient. Posthumous awards required the achievement to have been completed or substantially accomplished during the recipient's life.

Insignia and wear

All classes used a white-enamel Maltese cross edged in the class metal. Its central medallion showed the state eagle holding a palm wreath containing a swastika. The Cross hung on the left breast from a dark-green ribbon with narrow gold edges. On ribbon bars, an EP monogram in the matching metal identified the class.

Recipients wore only their highest class and kept earlier insignia. Every award remained in the official roll.

See also

• Orders, decorations, and medals of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen