As the war progressed, some of the recipients of the Knight's Cross distinguished themselves further and a higher grade, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (), was instituted. The Oak Leaves, as they were commonly referred to, were based on the enactment  of 3 June 1940.
As the war progressed, some of the recipients of the Knight's Cross distinguished themselves even more and a higher grade, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (), was established. The Oak Leaves, as they were commonly referred to, were based on the enactment  of 3 June 1940.