By a decree dated 30 November 1938, the State Minister of the Interior introduced these awards into the "Ostmark" (the name of Austria after it was annexed by Nazi Germany). By 1940, it had also been approved for persons of German heritage from seized lands of the Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia, Danzig, Saar and Memel. Awarding of the cross to war participants of German heritage continued after the deadline for applications had closed within the previous boundaries of Germany. Such Honour Crosses were still being awarded as late as 1944. For all attached military personnel outside these regions, the "Führer", through the ordinance of 30 June 1942, had already ordered approval of these awards.