Simplify the following text for a Grade 9 native English-speaking person.
Original: The German Cross was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 16 November 1941 as an award ranking higher than the Iron Cross First Class but below the Knight 's Cross of the Iron Cross .
Simplified: The German Cross was begun by Adolf Hitler on 16 November 1941 as an award that was a higher level than the Iron Cross First Class but below the Knight 's Cross of the Iron Cross .