The Cross was established 23 October 1914 by Ernest Augustus, Duke of Brunswick.

The cross was awarded on a blue ribbon with yellow stripes for combatants and on a yellow ribbon with blue stripes for non-combatants.

At the center of the Cross on the obverse are the letters EA for Duke Ernest Augustus.

On the horizontal arms of the cross are sprays of oak leaves.

On the reverse is the inscription in three lines Für, Verdienst im, Kriege (For Merit in War) on the top, horizontal and lower arms of the cross, respectively.