Holmschild was established on July 1, 1942 by decree of Adolf Hitler. The reason was the defense of the boiler around Holm (southwest of Demyansk), in which German troops were surrounded. There, a combined detachment under the command of Major General Theodore Scherer (the Scherer battle group) fought against Soviet superiority. The fighting continued from 18.01. 5.5.1942, when after repeated attempts, German troops were able to remove the encirclement. The shield was awarded to all warriors who at that time participated in defense with honor. Also eligible were Air Force personnel who landed in the boiler for supply purposes. Delivery of goods by reset was not counted. The shield was to be claimed and presented with a certificate of possession. The project belongs to a member of the 1st Kholm Police Battalion 65, Police Regiment 25 named after Schlechter, which with minor changes (the direction of the eagle's gaze and the size of the number and shield) was adopted by Professor Klein from Munich.
The shields were made of iron sheet and zinc. Posthumous awards were possible, during which the shields were handed over to the relatives of the victims. The circulation is indicated in the amount of about 5500 pieces. However, the number of shields is higher, as soldiers obliged to change clothes could order up to 5 shields, and the award of the dead is not included.
Hollow relief shield made of tinted military metal. The shield with a smooth horizontal top and a pointed end has a raised smooth rim. On the back side there are 3 flat splints, with the help of which the shield is fixed on the fabric cloth of field gray color with a response plate from an iron sheet. This is glued to ocher paper.
Front side:
Downside:
Front side: Holmschild
Backside: Holmschild
Awards of World War II