German Awards - Crimean Shield for the Air Force

The Crimean shield was established by decree of Adolf Hitler on July 25, 1942. The shield was awarded to all Wehrmacht servicemen and subordinates who took part in the battles for the Crimean peninsula. In addition, servicemen of the Romanian armed forces could be awarded the Crimean shield. The period of fighting is from September 21, 1941 to July 4, 1942. Mandatory conditions for the award were participation in the main battle, injury or continuous stay in the Crimea for 3 months. The award had to be applied for until March 1, 1943. Posthumous awards were also possible. The shield was worn on the left forearm. For civilian clothes, a miniature was on the needle. The conditions for awarding specifically for the main battles were clarified and contained 8 main battles and battles, respectively. Frostbite was also considered a wound. Awards were made by Field Marshal von Manstein. Cloth records, respectively, in the color of the genus of weapons. The army is in field gray, gray-green, the air force in blue-gray, and the navy in dark blue. The 4 pins on the back can be soldered to the shield or knocked out to the side of the shield. After that, the shape of the counter board is aligned with the holes or recess on the side. The shields were made of iron, brass and military metal. The total number of awards ranges from 200,000 to 300,000 for all military units and allies.
A special form of shield is the Crimean Golden Shield, awarded 2 times. July 3, 1943 to Romanian Marshal Ion Antonescu and Field Marshal von Manstein on his birthday on November 24, 1943.

Shield made of hollow relief sheet of iron. Below is an oval tip. Along the edge is a raised, smooth decorative line. Reverse with 4 flat cotter pins with cloth lining and counterplate made of iron. On top of the cover is dark gray paper.
The fabric lining in the Air Force is gray-blue.

Front side:

• The upper edge of the shield is formed from the Wehrmacht eagle.
• The latter with spread wings looks to the right and holds an oak wreath in his paws.
• The wreath is tied at the bottom and in the center has a swastika set on top.
In the
• field next to the wreath on the left, the number is 1941 - and on the right next to the number -1942 -
In the
• lower field is a cartographic image of the peninsula with an oblique inscription - CRIMEA -.
• Further deepen the lines of river flows and 4 small circular lines as the location of cities.

Downside:

Soldered 4
• flat cotter pins inserted through the pad.
• Between them is the litter. The cover paper is dark grey.

Photos of www.militaria-berlin.de

Front side: Crimean shield for the Air Force

Reverse: Crimean shield for the Air Force

Established:

July 25, 1942 Adolf Hitler

Awarded:

1942 – 1943

Data:

• Material: iron sheet tinted
• Size: 60.5mm x 51.2mm (eagle wing)
• Weight: 24.5g

estimated collector price:

140 - 150 € bronzed in iron
100 - 120 € in brass
80 - 90 € in zinc

OEK Number:

3871