Crimea Shield

The Krimschild was a struggle badge of the German Wehrmacht, which was awarded during the Second World War.

Background to the creation of this award

The Army Group South captured from autumn 1941 to summer 1942, the Crimean peninsula. After the end of hostilities, including the Krimschild was donated in memory of the struggles of the 11th Army under the commander Field Marshal Erich von Manstein by Adolf Hitler on 25 July 1942.

Foundation Regulation

Regulation on the foundation of Krimschildes from July 25, 1942

• Article 1: In memory of the heroic struggles for the Crimea I am making the Krimschild.
• Article 2: The Krimschild worn the uniform on the left arm.
• Article 3: ( 1) The Krimschild is awarded as a Badge to all members of the Wehrmacht and the Wehrmacht assume people who have been involved with honor in the period from 21 September 1941 until July 4, 1942 in the battle for the Crimea on land, in the air and water.
• ( 2) The award ceremony takes place in my name Field Marshal von Manstein.

Award conditions

The Krimschild could be awarded to all members of the Wehrmacht and the Wehrmacht subordinates, ie in the period from 21 September 1941 until July 4, 1942 in the battle for the Crimea, south of the Isthmus of Perekop, on land, in the air and water " honorably " competition and meets one of the following conditions were:

• Participate in a battle. As battles according to Stiftung regulation were recognized: 1) Breakthrough Battle of Perekop from 21 to September 30, 1941
• 2) Breakthrough Battle of Juschun from 18 to October 27, 1941
• 3) Crimean follow-up battles, breakthrough Kerch 28 October to 16 November 1941
• 4) First attack on Sevastopol 17 to 31 December 1941
• 5) Battle of Feodosiya from 15 to January 18, 1942
• 6) defensive battles at the Parpach position from 19 January to May 7, 1942
• 7) reconquest of the Kerch peninsula from 8 to May 21, 1942
• 8) taking of Sebastopol from June 7 to July 4, 1942

The illustrated map of the Crimea peninsula shows mentioned in the foundation Regulation battles and the overall limit of the ceremony Krimschildes at the top of the screen. The presentation proposals for the Krimschild had submitted to the High Command of the Army until March 31, 1943 and this then be completed by 1 October 1943. The Krimschild was handed also soldiers of the Romanian Armed Forces.

Ceremony practice

The ceremony took place "in the name of the leader " Field Marshal von Manstein. The Entrusted also received a certificate of possession. The award of the sleeve shield could also be done posthumously. In this case, the Krimschild was sent with award document the bereaved relatives.

Carrying method

The Krimschild was, like, all the worn sleeve shields the Wehrmacht uniform on the left arm. He could also be worn with all uniforms of the party and the state. For civil clothes was allowed a reduced form (16 mm needle ) of Krimschildes be worn on the left lapel. Soldiers with multiple sleeves shields ( Narvik, Cholmschild ) and said here Krimschilds carried the first sign about 7 cm away from the armhole seam of the left upper sleeve of the field blouse and jacket. The second sign was mounted 0.5 cm below the cloth backing of the first plate. Holders of three shields bearing the Chelm and Krimschild next to each other and, although 0.5 cm below the cloth backing of Narvikschildes namely the Chelm - before Krimschild.

Award numbers

The exact number of awards, including the Romanians is not known because the documents shall be deemed lost. It is thought that have been issued 200000-300000 sleeve shields. Including two gilded sleeve shields for:

• Field Marshal Erich von Manstein
• Marshal Ion Antonescu

Material and appearance

The Krimschild itself was mostly stamped from a simple sheet iron, later also made of zinc. The sign has rounded shape at its upper edge an imperial eagle is shown. Under the wings of the eagle 's left the year 1941 and shown on the right the year 1942. The main part of the shield increases the raised embossed geographical representation of the Crimea, together with its northern extension ( present name: Kherson and Zaporitzhia ) a. In the relief of the Crimea CRIMEA the word is stamped diagonally in capital letters to right below.

Others

According to the law on titles, medals and decorations of 26 July 1957, the wearing of the award in the Federal Republic of Germany is only permitted without Nazi emblems.