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Category: Germany

The Crimea Shield

The Crimea Shield (Krimschild) is a WW2 German military decoration awarded to military personnel who fought against Soviet Red Army forces.

The Crimea Shield (or Krimschild in German) is a World War II German military decoration instituted on 25 July 1942 and awarded to military personnel who fought against Soviet Red Army forces and captured the Crimea region between 21 September 1941 and 4 July 1942 under the command of Generalfeldmarschall Erich von Manstein.

The Wehrmacht’s Army Group South advanced through the Crimean peninsula between the Autumn of 1941 and Summer of 1942. The hostilities that ended with the German capture of Sevastopol on 4 July 1942.

The Crimea Shield was the most widely distributed of the various German ones, with approximately 250,000 of them being awarded. It could be awarded to all members of the Wehrmacht and to Luftwaffe and other units affiliated to the campaign in the specified dates. The following conditions needed to have been met for the award:

  • Served in the area for at least 90 days; or
  • Been wounded while serving in the area; or
  • Had been engaged in at least one major operation against the enemy.

Romanian troops serving in the Crimea were also eligible for the award.

The Crimea Shield Design

The Crimea shield is headed, on the obverse, by the German eagle clutching a laurel wreath surrounding a swastika. Flanking the eagle are the dates 1941 and 1942, which represent the start and end dates of the campaign. This sits on the backdrop of the Crimean peninsula, where the fighting took place, which has the word KRIM stamped across it.

A special pure-gold version of the Crimea Shield was also produced and first bestowed upon Marshal Ion Antonescu, the military dictator of Romania, at the end of the Siege of Sevastopol on 3 July 1942. It was awarded to him in Bucharest by Erich von Manstein, on Adolf Hitler’s behalf. The second and last Golden Krimschild was awarded to von Manstein himself, on 24 November 1942.

More Nazi Germany Shields (Ärmelschilde)

These campaign shields were awarded to members of the Wehrmacht (the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945). They were given for participation in specific battles or campaigns and worn on the left upper arm of the uniform jacket.

The Narvik Shield - German WW2 Medals, Badges and Awards

The Narvik Shield

The Narvik Shield (Narvikschild) is a WW2 German military decoration awarded to German forces that took part in the battles of Narvik.

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The Cholm Shield

The Cholm Shield (Cholmschild) is a World War II German military decoration awarded to those who fought in the Cholm Pocket.

The Cholm Shield (or Cholmschild in German) is a World War II German military decoration instituted on 1 July 1942 and awarded to those who fought in the Cholm Pocket between 21 January and 5 May 1942.

In January 1942, the Soviet Red Army began a series of counteroffensives against the German Army, while the German occupied city of Cholm. By the end of January the city was surrounded and cut off which led to the creation of the Kholm Pocket. A mixed group of Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe and police personnel led by Generalleutnant Theodor Scherer were supplied by air until they were relieved on 5 May 1942.

To receive the shield, military personnel had to:

  • Have served honourably within the Cholm Pocket between the specified dates; or
  • Have flown and landed at the airfield within the pocket for resupply operations

The Cholm Shield is the rarest of the German combat shields with approximately 5,500 recipients. Bestowing of the award ceased as of 1 April 1943.

The Cholm Shield Design

The design of the commemorative shield was done by Polizei-Rottwachtmeister Schlimmer and sent to Adolf Hitler for approval. Professor Richard Klein made a few minor changes to the design.

The award features the outline of a shield with a large “open-winged” Wehrmacht-style eagle grasping an Iron Cross with a swastika at its center. Below, in capital letters, is written CHOLM and the date 1942. In 1957, the Cholm Shield was denazified (removal of the swastika) to allow recipients to wear the shield on their uniform.

All shields were hollow stamped metal washed in silver. A backing plate was attached to the shield with a number of prongs and affixed to a piece of coloured cloth. The Cholm Shield was worn on the left upper sleeve of the uniform of soldiers and airmen. For civilian clothes a smaller shield roughly 16mm across with a needle fitting could be worn on the left lapel.

More Nazi Germany Shields (Ärmelschilde)

These campaign shields were awarded to members of the Wehrmacht (the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945). They were given for participation in specific battles or campaigns and worn on the left upper arm of the uniform jacket.

German WW2 Nazi Awards: The Warsaw Shield

The Warsaw Shield

The Warsaw Shield (Ärmelschild Warschau) is a German military decoration for those who took part in the suppression of the Warsaw uprising.

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The Narvik Shield

The Narvik Shield (Narvikschild) is a WW2 German military decoration awarded to German forces that took part in the battles of Narvik.

The Narvik Shield (or Narvikschild in German) is a World War II German military decoration awarded to all German forces that took part in the battles of Narvik between 9 April and 8 June 1940.

The decoration was instituted on 19 August 1940 by Adolf Hitler. The Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW) published the order the same day.

A total of 8,577 military personnel received the award. It was bestowed by General Eduard Dietl, the commander of Army Group Narvik.

In 1957, the Narvik Shield, along with many other German military decorations of World War II, was reauthorized for wear by qualifying veterans. The new version was without the eagle and swastika symbol of the Third Reich.

The Narvik Shield Design

Designed by Professor Dr Richard Klein of Munich, the narrow shield features a pointed bottom and, at its apex, an eagle with down-swept wings clutching a laurel wreath that surrounds a swastika. Below this in capital letters is written NARVIK.

The body of the shield features an edelweiss (representing the Heer mountain troops), an anchor (representing the Kriegsmarine), and propeller (for the Luftwaffe). The anchor and propeller are crossed, with the edelweiss placed at the top of the X. The numbers 19 and 40 appear at the top corners of the main body of the shield.

The shield was hollow backed and stamped from sheet metal which was usually zinc. It was worn on the upper left arm of the uniform. The shield was awarded in two versions; silver-gray versions for army and Luftwaffe and a gilded (golden coloured) version for Kriegsmarine.

More Nazi Germany Shields (Ärmelschilde)

These campaign shields were awarded to members of the Wehrmacht (the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945). They were given for participation in specific battles or campaigns and worn on the left upper arm of the uniform jacket.

The Narvik Shield - German WW2 Medals, Badges and Awards

The Narvik Shield

The Narvik Shield (Narvikschild) is a WW2 German military decoration awarded to German forces that took part in the battles of Narvik.

Read More »
German WW2 Nazi Awards: The Warsaw Shield

The Warsaw Shield

The Warsaw Shield (Ärmelschild Warschau) is a German military decoration for those who took part in the suppression of the Warsaw uprising.

Read More »

See all campaign shields >

The German Armed Forces Deployment Medal

The German Armed Forces Deployment Medal is a decoration of the Bundeswehr awarded for military service in a designated military campaign.

The German Armed Forces Deployment Medal (or Einsatzmedaille der Bundeswehr in German) is a decoration of the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, awarded for military service in a designated military campaign.

It is awarded to all German soldiers regardless of rank. It is also the only type of German campaign medal awarded, the only difference is the campaign bar worn on the medal and ribbon.

The decoration has three grades. The grade is awarded without consideration of rank but by the time a served in the designated campaign area:

  • Bronze for 30 days in theatre.
  • Silver is for 360 days in theatre.
  • Gold for 690 days in theatre.

The medal has been awarded for 56 different operations or missions since its establishment. The medal is issued with a clasp denoting foreign the operation recognized by the medal. Like the medal the clasp is either, bronze, silver or gold.

The German Armed Forces Deployment Medal Design

The medal is round, on its center in the obverse is displayed the German eagle surrounded by a wreath of laurel leaves, the reverse side is plain. The combat version differs slightly from standard grades in that the medal is always golden with a black and red rim and a black eagle.

The ribbon has two black stripes on the edges with two red stripes beside it and two golden stripes on the in side with another bold red stripe in the middle, the ribbon bar has the campaign bar attached to it.

The Combat Action Medal of the Bundeswehr

The Combat Action Medal of the Bundeswehr is a military decoration awarded by the German Bundeswehr for active participation in action.

The Combat Action Medal of the Bundeswehr (or Einsatzmedaille Gefecht in German) is a military decoration awarded by the German Bundeswehr for active participation in combat actions or for the suffering from terrorist attacks.

It is awarded only once and, if the recipient was killed in action, posthumously. The medal was initiated by then minister of defense Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and introduced by the President of Germany, Christian Wulff in 2010.

The date of qualifying operations is from 29 April 2009 to the present. In 2011, the medal was awarded to a non-german soldier for this first time.

The Combat Action Medal of the Bundeswehr Design

The Combat Action Medal is a special class of the German Armed Forces Deployment Medal and shares many design features and the same ribbon.

The medal is gold in colour, with a black and red enameled border around the edge. The German Federal Eagle in the center is enameled in black. On the suspension ribbon of the medal, and the service ribbon worn in undress, is a gold coloured clasp with the word Gefecht(Combat).

The Badge of Honor of the Bundeswehr

The Decorations of Honor of the Bundeswehr are a series of military decorations of the Bundeswehr awarded for loyal service.

  • Time Period: Post-WW2
  • Institution: October 29, 1980 and October 10, 2008
  • Country: Germany

The Decorations of Honour of the Bundeswehr (or Ehrenzeichen der Bundeswehr in German) are a series of military decorations of the Bundeswehr awarded as a “visible commendation for loyal service and exemplary execution of duties“.

The decorations were introduced in 1980 on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Bundeswehr by then Minister of Defence Hans Apel and subsequently approved by President of the Federal Republic Karl Carstens.

The first awards were made on November 6, 1980. In 2008, the decorations were updated and received three grades exclusively reserved for heroic deeds. The new awards were the result of a petition by German citizens to restore the order of the Iron Cross.

Receiving one grade of the award is not a requirement for receipt of the next higher one. If earned, all grades of the award may be worn at the same time.

The Badge of Honour of the Bundeswehr Design

The Medal is round, shows a German eagle on a Cross pattée surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves.

On the reverse it reads FÜR BESONDERE VERDIENSTE BUNDESWEHR (For special merits — Bundeswehr). There is an oak leaf above the word Bundeswehr and that side is also surrounded by an oak leaves wreath.

The ribbon is black with two red stripes beside it and golden stripes on the edges as the colors of the German flag, the ribbon bar has a small clasp of the decoration grade attached to it.

The Bundeswehr Cross of Honor for Valor

The Bundeswehr Cross of Honor for Valor is the highest military decoration of Germany and their first combat valor award since World War II.

The Bundeswehr Cross of Honour for Valour (or Ehrenkreuz der Bundeswehr für Tapferkeit in German) is the highest military decoration of the Bundeswehr, and the highest class of the Bundeswehr Cross of Honour. The decoration is the first combat valour award presented by Germany since World War II.

Since World War II, Germany has seen its military as a defensive force, but during the 1990s Germany began playing a bigger role with its military within the European Union. After the September 11 attacks on the United States, Germany joined ISAF in Afghanistan and has continued to deploy Bundeswehr troops to areas under combat conditions.

The President of Germany Horst Köhler granted authorization for this valour decoration on 18 September 2008. On 10 October 2008, the directive creating the Bundeswehr Cross of Honour for Valour became law upon being published in the Federal Law Gazette and the Federal Gazette. The first recipients of the Cross of Honour for Valour were four soldiers caught up in a suicide attack by Taliban forces on 20 October 2008 southwest of Kunduz, Afghanistan.

The Bundeswehr Cross of Honour Design

The Medal is round, shows a German eagle on a Cross pattée surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves.

On the reverse it reads FÜR BESONDERE VERDIENSTE BUNDESWEHR (For special merits — Bundeswehr). There is an oak leaf above the word Bundeswehr and that side is also surrounded by an oak leaves wreath.

The ribbon is black with two red stripes beside it and golden stripes on the edges as the colors of the German flag, the ribbon bar has a small clasp of the decoration grade attached to it.

The Order of Sidonia

The Order of Sidonia was created on March 14, 1871 by King Johann the German. It’s the Kingdom of Saxony’s chivalric order for women.

The Order of Sidonia was created on March 14, 1871 by King Johann the German. It’s the Kingdom of Saxony’s chivalric order for women, granted to female members of the Saxon nobility until the fall of the monarchy in 1918. By awarding this order, King Johann aimed to reinforce the values and responsibilities associated with the Saxon nobility, encouraging other noblewomen to aspire to such standards.

Named in honor of Saint Sidonia, this order was established to recognize and reward the exemplary service and noble qualities of female members of the Saxon nobility.

The order was granted exclusively to female members of the Saxon nobility. Recipients were typically women who had shown notable service in charitable activities, cultural endeavors, or had supported the monarchy in various capacities.

The Order of Sidonia Design

Members of the Sidonian Order wore a Maltese cross of gold and enamel, suspended from a purple bow with white and green stripes.

Members of the royal family wore a sash instead of the bow. At the apex of the Maltese cross, a medallion featured an image of a helmeted female figure, surrounded with the name “Sidonia”.

The Albert Order

The Albert Order was created in 1850 to be awarded to anyone who had served the state well, for civil virtue, science and art.

The Albert Order (or Albrechts-Orden in German) was to be awarded to anyone who had served the state well, for civil virtue, science and art, and created on 31 December 1850 by King Frederick Augustus II of Saxony to commemorate Albert III, Duke of Saxony. 

The grade structure of the Albert Order changed several times. At first, there were five classes: Grand Cross (Großkreuz), Commander’s Cross 1st Class (Komturkreuz I), Commander’s Cross 2nd Class (Komturkreuz II), Knight’s Cross (Ritterkreuz) and Small Cross (Kleinkreuz).

An award of Swords indicated a recipient’s bravery in wartime. If, however, a recipient was subsequently awarded a higher grade in the Order, he could lose the bravery distinction attached to the superseded grade (regulations only allowed the display of the insignia of the highest awarded grade). This anomaly was solved in 1906 by allowing the addition of Swords by replacement of insignia. A recipient, however, had to pay the cost of replacement and this appears to have inhibited the numbers of such replacements.

The Albert Order Design

The design of the insignia is a Christian cross with a bust of Albert the Bold at the centre. In 1875, however, it was discovered the bust was in fact the wrong Albert, Albert the Perennial, and the correct image was substituted and used thereafter.

The Civil Order of Saxony

The Civil Order of Saxony is a general order of merit established on 7 June 1815 by King Frederick Augustus I of Saxony.

The Civil Order of Saxony, also known as the Saxon Order of Merit, is a general order of merit established on 7 June 1815 by King Frederick Augustus I of Saxony for the royal subjects of the Kingdom of Saxony for distinguished civic service and virtue.

Upon its founding in 1815, the order was divided into seven classes of merit:

  • Knight Grand Cross
  • Commander First Class
  • Commander Second Class
  • Knight
  • Small Cross
  • Gold Civil Medal
  • Silver Civil Medal

With an amendment of 18 March 1858, the Small Cross became the Cross of Honour, eventually becoming Knight Second Class on 31 January 1876. The decree also replaced the gold and silver medals with civilian crosses of distinction, in gold and silver. The classes of the order thus became:

  • Knight Grand Cross
  • Commander First Class
  • Commander Second Class
  • Knight First Class
  • Knight Second Class
  • Golden Civil Cross
  • Silver Civil Cross

The Civil Order of Saxony Design

The insignia is a gold Maltese cross with white enameled arms and with green enameled fleur-de-lis between the arms of the cross. It measures 41.63 mm wide x 41.37 mm high and weighs 17.3 grams.

The obverse of the order shows a center white enameled medallion with a Saxon crowned royal monogram painted on the obverse, circumscribed “FRIED.AUG. K. V. SACHSEN. D. 7 JUN. 1815”.

The reverse hjas the inscription “Für Verdiesnt und Treue” (For Merit and Loyalty) within a laurel wreath.