- Time Period: Nazi Germany (Interwars Period, World War II)
- Institution: Never instituted.
- Country: Germany
The Balkans Shield (or Balkanschild in German) was a projected World War II German military decoration to be awarded to German forces that took part in the battles of the Balkans, from 1944 to 1945.
“Such a shield was neither donated nor awarded. However, the creation of such an award was apparently thought of because the Reich stage designer Benno v. Arent completed one on III.7.1945 Drawing of a draft of the Balkan Shield. It seems as if this was requested by the Führer’s headquarters, but the military events that followed in quick succession prevented further decisions regarding this foundation”.
The Balkans Shield Design
The book “Awards of the German Reich 1936-1945” mentiones the shield and includes the drawing by the Reich stage designer Benno v. Arent (signed March 7, 1945).
Dr. Klietmann describes 2 template patterns:
“One pattern exists in olive-brown tinted metal, the other is silver-plated…”
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 Budapest Shield (Projected)
The Budapest Shield (Budapestschild) was a projected WW2 Third Reich decoration planned for participants in the Siege of Budapest.
The Stalingrad Shield (Projected)
The Stalingrad Shield (Stalingradschild) was a projected WW2 Third Reich decoration planned for participants in the Battle of Stalingrad.
The Kuban Shield
The Kuban Shield is a World War II military decoration awarded to those who fought at the Kuban bridgehead in the Soviet Union.
The Lorient Shield (Projected)
The Lorient Shield (Lorientschild) was a projected WW2 Third Reich decoration planned for participants in the Siege of Lorient (1944–45).
