- Time Period: Nazi Germany (Interwars Period, World War II)
- Institution: 1 July 1942
- Country: Germany
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.
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 Crimea Shield
The Crimea Shield (Krimschild) is a WW2 German military decoration awarded to military personnel who fought against Soviet Red Army forces.
The Stalingrad Shield (Projected)
The Stalingrad Shield (Stalingradschild) was a projected WW2 Third Reich decoration planned for participants in the Battle of Stalingrad.
The Demyansk Shield
Demyansk Shield is a World War II German military decoration awarded to military personnel who fought in the Demyansk pocket.
