- Time Period: Nazi Germany (Interwars Period, World War II)
- Institution: 21 September 1943
- Country: Germany
The Kuban Shield (or Ärmelschild Kuban in German) is a World War II military decoration of Nazi Germany, awarded to those who fought at the Kuban bridgehead in the Soviet Union from February 1943 until it was abandoned in October 1943.
The criteria for award of the shield to military personnel:
- Served in the bridgehead for 60 days; or
- Been wounded while defending the bridgehead; or
- Had been engaged in a single major operation at the bridgehead.
The Kuban Shield Design
The shield is designed in a similar fashion to the Crimea Shield and was struck in sheet metal or zinc and treated with a bronzed wash.
It features a German eagle with outstretched wings clutching a laurel wreath with a swastika. On each side the wreath are the numbers 19 and 43. Directly below the eagle is written KUBAN in block capital letters. Below this name is a stylized map of the Kuban region, with a line representing the defensive line that the men fought to preserve with the location of the bridgeheads – KRYMSKAJA, LAGUNEN, and NOWOROSSIJSK.
The shield was worn on the upper left sleeve of the tunic. A back plate, which held in place a piece of cloth matching the recipients’ branch of service, was applied to the shield:
- Green for Heer (army)
- Blue for Luftwaffe (air force)
- Black for Panzer units (armoured units)
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 Stalingrad Shield (Projected)
The Stalingrad Shield (Stalingradschild) was a projected WW2 Third Reich decoration planned for participants in the Battle of Stalingrad.
The Lappland Shield
The Lappland Shield (Lapplandschild) is a World War II German military decoration awarded to military personnel who fought in Lapland.
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 Balkans Shield (Projected)
The Balkans Shield (Balkanschild) was a projected WW2 Third Reich decoration planned for participants in battes in the Balkans.
