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Crimea Shield
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| Crimea Shield Krimschild | |
|---|---|
 Shield with field grey backing for award to the Army | |
| Type | Badge |
| Awarded for | Active service during the Crimea campaign |
| Presented by | Nazi Germany |
| Eligibility | Military personnel |
| Campaign | World War II |
| Status | Obsolete |
| Established | 25 July 1942 |
| Final award | October 1943 |
| Total | Approximately 250,000[1] |
 Field Marshal Erich von Manstein (right) wearing the Crimea Shield on his tunic | |
The Crimea Shield (German: Krimschild) was a World War II German military decoration. It was awarded to military personnel under the command of Field Marshal von Manstein, including supporting naval and air force units, who fought against Soviet Red Army forces between 21 September 1941 and 4 July 1942 and who captured the Crimea region (Krim in German). It was instituted on 25 July 1942.[2] It was the most widely distributed of the various German campaign shields, with approximately 250,000 awarded.[1]
Design
[edit]The Wehrmacht's Army Group South advanced through the Crimean peninsula between the Autumn of 1941 and Summer of 1942. To commemorate the hostilities that ended with the German capture of Sevastopol on 4 July 1942, the Crimea Shield was created for all members of the armed forces under area commander Field Marshal Erich von Manstein.[2]
The shield is of stamped sheet metal with a bronze finish.[3] It is headed by the German eagle clutching a laurel wreath surrounding a swastika, flanked by the dates 1941 and 1942. This sits on a backdrop of the Crimean peninsula, bearing the word KRIM.[2][4] It was issued mounted on a cloth backing that matched the uniform of the appropriate armed service: army, navy or air force, and sewn onto the left upper sleeve of the tunic and greatcoat.[5] Where the recipient received more than one campaign shield, the earlier was worn above any later awards.[5]
After an initial ban, the Federal Republic of Germany re-authorised the wear of many World War II military decorations in 1957. These included the Crimea Shield, re-designed by removing the eagle and swastika emblem. Members of the Bundeswehr could wear the shield on the ribbon bar, represented by a small replica of the award on a field grey ribbon.[6]
Criteria for award
[edit]The Crimea Shield could be awarded to all members of the Wehrmacht and to Luftwaffe and other units affiliated to the campaign between 21 September 1941 and 4 July 1942. The following conditions needed to have been met for the award:[2][4]
- served in the area for at least 90 days; or
- been wounded while serving in the area; or
- been engaged in at least one major operation against the enemy.
Romanian troops serving in the Crimea were also eligible.[3]
Gold version
[edit]A special pure-gold version of the Crimea Shield was also produced. It was first bestowed upon Marshal Ion Antonescu, the military dictator of Romania, at the end of the Siege of Sevastopol (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.[4][3][7][8]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ a b Williamson 2002, p. 20 states 100,000 recipients.
- ^ a b c d Angolia 1987, p. 280.
- ^ a b c Williamson 2002, p. 19.
- ^ a b c Ailsby 1987, p. 98.
- ^ a b Williamson 2002, p. 17.
- ^ Littlejohn & Dodkins 1968, pp. 224–226.
- ^ Schranck 2014, p. 25.
- ^ Domarus 2004, p. 2799.
References
[edit]- Ailsby, Christopher (1987). Combat Medals of the Third Reich. Harpercollins. ISBN 978-0850598223.
- Angolia, John (1987). For Führer and Fatherland: Military Awards of the Third Reich. R. James Bender Publishing. ISBN 0912138149.
- Domarus, Max (2004). Adolf Hitler: Speeches and proclamations, 1932-1945. Bolchazy-Carducci. ISBN 0865162271.
- Littlejohn, David; Dodkins, Colonel C. M. (1968). Orders, Decorations, Medals and Badges of the Third Reich. R. James Bender Publishing, California. ISBN 978-0854200801.
- Schranck, David (2014). Thunder at Prokhorovka: A Combat History of Operation Citadel, Kursk, July 1943. Helion and Co. ISBN 978-1841763521.
- Williamson, Gordon (2002). World War II German Battle Insignia. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1841763527.
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Crimea Shield
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Historical Context
Crimean Campaign Overview
The Crimean Campaign commenced in late September 1941 as part of Operation Barbarossa, with the German 11th Army under General Erich von Manstein advancing through the Perekop Isthmus to penetrate Soviet defenses in Crimea. Supported by Romanian 3rd and 4th Armies, the Axis forces quickly overran much of the peninsula, isolating the Soviet naval base at Sevastopol by early November 1941 after capturing key positions like the Tatar Ditch fortifications. Initial assaults on Sevastopol in October and November failed due to strong Soviet fortifications and reinforcements via Black Sea shipping, compelling Manstein to besiege the city while diverting resources to counter Soviet threats elsewhere.[6][7] In December 1941, the Soviets launched the Kerch-Feodosiya amphibious operation, landing approximately 80,000 troops on December 26 at Kerch and December 30 at Feodosiya to relieve Sevastopol and threaten German rear areas, temporarily forcing Manstein to abandon the siege. German counteroffensives, hampered by severe winter weather including freezing temperatures and mud, contained the Soviet bridgehead but could not eliminate it immediately, highlighting logistical strains on Axis supply lines across the narrow Crimean terrain. Luftwaffe air support played a crucial role in disrupting Soviet naval evacuations and landings, though harsh conditions limited ground advances until spring.[8][9] By May 1942, Operation Trappenjagd (Bustard Hunt) from May 8 to 19 recaptured the Kerch Peninsula, annihilating the Soviet Crimean Front and inflicting over 170,000 casualties, enabling Manstein to redirect forces against Sevastopol. The final assault began on June 7, 1942, with intensive Luftwaffe bombing—over 23,000 sorties—and heavy artillery barrages overcoming entrenched Soviet defenses in the city's ring of forts amid rugged terrain and tenacious resistance. Sevastopol fell on July 4, 1942, after 250 days of siege, with Axis forces capturing the port but at the cost of significant manpower amid Crimea's mountainous barriers, poor roads, and extreme weather that exacerbated attrition.[10][11][7]Strategic Importance of Crimea
Crimea's protruding position in the Black Sea positioned it as a Soviet stronghold capable of projecting air and naval power against Axis vulnerabilities, particularly the Romanian oil fields at Ploiești, which supplied up to 60% of Germany's petroleum needs by 1941. Soviet aircraft operating from Crimean bases conducted raids that destroyed approximately 12,000 tons of oil in June 1941 alone, underscoring the direct threat to Axis fuel logistics essential for mechanized operations on the Eastern Front. Control of the peninsula by German and allied forces after the Kerch-Feodosiya landing in December 1941 and subsequent operations neutralized these bombing runs, securing the southern flank and enabling uninterrupted oil shipments via the Black Sea route.[12][13] Sevastopol served as the primary anchorage for the Soviet Black Sea Fleet, which by autumn 1941 comprised 47 submarines, 21 destroyers, 6 cruisers, and 1 battleship, facilitating amphibious reinforcements and supply convoys that sustained Soviet defenses in the region. The fleet's operations from Crimean ports harassed Axis convoys and supported ground forces, with over 24,000 troops and 15,000 tons of supplies delivered by sea in June 1942 prior to the final siege. Axis capture of Sevastopol on July 4, 1942, following intensive artillery and Luftwaffe bombardment, crippled this naval capacity, denying the Soviets a forward base for submarine interdiction and air strikes while disrupting Red Navy coordination across the Black Sea.[11][14] By eliminating Soviet airfields and naval assets in Crimea, German forces under Army Group South freed substantial resources, including elements of the 11th Army and Luftwaffe Fliegerkorps VIII, for redeployment to Operation Case Blue launched on June 28, 1942, which drove toward the Caucasus oil fields. This operational pivot contributed to initial Axis advances capturing key Don River crossings and Maikop oil infrastructure by August 1942, maintaining momentum along the southern axis amid broader Eastern Front offensives. Although Crimea's agricultural output and minor mineral resources offered supplementary benefits, the primary value lay in denying the Soviets a platform to interdict Axis supply lines and in stabilizing the Rumanian alliance against potential Turkish involvement prompted by regional instability.[9][13]Institution
Establishment Decree
The Crimea Shield was instituted by Adolf Hitler via a formal decree dated 25 July 1942, published in the Reichsgesetzblatt (Part I, No. 83, p. 487), mere weeks after the Soviet fortress of Sevastopol capitulated on 4 July 1942, marking the culmination of Axis operations in the region.[15] The timing underscored the award's intent to commemorate the recent successes of Army Group South in securing the Crimean Peninsula. The decree, entitled Verordnung über die Stiftung des Krimschildes, opened with Article 1 declaring: "Zur Erinnerung an die heldenhaften Kämpfe um die Krim stifte ich den Krimschild" ("In remembrance of the heroic battles for the Crimea, I institute the Crimea Shield").[16] It targeted personnel under the operational command of Generalfeldmarschall Erich von Manstein who had participated in combat actions from 21 September 1941—coinciding with the initial Axis push into the Kerch Peninsula—to 4 July 1942.[17][18] Eligibility extended beyond the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS to include allied contingents, notably Romanian forces that had fought alongside German units in the theater, reflecting the multinational composition of Axis efforts.[19] Subsequent articles in the decree outlined the shield's wear as a campaign badge on the left upper sleeve, with provisions for backdated awards to validate prior service within the defined period. Initial presentations followed promptly after the decree's promulgation, enabling recognition of contributions across the full span of the Crimean engagements.[20]Purpose and Commemoration
The Crimea Shield was instituted on July 25, 1942, to commemorate the Axis conquest of the Crimean Peninsula, culminating in the capture of Sevastopol on July 4, 1942, after prolonged operations from September 1941 onward.[3][1] This campaign shield recognized the collective military efforts in overcoming Soviet defenses, including rapid encirclements at Kerch and the reduction of heavily fortified positions like Sevastopol, demonstrating effective combined arms tactics in rugged terrain and adverse conditions.[15][21] Unlike badges restricted to direct combat participation, the shield emphasized sustained service across the theater, serving as a visible token of shared sacrifice that enhanced troop morale by affirming the tangible successes achieved despite logistical strains and environmental hardships.[20] Its design and wear on the upper left arm reinforced unit pride and cohesion among multinational contingents, primarily German and Romanian forces, without incorporating ideological elements beyond operational recognition.[1] This approach aligned with established military practices for fostering resilience through acknowledgment of campaign-wide contributions, countering attrition effects in extended engagements.[15]Design and Production
Physical Description
The Crimea Shield, known as Krimschild in German, consists of a stamped sheet metal shield finished in bronze, measuring approximately 12 cm in height and exhibiting a slightly concave obverse with a hollow reverse.[22] The obverse features a Wehrmacht eagle with outstretched wings positioned at the top, clutching a mobile swastika within a laurel wreath, flanked on either side by the embossed dates 1941 and 1942.[2] Below the eagle lies an outline map of the Crimean Peninsula, incorporating the inscription KRIM arched across the central landmass, symbolizing the geographical focus of the campaign.[2] Encircling the lower edge is an oak leaf wreath, a traditional Wehrmacht motif denoting martial victory and steadfast endurance, which frames the shield's cartographic elements and evokes the fortified resilience required in the Crimean theater.[2] The reverse typically includes provision for attachment via a hinge and pin mechanism, enabling secure mounting on a cloth backing matching the wearer's uniform for sleeve display.[22] This construction facilitated both durability in field conditions and adherence to German military insignia conventions.[23]Manufacturing Variations
The Crimea Shield was manufactured by multiple firms, including Wilhelm Deumer of Lüdenscheid and Josef Feix & Söhne of Gablonz an der Neiße, with production marked by codes such as "J.F.S. 42" on the reverse.[24][25] Other producers included Friedrich Orth of Vienna, identifiable by "f.o." markings on LDO variants.[26][27] These contractors used stamped zinc or iron bases overlaid with a bronzed finish to replicate the shield's design of the Crimean peninsula, eagle, and swastika.[28] Manufacturing variations primarily manifested in attachment mechanisms and minor stylistic details. Common backings featured four flat prongs—two at the top and two below—for securing to uniform fabric, though alternatives included round pins or side tabs.[3][29] Shields were hollow-backed for lightweight wear on the upper left sleeve. Subtle differences, such as eagle wing feathering or map contour shading, distinguished dies from specific makers like Deumer, aiding authentication without altering the decoration's uniform value or eligibility.[30][31] Exact production quantities remain unverified, but estimates range from 150,000 to 250,000 units, reflecting eligibility among German and allied forces in the Crimea theater from September 21, 1941, to July 4, 1942.[32] These figures align with documented troop commitments, though comprehensive records were lost amid wartime destruction. Maker-specific quality was generally consistent, prioritizing mass production over luxury finishes seen in higher decorations.[33]Award Criteria
Eligibility Requirements
The Crimea Shield was conferred upon personnel of the Wehrmacht, including Heer, Luftwaffe, and Kriegsmarine elements, as well as affiliated units such as Romanian forces, for service in the Crimean operational area from 21 September 1941 to 4 July 1942.[3][34] Eligibility centered on verifiable frontline exposure rather than individual acts of valor, with primary qualification requiring at least 90 days of continuous service within designated zones of the Crimea peninsula and adjacent bridgeheads, excluding time spent on leave or in hospital.[3][15] Alternative pathways to award included sustaining a wound in action while serving in the qualifying area or direct participation in a single major combat operation, such as the siege and capture of Sevastopol in July 1942.[3][34] These criteria applied uniformly without rank restrictions, encompassing all enlisted personnel, non-commissioned officers, and officers who met the temporal and geographic thresholds.[3] Foreign volunteers and auxiliary troops under Wehrmacht command were similarly eligible if their service aligned with the stipulated conditions.[34]Verification Process
Unit commanders bore primary responsibility for verifying eligibility for the Crimea Shield, attesting to recipients' fulfillment of criteria—such as 90 consecutive days of service in the operational area, wounding in action, or participation in major battles like the Kerch-Feodosiya operation—through examination of unit muster rolls, operational logs, and medical reports. These attestations established a direct causal link between documented frontline exposure and the award, excluding administrative or rear-echelon personnel unless their roles placed them within the defined combat zone for the requisite period. Certifications ascended the chain of command to divisional or corps levels for endorsement before final approval by 11th Army headquarters under Field Marshal Erich von Manstein, ensuring rigorous scrutiny to prevent unwarranted grants.[3][34] Retroactive awards covered qualifying service from September 21, 1941, to July 4, 1942, predating the shield's institution on July 25, 1942, with unit reports compiled and forwarded to Army High Command (OKH) for tabulation and distribution oversight. Claims required timely submission, typically within months of eligibility accrual or unit rotation, as enforced by field army directives to manage logistics amid ongoing operations and avoid backlog. Upon approval, recipients received a Besitzzeugnis (possession certificate), often signed by senior officers, confirming entitlement; posthumous cases issued the document to next of kin alongside the shield.[3][35][36]Recipients
German and Allied Forces
The Crimea Shield was awarded to personnel of the German 11th Army, which spearheaded the Axis conquest of the Crimean Peninsula from September 1941 to July 1942 under Field Marshal Erich von Manstein's command.[3] This included infantry divisions, panzer units, artillery formations, and engineer battalions engaged in operations such as the Kerch-Feodosiya landing repulsion and the Siege of Sevastopol.[20] Luftwaffe ground crews and flak units supporting air operations over the peninsula were also eligible, provided they met the service duration criteria of three months or participation in specified engagements. Romanian forces, primarily from the 3rd Army subordinated to the 11th Army, formed a key allied contingent, contributing mountain brigades, cavalry units, and infantry divisions to defensive and offensive actions, including the Perekop Isthmus breakthrough.[3] These troops qualified under the same eligibility rules, recognizing their role in joint Axis efforts despite logistical and command integration challenges.[37] Minor participation by other Axis elements, such as Italian naval or air detachments, occurred but did not significantly alter the predominantly German-Romanian recipient composition. Rough estimates place total awards at 200,000 to 300,000, derived from approximate Axis troop strengths in the theater—around 300,000 Germans plus Romanian contingents—though no declassified official tally exists, and production records suggest broad distribution to frontline and rear-echelon personnel alike.[5] This scale underscores the multinational scope, with Romanians comprising a notable fraction verifiable through shared award ceremonies and uniform entitlements.[3]Notable Awardees
Field Marshal Erich von Manstein, as commander of the 11th Army, directed the conquest of Crimea, including the capture of Kerch Peninsula in May 1942 and the subsequent Siege of Sevastopol ending on July 4, 1942, which secured Axis control over the region.[3] He received a gold Crimea Shield from his staff on November 24, 1943, commemorating his pivotal role in these operations that broke Soviet defenses and enabled the shield's institution.[19] Romanian Marshal Ion Antonescu, leader of Romania's allied forces including the 3rd Romanian Army that supported German advances in eastern Crimea, was the first recipient of the gold variant on July 3, 1942, at the Siege of Sevastopol's conclusion, acknowledging the joint Axis effort in overcoming fortified Soviet positions.[2] This award highlighted Romania's contributions to the campaign's success, such as engagements around Feodosia and Kerch where Romanian units reinforced German flanks against counterattacks.[1]