Demyansk Shield

Demyansk Shield (German: Ärmelschild Demjansk) was a World War II German military decoration awarded to military personnel who fought in the Demyansk pocket. It commemorated the successful defence of Demyansk, achieved through the use of an airbridge. The pocket of German troops had been encircled and cut off by the Red Army around Demyansk (Demjansk), south of Leningrad, during World War II on the Eastern Front. It was instituted on 25 April 1943 by Adolf Hitler. It was not bestowed after 1 July 1944.[1]

Demyansk Shield
Demjansk Shield
TypeBadge
Awarded forparticipation in the defence of the Demyansk Pocket
Presented byNazi Germany
EligibilityMilitary personnel
Campaign(s)World War II
StatusObsolete
Established25 April 1943
Last awarded1 July 1944
TotalApproximately 100,000

Design

The shield features at its apex an eagle with swooped down wings clutching a laurel wreath that surrounds a swastika. This is flanked by two pillboxes with gun ports. Below this, in capital letters, "DEMJANSK" appears. The central portion of shield features a head-on single engine aircraft, two crossed swords and at the base, the year "1942". Two minor variations of the aircraft's propeller exist with either a curved or straight propeller.[1][2]

The shield was die struck and produced in silver-washed zinc and later in plain zinc. It was affixed to the upper left sleeve of the uniform via a cloth that matched the color of the uniform of the recipient:[1]

  • Light green-grey (field-grey) for Heer (army)
  • Blue for Luftwaffe (air force)
  • Black for Panzer units (armoured units)
  • Field-grey for Waffen-SS

Criteria for award

Requirements for army, Waffen-SS and auxiliary units included honorable service in the besieged area for 60 days or wounded in the besieged area. For Luftwaffe personnel — 50 combat or re-supply missions over the besieged area.[2][3]

See also

Notes
  1. Angolia 1987, pp. 282, 283.
  2. Ailsby 1987, p. 99.
  3. Angolia 1987, p. 283.

References
  • Ailsby, Christopher (1987). Combat Medals of the Third Reich. Harpercollins. ISBN 978-0850598223.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Angolia, John (1987). For Führer and Fatherland: Military Awards of the Third Reich. R. James Bender Publishing. ISBN 0912138149.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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