German WWII Crimean Krim Shield-This Crimean (Krim) Campaign Shield Award still retains some of its bronze finish which is shows strong detail and an interesting patina. There is some heavy verdigris to the lower left side of the badge so please make sure to look closely at the photos. This badge is mounted to a metal backing that acts as a rear plate. It has the four prongs which are intact. Priced to sell.
History: The Crimean Campaign shield was instituted on July 25th, 1942, as the third official campaign shield for award to all Wehrmacht, (Armed Forces), personnel who had been engaged in combat, were wounded or served three months in the Crimean Peninsula campaign between September 21st, 1941 and July 21st, 1942. The shields were bestowed to eligible personnel by the area commander Generalfeldmarschall Erich von Manstein and were to be worn on the upper left sleeve of the uniform. The color of the backing material was to match that of the uniform it was to be worn on. The shields were only issued in bronze although Hitler awarded Generalfeldmarschall von Manstein with a gilt version of the shield and another gilt shield was awarded to Romanian Marshal Ion Victor Antonescu. The award contains a stylized, map of the Crimean Peninsula with the embossed dates, "1941-1942", and the impressed location, "Krim".