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{{Infobox military award
{{Short description|WW2 German military decoration}}
{{Use shortened footnotes|date=November 2023}}
⚫
|name=Demyansk Shield
{{Infobox award
⚫
|image=Demjanskschild.jpg
|name=Demyansk Shield<br>''Demjanskschild''
⚫
|image_size=200px
⚫
|image=Demjanskschild.png
|caption=Demjansk Shield
⚫
|image_size=175px
⚫
|awarded_by=[[Nazi Germany]]
⚫
|caption=Demyansk Shield
⚫
|presenter=[[Nazi Germany]]
|type=[[Badge]]
|type=[[Badge]]
|eligibility=Military personnel
|eligibility=[[Wehrmacht]] personnel
|for=participation in the defence of the [[Demyansk Pocket]]
|awarded_for=Defence of the [[Demyansk Pocket]]
|campaign=[[World War II]]
|campaign=[[World War II]]
|status=Obsolete
|status=Obsolete
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|clasps=
|clasps=
|established=25 April 1943
|established=25 April 1943
|firstawarded=
|first_award=
|last_award=1 July 1944
|lastawarded=1 July 1944
|total=Approximately 100,000
|total_awarded=Approximately 100,000
|total_awarded_posthumously=
|posthumous=
|total_recipients=
|recipients=
|individual=
|individual=
|higher=
|higher=
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|caption2=
|caption2=
}}
}}
[[File:Demjanskschild, 1957 version, kein Hakenkreuz.png|right|thumb|140px|Post-war 'de-nazified' version]]
'''Demyansk Shield''' ({{lang-de|Ärmelschild Demjansk}}) was a [[World War II]] [[Nazi Germany|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 (logistics)|airbridge]]. The [[Pocket (military)|pocket]] of [[Wehrmacht|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.{{sfn|Angolia|1987|pp=282, 283}}
'''Demyansk Shield''' ({{langx|de|Ärmelschild Demjansk}}) was a [[World War II]] [[Nazi Germany|German]] military decoration awarded to [[Wehrmacht]] personnel who fought in the [[Demyansk pocket]] on the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]] in the early months of 1942. The [[Pocket (military)|pocket]] of [[Wehrmacht|German troops]] had been encircled and cut off by the [[Red Army]] around [[Demyansk]] (Demjansk), south of [[Leningrad]], and was successfully defended with the aid of an [[Airbridge (logistics)|airbridge]]. The shield was instituted on 25 April 1943 by [[Adolf Hitler]] and was not bestowed after 1 July 1944.{{sfn|Angolia|1987|pp=282, 283}}
⚫
==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 is capital letters is written <tt>DEMJANSK</tt>. The central portion of shield features a head-on single engine aircraft, two crossed swords and at the base, the year <tt>1942</tt>. Two minor variations of the aircraft's propeller exist with either a curved or straight propeller.{{sfn|Angolia|1987|pp=282, 283}}{{sfn|Ailsby|1987|p=99}}


⚫
==Design==
⚫
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:{{sfn|Angolia|1987|pp=282, 283}}
⚫
The shield was die-struck and produced in silver-washed zinc and later in plain zinc. It features at its apex an eagle with swooped down wings clutching a laurel wreath that surrounds a swastika. This is flanked by two log pillboxes with gun ports, with "DEMJANSK" in capitals below. The central portion of the shield features a head-on single engine aircraft behind 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.{{sfn|Angolia|1987|pp=282, 283}}{{sfn|Ailsby|1987|p=99}} The shield measures 51mm wide and 92mm in height.{{sfn|Michaelis|2003|p=59}}


⚫
It was affixed to the upper left sleeve of the uniform via a cloth that matched the colour of the uniform of the recipient:{{sfn|Angolia|1987|pp=282, 283}}
* Light green-grey (field-grey) for [[German Army (Wehrmacht)|Heer]] (army)
* Light green-grey (field-grey) for [[German Army (Wehrmacht)|Heer]] (army)
* Blue for [[Luftwaffe]] (air force)
* Blue for [[Luftwaffe]] (air force)
* Black for Panzer units (armoured units)
* Black for Panzer (armoured) units
* Field-grey for [[Waffen-SS]]
* Field-grey for [[Waffen-SS]]

Where the recipient received more than one campaign shield, the earlier was worn above any later awards.{{sfn|Williamson|2002|p=17}}

After an initial ban, the [[West Germany|Federal Republic of Germany]] re-authorised the wear of many World War II military decorations in 1957. These included the Demyansk Shield, re-designed by removing the eagle and swastika emblem at the top of the badge. 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.{{sfn|Littlejohn|Dodkins|1968|pp=224–226}}


==Criteria for award==
==Criteria for award==
Requirements for [[German Army (Wehrmacht)|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.{{sfn|Ailsby|1987|p=99}}{{sfn|Angolia|1987|p=283}}
The qualifying period was 8 February to 21 April 1942. The requirement for ground units was honourable service in the besieged area for 60 days, or a shorter period if wounded. [[Luftwaffe]] personnel required 50 combat or re-supply missions over the besieged area.{{sfn|Ailsby|1987|p=99}}{{sfn|Angolia|1987|p=283}}

Approximately 100,000 service personnel qualified for the shield,{{sfn|Michaelis|2003|p=58}} with up to five examples issued to each recipient, enabling them to be permanently attached to each tunic and greatcoat.{{sfn|Williamson|2002|p=17}}


==See also==
==See also==
{{div col |colwidth=30em}}
*[[Cuff shield (Wehrmacht)]]
* [[Campaign shields (Wehrmacht)]]
* [[Cholm Shield]]
* [[Cholm Shield]]
* [[Crimea Shield]]
* [[Crimea Shield]]
⚫
* [[Lappland Shield]]
* [[Kuban Shield]]
* [[Kuban Shield]]
⚫
* [[Lapland Shield]]
* [[Narvik Shield]]
* [[Narvik Shield]]
* [[Warsaw Shield]]
{{div col end}}


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
Line 53: Line 64:


== References ==
== References ==
*{{cite book | last = Ailsby | first = Christopher | title = Combat Medals of the Third Reich | publisher = Harpercollins | year = 1987 | isbn = 978-0850598223 | ref = harv }}
*{{cite book | last = Ailsby | first = Christopher | title = Combat Medals of the Third Reich | publisher = Harpercollins | year = 1987 | isbn = 978-0850598223}}
*{{cite book | last = Angolia | first = John | title = For Führer and Fatherland: Military Awards of the Third Reich | publisher = R. James Bender Publishing | year = 1987 | isbn = 0912138149 | ref = harv }}
*{{cite book | last = Angolia | first = John | title = For Führer and Fatherland: Military Awards of the Third Reich | publisher = R. James Bender Publishing | year = 1987 | isbn = 0912138149}}
*{{cite book|last1=Littlejohn |first1=David |last2= Dodkins|first2= Colonel C. M.|title= Orders, Decorations, Medals and Badges of the Third Reich |publisher= R. James Bender Publishing, California |year= 1968 |isbn= 978-0854200801}}
*{{cite book|last= Michaelis|first= Rolf|title=Deutsche Kriegsauszeichnungen 1939-1945, Heer, Waffen-SS, Polizei|publisher=Doerfler Verlag, Berlin|year=2003|isbn=978-3930849314 |language=de }}
*{{cite book|last=Williamson |first=Gordon |title=World War II German Battle Insignia |publisher=Osprey Publishing |year=2002 |isbn=1841763527 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AJ4XDAAAQBAJ&dq=crimea+shield+antonescu&pg=PA19}}


{{List of military decorations of the Third Reich |state=collapsed}}
{{List of military decorations of the Third Reich |state=collapsed}}
{{Subject bar
| portal1=Military of Germany
| portal2=World War II
}}


[[Category:Awards established in 1943]]
[[Category:Awards established in 1943]]
[[Category:Military awards and decorations of Germany (Wehrmacht)]]
[[Category:Military awards and decorations of Nazi Germany]]
[[Category:1943 establishments in Germany]]
[[Category:1943 establishments in Germany]]
[[Category:German campaign medals]]

Latest revision as of 00:19, 27 October 2024

Demyansk Shield
Demjanskschild
Demyansk Shield
TypeBadge
Awarded forDefence of the Demyansk Pocket
Presented byNazi Germany
EligibilityWehrmacht personnel
Campaign(s)World War II
StatusObsolete
Established25 April 1943
Last awarded1 July 1944
TotalApproximately 100,000
Post-war 'de-nazified' version

Demyansk Shield (German: Ärmelschild Demjansk) was a World War II German military decoration awarded to Wehrmacht personnel who fought in the Demyansk pocket on the Eastern Front in the early months of 1942. The pocket of German troops had been encircled and cut off by the Red Army around Demyansk (Demjansk), south of Leningrad, and was successfully defended with the aid of an airbridge. The shield was instituted on 25 April 1943 by Adolf Hitler and was not bestowed after 1 July 1944.[1]

Design

[edit]

The shield was die-struck and produced in silver-washed zinc and later in plain zinc. It features at its apex an eagle with swooped down wings clutching a laurel wreath that surrounds a swastika. This is flanked by two log pillboxes with gun ports, with "DEMJANSK" in capitals below. The central portion of the shield features a head-on single engine aircraft behind 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 measures 51mm wide and 92mm in height.[3]

It was affixed to the upper left sleeve of the uniform via a cloth that matched the colour of the uniform of the recipient:[1]

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

Where the recipient received more than one campaign shield, the earlier was worn above any later awards.[4]

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 Demyansk Shield, re-designed by removing the eagle and swastika emblem at the top of the badge. 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.[5]

Criteria for award

[edit]

The qualifying period was 8 February to 21 April 1942. The requirement for ground units was honourable service in the besieged area for 60 days, or a shorter period if wounded. Luftwaffe personnel required 50 combat or re-supply missions over the besieged area.[2][6]

Approximately 100,000 service personnel qualified for the shield,[7] with up to five examples issued to each recipient, enabling them to be permanently attached to each tunic and greatcoat.[4]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Angolia 1987, pp. 282, 283.
  2. ^ a b Ailsby 1987, p. 99.
  3. ^ Michaelis 2003, p. 59.
  4. ^ a b Williamson 2002, p. 17.
  5. ^ Littlejohn & Dodkins 1968, pp. 224–226.
  6. ^ Angolia 1987, p. 283.
  7. ^ Michaelis 2003, p. 58.

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.
  • Littlejohn, David; Dodkins, Colonel C. M. (1968). Orders, Decorations, Medals and Badges of the Third Reich. R. James Bender Publishing, California. ISBN 978-0854200801.
  • Michaelis, Rolf (2003). Deutsche Kriegsauszeichnungen 1939-1945, Heer, Waffen-SS, Polizei (in German). Doerfler Verlag, Berlin. ISBN 978-3930849314.
  • Williamson, Gordon (2002). World War II German Battle Insignia. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1841763527.
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