Campaign shields (German: Ärmelschild, lit. 'Sleeve shield'), also known as campaign arm shields, were badges of differing design awarded to members of the German Wehrmacht for participation in specific battles or campaigns during World War II. Each shield was worn on the left upper arm of the uniform jacket. If a recipient received more than one shield, the earlier was worn above any later awards.[1]
Suppression of the Warsaw Uprising between 1 August to 2 October 1944. While award criteria and design were approved, none were produced by the end of the war.[5]
After an initial ban, the Federal Republic of Germany re-authorised the wearing of many World War II military decorations in 1957. This included all official campaign shields except for the Warsaw and Lapland Shields. Re-designed to remove the swastika emblem, members of the Bundeswehr could wear the shields on their ribbon bar, represented by a small replica of the award on a field grey ribbon.[7]
Unofficial or discontinued prior to award
Several shields were either unofficial or had approval withdrawn during the design phase, and were therefore never manufactured and awarded:[1]
Ailsby, Christopher (1987). Combat Medals of the Third Reich. Harper Collins. ISBN978-0850598223.
Angolia, John (1987). For Führer and Fatherland: Military Awards of the Third Reich. R. James Bender Publishing. ISBN0912138149.
Littlejohn, David; Dodkins, Colonel C. M. (1968). Orders, Decorations, Medals and Badges of the Third Reich. R. James Bender Publishing, California. ISBN978-0854200801.
Williamson, Gordon (2002). World War II German Battle Insignia. Osprey Publishing. ISBN1841763527.