Original German WWII Uniform Removed Luftwaffe Issued Krim Shield

Original German WWII Uniform Removed Luftwaffe Issued Krim Shield-The Krim Shield was a German World War II campaign award presented to Wehrmacht personnel who served on the Crimean Peninsula during the Eastern Front campaign between September 21, 1941, and July 4, 1942. Instituted by Adolf Hitler on July 25, 1942, the award recognized the 'heroic battles' fought during the successful capture of Crimea by Army Group South, primarily the 11th Army under Generalfeldmarschall Erich von Manstein.The design features a German national eagle clutching a swastika, positioned above a map of Crimea flanked by the dates '1941' and '1942' and the word 'Krim.' The shield was worn on the upper left sleeve of the uniform.Eligibility required participation in one of eight designated battles, being wounded in action, or serving at least three uninterrupted months in the region. It was awarded across all branches of the Wehrmacht, including the Heer, Luftwaffe, and Kriegsmarine.Originally made of steel and later zinc, the shield was issued mounted on a backing cloth in the branch color, making it suitable for stitching onto the uniform. An estimated 200,000 to 300,000 Krim Shields were awarded.This original Luftwaffe-issued Krim Shield is a uniform-removed example from an unknown maker. Crafted from magnetic steel, the shield displays excellent detail with only minimal signs of period wear.It is mounted on Luftwaffe blue wool backing and retains its original black paper backing, which shows a small hole and signs of removal stitching, indicating it was once affixed to a uniform. The piece is secured with dark gray thread, typical of Luftwaffe issue.Overall, this is a very well-preserved example in very good to excellent condition, a fine addition to any collection of Luftwaffe or Eastern Front awards.