Demjansk Shield Entry

[dphillipsd]

I have a Luftwaffe Wehrpass to a soldier who served with Army Group North in a Flak Regiment - reading through the battle entries I noticed that between 1.5.1942 and 9.6.1942 he was involved in operations in the area of Demjansk. Now, I was wondering why he wasn't awarded the Demjansk shield - fighting continued until October, although a breakout was achieved in April. His battle entries at this time are as follows:
7) Kampfe zwischen Ilmen und LadogaSee.
28.12.1942 - 30.04.1942 Abwehr der xxx Wolchow-Ostenline zum Einsatz con Leningrad.
8) Abwehrkampfe sudlich der Ilmensees.
1.5.19142 - 9.6.1942 Erzuingung (Not sure of this word) der Verbindung mit den Truppen in Raum von Demjansk
10.6.1942 - 30.3.1943 (Unsure) Einsatz im Ogr Gab (??) Osten.

He was with the 5/ Flak-Rgt 411

[Gary T]

I thought the Demyansk Shield was only awarded to those who served in the Demyansk pocket i.e. while it was cut off from February to April 1942. Ground communication was re-established on 21st April and therefore your man would not have been entitled.

On the other hand Demyansk Shield entries are quite rare. I have several wehrpasses in my collection whose owners were definitely in the Demyansk pocket at the required time but who do not have a corresponding award. The reason for this is that the awards were made a long time after the event.

The only confirmed award I have was made in February 1944, nearly two years after. And this was to a Hauptmann who had remained with his original unit. Most of my other potential 'awardees' were either dead, invalided out or serving with a unit that hadn't been at Demyansk. Others I have seen have been from late 1943 onwards.

A similar trend is seen with Kuban Shield entries. The two confirmed awards I have were made in October 1944 and February 1945. I have 15 or so WP's where the man should have got the Kuban Shield but again was either killed, invalided or just never received it.

In terms of shield entries the two most common are the Crimea and Lappland. It's always puzzled me why Lappland Shield WPs and SB's cost so much...the dealers always make a play on the 'rare' Lappland Shield entry. In fact it's the second most common one seen!

I have a Luftwaffe Wehrpass to a soldier who served with Army Group North in a Flak Regiment - reading through the battle entries I noticed that between 1.5.1942 and 9.6.1942 he was involved in operations in the area of Demjansk. Now, I was wondering why he wasn't awarded the Demjansk shield - fighting continued until October, although a breakout was achieved in April. His battle entries at this time are as follows:
7) Kampfe zwischen Ilmen und LadogaSee.
28.12.1942 - 30.04.1942 Abwehr der xxx Wolchow-Ostenline zum Einsatz con Leningrad.
8) Abwehrkampfe sudlich der Ilmensees.
1.5.19142 - 9.6.1942 Erzuingung (Not sure of this word) der Verbindung mit den Truppen in Raum von Demjansk
10.6.1942 - 30.3.1943 (Unsure) Einsatz im Ogr Gab (??) Osten.

He was with the 5/ Flak-Rgt 411