The Dunkirk Shield (Projected)

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Time Period: Nazi Germany (Interwars Period, World War II)
Institution: Never instituted officially.
Country: Germany

The Dunkirk Shield (or Dünkirchenschild in German) was a projected World War II German military decoration to be awarded to German forces that took part in the Siege of Dunkirk (1944–45).

In a directive dated September 4, 1944, Adolf Hitler had Dunkirk declared a fortress (this included the port itself and the city of Dunkirk). As part of the defense of the Dunkirk Fortress, which began with the Allied invasion of Normandy, the idea soon arose under the leadership of Vice Admiral Friedrich Frisius to create a kind of memorial shield for the trapped 12,000 to 15,000 German defenders.

Dunkirk Fortress finally surrendered to French, British and Czech units on May 9, 1945. During the siege, Frisius had the so-called Dunkirk Shield made from makeshift metal supplies and distributed to the soldiers of the army, navy and probably also an unknown number of Wehrmacht followers in order to strengthen their sense of community. The “award” of the shield was confirmed by its entry in the pay book.

The Dunkirk Shield Design

The Dunkirk Shield was made from the remaining siege metal supplies (sheet iron and non-ferrous metal). Its width is approximately 34 mm, and its height is 41 mm. The shape corresponds to the shape of a shield, with the Dunkirk lighthouse depicted in the middle.

The number 19 is stamped on the left, and the year 44 is stamped on the right (1944). You can read DUENKIRCHEN in capital letters about the lighthouse0. On the lower side of the shield, there is an anchor chain and relief from raised sea waves.

More Nazi Germany Shields (Ärmelschilde)

These campaign shields were awarded to members of the Wehrmacht (the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945). They were given for participation in specific battles or campaigns and worn on the left upper arm of the uniform jacket.