It was awarded to Wehrmacht forces who fought at the Kuban bridgehead in the Soviet Union from February 1943 until it was abandoned in October 1943.

[1] The shield was struck in sheet metal or zinc and treated with a bronzed wash.

Similar in design to the Crimea Shield, it features a German eagle with outstretched wings clutching a laurel wreath containing a swastika.

[4] After an initial ban, the Federal Republic of Germany re-authorised the wear of many World War II military decorations in 1957.

[6] Approximately 50,000 service personnel qualified for the shield,[3] with up to five examples issued to each recipient, enabling them to be permanently attached to each tunic and greatcoat.