After the allied breakout from Normandy, the U.S. Third Army's advance towards Germany met with heavy resistance at Metz from a hastily assembled Battle Group Siegroth, consisting of miscellaneous Waffen-SS and Army units, with staff and students from the Metz officer cadet school.

Eligibility was open to all members of Battle Group Siegroth,[1] including soldiers and officials, who had taken part in the fighting at Metz from 27 August to 25 September 1944 for at least seven days, or a lesser time if wounded.

[5] It was worn on the lower left sleeve of the uniform,[5] including by members of Nazi party organisations.

[6] There is evidence that a number were presented prior to the end of the war, although they were not widely distributed.

[7] While many awards were re-designed to remove the swastika, the original cuff title could be worn unaltered as it did not bear this symbol.