A Luftwaffe Crimea Shield Award Document To Motorized Flak Regiment 14

A Luftwaffe “Krim Schield” award document to Obergefreiten Wilhelm Thielke of the 1. Batterie 1./ Motorized Flak Regiment 14. The document was issued at the Regiment headquarters on March 20th, 1943, and features the facsimile of Generalfeldmarschall Manstein towards the bottom, with a stamp of the regiment’s seal towards the bottom left. The document measures 296 mm x 209 mm, and has been folded, in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: General Field Marschall Erich von Manstein (1887-1973) was a recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords, and was one of the most influential Generals of the war, fighting on both the Western and Eastern Front. However, he was highly critical of Hitler’s way of leading the war, so in early 1944 he was dismissed from his command.