WW2 (Hungary) Budapest Commemorative Campaign Shield - Reproduction

The Budapest Commemorative Campaign Shield, also known as the "Budapest 1944/45 Battle Shield", was designed to confer upon those who participated in the Battle for Budapest from 26 December 1944 to 13 February 1945, the defense of which was by Hungarian and German Soldiers following the Soviet & Romanian armies siege on the city.

The shield was intended to be worn on the shoulder, as an Arm Shield, and would have come with a cloth backing (stock photo included for context) affixed to the reverse for application to the uniform sleeve.

DESCRIPTION:
Depicts a side relief of the city of Budapest with Junker aircraft parachuting canisters on the city. Below the city is embossed, "Budapest 1944/45", and above, an eagle - -this particular copy is without the swastika. On other copies, you'll find a swastika centered on the eagle's lower chest (stock photo included for context).

Etymology:
This is an interesting piece. Although the physical piece itself is a reproduction, the design is not, and is original. The physical production of the shield was never realized and thus, only the (paper) design survived the war and is thus, a period design. Any physical copies would be American made reproductions. Beginning in the early 2000s (ca. 2003), "the Americans" began producing the shields using the period design. Any physical copies in circulation are not period produced (with or without swastika) and would be American made copies - No period copies were ever produced. BUT, the design itself IS authentic.

HISTORY:
The siege of Budapest (Battle of Budapest) was a 50-day encirclement by Soviet and Romanian forces at the climax of World War II. The siege began when Budapest, defended by Hungarian and German forces, was encircled by the Red Army and the Romanian Army on 26 December 1944. Budapest unconditionally surrendered on 13 February 1945 which resulted in a strategic victory for the Allies as they continued towards Berlin.

Note: Multiple in stock...Shipped item may not be exactly as appears in the photos - may contain slight variation in color/standard age wear. Also, stock photo (w/green cloth and swastika) included for context is not the item for sale or the shipped item.
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