Germany, Heer. A Rare Award Document for a Sardinia Shield

(Sardinienschild Verleihungsurkunde). A rare and extremely well-preserved award document for a Sardinia Shield, constructed of off-white paper with black ink, unissued, measuring 101 mm (w) x 133 mm (h), with a central crease from folding, in overall extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Introduced in July 1943, the Sardinia Shield was an unofficial award in the form of a cap badge worn exclusively by personnel of the 90th Panzer Grenadier Division, which was formed on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia. From there the unit was deployed to the Italian mainland to halt the Allied advance north. The division saw continuous combat until April 1945, when it finally surrendered to the Brazilian Expeditionary Force.