Nice set consisting of an original 'Demjansk' Shield and Iron Cross 1st Class with their Award Documents. Both awarded to 'Unteroffizier Wilhelm Höpken'. On 1 September 1939 Hitler reinstituted the Iron Cross (First time in 1813). The first class medal was for award to personnel who performed three to five acts of bravery in combat, and had already been awarded the Iron Cross second class. The cross has a three piece construction. The cross is non-maker marked and has a magnetic core. The pin and catch are in good functional condition. The Award Document is dated 25 january 1943 and personally signed by 'Generalmajor Walther Riße'. 

The 'Demjansk' Campaign shield was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 25 April 1943 and was intended for award to personnel who participated in the defence and the eventual break out of the besieged Russian village of Demjansk (8 February 1941 till 21 April 1942). About 100.000 examples of the shield have been awarded, to personnel who served in the area for sixty or more days, were wounded, or flew fifty flights over the area during the engagement. The shield is the so-called 'missing-log' type which does have a die-flaw above the 'k' and a flay on the '9'. The shield is complete with metal backplate and original protective backing paper. Example in good used condition. The Demjansk award document is a rare variant in good condition, awarded on 1 April 1944. At that time Wilhelm was a member of the '2./Füs.Btl.225'. Nice and rare set in good used condition!