History

The award was instituted by Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring in 1942. No further details are known.

This award could be received by soldiers that were not members of the Luftwaffe. A single award of a golden (instead of a black) plaque is known.

The plaque is rectangular with a thin raised border. At the top is a Luftwaffe eagle with swastika superimposed over a map of the Mediterranean. The inscription reads: for outstanding technical merits in the South / Kesselring / Generalfeldmarschall / Commander-in-Chief South.

The reverse features a maker mark by the company Lauchhammer. The reverse is semi-hollow.

The plaque was awarded in a black case with white interior, together with an award document.

Fakes from the 1960s made of blackened cast aluminum are known to exist.

The German title of this award is "Ehrenplakette des Oberbefehlshabers Süd".