| Place | Europe: Germany |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | RELAWM30368.002 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Badge |
| Physical description | Silver-plated metal |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Germany |
| Date made | c 1939 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
German Army Tank Battle Badge
Description
German Army Tank Battle Badge. Oval shaped badge made of silver plated pressed metal with a voided centre. Obverse: A wreath of oak leaves around a Panzer Mk III tank facing right. On top of the wreath is a German Nazi eagle, with folded square wings, holding a swastika in its talons. Reverse: Hollow pressing with a large sun ray screw nut attached to a fixing stud.
History / Summary
The Wehrmacht (Army) Tank Battle badge was introduced on 20 December 1939, in order to recognize the achievements of Panzer personnel who took part in armoured assaults. It was designed by Ernst Wilhelm Peekhaus of Berlin, and was instituted by order of Generaloberst von Brauchitsh. On 6 June 1940 a separate class of the badge, in bronze, was added in order to recognize the crews of armoured vehicles other than tanks (half tracks, assault guns, etc). This badge is part of a collection of Second World War German orders, decorations, badges and insignia acquired by Flight Lieutenant K G Hesketh, RAAF Historical Records Section, who was based in London, but who made a number of visits to Germany immediately after the Second World War.