Patch “For the destroyed tank” ( German: “Sonderabzeichen für das Niederkämpfen von Panzerkampfwagen durch Einzelkämpfer” ) - Patch , German military award [2] from the Third Reich . He had two degrees - the first and second.
| Patch “For the destroyed tank” | ||
|---|---|---|
| him. Sonderabzeichen für das Niederkämpfen von Panzerkampfwagen durch Einzelkämpfer | ||
| ||
| A country |  Germany | |
| Type of | sleeve insignia | |
| To whom is awarded | Wehrmacht soldiers | |
| Award Basis | destruction of a tank with a handgun or grenade | |
| Status | not awarded | |
| Statistics | ||
| Established | March 9, 1942 | |
| Number of awards | more than 10 thousand people [1] | |
History
Established on March 9, 1942 to award soldiers who destroyed an enemy tank or other armored vehicles with hand weapons in battle. In addition, all German army personnel who destroyed enemy armored vehicles from June 22, 1941 , should have been awarded this badge. Initially, the sign had only one degree, but over time it became necessary to introduce a higher degree. On December 18, 1943, the 1st degree of the award was established, respectively, the initial version of the mark received the status of the 2nd degree. This sign could not be awarded to soldiers from anti - tank artillery and tank units.
The criteria for awarding the badge “For a destroyed tank” were as follows:
- 2nd degree (with silver ribbon) - for the destruction of one enemy tank;
- 1st degree (with a golden ribbon) - for the destruction of 5 enemy tanks.
Description
The 2nd Degree For Destroyed Tank badge consisted of a symbolic image of the PzKpfw IV tank mounted on a silver award ribbon. The image of the tank was made of bronze , followed by blackening , the size of the “tank” was 43 × 18 mm, it was attached using three teeth and a small metal plate in the center of the award ribbon from a metallized thread. Two millimeters from the edge of the ribbon, top and bottom, was trimmed with two thin four-millimeter strips embroidered with black thread. The tape size was 88 × 32 mm. The ribbon for the 1st degree badge was made of gold-colored metallized thread, the image of the tank was made of bronze, but had a gold-plated finish. Towards the end of the war, when awarded with the 1st degree badge, they used a “tank” from the 2nd degree badge.
The sign was worn at the top of the right sleeve, the fastening method is thread. Each subsequent sign was attached below the previous one (but not more than four signs of the 2nd degree). After the destruction of the fifth tank, signs of the 2nd degree should be replaced by a sign of the 1st degree. When destroying the next enemy tank, the next badge (2nd class) was attached below the 1st grade badge.
The holder of the largest number of signs “For the destroyed tank” became Oberleutant Gunter Wiesenz, who destroyed 21 enemy tanks. In total, more than 10 thousand people were awarded the sign “For the destroyed tank” [3] .
Notes
- ↑ The photo shows a wax figure of a Wehrmacht soldier from the National Museum of Military History in Luxembourg . On the right sleeve of the uniform two sleeve signs of both degrees are depicted (white - 2nd degree, gold - 1st degree)
- ↑ Tank Destruction Badge (Lexikon der Wehrmacht)
- ↑ Award List // axishistory.com