Tank Destruction Badge

WW2 German military decoration

Award

Tank Destruction Badge
short: Panzervernichtungsabzeichen

Tank Destruction Badge in Gold and Silver

Type| Badge
Awarded for| Destroying an enemy tank with a hand-held weapon
Presented by| Nazi Germany
Eligibility| Military personnel
Campaign(s)| World War II
Status| Obsolete
Established| 9 March 1942
Total recipients| Approx. 18,500 Silver
Approx. 400 Gold

The Tank Destruction Badge (German: Sonderabzeichen für das Niederkämpfen von Panzerkampfwagen durch Einzelkämpfer) was a World War II German military decoration awarded to individuals of the Wehrmacht who had single-handedly destroyed an enemy tank or an armored combat vehicle using a hand-held weapon.[1] Anti-tank units were ineligible for this award. It was established on 9 March 1942, but could be awarded for actions dating back to 22 June 1941 (the start of Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union). Prior to the introduction of this award, the soldier would be awarded the General Assault Badge for the action.[1]

On 18 December 1943, the OKH introduced a gold class that recognised the single-handed destruction of five tanks. A soldier could therefore have four silver badges which would all be replaced by a gold version upon the destruction of a fifth tank (to which separate silver could be added thereafter).[1]

## Variations

[edit]

The tank destruction badge featured a blackened 42 mm by 18 mm Panzer IV tank attached to an 88 mm by 33 mm silver band. 2 mm from the top and bottom edges ran 4 mm black stripes. The badge was pinned to the sleeve, and then was "sewn on". It had a cloth or cotton backing.[2]

The gold award was similar except for a gold bullion wire background with black horizontal stripes. It featured a silver wash to the tank, instead of a black wash.[3]

* Silver - presented for each tank destroyed.[1]
* Gold - for five tanks destroyed.[1]

One noted recipient was Günther Viezenz, who destroyed 21 enemy tanks.[1]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f Angolia 1987, p. 109.
2. ^ Angolia 1987, pp. 110, 111, 113.
3. ^ Angolia 1987, p. 113.

## References

[edit]

* Angolia, John (1987). For Führer and Fatherland: Military Awards of the Third Reich. R. James Bender Publishing. ISBN 0912138149.

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Orders, decorations, and medals of Nazi Germany

Decorations to all services|

* Bandit-warfare Badge
* Clasp to the Iron Cross
* Condor Legion Tank Badge
* Driver Proficiency Badge
* Eastern Medal
* German Cross
* German Occupation Medals
* Grand Cross of the Iron Cross
* Honour Roll Clasp
* Iron Cross
* Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
* Spanish Cross
* War Merit Cross
* War Merit Medal
* Wehrmacht Long Service Award
* West Wall Medal
* Wound Badge

Wehrmacht / Waffen-SS|

* Army Anti-Aircraft Badge
* Blue Division Medal
* Close Combat Clasp
* General Assault Badge
* Infantry Assault Badge
* Mountain Guide Badge
* Panzer Badge
* Sniper's Badge
* Tank Destruction Badge

Luftwaffe|

* Aircrew Badge
* Air Gunner Badge
* Anti-Aircraft Flak Battle Badge
* Aviator badge
* Balloon Observer's Badge
* Flyer's Commemorative Badge
* Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe
* Glider Pilot Badge
* Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe
* Luftwaffe Honor Goblet
* Luftwaffe Honor plate
* Observer Badge
* Parachutist Badge
* Pilot/Observer Badge
* Radio Operator Badge

Kriegsmarine|

* Auxiliary Cruiser Badge
* Blockade Runner Badge
* Destroyer War Badge
* Fast Attack Craft War Badge
* High Seas Fleet Badge
* Minesweeper War Badge
* Naval Artillery War Badge
* Naval Front Clasp
* U-boat Front Clasp
* U-boat War Badge

‎Campaign Shields|

* Cholm Shield
* Crimea Shield
* Demyansk Shield
* Kuban Shield
* Lapland Shield
* Narvik Shield
* Warsaw Shield

‎Campaign Cuff Titles|

* Crete Cuff Title
* Africa Cuff Title
* Metz 1944 Cuff Title
* Courland Cuff Title

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