Tank Destruction Badge
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| Tank Destruction Badge | |
|---|---|
 German Soldier wearing the Golden and Silver Award National Museum of Military History (Luxembourg) |
|
| Awarded by Nazi Germany | |
| Type | Badge |
| Eligibility | Military personnel only |
| Awarded for | Destroying an enemy tank with hand held explosives |
| Campaign | World War II |
| Statistics | |
| Established | March 9, 1942 |
| Distinct recipients |
~18.500 (Silver) ~400 (Gold) |
The Tank Destruction Badge (German language: Sonderabzeichen für das Niederkämpfen von Panzerkampfwagen durch Einzelkämpfer) in silver was instituted by Adolf Hitler on March 9, 1942 to honor individuals who single handedly destroyed an enemy tank with hand held explosives. This award was made retroactive to the beginning of the invasion of the Soviet Union (June 22, 1941).
As individuals earned multiple badges, it became evident that a higher class was needed. Therefore on December 18, 1943, a gold class was instituted to signify the single-handed destruction of five tanks.
The tank destruction badge consists of a blackened 43mm x 18mm Panzer IV tank attached to a 33mm x 88mm silver ribbon. The tank is attached to the ribbon by three prongs bent over a small oblong metal plate, and covered with black cotton. The silver ribbon includes a 4mm black cotton stripe running horizontally 2mm from the upper and lower edges of the ribbon.
The gold award is the same with a few notable exceptions. The ribbon is made of gold cellon or gold bullion wire, and the early awards include a silver wash on the tank. Later awards use the blackened tank of the silver class.
Contents |
[edit] Award Criteria
The tank destruction badge was awarded to soldiers who destroyed an enemy tank single handedly by a hand held weapon. Anti-tank units were not eligible for this award.
[edit] Silver Award
The single handed destruction of an enemy tank by use of hand held weapons such as a hand grenade, panzerfaust, satchel charge, etc.
[edit] Gold Award
The single handed destruction of five enemy tanks using hand held weapons such as a hand grenade, panzerfaust, satchel charge, etc.
[edit] Notable recipients
| Name | Tank Kills | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Günther Viezenz | 21 | |
| Michael Pössinger | 5 | |
| Franz Bäke | 3 | |
| Hans Dorr | 2 | |
| Sylvester Stadler | 2 | |
| Günther-Eberhardt Wisliceny | 2 | |
| Karl Auer | 1 | |
| Ernst-Günther Baade | 1 | |
| Rudolf Demme | 1 | |
| Heinz-Georg Lemm | 1 | |
| Werner Mummert | 1 | |
| Joachim Peiper | 1 |
