A few weeks after the outbreak of World War II, on December 20, 1939, the Silver Tank Assault Badge, known as the Panzerkampfabzeichen in Silber, was established. The Silver Tank Assault Badge was intended for tank crews or tank units. Later, the Bronze Tank Assault Badge, or Panzerkampfabzeichen in Bronze, was established for members of other tank divisions. The prerequisite for awarding the badge was at least three tank actions on three different days. Approximately 22,000 Silver Tank Assault Badges were awarded.
Tank Assault Badge from the early war period, stamped metal made of colored metal (tombak).
Hauptsturmführer Wittmann Michael with his Tiger tank crew, decorated with the Silver Tank Assault Badge.
Tank Assault Badge by manufacturer Juncker Berlin, previously referred to as the “Porsche PAB” on the Wehrmacht-Awards forum due to its exceptional quality, although the name “Porsche” did not represent the actual manufacturer. In the early war period (1940), this type of badge was made of tombak, later changing to zinc alloy until the end of the war.
Obersturmbannführer HANS STERN.
Tank Badge by manufacturer Herman Aurich, made of zinc.
Only six months after the establishment of the Silver Tank Assault Badge, on June 1, 1940, the Bronze Tank Assault Badge (Panzerkampfabzeichen in Bronze) was introduced. It was intended to honor members of rifle regiments, motorized, and tank reconnaissance units who demonstrated action in combat at least three times on three different days. Tank reconnaissance units often had the unenviable and exceptionally dangerous task of scouting ahead of tank units to identify potential obstacles for further advancement. They had to discover hidden infantry units, machine gun nests, or artillery emplacements, which tanks would then destroy, called in via radio. Often, tank reconnaissance units were used as bait, drawing enemy fire to themselves. This exposed the enemy’s position, allowing the valuable tanks to advance relatively unscathed. Due to their modest armor protection, tank reconnaissance units were frequently completely destroyed.
Approximately 12,600 Bronze Tank Assault Badges were awarded.
Tank Assault Badge by Karl Wurster, a collector’s favorite and a rare solid tombak version, known for its exceptional quality.
This is the only tank badge that is massive and made of tombak, while most solid versions are made of zinc. This form is highly sought after by collectors and can reach prices 2-3 times higher than the standard zinc versions.
Tank Badge by Karl Wurster, also made of tombak in the early war period, using the same mold as described above, but with a tombak base.
Silver and bronze tank badges were initially made of colored metal (tombak or Buntmetall), then fine zinc (Feinzink), and later zinc alloy (zink or Kriegsmetall). The value of tombak badges on the collector’s market is approximately twice that of fine zinc versions or three times that of late war zinc versions. Prices range from 450-850 Euros for solid tombak versions, 350-750 Euros for hollow tombak, 280-320 Euros for fine zinc, and 220-280 Euros for zinc. These prices are for well-preserved, undamaged badges.
Tank Badge made of zinc, manufacturer unknown. In the collector’s world, this type of badge was often referred to as “CE Juncker Berlin.”
Exceptionally rare semi-hollow version of the tank badge, manufacturer A.S. – zinc.
On June 22, 1943, a directive from the higher German army command established higher levels for the Silver and Bronze Tank Assault Badges (Panzerkampfabzeichen).
The following levels were awarded based on the number of interventions in action:
To honor veterans and front-line fighters after June 22, 1941, an award was established on July 1, 1942, for higher levels of Tank and General Assault Badges with the number of days in action. Soldiers who possessed a Tank or General Assault Badge were credited days for continuous service on the Eastern Front or in Africa after June 22, 1941. The following system was used:
Orders, injuries (including frostbite), or leave of up to a quarter of the stipulated term did not count as interruptions. Division commanders could award soldiers who, due to serious future injuries, were no longer capable of interventions, with a higher level Tank or General Assault Badge. To qualify, a soldier who had received the second level needed at least 18 days of intervention, for the third level, at least 35 days, and for the fourth level, at least 60 days of intervention.
All badges with intervention marks were made of zinc alloy.
Tank Assault Badges with Markings 25 and 50 were made from the same mold; the only difference was in the plate indicating days of frontline activity.
Tank Assault Badges with Markings 75 and 100 were also made from the same mold; the only difference was in the plate indicating days of frontline activity.
Generalmajor DR. Franz Bäke
Tank Assault Badge for 25 days of active service, manufacturer Josef Feix & Sohn of Gablonz (JFS).
The badge has a repaired attachment pin and hook dating from the wartime period.
Tank Assault Badge of the Condor Legion, considered extremely rare and accordingly priced on the market, reaching prices of 4500 – 6000 Euros.
Holder of Oak Leaves with Swords and Diamonds, Oberstgruppenführer Sepp (Josef) Dietrich, with the First World War tank badge attached.
Timeless-History
