Tank Destruction Badge

Prior to the introduction of this award, the soldier would be awarded the General Assault Badge for the action. 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).

• Name — Tank Destruction Badge short: Panzervernichtungsabzeichen • Presenter — Nazi Germany • Type — Badge • Eligibility — Military personnel • Awarded For — Destroying an enemy tank with a hand-held weapon • Campaign — World War II • Status — Obsolete • Established — 9 March 1942 • Total Recipients — Approx. 18,500 Silver Approx. 400 Gold

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. 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. • Silver - presented for each tank destroyed. • Gold - for five tanks destroyed. One noted recipient was Günther Viezenz, who destroyed 21 enemy tanks.