Technical Information - by Mike Pinkus

The German tank combat badge or “Panzerkampfabzeichen” was established on December 20^th, 1936 by the army commander in chief.  The design of the badge was done by famed badge designer Ernst Peekhaus (Berlin).  The badge was authorized for wear by officers and enlisted men who were attached to armored units from 1 January 1940 and served in one of the following positions:  tank commander, tank driver, tank gunner, or tank radioman.

The “crewmembers” had to serve in these positions for a minimum of three tank engagements on three different days to qualify for this award. The panzer division commander was the authorizing authority for this award.  The badge was to be issued with an award document.

This award was initially only given in the silver variation, however on 1 June 1940 the bronze version was authorized for qualifying members of Panzer-Grenadier regiments; as well as medical personnel who rode into combat on an armored vehicle to attend to wounded soldiers.  Personnel who were assigned to armored cars were also authorized to wear the bronze award at this time.  The “Panzerkampfabzeichen” was worn on the left breast of the recipients uniform.

In June of 1943 it was realized that higher variants of this award were necessary to represent the long and continuous service of the German tankers.  Consequently numbered versions of the tank combat badge were authorized in “25”, “50”, “75”, and “100” variants. The design was basically the same with small numbered plaques attached indicating the level of the award.

This page is primarily concerned with illustrating the makers of the basic award, their variants, and fakes that are available on the market and to help the collector realize the differences between these.  It is my hope, that all variants of original examples will be identified on this page through verbiage as well as pictures.  I welcome the support of the collecting community at large in sending me pictures/descriptions of original examples that are not discussed on this page.