Rare Erkennungsmarke 2. Pz. R. 15 NA. Z.

Rare Erkennungsmarke 2. Pz. R. 15 NA. Z. indicating 2. Kompanie Panzer Regiment 15, Nachrichten Zug. This unit served with the 5. and later the 11. Panzer Division. At the beginning of the Allied offensive in southern France, the regiment was relocated to the Rhône Valley in early 1944 to provide defensive support. From here, the regiment fought its way back to Belfort. From there, it moved to the Saarpfalz and was in the Trier combat area in January 1945. The regiment then crossed the Rhine at Remagen, where it was destroyed. Remnants ended up in Hessen and Thuringia.

This is a interesting stainless steel example with a steel chain. Reading several books I can remember that having a steel chain as a Panzer crewmember makes sense; when a tank burns out totally the Erkennungsmarke normally drops to the floor of the vehicle, making the body impossible to identify. A very nice original Erkennungsmarke in top condition, very hard to upgrade!