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Panzervernichtungsabzeichen in Silber

The tank destruction badge in silver was instituded by Hitler on March 9, 1942 to honor individuals (anti-tank units were not eligible for this award) who single handedly destroyed an enemy tank with hand held explosives such as a panzerfaust, satchel charge or grenade. This award was made retroactive to the beginning of the invasion of the Soviet Union (June 22, 1941).

The tank destruction badge consists of a blackened 43mm x 18mm Panzer Mk IV tank attached to a 33mm x 88 mm 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 solver ribbon includes a 4mm black cotton stripe running horizontally 2mm from the upper and lower edges of the ribbon.

Award Criteria:
The single handed destruction of an enemy tank by use of hand held weapons such as a panzerfaust, satchel charge, hand grenade, etc.
Anti-tank units were not eligible for this award.

Original institution text:

Bekanntmachung des Oberkommandos des Heeres vom 9. März 1942:

"... Der Führer genehmigt die Einführung eines Sonderabzeichens für das Niederkämpfen von Panzerkampfwagen durch Einzelkämpfer. ...

2. Das Sonderabzeichen wird an Soldaten verliehen, die ab 22. Juni 1941 als Einzelkämpfer mit Nahkampfwaffen oder Nahkampfmitteln (Panzerbüchse, Gewehrgranate, geballte Ladung usw.) einen feindlichen Panzerkampfwagen oder sonstiges feindliches gepanzertes Fahrzeug im
Nahkampf vernichtet oder außer Gefecht gesetzt haben.

3. Das Abzeichen besteht aus einem Band aus Aluminiumgespinst von etwa 90 mm Länge und 32 mm Breite mit zwei eingewirkten schwarzen Streifen (3 mm breit), auf dem die aus Blech gestanzte Silhouette eines Panzerkampfwagens in schwarz angebracht ist.

4. Bei erneuter Verleihung wird ein weiterer Ärmelstreifen angelegt."

Bidermann, Gottlob-Herbert* August 28th, 1920
† September 1st, 2010

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Grid List
Haderecker, Hermann* April 27th, 1915
† August 5th, 2001

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Haen, Rudolf Melchior Arthur Maria* March 12th, 1915
† May 9th, 1945

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Hannappel, Johannes Hugo* December 29th, 1912
† August 26th, 1943

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Harmel, Artur Heinrich "Heinz" (Waffen SS)* June 29th, 1906
† September 2nd, 2000

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Harnack, Martin Georg* February 28th, 1921
† June 3rd, 1984

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Hartmann, Leo (Panzer-Kompanie "Breslau")* August 3rd, 1912
† September 4th, 1995

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Haschberger, Max (Grenadier-Regiment 481)* July 29th, 1913
† January 15th, 2002

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Heichele, Josef Anton(Füselier-Bataillon 129)* October 15th, 1914
† November 8th, 2001

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Heuer, Heinz* March 2nd, 1918
† January 6th, 2002

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Hiebsch, Oskar* July 24th, 1903

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Hilber, Emil* January 3rd, 1921

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Hirning, Hans (Waffen SS)* November 14th, 1922
† April 30th, 1945

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Hirsch, Erich Karl* February 12th, 1913

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Hofer, Willibald* May 2nd, 1913
† August 12th, 1942

Hund, Willi (Waffen SS)* February 23rd, 1923
† April 30th, 2002

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Hülse, Wilhelm Helmut* February 14th, 1915
† May 10th, 1945

Hülsmann, Bernhard (Flak-Regiment 4)* September 12th, 1920
† April 1945

Häusler, Karl† September 15th, 1944

Hönscheid, Johannes Matthias* July 14th, 1922
† March 2nd, 2001

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Sources