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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
Macher, Karl Heinz (Waffen SS)* December 31st, 1919
† December 21st, 2001

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Malotki, von, Wolfgang (Grenadier-Regiment 45)* February 25th, 1921
† July 12th, 2002

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Massa, Wilhelm Karl* September 23rd, 1914
† July 20th, 1991

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Meilchen, Ernst* December 14th, 1914

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Meinecke, Bruno* May 25th, 1908
† November 29th, 1980

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Meitzel, Helmut* April 24th, 1920
† July 9th, 2004

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Mende, Dr. jur., Erich* October 28th, 1916
† May 6th, 1998

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Menzel, Joachim Friedrich Paul (Flak)* October 11th, 1914
† January 3rd, 2005

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Merkel, Herbert-Dietrich (Pz-Gren.Reg.304)* November 21st, 1914
† November 26th, 1986

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Meseck-Selchow, Siegfried* February 25th, 1915
† October 20th, 2009

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Meyercordt, Walter Dr.* February 5th, 1919

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Michael, Georg Roland Burchard* February 10th, 1917
† January 19th, 1944

Michael, von, Friedrich-August* March 10th, 1917
† July 20th, 2007

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Mickley, Hubert (Grenadier-Regiment 4)* April 11th, 1918
† December 30th, 1944
Plot: 3 Row: 2 Grave: 50

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Mogl, Franz* October 5th, 1916
† October 18th, 1943
Grave: UNK

Monnheimer, Heinz* February 25th, 1922
† March 27th, 2016

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Mooijman, Gerardus Leonardus* September 23rd, 1923
† June 21st, 1987

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Most, Jakob* March 5th, 1917
† May 23rd, 2001

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Mozer, Werner* January 5th, 1920
† December 19th, 2000

Mummert, Werner (Generalmajor d.R.)* March 31st, 1897
† January 28th, 1950

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Myhrvold, Gøsta† March 9th, 1944

Müller, Georg 'Geo' (Infanterie-Regiment 321)* May 30th, 1918
† April 2nd, 1955

Müller, Georg Paul* September 19th, 1914

Müller, Heinrich (WH-Gren.Rgt. 464)* February 6th, 1914
† December 16th, 1944

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Müller, Herbert Kurt Artur* August 3rd, 1923

Müller, Wilhelm* January 12th, 1917

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Müller-Schlomka, Johannes (Panzergrenadier-Reg.4)* January 3rd, 1919
† February 15th, 1943

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Möller, Hans-Walter (Inf.Rgt. 58)* April 29th, 1919
† March 28th, 1970

Möller, Heinrich Emil (Grenadier-Regiment 124)* November 19th, 1916
† July 10th, 1993

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Sources