German Identity Discs "Erkennungsmarken".
The first recorded instance of the
Germans (Prussians) using identity tags dates from the battle of Königgratz
in 1866. Prior to 1932, when the "accepted" WW2 type of disc was
introduced there were several types, rectangular/oval. All the Army/SS tags
shown here are 1939/45 vintage.
Measuring 7cm across German Army discs (Erkennungsmarke) were initially made of aluminium but as the war progressed this became harder to come by. From around 1941 discs were also produced in zinc or other pot metals were used. As one might expect the material a disc is produced in will not necessarily lead one to conclude that the inscription relates to an early disc, if aluminium or a late disc if in zinc or steel.
A units ordnance section, it was this part of the company that was usually responsible for stamping discs would very often keep blank spares, so it is the details stamped onto the disc and not the disc itself which can often tell us more about the wearer!
The disc was made up of two halves, usually with identical details, unit, blood group and depot roster number (Stammrollnummer) on each half.
Regulations stated that discs should be stamped with the roster number below the unit designation. In practice, with the shape of the disc being oval. there are many exceptions to this rule, as seen here.
In the event of a soldier being killed the top half was buried with the body, the bottom half returned to Company HQ for their records. The first three discs shown are zinc. The sixth one is alloy, and belonged to a soldier in Motorised Flak Battalion 1/608. Blood group A Roster number 1, this low number could indicate the commander of this unit.
Below: American medics give first aid to a wounded German army POW during the Normandy campaign.
The prisoner has already been given a preliminary search by his captors, as they look for concealed weapons or items of intelligence related material that may be of use to HQ. As part of this search they have probably already taken note of the soldiers erkennungsmarke, which can be clearly seen around his neck in the archive photograph. (Photo Signal Corps/Lerenfort).
