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 disk 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Measuring 7cm across German Army discs (Erkennungsmarke) were originally made of aluminium. As the war progressed this became harder to come by, so zinc or other pot metals were used. The disc was made up of two halves, usually with identical details, unit, blood group and depot roster number (Stammrollnummer) on each half. Discs produced later in the war do not always follow 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.

Kriegsmarine Erkennungsmarken are smaller than Army discs, being only 5cm wide.
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).

Exhibits List

Next Exhibit