1.PZ.ABW.ABT.655 - Panzer-Abwehr-Abteilung 655

Erkennungsmarke - 1.PZ.ABW.ABT.655 - Panzer-Abwehr-Abteilung 655

The tag is made from aluminium, the standard material used by the Wehrmacht for identification discs during the Second World War. It features the typical oval shape with central break line and suspension holes, allowing the disc to be snapped in half if required for casualty identification. One half remained with the fallen soldier while the other half was collected for official records.

Unit Markings

Stamped on both halves:

1. PZ. ABW. ABT. 655

Meaning:

1. Kompanie – Panzer-Abwehr-Abteilung 655
   (1st Company, Anti-Tank Battalion 655)

The number “21” represents the individual soldier’s identification number within the unit.

Historical Background – Panzer-Abwehr-Abteilung 655

Panzer-Abwehr-Abteilung 655 was a German Army anti-tank battalion formed during the expansion of specialized anti-armor units in the Wehrmacht.

During the early years of the war, Panzer-Abwehr units were responsible for protecting infantry formations from enemy tanks. These battalions were equipped primarily with towed anti-tank guns (PaK – Panzerabwehrkanone) and operated either independently or attached to infantry divisions and army corps.

Typical equipment used by such units included:

3.7 cm PaK 36 anti-tank gun (early war)

5 cm PaK 38

7.5 cm PaK 40 anti-tank gun (later war)

As armored warfare intensified, many Panzer-Abwehr formations were later redesignated as Panzerjäger units, often receiving self-propelled tank destroyers in addition to towed guns.

Anti-tank battalions like Panzer-Abwehr-Abteilung 655 played a critical role on all major fronts of the war, particularly on the Eastern Front, where large Soviet armored formations required specialized defensive and ambush tactics.

Condition

• Original field-used aluminium dog tag


• Clear and legible unit stamping


• Standard split-disc design


• Honest age patina consistent with wartime manufacture

Collector Significance

Original unit-identified Wehrmacht Erkennungsmarken are highly collectible because they directly connect to an individual soldier and specific military formation.

Dog tags from specialized combat units such as anti-tank battalions are particularly desirable among collectors focusing on armoured warfare, Panzer units, and Eastern Front history.

This example represents an authentic piece of German WWII military history and would make a strong addition to any Wehrmacht, Panzer, or identification tag collection.