History

The Tank Crew Commemorative Badge was instituted on July 13, 1921 by the Reichswehr Minister. It is a commemorative badge for the former crews of German tank personnel of the First World War. The badge was awarded to military personnel regardless of rank who participated in at least three combat actions as crew members of German and captured Entente tanks or were wounded in action in this capacity.

The obverse of the vertically oval shaped badge features an A7V tank in the centre. It is surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves on the left and laurel on the right side. The wreath is tied at the bottom by a ribbon. At the top sits a skull with crossed bones of the "Brunswick" type.

The reverse usually features a horizontal pin with a catching hook.

The badge was worn on the left chest.

In total 99 badges were awarded. Probably the most famous holder of the Tank Crew Commemorative Badge was Josef "Sepp" Dietrich who became a Generaloberst of the Waffen-SS during the Second World War.