Veteran Bring Back German WWII Panzer Assault Badge in Bronze by Aurich-These Aurich bronze badges are difficult to find, we have a textbook one here. The finish is in place to the majority of this badge, but you can see that this badge may have been stored someplace damp. The right side of the badge has the white rust we see on these solid zinc badges. Please be sure to look at the photos. Unfortunately, the pin on this badge is frozen. This has the crimped hinge setup that Aurich is known for, that has corroded shut. There is verdigris to the hinge, that you can see in the photos. Overall, this is a good looking badge by a very popular maker. In very good condition. It is marked on the reverse with the stylized “A” for H. Aurich. An example of this badge is referred to as “1.8.1” in the Panzer Assault Badge Book series by Phillipe DeBock (see pages 212-213). The other cool thing is that this panzer badge was brought home by a US veteran. We will be sure to supply the name of this soldier to the buyer. A classic badge and a great way to add one to your new collection.
History: The German tank badge was instituted by an order from Colonel-General von Brauchitsch in December of 1939. Designed by the well-known artist Ernst Peekhaus, the production of the badge was given initially to the firm C.E. Juncker. But as the war progressed and many other German awards were produced, manufacture was distributed to other firms as well. The award was open to all Panzer officers, NCOs and other ranks, who had been engaged in at least three assaults on three separate occasions. The bronze version extended the award to other affiliated units such as Panzer grenadiers, armored car personnel, medical and signals units.