3./Pz.Abw.Abt.196 Erkennungsmarke

The dog tag or 'Erkennungsmarke' shows signs of wear. The abteilung was formed in September 1939 as Panzerjager Abteilung 196 with 2 companies. It was part of the 196.Infanterie-Division. In October 1944 a new Panzerabwehr Abteiling 196 was formed. In November it was expended with a 3rd company. It was still part of the division and during that time stationed and fought in Nordukraine in the area os Beskiden. In Januari 1945 it was in Hungary and fought in Raum Tata-Tarjan-Bajna-Sarisap-Coslnok where it was surrounded by enemy forces. They managed to punch a hole in Russian defences and pulled back to Noden. They marched back over to Donau to the area of Pressburg and then to Raum Freistadt where they surrendered to the Americans. Parts of the division were handed over to the Russians.
On the back of the tag there is a (pow)number carved in A.843287/200. The tag is broken, but complete.