4.Btr./Art.Rgt.42 Erkennungsmarke

The tag or 'Erkennungsmarke' shows overall normal signs of wear. It belonged to a soldier who served within the 4.batterie II.Abteilung Artillerie Regiment 42. This abteilung was formed in October 1935 in Osnabrück. In the autumn of 1937 the abteilung of the regiment became motorized and a year later it helped to formed the II.Abteilung Artillerie Regiment 62. 
During the invasion of Belgium and then France Artillerie Regiment 42 served under the VI.Armeekorps. After the defeat of France the regiment stayed in France and operated on the Channel Coast. In March 1941 it moved east to prepare for the invasion of Russia. As part of the XXIV.Armeekorps it operated in areas like Minsk, Smolensk, Kiew, Belgorod and Don. In May 1944 the 4.-5.Batterie was put into action on the Krim with only 6 guns each.
In October 1944 both batteries were used to form the IV.Abteilung Volks Artillerie Korps 388 and it was part of the 2.Fallschirmkorps and at the end of 1944 it was part of the I.SS-Panzerkorps and participated in the Ardennes Offensive.
The 'A' on both parts of the tag stands for the soldier's bloodtype.