5.Btr./Art.Rgt.51 EKM (Italy)

The tag or 'Erkennungsmarke' shows overall signs of wear. It belonged to a soldier who served in the 5.batterie Artillerie Regiment 51. The II.Abteilung (4.-6.Batterie) was formed in October 1935. Two of the batteries wre equipped with 15cm heavy howitsers and 1 batterie with 10cm howitsers. During the invasion of France it was part of Heeresgruppe C. In June 1941 it participated in the battles in Russia and in the following months it was part of different army groups. 
In September 1942 the Abteilung was used to form the II.Abteilung Panzer Artillerie Abteilung 127 which was part of the 27.Panzer-Division. A new II.Abteilung Artillerie Regiment 51 was formed short after which was a light artillerie unit which was part of the XXI.Gebirgs-Armeekorps in September 1943. In the last stages of the war it was put into action in Italy as part of the 4.Armee.  
The 'A' on both parts of the tag stands for the soldier's bloodtype.