Ortkommandantur III/879 EKM (Leiden/Venlo)

The tag or 'Erkennungsmarke' shows overall normal signs of wear. It belonged to an Ortskommandantur III/879 Schutzgruppe soldier. The Ortskommandantur was the local headquarters of the Wehrmacht. Ortskommandantur 879 was formed in late August 1940 and moved soon after to the Dutch city of Leiden and later that same year it moved to Venlo. 

The Schutzgruppe was to serve as auxiliary troops of the Wehrmacht in the event of riots and strikes, guarding buildings, bridges, stations, railway lines, harbour and other important objects. These where men aged 18 - 65 who where not in active military service. This changed after the invasion of the 6th of June 1944 when the Schutzgruppe was called up for surveillance purposes. The men then actually entered military service and had the same duties and rights as all soldiers in the Wehrmacht.
Hard to find tag.