wwii axis reenactment forum

Panzervernichtungsabzeichen - David vs. Goliath

During the course of World War II several brave German soldiers distinguished themselves in combat by taking out tanks or armored vehicles with hand held weapons.

In an effort to award and encourage such bravery the Panzervernichtungsabzeichen was instituted on March 9th, 1942.

The Panzervernichtungsabzeichen was to be awarded to individuals who single handedly destroyed an enemy tank with hand held explosives such as a panzerfaust, satchel charge or grenade

The award was worn on the upper right arm of the tunic with subsequent awards being attached directly below the first one until four were attached at one time. On the award of a fifth badge, the four were taken off the uniform and replaced with a single gold badge (December 18, 1943)



1.’’Typ erkennen, swächen wissen’’

The soldiers must know what type of tank they are dealing with. Know it's weaknesses and how to knock it out.

2. ‘’Toter raum, wo droht gefahr?’

What is the best way to approach your target ? what are the blindspots of the armored vehicle ot tank ?
Certainly don't walk in front of the viewports and the guns on the tank or Armored vehicle.



3.’’Gelände und deckung’’

Make use of the terrain and it's vegetation.

4.’’Wer lauft, stirbt!’’

Don't run ! Take your time. Observe and sneak up on your target.





5.’’Blenden’’

Blind the tank or its driver. This will make it come to a halt which makes it an easier target.

You can do this by tying two smokegrenades together with a string and throwing them around the barrel of the tank.
Or by throwing Glass Smoke Grenades on the front of the tank.

6.’’Kennst du deine waffen?’

Knowing your weapons and how and when to use them is highly important. This will save lives on your own side and will cause maximum destruction on the side of the enemy.

Therefore the men must learn the theory first, before they put things into practice.

This highly decorated and experienced Unteroffizier instructs these Grenadiere on the use of the 3kg Sprengbusche 24 (geballte ladung 3kg).



6.’’Kennst du deine waffen?’

An Oberleutnant instructs new recruits and veterans on the use of the Panzerfaust by using a training version op the weapon.
In this manner the men wil get to know the weapon first before they will actually use in reality.

7. ’’Im schlaf die waffen beherrschen’’

Know your weapons. How and when to use them and in the correct manner.



8. ’’Der Zweck heiligt die mittel’’

The goal justifies the means.

This Grenadier uses an Model 24 Stielhandgranate tied to a captured American jerrycan to try to take out an armored vehicle or tank.

9.’’Erst wägen, dann wagen!’’

Overthink well what you are going to do, before you do it!

Good preperation is always needed before you act.



10.’’Gut getarnt=halb geknackt’

If your camouflage is good, you're already half on your way

Make use of your environment en blend into it.

Hope you like our small photoshoot and don't forget to like us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derpanzergrenadier


Kind Regards, Vincent

Hallo, have gone through your last photoshoots (+ Op. Charnwood), you have some very impressive photos (t)here ! Keep up the good work

I love the pic of the Unteroffizier with the RK. I've never seen that in a reenactment before, but it's entirely appropriate. Well done.

Thank you,

The credits for the Photoshoots have to go to our Group resposible, Nick DC.
He is our Obergefreiter who uses the Panzerfaust at section 4.’’Wer lauft, stirbt!’’.

The person who wears the RK is "kradschutze" on this forum.
Our group responsible wanted to make the photo's as realistic as possible and used originals when possible.
After the photo's where taken, we got rid of all the medals that we have not "earned" in our group.


Kind Regards, Vincent

Really great work guys.

Bravo! Well done!