How to research Erkennungsmarken? Trace movements and battles?

**Danger** · 03-30-2018, 02:06 AM

Hey guys,

Picked up 3 lots of common medals and awards from a collectors sale.
This lot had I.D tags, Erkennungsmarken.
These are my first ones and I have no idea how to read them.
Can someone please if its a zinc or aluminium tag?
Should I clean it?
Is there a way to trace the old owners units movements?
Lastly, could someone please translate the disc for me?

Cheers,

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 03-30-2018 02:06 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Rik.S** · 03-30-2018, 08:08 AM

The erkennungsmarke looks to be aluminium. I have searched for the MOB number on the erkennungsmarke and it is from 8. Staffel Kampfgeschwader 51. This unit was also called the Edelweiß Geschwader.

Here are some links:

Kampfgeschwader 51 – Wikipedia

Lexikon der Wehrmacht - Kampfgeschwader 51

And you don't have to clean the erkennungsmarke, just store it properly.

Regards, Rik

**Danger** · 03-30-2018, 11:02 AM

Hi Rik,

Thanks mate! That's more than I thought I would find out.
So the medal and edleweiss and erkennungsmarke go together perhaps?
They came together as a lot.
What's the best way to store it? Do's and don'ts?

Cheers,

Danger

**Rik.S** · 03-30-2018, 11:28 AM

No problem at all, glad to help.
I think the items could be of the same person. Kampfgeschwader 51 was involved in missions on the Eastern Front, wich could explain the medaille Winterschlacht im Osten. The Edelweiß badge looks like one that was worn by Gebirgsjäger on their feldmütze. Maybe the owner of the erkennungsmarke bought an Edelweiß badge and used it as a lucky charm.

If you store these items, keep them out of direct sunlight (UV rays are bad for your items) and in a low humidity environment.

Regards, Rik