Instituted 14 July 1942 primarily as a gallantry award for Ostvolk units - eg Baltic and Russian troops serving with the German army. It was also awarded after October 1942 to German troops serving with these units, provided they already had an Iron Cross, ist or 2nd class.

This was the basic wound badge for the first wound in combat. It was later upgraded by the silver and gold badges for subsequent wounds. It is of pressed steel with 95% of its original blackened finish, a little worn on the arms of the swastika, but otherwise in good shape.

This clean example, ex-tailor's stores, is the classic Bevo weave breast badge for the black Panzer tunic. Later in the war, the same badge was produced in a mouse grey finish, as the white was too tempting a mark for snipers.