Rare 4./Inf.Batl. ZBV 100 EKM (Maastr.Eben Emael)

The dog tag or 'Erkennungsmarke' shows normal signs of wear. It belonged to a soldier who served in the 4.Kompanie Infanterie Bataillon ZBV 100. This bataillon was build, in October 1939 for special missions. The bataillon consisted out 4 companies in total. 1-3 where Pionierkompanies and the 4th was a heavy companie with 2 PAK and 2 s.M.G. platoons. The bataillon was considered as a 'Sturmbataillon' but was equipped as a Pionierbataillon. It had a strength of 550 men.
The commander of this bataillon was Hauptmann Fleck. In November 1939 Hitler himself gave the special mission to Hptm Flack which was to secure and occupy the bridges in Maastricht and Belgium (Albertkanaal) and to hold them open for the advancing 4.Panzer-Division. But during the invasion of Holland they failed and the bridges in Maastricht where blown up in front of their eyes.
On the 11th of May the rest of the bataillon attacked, together with the I.Bataillon Infanterie Regiment 111, the area west of Vroenhoven (Belgium) to the south with the task of securing the flank of the 4.Panzer-Division in the line Heukelom - Zussen - Eben-Emael. 
On the 12th of May a couple of airattacks by the British and French took place which killed 7 men of the 4th company. After Belgium the bataillon fought in France and it was stationed in the summer in Normandy. In 1941 the bataillon was in St.Nazaire as part of the XXV.Armeekorps. In September 1941 the bataillon was used to form Schutzen Regiment 129 and became part of the 22.Panzer-Division. In Februari 1942 the division and its unit moved to Russia to the Charkow area. From there it was sent to the Krim to support the 46.Infanterie-Divsion. They sufferred heavy losses. After the Krim they went back to the Gharkow area again. In July 1942 the regiment was renamed in to Panzer Grenadier Regiment 129. From July of that year it saw combat in areas like Don, Rostow,Tschir,Donez and Mius. In March 1943 the 22.Panzer-Divison was disbanned. What remained was used to form Kampfgruppe Burgsthaler and became part of the 23.Panzer-Division.
Cool and interesting dog tag with a rich history.