l.Inf.Kol./Inf.Rgt.77 Erkennungsmarke

The tag or 'Erkennungsmarke' shows overall normal signs of wear. It belonged to a soldier who served within the leichte Infanterie Kolonne Infanterie Regiment 77. This regiment was formed in April 1936. It was part of the 26.Infanterie-Division, however in October of that year the regiment was disbanned and the III.Bataillon (9.-14.Kp + Kolonne) was used to formed the I.Bataillon Infanterie Regiment 60 which was part of the 16.Infanterie-Division 'Der Windhund'. 
A new Infanterie Regiment 77 was formed and was again part of the 26.Infanterie-Division and saw its first combat during the invasion of France. From June 1941 onwards it operated in Russia and fought in areas like Bolchow, Orel, Donbogen, Kursk, Smolensk and Kowel were it was defeated in June 1944. In Septembre 1944 the 26.Volks-Grenadier-Division was formed from remnants of the old division. It fought during the Ardennes Campaign in the winter of 1944.

Interesting is the 'DEUTSCHES REICHSHEER' on the front of the tag. When the Reichsheer became the Wehrmacht the 'DEUTSCHES REICHSHEER' marking on the erkennungsmarke was dropped. However, it was decided that the stocks of zinc and aluminium erkennungsmarken should be used up.</p>
The 'Bl.Gr.A' on the back on both parts of the tag stands for the soldier's bloodtype (Blutgruppe).