Rare Stab I.Gr./Jagdgeschwader 53 'Pik As' EKM

The tag or 'Erkennungsmarke' shows overall normal signs of wear. It belonged to a soldier who served in the Stab I.Gruppe Jagdgeschwader 53 'Pik As'. This unit (I.Gruppe) was formed in May 1939 in Wiesbaden-Erbenheim from the I.Gruppe Kampfgeschwader 133. As a matter of fact when you look at the tag you see that there is a cross through the '133' telling us that the soldier first served in Stab I.Gruppe Jagdgeschwader 225. 

The I.Gruppe Jagdgeschwader 53 flew the Messerschmitt Bf 109E fighter plane. It operated during the invasion of France and then the Battle of Britain. In June 1941 it operated during the invasion of Russia. The I.Gruppe was then transported back to th west in December 1941 to Sicily to fly missions from there over Malta.

In early May 1942 it moved back to th east to fly missions again above Russia. This lasted until September of that year and then moved back to Sicily/Malta and in November a large part of the I.Gruppe moved to Afrika to fight in Tunesia. This lasted until April 1943 and it then moved back to Italy where it also operated. Later in the war it also operated (again) in Russia and Hungary.
Hard to find tag with a very rich history.