Reit.Schwd.Aufkl.Abt.162 Erkennungsmarke (Pz.Rgt.24)

The dog tag or 'Erkennungsmarke' shows signs of wear. The abteilung was formed in August 1939 and was part of the 62.Infanterie-Division. In December 1939 the Reiter Schwadron became part of Reiter-Regiment 21 and in early 1940 Kavallerie Regiment 21. This regiment participated in the invasion of Holland, in the Northen part. After Holland it moved back to Germany and from there to France. In June 1941 it was moved to the east and participated in Operation Barbarossa. It fought in areas like Minsk, Gommel, Kiew and Brjansk. In November 1941 it returned back to Germany. The regiment was then used to form the III.Abteilung Panzer Regiment 24.  In late June 1942 it saw its first combat in Kursk. At that time the regiment consisted out of 32x Panzer II, 54x Panzer III kurz, 56x Panzer III lang, 20x Panzer IV kurz, 12x Panzer IV lang und 7 Panzerbefehlswagen. The regiment fought all the way through Stalingrad were it got destroyed.
From the remains and the soldiers there were on leave soldier from other units the regiment was rebuild again. This happened in Normandy in February 1943. It was also asigned a Panzer StuG Abteilung. One part of the regiment was moved to the east to fight as another part was moved to Italy. Abteilung was equipped with the Panther tank and saw action in Arnhem during Operation Market Garden.
Interesting dog tag.