Dog Tags question

Spiegelsaal · Post by **Spiegelsaal** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 3:14 pm

I'm trying to dig up some information to aid me in research before I begin a painting, which I of course want to reflect historical accuracy where at all possible. I need to know: If a German soldier fell in battle and his body was recovered, what would become of his dog tags? Is it plausible that they would be in the possession of one of his comrades for any period of time immediately following the death?

Thanks a lot for your help!

Dragunov · Post by **Dragunov** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:11 pm

there is a dotted line separating the two halves of the dogtag, right? well, i heard that if you were KIA, a comrade would break the dogtag along this line, and take one half to confirm/identify who was killed and bury the other half with the body.

can someone confirm or correct this?

Spiegelsaal · Post by **Spiegelsaal** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:17 pm

interesting, sounds likely. I hope someone can confirm that...

Tom Houlihan · Post by **Tom Houlihan** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:44 pm

It's just like the US issuing two tags.

One of our tags stays with the body, as does half the German one. The other one gets turned in, to report the casualty.

Spiegelsaal · Post by **Spiegelsaal** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:52 pm

Did the Germans wear their dog tags around their neck? If so, was the necklace part taken from the body or left with the body...

Hans · Post by **Hans** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:39 pm

Worn around the neck! Chain, thong, whatever stayed with the body. The half handed in was simply broken off along the perforation.

- Hans