Super rare and very nice zinc Erkennungsmarke from a member of the 5.(schw.)/Infanterie-Ersatz-Bataillon 500, the replacement unit of the Bewährungsverbände (penal units) of the Wehrmacht. It was worn by a soldier in the 5th heavy company.

The tag was found near Priekule (Preekuln) in Kurland, Latvia. The soldier might have been placed in either Infanterie-Bataillon 540 or 561, both penal units which ended in the Kurland pocket.

The tag itself is in very good condition.

Terrific example.