Germany, Kriegsmarine. An Eastern Legionnaire Identity Tag to Michail Sasucha

(Ostlegionär Erkennungsmarke). Constructed of gilded zink, with three holes for suspension, one side with a double inscription of “KRIEGSMARINE OSTLEGIONÄR”, the opposite side with a double inscription of “MICHAIL SASUCHA 332”, measuring 50 mm (w) x 33 mm (h), cracking and material fatigue evident throughout, a rare identity tag in fair condition.

Footnote: The Ostlegion was composed of non-Russian volunteers from Soviet territories, and included Armenians, Georgians, Azeris, Tatars, Kalmyks, and Central Asians. While numbers of volunteers are disputed, it is estimated that between 40,000 and 100,000 such volunteers entered into Wehrmacht service during the war.