(Waffen-SS Erkennungsmarke). A rare and desirable identification tag attributed to SS-Sturmbannführer Ernst August Krug, constructed of zink, perforated with three suspension loops, bearing a double-stamped inscription of “0 3. SS A.R. 127”, measuring 70 mm (w) x 50 mm (h), with minor oxidation evident, in overall near extremely fine condition; accompanied by a copy of Mark C. Yeager’s 1996 biography of Krag, featuring 64 pages of text and images reproduced from Krag’s private collection, measuring 215 mm (w) x 280 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
Footnote: Ernst August Krug was born on 20 February 1915 in Wiesbaden, Germany. He initially volunteered for SS-Verfügungstruppe service in 1935, and was later selected for officer training, attending the academy at Bad Tölz from November 1938 until August 1939. Training as an artilleryman, he was then posted to Artillerie-Regiment 3 of 2nd SS Panzer Division “Das Reich”. He distinguished himself in combat on both the Eastern and Western Fronts, winning the German Cross in Gold on 9 April 1943. Assuming temporary command of an assault gun battalion, Krug’s appointment was subsequently made permanent, seeing extensive service throughout 1944, including combat in Normandy and in the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge. It was during this period that he was awarded both the Knight’s Cross (23 October 1944) and Oak Leaves (28 February 1945), in both cases for repelling fierce Allied armoured assaults while outgunned and outnumbered. Krug survived the war, and remained in contact with historians until his death in Niederhausen, near his hometown of Wiesbaden, on 24 May 1944.