BACKGROUND: Evaluations of German/Prussian losses in battles during the Austro-Prussian war of 1866 and the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-1871 resulted in the discovery that many of the dead were unidentifiable, which led to the introduction of the first military identification, (dog), tags into the Prussian army in 1878. The original 1878 pattern dog tags remained in usage until a second, larger pattern with more information was introduced in July 1915. In 1918 a slightly modified dog tag was introduced that remain in use until the end of WWII. On mobilization of the Wehrmacht, (Armed Forces), in August 1939 all personnel were issued an identification, (dog), tag to be worn on a cord around the neck. Following the outbreak of WWII all new recruits were issued a dog tag on their registration for military service by their original military unit. If killed or wounded, half of the dog tag would stay attached to the individual and the other half would be sent to the appropriate administrative office for processing. Of Note: Dog tags were issued by the recruit’s original military unit, generally a training unit, with a specific, assigned, personal roster number and unit designation and, by regulations, the original dog tag was to remain in use by the recruit, even following unit service transfers, until his final release from military service. The exception to the rule was that lost dog tags would be replaced with a new dog tag bearing a new assigned, personal roster number and the current unit designation by the unit the individual was currently serving with at the time. Originally most dog tags were constructed of aluminum, but later, as the aluminum was required for other, critically, essential items, (Circa late 1941-early 1942), zinc construction tags began to be issued in large quantities with steel dog tags being issued in limited quantities around mid-1944. Field units of the army were required to have spare dog tags on hand to replace lost dog tags as required and generally the field units would be issued spare dog tags that would amount to about 20% of the unit’s authorized personnel. As per regulations, field unit issued dog tags were to have the inscription on either side of the center line, upside right, while training unit issued dog tags had one inscription upside right and the other upside down., although these regulations were not strictly adhered to. Regulations concerning the addition of blood group type stampings on the dog tags appear to not have been instituted until later in the war, (Circa late 1942-early 1943), although blood group markings can be found sporadically on early issued dog tags. The Schutz Staffel, (Protection Squad), basically followed the same system as the army and new recruits were issued a dog tag when assigned to a training unit. With the German invasion of the Soviet Union on June 22ND 1941 the German army encountered large segments of the non-ethnic Russian populace that greeted them as liberators from the yoke of Bolshevism. Although Hitler was suspicious of the ethnic make-up and loyalty of these personnel the German commanders in the field quickly saw the advantage of utilizing these willing personnel in non-combatant roles. As a result of manpower restrictions the German army began employing non-ethnic Russian POW’s and volunteers as laborers and supply personnel in the rear areas as early as the summer of 1941 against the express wishes of Hitler. The Waffen-SS followed the army’s lead and also incorporated non-ethnic Russian personnel into its units. These non-ethnic Russians and personnel from other eastern European nations were given the general classification of, "Osttruppen", (Eastern Troops), and presumably this dog tag was issued to an individual serving in one of these units.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Stamped, stamped, zinc alloy construction identification tag (½ tag). The tag has two, punched, holes to the top section for securing the neck suspension cord. Tag is stamped with SS runes, "M. E.SS Ost", (Replacement SS East Unit), and the individual’s personal roster number, "69".