WW2 Ingot - 116th Panzer Tank Division

WW2 GERMAN GOLD plated BAR commemorating the 116th Panzer TANK DIVISION

The 116th Panzer Division, also known as the "Windhund (Greyhound) Division", was a German armoured formation that saw combat during World War II.

The 116th Division was constituted in March 1944 from the remnants of the 16th Panzergrenadier Division, and the 179th Reserve Panzer Division. The 16th had suffered heavy casualties in combat on the Eastern Front near Stalingrad, and the 179th was a second-line formation that had been on occupation duty in France since 1943.

In 1944, it participated in opposing the Normandy landings, the Battle of Normandy, and was later trapped in the Falaise Pocket following Operation Cobra.

Along with the 2nd SS Panzer Division, it was responsible for holding the pocket open to allow German troops to escape. It managed to escape, although with only 600 infantry and 12 tanks intact. In October, it fought against American forces in the Battle of Aachen.

The front of the bar shows German tanks and the iron cross "116.Pz  999/1000 REICHS GOLD"

The other side  shows a greyhound jumping over razor wire  and the writing: "Flink wie ein Windhund, zaeh wie Leder, hart wie Kruppstahl"
(means: Fast like a greyhound, gritty like leather, rough like Krupp-steel)

Size:45mm x28x3mm
Weight :30grams
Please NOTE this is NOT solid Gold