Panzer EM/NCO Shoulder Strap Slides (Aufschiebeschlaufen)

Shoulder strap slides for wear by EM/NCO were introduced on January 24th 1940 for economic and security reasons. The slides were cheaper and easier to produce then full shoulder straps and could be exchange easily if an individual was transferred or removed in the field to conceal unit designations.

Black wool construction shoulder strap slides with chain stitched regimental numerals, "100" in pink cotton threads to obverse.
The black wool base and pink numerals indicate straps were issued to Panzer personnel serving with the 100th Panzer Regiment, a component of the second 21st Panzer Division.
Original formed from components of the 5th Leichte Division, the first 21st Panzer Division served in north Africa until it was virtually destroyed in May 1943 in Tunisia.
In July 1943 remnants of the division were reformed into the second 21st Panzer Division in Normandy with the 100th Panzer Regiment.
This second 21ST Panzer Division was equipped with French tanks and fought in Normandy against the allied invasion until August 1944 when it returned to Germany for refitting.
The Division returned to the western front until late 1944 when it was transferred to the eastern front where it was destroyed by the Russians in April 1945.