The Stahlhelm

WHAT AN INTERESTING STORY THIS OLD HELMET HAS TO TELL

History teaches that the German Army lost two World Wars in a period of twenty seven years. But ironically, the German nation may have gained more by losing than by winning.

In the United States there is a maxim: "It matters not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game." And it seems the German Army "played the game", well. The Allied Armies gave a begrudging tip of the hat to an enemy which refused to quit, even in the face of over-whelming numerical superiority in both wars.

Millions of soldiers fought in World War I and World War II and of them all, the German soldier alone, has emerged as the ideal soldier; brave, loyal, dedicated and efficient. There are some who feel that the defeat of the German Army in both wars was a matter of quantity over quality. That opinion is not valid, however, for a soldier can be found in every army in the world who can match the best German soldier in any quality.

Every army in existence in the world today can point with pride to a number of spectacular victories, yet the German soldier is still the worlds general choice as the ideal soldier. For this honor, if indeed it is an honor, the German soldier must give proper credit for his fame, to the man who designed his wardrobe. Allied soldiers in both World Wars cast envious eyes on the German soldiers' uniform. Psychologically, the uniform the German wore made him "feel like a warrior". At the out-break of World War II, the German army represented also the highest paid solider in the world. The best dressed and the best paid soldier and given a cause of vengeance, the German soldier of WW II in particular was a chilling example of good soldiering. Their confidence and "Espirit de Corps" carried them to the very brink of an almost impossible military accomplishment.

The most distinctive feature of the Germany army uniform in both wars is the item which has come to symbolize German militarism in even the remotest corners of the world today. . . the helmet.

Two items of World War I vintage which the German staff felt adaptable for use in the modern military techniques of World War II were a gun and a helmet. The gun, developed at the end of World War I, was inspected by the conquering Allied armies and thought to be inferior that it was ignored. It became, in World War II, known as the "88", a weapon which struck fear into the hearts of men who had to face it. The helmet was the second item which it was felt could not be improved upon. Both decisions, to reactivate the "88" and to continue with the MI6-M18 model helmet (and later modifying it) proved to be master strokes.

In a background mist, when only a soldiers' helmet showed above the fog, a German troop moved out, during World War I. An observer, seeing nothing but helmets and rifle barrels, remarked: "Damned if it doesn't seem like the helmets are going to war by themselves" .

In May, 1940, a citizen in a town in Holland pulled a corner of his curtain back and saw a soldier wearing a German helmet standing in the street nearby. His chest was constricted. The German helmet bore a terrible significance to him. In a town in Hungary, a petty government official notices that when the first German helmet appeared in town, the Communists had disappeared. With mixed emotions he regarded the odd-shaped helmets of the German Army and recognized it as a symbol of Anti-Communism. But still it was not the Hungarian helmet."Too bad, he thought," its German. I would like to put one on and go calling on some of those Socialist trouble-makers. A Russian veteran of World War I watches the Germans move through his village. He was one of millions of Russians who had surrendered to the Germans in 1915, and sat out the war in a German prisoner-of-war camp. Fighting for the Czar had not been his idea of a "cause", and he had looked upon the Germans as liberators, back then. Now he was once again looking at the familiar German helmet and he wondered if he were not dreaming. His life was better now under Stalin than it had been under Czar Nicholas, but when he needed the Germans in 1915 they couldn't come and now that he didn't want them, here they were. . . same helmets. . same men?

In London, an ex-sergeant of the British Army sat in a cinema watching a newsreel of the German invasion of Holland and cursed at the relative ease of their victory. Except for the greater mechanication, they were identical to the World War I troops. Two young men sitting beside him were engaged in conversation. One of the boys said, "Looks like we're going to be in it again. Only this time we won't take so long in doing the Germans in." The ex-sergeant laughed out loud. "That's what I thought a few years ago, kid," he said, "You'll learn to respect the German too, because he's a damned good soldier. And the back of his neck don't get wet." "What do you mean the back of his neck doesn't get wet?" . . . "It's their helmet, kid, see? It covers his ears and the back of his neck and not just from the bullets. When it rains, the water don't run down the back of his neck, under his collar. Very uncomfortable feeling, that." The German helmet has become symbolic of as many different things to people as there are people. To some, it is an arrogant symbol of ruthless power. To others, a death sign, the mark of a big bully pushing innocent women and children into a gas chamber. To some, it signifies an era of brief but glorious revenge on it's enemies. The most general emotion which the German helmet arouses in the world, though, is one of toughness. Its wearer, a faceless man who went about the business of fighting a war in a cold, unrelenting manner and one who feared nothing but instead was feared. And the helmet, because it was so different in shape from others and because it was the first thing recognize able on a soldier, and because it was the German army, became the object of fear. Incredible!

Floyd R. Tubbs, "Stahlhelm - Evolution of the German Steel Helmet", Self Published, 1971

Duane Pfister

Edged Weapons Maintenance and Storage

As we are all well aware, serious collectors of most items invest much time, effort and money in their area of interest. Often the pursuit of an item and the actual acquisition are considered the biggest challenges but this is just the beginning of a constant progression of problems that must be addressed in a timely manner in order to protect their investment.

With the investment of time and money, the collector must assume the responsibility to protect his investment as well as the preservation of the particular item for future collectors and historians. Nothing is more exasperating than to observe the deterioration of a higilly desirable piece or collection over a period of time due to lack of attention to preservation.

Rust or metal corrosion is the main culprit that me must overcome to insure the preservation of edged weapons. Rust forms on an iron containing metal surface under a common set of occurrences. The moisture content of the atmosphere, optimally at a percentage range above 65%, coupled with the presence of salts or acids on the metal surface leads to rust formation. Salts and acids are usually present due to touch contamination via the hand or are present in dust or dirt particles that are allowed to accumulate on the surface of the metal.

The best manner in which to retard rust formation is to eliminate the elements required by keeping the metal free of dust and salt contaminants and holding the humidity of the air below 60%. Attention to removing finger prints (a salt and acid containing contaminant) and storage in a closed display case to reduce dust and girt contamination should retard rust formation.

Attention to condition and the manner in which the item is stored is also necessary to preserve and edged weapons. A closed case can be both an advantage or a disadvantage unless certain steps are taken to insure optimal conditions. A silicon polish can be useful by forming a barrier to dust and dirt contaminates. However, the surface should be inspected periodically to insure that protection is maintained. The more often an item is examined, the more often it is necessary to re-coat (not repolish) the item with silicon polish. Humidity must be routinely checked in a closed area.

Storage in a closed area without some air exchange will allow humidity to reach an unacceptable level. Humidity should be monitored routinely and kept well within the acceptable limits. Any type of cloth material, especially a felt based will hold humidity, This is especially suspect if the natural unplated blade remains in direct contact for any long period of time.

Any closed and sealed area is not suitable for edged weapon storage. Sudden changes in temperature can lead to moisture accumulation by condensation. This cannot escape from a sealed area and will cause rust to form. Also paper or cardboard left in the storage area, a packing or wrapping material, will hold moisture at an unacceptable level. Newspaper is especially high in sulfur content and when coupled with moisture will form sulfuric acid which will attack the metal. This is why older newspapers yellow over a period of time. Coin dealers cite sulfur content as the reason coins darken when left in manila envelopes.

Location of the storage case also can be a problem, especially if the basement of a house or building is used. Humidity in these locations are usually higher than the acceptable level and monitoring is a must if this area is used. Also, a peg board can be used to allow full air exchange around the item with the most flexibility for display.

Items with leather present in the form of scabbards or hangers will require much more attention. The natural tanning salts in leather lead to problems over a period of time, so the removal of leather is optimal if at all possible. Storage of blades outside of the scabbard is very desirable in this situation.

If blades are displayed in the closed case to limit dirt and dust, storage of blades outside of the scabbard is advantageous, This allows for routine inspection, reduction of runner marks" and the preservation of leather contact where applicable.

Brass fittings are especially susceptible to leather problems, A green film forms with brass and nickel containing fittings when leather is in contact with the metal surface over a long period of time. This "green film", especially if remaining for several years, can actually attack the surface and leave a dull pitted area. I have noticed this periodically on M33 SS daggers with the vertical suspension device.

Blades can be routinely protected by silicon polish. Oil, even when lightly applied tends to hold moisture in contact with the surface causing rusting and darkening of the blade. Even Vaseline, often used as a protectant, under optimal condition is of some question for it's protective value. It is however, less of a darkening agent due to it's purity. Again; if this agent is used, routine inspection is required.

Blued or anodized scabbards can best be protected with a light coat of oil. These must be thoroughly cleaned prior to the application as a routine safeguard. Again, the removal of leather hangers is a must for long term storage, Often very light rust can be easily removed with triple ought steel wool prior to oil application without any damage to the scabbard. A light pressure is required and no buffing can be tolerated.

Leather scabbards can be best preserved by the application of polish after a good cleaning. Leather scabbards with a metal liner can also be polished and the seams can be re-sealed prior to polishing if required. Elmer's glue appears to be an excellent agent for sealing and any excess can be removed wi th a damp clean terry cloth prior to polishing. An excellent brand of polish that is available in various shades is Meltonian from Great Britian.

Silver anti-tarnish cloth makes an ideal container for daggers and the storage of daggers outside their scabbards in a bank's safe deposit box can be a very safe method, I have stored my Himmler SS presentation dagger in this type of bag for over four years with no noticeable change from the choice mint condition the dagger was in when obtained from the veteran. Also, I have monitored the humidity in the bank and have found it to be below 60% the year around, A humidity gauge left in the bank box and checked weekly for a few months should be your best guide.

Improper handling and storage can leave telltale marks on an edged weapon. One only has to observe an SA or SS dagger with darkened finger print stains to see what poor attention and storage can do to a prime collectible, Although these can be modified with polishing, they will never be remove totally unless the entire blade is repolished which is abhorrent to the true collector. The collector must preserve and maintain the items in his care.

Ron Weinand, EDGED WEAPON'S MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE, Der Gauleiter, 1989

Personal Equipment of the Waffen-SS Mountain Troops

Mountain Rifle Regiments and all other Mountain support troops wore an oval black badge bearing a white embroidered Edelweiss with yellow stamen on the right upper sleeve of the field blouse and overcoat. An Edelweiss badge was also worn on the left side of the field cap and the mountain cap, the latter becoming the universal field service cap later in the war and known as the 'Einheitsmiltze'.

As part of the development of the specialist 55-Mountain Divisions crack alpine guides from the mountainous districts of Bavaria and Austria were recruited and given distinctive badges.

Trained in advanced mountain warfare techniques at the Mountain Warfare Schools they wore regulation mountain troop uniform and waffenfarbe but with the addition of a special breast badge. This comprised an oval 55mm high and 43mm wide black cloth badge embroidered with a 2mm wide aluminium cord edge. In the centre was a 33mm (42mm with stalk) aluminium embroidered Edelweiss with gold wire stamen and the lettering "BERGFOHRER" (mountain leader) in aluminium wire in a half circle beneath the flower. In winter guides wore climbing socks and mountain pattern boots and, in summer, shirt sleeves with short pumphosen (leather shorts).

Boots

The original footwear of the Bereitschaften and the SS-VT was the calf length heavy leather boot also worn by the Army and Luftwaffe. These boots were worn in specially tapered trousers. Later ankle boots made without toe caps were also taken into use.

Mountain rifle regiments wore proper climbing boots with specially designed cleated soles with mountaineering studs. Calf length webbing gaiters were also used by these soles with mountaineering studs. Ankle-length webbing gaiters were also used by these specialist divisions. SS Officers usually wore knee length black boots. Mounted units and senior officers wore these boots with nickel plated spurs worn on straps buckled across the instep.

Personal Equipment

The SS-VT and Waffen-SS wore a black leather waistbelt with a special buckle. The officers' buckle was the locket and clasp type and the buckle for the NCOs and other ranks was rectangular. The original pouches were the M1909 pattern. In the various orders of combat dress, two pouches were carried on either side of the buckle. Each pouch was split into three, each section containing ten rounds of rifle ammunition. The waistbelt was 4.5cm wide and was made to slide through loops at the rear of each pouch the centre one of which was fitted with a steel '0' ring through which the braces were looped. The bayonet and the entrenching tool were suspended from frogs on the waistbelt and on the left side. In 1939 the bayonet was being carried over the entrenching tool and suspended by a loop to the entrenching tool's frog. Later it was worn in its own frog in front of the entrenching tool. The M1934 haversack was hung from two loops at the right hip and on it, suspended from a steel '0' ring, and retained by a strap which passed through a loop on the haversack flap was the M1931 water bottle with its oval cup secured over the mouthpiece.

The anti-gas respirator in its cylindrical fluted lightweight metal container was carried on a web strap over the right shoulder the cylinder lying at an angle on the left hip. The bottom attachment to the container was usually hooked to the rear of the belt.

The new pattern braces issued in 1939 consisted of two 4cm wide tapered black straps which passed over the shoulders from the '0' rings on the central pouches and were joined with a steel ring to the 2.5cm wide back strap which descended to fasten to the waistbelt at centre back. There were two large steel 'D' rings fitted to the shoulder straps from which the assault pack or the rucksack could be fitted. A lightweight web yoke could be fitted to the braces from which the assault pack; worn in light field order, could be worn. Full marching order consisted of the M1939 pack mentioned above complete with tent quarter, greatcoat, blankets and clothing bag.

Special pouches were issued concurrently with new weapons, including the MP 43 and MP 44 and the SG 44. These pouches were usually webbing and were carried on the waist belt, diagonally to make withdrawal easier.

Mountain rifle (Gager) regiments were issued with special mountaineering rucksacks and carried larger capacity waterbottles. They also carried various specialised climbing gear including ropes, ice axes, crampons, and in some cases skis, and wore special climbing boots.

The cavalry wore their equipment mainly suspended from the waist belt and were provided with braces which had no yoke fitting. Engineers and Artillery were provided with special rucksacks to provide facilities for their unique functions. The former wore large pouches attached to the fronts of their waistbelts to carry detonators, oval grenades and fuses. These pouches had pouches for rifle ammunition fitted to their sides. The Engineers knapsack carried specialised detonating and smoke equipment. Medical orderlies carried special pouches on their waistbelts for dressings and other medical supplies.

Personal Weapons ;The M 98 and M 43 pattern rifles were carried and later the MP 38, 40, MP 43 and its 43/1, the MP 44 and the St. G. 44. Officers and NCOs carried either the P 08 or the P36 pistol in a black leather holster, officers carrying these weapons or smaller automatic pistols such as the Walther PPK.

The Tent Quarter: This ingenious piece of equipment known in German as the 'Zeltbahn' was a piece of camouflaged (Waffen-SS pattern) waterproof material cut in a triangle with a slit in the material through which the head could pass. It served as a windbreak and could be joined to the three other quarters carried by comrades to form a good tent. On other occasions it served as a poncho and was worn in a variety of ways, the material acting as half-sleeves, or could be rolled to leave the arms free.

Walther-Karl Holzmann, "Waffen-SS Badges, Uniforms, Equipment", Bellona Publications, 1976

Collecting the Edged Weapons of the Third Reich

The Third Reich, as Adolf Hitler viewed it, was to be an Organic Society, that is, a society in which all parts were to be in harmony with the whole, subject to the supreme will of the Fuhrer. No part would be permitted to function independently outside the whole, with a life of its own. Thus all institutions the schools, churches, businesses, industries, the arts, the sciences and the military - were to be injected with heavy doses of National Socialist ideology and subject to firm Party control, with coercion being used wherever necessary. The purpose was not to oppress but to unify: all in harmony with one another. With a common goal and a Great National Purpose visualized for them by the Fuhrer, a better life for all Germans would be achieved. The Nazis had a word for this concept: EINHEIT, meaning one-ness or unity. For Adolf Hitler, Einheit was a mystical concept.

The visual realization of Einheit was in those colorful, spectacular ceremonials and mass-meetings that were endemic throughout the life of the Third Reich and were its most glamorous feature. Through the mass meeting the symbolic unity between the lone Fuhrer on the high tribunal and the vast anonymous masses before him was achieved; each in spiritual harmony with the other, the vertical lines of the standing men echoed in the vertical architectural effects surrounding them. People, Fuhrer, and architecture all formed a single harmonious unit in visual as well as symbolical form.

But ceremonials are not very exciting without all the paraphernalia that goes with them. Colorful banners in profusion, snappy uniforms a-glitter with decorations, insignia of rank, dress swords and daggers, and plenty of stirring music; these were the necessary ingredients for any successful Nazi ceremonial.

With his intuitive gift for the nature of crowd psychology, Adolf Hitler shrewdly exploited the potential power of the visual arts to make and sway opinion. Thus, under his direction, the political ceremonial was raised to a fine art conducted with a professional finesse seldom found in similar events in other countries.

The ceremonial was designed to give the ordinary citizen a chance to "dress up," to escape the mundane world of his personal problems. Through the ceremonial the citizen could solidify his sense of belonging to a group, which would present itself along with other groups before the Fuhrer and thereby join one another in the spirit of Einheit.

A uniformed group, with its standards and accouterments, formed an impressive visual unit when it was massed together. All parts of a standard were designed to fit harmoniously with one another and with the men who would carry them; Hitler's own design, the ubiquitous Swastika banner, was a masterpiece of visual harmony. Each insignia, each decoration, each sword and dagger was also designed to be part of the visual whole, to not only be harmonious within itself but also to "fit" with the uniform, which, when seen with other uniforms massed together in one group, would form a single impressive unit ready to join with others to form still larger units. From the smallest dagger to the large blocks of massed uniforms and standards, the psychological purpose was the same: to inspire the citizen (both as a participant and as spectator) with the power and glory of the Reich, to confirm his chauvanistic pride in all things German, and to give humble thanks to the Fuhrer who made it all possible.

Thus a dress sword or dagger was not a mere potentially useful object; like all other ceremonial objects which the Third Reich produced in such profusion, it had a symbolic significance which bordered on the mystic. Its design was conceived in the spirit of Einheit, with all its parts in harmony with the whole object.

There is something about swords and daggers that arouses deep primitive feelings in people, especially in men. They figure in song and story as ancient symbols of courage, honor, and authority; indeed, skill with one often meant the difference between life and death. Daggers in particular figure quite prominently in ancient Germanic mythology; even women of the Germanic tribes wore them and were adept at using them.

Design of Third Reich dress daggers was primarily ancient Germanic or medieval in flavor; some had classical overtones and others were quite baroque.Here the purpose was to form a visual link between the present and the past, to show that the Third Reich was a continuation of the hallowed old Germanic virtues and traditions into the present. The Art Deco style of the 1930's, so fashionable among the advant-garde in other countries, was nowhere to be seen in the design of Nazi edged weapons and only very rarely in other Third Reich artifacts. Since this style derived from French Cubism it was therefore condemned by the Fuhrer as "degenerate" and "un-German." Dagger designs ranged from the ugly chunkiness of the Labor Corps hewing-knife to the graceful stiletto of the Hitler Youth leader. All were adorned with the appropriate symbols of the various organizations for which they were issued.

Although Adolf Hitler himself designed all of the basic iconography of the Third Reich, he is not known to have ever designed a dagger. Nor did Frau Gerdy Troost, who designed so many of the silver objects of the Nazi Regime, ever design a dagger or sword. The majority of the artists who did design them were anonymous, and probably designed other types of regalia as well (the Third Reich, under the aegis of its art-minded Fuhrer, was a paradise for political designers who were both talented and ideologically reliable.)

History has shown that as a nation becomes an empire its designs develop from simple forms to more complex ones. This certainly happened during the Third Reich. A good example of this among the edged weapons is a comparison between the elegant medieval-style of the early Luftwaffe dagger and the later ornate baroque design which replaced it. Heavy, complex designs have always been symbols of power, wealth, and authority; but whether the Nazi designers were conscious of this is not known. Designs of major significance in daggers as well as the other regalia were usually shown to the Fuhrer for his approval; his suggestions were always religiously obeyed. In time, Hitler's own taste became more baroque as he succumbed to megalomania.

Daggers and swords were accorded the same status in the Third Reich as were the standards and decorations, no more, no less. They were all integral parts of the whole. There was no cult of the dagger in Germany as there was a cult of the sword in Japan.

The presentation of a dagger, especially of a dagger with an engraved inscription on its blade, like the presentation of a new standard or decoration, was an occasion for a solemn ritual which affirmed faith and loyalty between the giver and the receiver, and between both to Fuhrer and Reich. All parts of the dagger's design, at least in theory, were to be in harmony with the form and spirit of the whole object, which in turn was to be in harmony with the use and setting to which it was put. All parts of the ritual in which it was presented, and the ceremonials in which it was worn, were segments of the larger whole symbolized by the slogan "One Reich, One People, One Leader." The Nazis consciously and deliberately practiced a concept unique in the 20th Century and not seen in Europe since the 17th - Total Art. Thus each dress dagger that one sees out of context in a collector's drawer or on his wall was far more than just a useful object or a pretty adornment. It represented Einheit, the spirit of Adolf Hitler's Organic Society in a microcosm.

Major Johnson, for fifteen years a collector and internationally-recognized authority on the subject of German edged weapons, has produced a wellresearched book which should prove to be invaluable to the beginner as well as the advanced collector and/or researcher of Third Reich edged weapons. Though only a small part of the regime's vast array of accouterments, Nazi blades have proven to be among its most popular collector's items.

Karen Kuykendall (professional artist, author, and collector of Third Reich relics since 1947) Casa Grande, Arizona.

Thomas M. Johnson, "Collecting the Edged Weapons of the Third Reich Vol. 1", Author Published, 1975

johnsonreferencebooks.com

Fakes, Repros and Such...

I still get e-mails from members asking me why I don't allow repros of our web site. Often they suggest that we set up a special section for the fakes, frauds, re-enactment supplies, or what ever they want to call them.

Believe me I considered it. I'm sure we could get more members and have a lot more ads. But then again, I would hate to take that business away from ebay...

I created this site for serious collectors, not for a bunch of bikers and screwballs who buy Nazi junk to stick of their jackets or like to "play" at collecting. And that's the way it's going to stay.

If you want fakes, you're on the wrong site. If you're a re-enactor, I wish you well, but you'll have to find your repro stuff elsewhere. If you want original Thrid Relics just click here.

We do everything we can to keep the fakes off the site. Unfortunately, some do pop up from time to time and we remove them as soon as we're sure they're bogus. The down side to this is we have made some people mad. Usually they thought the piece was original and they don't like to have someone tell them it's fake. They know they are probably going to loose money on it, and no one likes to hear that. That's the price we pay for trying the keep the site "clean". It's a real damned if you do and damned if you don't situation. We just have to live with it.

If you see something bad posted for sale let us know. I don't guarantee we'll remove it, but it will be brought to the attention of guys who have volunteered to help us police the site. They all know the hobby very well and the decision will rest with them. The buck has to stop somewhere.

Bob Treend

p.s. If you get the impression I'm fond of cartoons... you're right!

Organization of the SS Totenkopf Standarten

25,000 men would have provided the personnel for at least a dozen infantry regiments, but by combining concentration camp guards and Allgemeine-SS men with Volksdeutsche, SA and NSKK men, and youths too young for military service, sufficient manpower was produced by 1939 for a complete infantry division (SS-Totenkopf-Division) and fifteen regiments together with their replacement units.

After the conclusion of the Polish campaign the SS-Totenkopf-Standarten were used to secure occupied Poland, thus freeing army units for the planned campaigns of 1940. Thereafter they served in Norway, Holland and the Protectorate as garrison troops.

Prior to the invasion of Russia the primary role of the Totenkopf-Standarten was changed from that of police troops to providing additional units for the field formations of the Waffen-SS.

1 SS-Totenkopf-Standarte, later Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 1, formed in autumn 1939 with H.Q. and three battalions as part of SS- Totenkopf- Division.

2 SS-Totenkopf-Standarte, later Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 2, formed in autumn 1939 with H.Q. and three battalions as part of SS- Totenkopf- Division.

3 SS-Totenkopf-Standarte, later Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 3, formed in autumn 1939 with H.O. and three battalions (personnel for which came in part from former 3 SS-Totenkopf-Standarte 'Thuringen') as part of the SS- Totenkopf- Division. It also absorbed the infantry from the former SS-Heimwehr-Danzig.

4 SS- Totenkopf-Standarte/4. SS- Standarte/SS-I nfanterie- Regiment 4 (mot) with H.Q. and two battalions derived from former 4. SS- Totenkopf-Standarte 'Ostmark' together with a new III.battalion. The regiment was motorised on 12 September 1940, and in summer 1941 became part of SS-Brigade (mot) 2, until December 1941 when it was transferred to SS-Division 'Reich'. On 20 April 1942 it provided H.Q. and II.battalion for schnelles SS-SchutzenRegiment 'Langemarck'. Remainder of regiment was disbanded in autumn 1942.

5 SS- Totenkopf-Standarte/5. SS-Standarte / SS-Infanterie - Regiment 5 (mot) with H.Q., I.battalion and cadre of II.battalion from former 2. SS- Totenkopf-Standarte 'Brandenburg' and new II. and III.battalions. Served in SS-Brigade (mot) 2 in summer 1941 and was disbanded in September 1941 with personnel transferring to SS-Infanterie-Regiment 9, SS-Division 'Nord', SS-Division 'Reich', and SS- Kavallerie- Brigade.

6 SS- Totenkopf-Standarte/6. SS-Standarte / SS -Infanterie- Regiment 6 (mot), with I.battalion drawn from 1.;3. SS-Totenkopf Standarte 'Thuringen'. The II. and III.battalions incorporated personnel from 1. SS- Totenkopf-Standarte 'Oberbayern'. When the I.battalion was transferred to SS-Totenkopf Division it was replaced by 11./7. SS-Totenkopf-Standarte, and when the II.battalion absorbed the III.. and new III.battalion was formed only to be transferred to 13.SS- Totenkopf-Standarte. The replacement III.battalion was transferred to the new 14.SS- Totenkopf-Standarte, instead of accompanying the rest of the regiment to Norway in spring 1940. Its place was then taken by II./Totenkopf- Rekruten-Standarte. The regiment was motorised in February 1941 and dissolved on 4 June 1942, providing a basis for SS-Gebirgs-Jager-Regiment 6 (later 11) 'Reinhard Heydrich' in SS- Division 'Nord'.

7 SS- Totenkopf-Standarte/7. SS-Standarte/ SS-I nfanterie- Regiment 7 (mot) formed late 1939 with H.Q. and three battalions (II.battalion was formerly I./Totenkopf-Rekruten-Standarte). 15 January 1941 became part of SS- Kampfgruppe 'Nord', and in February 1941 it was motorised. Later the regiment became SS Gebirgs-Jager- Regiment 7 (later 12 'Michael Gaissmair)'.

8 SS- Totenkopf-Standarte/8. SS-Standarte / SS-I nfanterie- Regiment 8 (mot) formed early in 1940 with H.O. and three battalions It was motorised on 12 September 1940 and on 1 May 1941 formed part of SS-Brigade (mot) 1. In January 1944 it became PanzerGrenadier- Regiment 39.

9 SS- Totenkopf-Standarte/9. SS- Standarte / SS-I nfanterie- Regiment 9 (mot) formed winter 1939 with H.Q. and three battalions.In April 1940 the original lI.battalion became 1./14. SS-Totenkopf Standarte and was replaced by 11./7. SS-Totenkopf-Standarte. It was motorised on 12 September 1940 and disbanded on 15 November 3, 1940 with exception of one battalion stationed in Prague which became SS- Totenkopf-Wachbataillon Prag. HQ. and remaining elements transferred to SS-Totenkopf-Standarte K (Kirkenes) which then assumed number 9.

10 SS- Totenkopf-Standarte/1 O. SS- Standarte/SS-I nfanterie- Regiment 10 (mot) formed in 1940 with H.Q. and two battalions derived from 3. SS-Totenkopf-Standarte 'Thuringen' and later a new III.battalion. It was motorised on 12 September 1940 and in May 1941 formed part of SS-Infanterie-Brigade (mot) 1. In January 1944 it became SS- Panzer-Grenadier- Regiment 40.

11 SS-Totenkopf-Standarte/11. SS-Standarte/SS-I nfanterie- Regiment 11 (mot) formed in early 1940 with HO and three battalions.It was motorised on 12 September 1940 and in November 1940 placed under command of SS-V- Division as a motorised infantry regiment. On 1 November 1941 it was disbanded with personnel going to SS-Infanterie-Regiment 3 'Deutschland' and 4 'Der Fuhrer'.

12 SS-Totenkopf-Standarte formed early in 1940 with H.Q. and three battalions and disbanded on 15 August 1940 with personnel going to SS-Totenkopf-Standarten 6 and 7 and II./SS- TotenkopfStandarte 'K'.

13 SS-Totenkopf-Standarte formed in late 1939 with H.Q. and two battalions derived from 5. SS-Totenkopf-Standarte 'Dietrich Eckhardt' and IIl.battalion formerly 111./6. SS-Totenkopf-Standarte it was disbanded on 15 August 1940 with III.batallion and band passing to 9. SS- Totenkopf-Standarte and other personnel to SS-Totenkopf-Standarten 4, 6,7, 8, and 11.

14 SS-Totenkopf-Standarte/14. SS- Standarte/SS-I nfanterie- Regiment 14 (mot) formed 24 April 1940 with H.Q. and three battalions.I. (formerly 11./9. SS-Totenkopf-Standarte), II. (formerly 111./6. SSTotenkopf-Standarte), and III. (formerly IV./SS- Totenkopf-Rekruten Standarte'. It was motorised on 12 September 1940 and in April 1941 became part of SS- Brigade (mot) 2. On 30 June 1941 it was disbanded with its I.battalion becoming Sonderbataillon Kommandostab RFSS: while other elements were transferred to SS-Infanterie-Regiment 9, Begleit-Bataillon RFSS and NachrichtenKompanie Kommando Stab RFSS.

15 SS-Totenkopf-Standarte/15. SS-Standarte/SS-I nfanterie- Regiment 15 (mot) formed early in 1940 with H.O. and three battalions.It was moto.rised on 12 September 1940, and in April 1941 formed part of SS-Brigade (mot) 2. It was disbanded on 2 November 1940 with its I.battalion continuing as Totenkopf-Wachbataillon Oranienburg.

16 SS-Totenkopf-Standarte was formed on 24 April 1940 with H.O.and three battalions from III. and remnants of I. and IV./SS- TotenkopfRekruten-Standarte. It was disbanded on 15 August 1940, with its Volksdeutsche and other personnel going to 10. SS- Totenkopf Standarte, others to 8 and rest to 15. SS-Totenkopf-Standarte.

17 SS- Totenkopf-Standarte was planned but not raised. SS. Totenkopf-Standarte K (Kirkenes) was formed in winter 1940-1 (1).batallion was formed in August 1940, and III. in February 1941), by the expansion of SS-Sonderbataillon Reitz by two more battalions and regimental elements. On 18 February 1941 it became the second SS-Infanterie-Regiment 9 (mot) (the first was disbanded on 15 November 1940), and in April 1941 became part of SS-Kampfgruppe 'Nord'. In July 1942 it was transferred to the SS-Totenkopf-Division as schnelles SS-Infanterie-Regiment 9 'Thule'.

1 SS-Totenkopf-Reiterstandarte was formed early in 1940 and expanded into two regiments which in the summer of 1941 became parts of SS-Kavallerie-Brigade as SS-Kavallerie-Regimenter 1 and 2.

2 SS- Totenkopf-Reiterstandarte formed by the expansion of 1. SS- Totenkopf- Reiterstandarte.

SS. Totenkopf-RekrutenStandarte ('Oberbayern') was formed late in 1939 with H.Q. and four battalions drawn from the pre-war 1. SS-Totenkopf-Standarte 'Oberbayern'. In early 1940 it was broken up with elements going to form other units as follows:part of SS-Brigade (mot) 2. It was disbanded on 2 November 1940 with its I.battalion continuing as Totenkopf-Wachbataillon Oranienburg.

16 SS-Totenkopf-Standarte was formed on 24 April 1940 with H.Q.and three battalionsfrom III. and remnants of I. and IV./SS- Totenkopf Rekruten-Standarte. It was disbanded on 15 August 1940, with its Volksdeutsche and other personnel going to 10. SS- Totenkopf Standarte, others to 8 and rest to 15. SS-Totenkopf-Standarte.

17 SS- Totenkopf-Standarte was planned but not raised.55. Totenkopf-Standarte K (Kirkenes) was formed in winter 1940-1 (1).batallion was formed in August 1940, and III. in February 1941), by the expansion of SS-Sonderbataillon Reitz by two more battalions and regimental elements. On 18 February 1941 it became the second SS-Infanterie-Regiment 9 (mot) (the first was disbanded on 15 November 1940), and in April 1941 became part of SS-Kampfgruppe 'Nord'. In July 1942 it was transferred to the SS-Totenkopf-Division as schnelles SS-Infanterie-Regiment 9 'Thule'.

1 SS-Totenkopf-Reiterstandarte was formed early in 1940 and expanded into two regiments which in the summer of 1941 became parts of SS-Kavallerie-Brigade as SS-Kavallerie-Regimenter 1 and 2.

2 SS- Totenkopf-Reiterstandarte formed by the expansion of 1. SS- Totenkopf- Reiterstandarte.

SS. Totenkopf-RekrutenStandarte ('Oberbayern') was formed late in 1939 with H.Q. and four battalions drawn from the pre-war 1. SS-Totenkopf-Standarte 'Oberbayern'. In early 1940 it was broken up with elements going to form other units as follows:Remnants of I.battalion went to 16. SS-Totenkopf-Standarte.lI.battalion became 111./6. SS-Totenkopf-Standarte.111.battalion became part of 16. SS-Totenkopf-Standarte.IV.battalion became 111./14. SS-Totenkopf-Standarte, with remnants going to 16. SS- Totenkopf-Standarte.V.battalion of pre-war Standarte was disbanded in 1939.

SS-Totenkopf-Unterfuhrerschule Lublinitz was formed In 1939 and broken up in June 1940.

SS-HauptreitschuleMunchen was transferred to SS-Totenkopfverbande on 14 September 1939, and was placed at the disposal of the SS-Totenkopf-Rekruten-Standarte as part of its 9. (Ersatz) Schwadron.

Remnants of I.battalion went to 16. SS-Totenkopf-Standarte.lI.battalion became 111./6. SS-Totenkopf-Standarte.111.battalion became part of 16. SS-Totenkopf-Standarte.IV.battalion became 111./14. SS-Totenkopf-Standarte, with remnants going to 16. SS- Totenkopf-Standarte.V.battalion of pre-war Standarte was disbanded in 1939.

SS-Totenkopf-Unterfuhrerschule Lublinitz was formed In 1939 and broken up in June 1940.

SS-HauptreitschuleMunchen was transferred to SS-Totenkopfverbande on 14 September 1939, and was placed at the disposal of the SS-Totenkopf-Rekruten-Standarte as part of its 9. (Ersatz) Schwadron.

Andrew Mollo, "Uniforms of the SS" Vol.7, Historical Research Unit, 1976