Waffen-SS Foreign Legions

In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries it has become common practice to describe foreign contingents in national armies as legions. The choice of terminology is unfortunate, because foreign detachments have more in common with the Auxilia of ancient Rome, than with her legiones.

During the middle ages it was not uncommon for a state to hire units of foreign mercenaries, such as the Genoese crossbowmen or the Flemish hand-gunmen, for a specific campaign. Varangians and Scots were employed as royal bodyguards, and in the eighteenth century several European states employed foreign professionals from Switzerland, Germany, Scotland, and Ireland in permanent regiments. Today the only homogeneous units to survive are the Swiss Guard of the Vatican, and the Gurkhas.

At the beginning of the nineteenth century the term 'legion' came to be applied to detachments of emegre patriots seeking to free their country from foreign occupation; notable among these were Napoleon's Polish Lancers and the Hanoverian King's German Legion. During World War I, the term was also applied to units of Poles and Czechs seeking to attain national independence. During the Spanish Civil War, the International Brigades no longer fought for a country but for a political ideal.

Probably the most famous force of all is the French Foreign Legion, formed in the nineteenth century, and followed in this century by a Spanish Foreign Legion, which also still exists to this day. However, these legions form a permanent part of the armies of France and Spain and, unlike other foreign contingents, no attempt is made to segregate men by nationality.

The legions raised by the Waffen-SS during World War 2 had little in common with the Foreign Legions of France and Spain because the Germans attempted to organist ethnically homogeneous units. Nor were the German-raised legions intended as a permanent force, since they were formed for one purpose and one purpose only - the defeat of the Soviet Union. Had the war ended with German victory, the legions were to have been disbanded, their purpose having been served.

Since the war there has been a tendency to idealist and even romanticism the foreign contribution to the SS. A legend has arisen that the Germanic legions were a hand-picked body of magnificent specimens of Germanic manhood motivated by National Socialist ideals, and forged into an almost superhuman fighting force by the example and know-how of a hand-picked and dedicated team of SS instructors. It has even been suggested that the legionary movement against Communism was the precursor of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

There is no doubt that, at the beginning, a genuine attempt was made to select only the very best of the volunteers who applied to join the legions; criminals and idlers were rejected,and adventurers discouraged from applying. At the beginning of the war, the majority of Waffen-SS men were still the arrogant standard-bearers of National Socialism, and they reacted violently to the many foreign volunteers who were neither Nazis nor even particularly pro-German, and who showed a complete lack of interest and even disrespect for SS ideals and aims. This attitude was particularly prevalent in the Danish Freikorps.

Unlike the great colonial powers, Germany had few military men with the experience and aptitude for dealing with foreigners. As soon as the volunteers arrived at German training centres they began to complain about the unfriendly and even brutal attitude of the 'Prussian' SS instructors. These SS men were sickened by the sight of the SS uniform being worn by nationals of recently defeated and 'dishonoured' nations, while below the surface was the inbred soldier's contempt for traitors. Despite SS efforts to eliminate criminals, some wormed their way into the legions and offended the mass of honest working-class volunteers. Corruption among the SS existed and this led to mutual contempt.

The average volunteer was working class, apolitical, and if anything a little immature. Typical was the twenty-year-old Dutchman Gerardus Mooyman, who became the first Germanic volunteer to win the coveted Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. According to one of his comrades, Mooyman was not a particularly enthusiastic soldier, and on 13 February 1943 he was sulking in his dugout south of Lake Ilmen when the Soviets launched a tank attack on his position. Mooyman had almost to be dragged out by the ear by a German officer attached to the Dutch Legion. Mooyman then vented his fury on the Soviet tanks by knocking out thirteen of them before cooling off. Still alive today, he remembers with regret his youthful thirst for adventure, the sadness and shame of his devoutly Catholic family and friends when he donned the SS uniform, and the wasted years both during and after the war. Apart from the Knight's Cross, Mooyman's story is typical of a tragic generation which had not reached maturity when circumstances beyond its control obliged it to take sides. Having taken sides, those of this generation fought with varying degrees of courage in a terrible war and, like their victims, suffered untold hardships. But the greatest hardship of all was to return to one's country not as a hero but as a criminal.

Philip H. Buss and Andrew Mollo, "Hitler's Germanic Legions", MacDonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd., 1978

SS Foreign Volunteers - Estonia

The people who live on the Eastern shore of the Baltic Sea are no strangers to adversity. Historically plagued by invading armies and oppressors, from the Teutonic Knights to the Czars of Russia, the three Baltic nations struggled continuously to retain their autonomy. In 1918 it seemed that their hopes for permanent independence would be realized.

The armies of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia had heroically expelled both the Russians and the Germans from their homelands. By 1922 the Baltic people had won world-wide recogition for their independence. The Soviet Union signed several treaties acknowledging their sovereignty. Yet by 1940 they were no longer free.

During their brief period of independence the Baltic people gained a high degree of personal freedom and economic prosperity. Their standard of living was among the highest in Eastern Europe and illiteracy no longer existed. In addition the Baltic nations contributed fully to the world community through the League of Nations. The overall conditions that existed in Russia during this time were many years behind those in the Baltic States.

The ominous growth of the German and Russian superpowers, both militarily and politically, sealed the fate of the strategic Baltic area. In the German/Russian nonagression pact of 1939, Germany secretly ceded the Baltic Republics to Russia, on the condition that Germany would be allowed to process the extradition of ethnic Germans (Volksdeutsch) from those areas.

In the Autumn of 1939 the three Baltic governments were forced to permit the garrisoning of some 100 thousand Soviet troops in their countries. Starting with Estonia the Russians had lined their troops along the borders and blockaded the seaport of these nations until they were forced to concede. Finland, faced with similar ultimatums was in a posistion to resist. The result was the Winter War of 1939-40, in which tiny Finland sorely humiliated the victorious Russians.

The actual annexation of the Baltic States did not take place until June of 1940. Stalin, fearful of Germany's successes in Western Europe, decided to shore up his defenses. The Soviets merely had to link up with their "Trojan Horse" forces already stationed in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to complete their occupation. As a result several hundred thousand Russian troops poured into the Baltic States. Almost immediately the three republics found they had "voted" I themselves into the Soviet Union.

Although many Baltic statesmen wished to resist the soviets, the majority wanted to placate them at any cost to preserve a semblance of independence. Even this was not granted to them. Ironically the Russians introduced a "Trojan Horse' into their own midst by incorporating the Baltic armies intact into the Red Army. While many of the Baltic soldiers accepted this turn of events, others deserted. The deserters took their weapons into the forests to begin an unheralded guerilla struggle that would not cease for a dozen years.

On June 22, 1941 Germany launched the greatest military campaign ever attempted, Operation Barbarrossa, the invasion of Russia. Simultaneously the people of the Baltic States revolted. Soldiers mutinied and turned on the Red Army, creating a dangerous situation behind Russia's Western defenses.

The condition in the Baltic States shortly after June 22, 1941, was one of extreme chaos. Swift German advances enabled the Lithuanians to drive some of the Soviets from their country. The Latvians and Estonians eagerly awaited German assistance, which came rapidly.

ESTONIA

Estonia was the last of the Baltic States to be occupied by the Germans. The Russians had created a massive defensive zone around Tallin, the Estonian capital, in order to distract the Wehnmacht from Leningrad. Tallin was captured with only a minimal delay, but this diversion enabled the Soviets to strengthen the Leningrad front.

As the Wehrmacht swept through Estonia they encountered groups of regular Estonian troops. These troops had been carrying out guerilla warfare against the Soviets. Many of the Estonian partisans were professional soldiers and as such were of value to the Wehrmacht. Eight battalions of Estonians were quickly incorporated into the German Army. In most cases they wore Estonian national uniforms but were supplied with German arms.

The Estonians soon found themselves placed in a frontline capacity. During the Soviet Winter counter offensive of 1941-42, the Estonian battalions fought extremely well, but absorbed tremendous casualties. Although the Waffen-SS laid claim to these units, the Wehrmacht steadfastly refused to give them up. By 1944, more than 20 Estonian Battalions were in service with the Wehrmacht.

Estonian insignia worn with German uniforms consisted of a roundel cap badge displaying the national colors of blue, black and white and two varities of armshields. One Landshield depicted the Estonian crest of three black lions on a gold field with ESTLAND stitched in blue thread across the top. The other Landshield was a design of the national colors in a diagonal pattern, these insignias were worn only by Estonians serving with the Wehrmacht.

When the SS moved into Estonia shortly after, the German occupation, large numbers of Estonians were sought for polIce and anti-partIsan dutIes. Under the dubious auspices of the SS and Security Police, a Selbstschutz, or Estonian self defense force was established. Unfortunately the Selbstschutz was given over to the SS-Einsatzgruppen and became involved in all types of criminal actions including the carring out of liquidations. The Selbschutz soon was replaced by Estonian Security Battalions (Schuma Battalions) which were used in a more legitimate manner.

The Schuma Battalions were filled with conscripts who were to serve for six months durations. Some of these units saw frontline action while others were used for anti-paitisan duties throughout the Ostland Reich Commissarlet (consisting of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and White Russia).Later on in the war, many of the Schuma Battalons transferred into the Waffen-SS.

Uniforms for the Selbstschutz and Schuma units were extremely varied. All types of military and police regalia were worn, including used, outdated black SS uniforms. By the end of the war uniforms had been standardized to Waffen-SS attire with various types of insignia.· After 1943 many of the Schuma formations wore Auxiliary Security Police insignia and badges of rank.

In 1942 a campaign began in Estonia for the creation of a truly national military force. The effort was lead by Estonian nationalists intent on securing autoniomy for their nation. Up until 1942 the Estonians serving with the Germans were doing so in a strictly subordinate role. Little concession was given to their national pride. Estonian nationalists felt that an armed force more closely identified with Estonia was necessary to keep their homeland from being totally merged into a larger Nazi province.

After being assured that large numbers of Estonian men would turn out for an Estonian Legion, Reichsfuhrer-SS Himmler authorized its creation in August 1942. Almost immediately a 900 man force consisting of ethnic Germans and Estonians was made available to the Waffe-SS. By January 1943 more than 6500 Estonians had volUnteered. Many of these volunteers were sent to a Waffen-SS training camp for foreign volunteers in Sennheim, Alsace. It was here that Himmler inspected a contingent of Estonians and was so impressed by their "Nordic" appearance that he begun to actively lobby for Baltic autonomy to insure the continuing flaw of recruits from the area.

Himmler's efforts to secure limited independence for the Baltic States were sabotaged by Martin Bormann, Head of the Nazi Party Chancellery who was often engaged in a power rivalry with Himmler. Bormann used his direct access w1th Hitler to effectively spike Himmler's proposals. Throughout the war however, local SS off1cials, on their own initiative, continued to promise autonomy to the Baltic people.

Spring of 1943 saw the incorporation of 3,000 Estonians into the Waffen-SS. At that time recruiting and training facilities were being overtaxed and only that number of Estonians could be processed. Some of these volunteers were combined with a cadre from the 1st SS Grenadier Brigade to form the 3rd Estniches SS Freiwilligen Brigade. By October of 1943 the Estonian Legion, at Brigade strength was at the front of Army Group Center engaged in defensive fighting. The Brigade's commander was an Estonian, SS-Oberfuhrer (Senior Colonel) Soodla.

Neary l0OO other Estonian volunteers had previously been formed into a special, well equipped battalion titled "Narwa". Narwa (Narva) is a city, region and river located in extreme Northeastern Estonia. During 1919 the Estonian Army held off 22 consecutive Russian assaults on the old medieval fortresses of Narwa. This was an event of considerable historic importance for Estonia.

The "Narwa" battalion was assigned to the 5th SS Panzergrenadier Division "Wiking" on the front of Army Group South. "Narwa" spent a year with the 'Wiking" Division, during which time it was nearly destroyed in the desperate battle of the Korsun-Cherkassey pocket. In July 1944, "Narwa" was transferred to the 20th Waffen Grenadier Division der SS (Estnische Nr. 1).

Estonia's Legion, the 3rd SS Brigade, was enlarged into the 20th SS Division during December 1943. By Spring of 1944 the Division was stationed in Estonia and participated in the efforts of Army Group North to hold the Narwa line against heavy Soviet attacks. The Germans were unable to hold Estonia and large forces of disorganized soldiers fled to the south and west.

The Russian Summer offensive of 1944 had totally shattered Army Group Center, annihilating 28 out of 38 employed German Divisions. Much of Army Group North was trapped in Western Latvia, wlile other portions of it, (including the Estonian Division), managed to escape to E. Prussia.

Autumn of 1944 saw the 20th SS Division undergo extensive refitting in Czechslovakia and Western Silesia. The Division at this time was composed of three Grenadier Regiments, one Artillary Regiment, four support Battalions and one company. The commander of the Division was SS-Brigadefuhrer (Major General) Franz Augsberger.

The Estonian Division, which had achieved a reputation for reliability, spent the rest of 1944 engaged in the defense of Lower Silesia. Since the reconquest of Estonia by the Russians however, a feeling of depression gripped the Estonian soldiers. Far away from their homeland, they began to feel that they were fighting Germany's war and not their own.

Rumors circulated through the Division that the Germans were planning to move them westward to engage the Western Allies, which was the last thing the Estonians wanted to do. A growing sense of alienation and hostility towards the Germans came to a climax in January 1945.

The Division was ordered to stop a strong Russian advance on Breslau in Southwestern Silesia. Shortly after being committed to combat late in January, the Division fell to pieces. Groups of Estonians deserted en masse while others mutinied. The combat capability of the formation was lost for two months. After another extensive bout of refitting, the Division again participated in action duning March 1945.

Hitler had heard of the January incident however and wanted to implement the disarming of Himmler's foreign legions and distribute the equipment to German forces. Only two foreign units, the Indian Legion'and the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division der SS (Galizische Nr. l), the Ukraine Division, were affected by Hitler's disarmament proposal.

The Estonian Division was used only sparingly for the rest of the war. It finally surrendered to the Russians in Bohemia on May 7, 1945. All survivors were packed up and shipped to Siberian Labor Camps, from which they were never heard from again. The German personel in the Division were probably segregated and sent elsewhere.

Estonians serving in the Waffen-SS were given identifying insignia in the form of collar tabs and armshields. At first members of the Estonian Legion wore the SS "'Sig-rune" collar patch. This was later replaced with a double-swastika collar tab. This insignia was designed so that each angle of the swastika formed a letter "E" With the formation of the Estonian Division the collar patch insignia again changed. The second collar tab worn by the Estonians displayed a mailed arm holding a short sword framing a stylized letter 'E'.

The Estonian SS troops also wore two armsields. One Landshield, worn by the Estonians serving in the "Narwa" Battalion and by a handful of Estonians who served with the 11th SS Freiwilligen Panzergrenadier Division "Nordland", showed three black lions on a gold field, the national crest. The other Landshield worn by members of the Estonian Brigade and Division, displayed the national colors, blue, black and white in horizontal bars.

The Estonian Division also used a vehicle identification shield shewing a large circular "E" being diagonally crossed by a short sword. It is possible that a cuffband with the title "Estland' may have been issued to the Brigade and Division.

Richard Landwehr, "Sunburst and Swastika", Military Collectors' News, 1972

Waffen-SS Foreign Volunteer Shields

The origin of this chart is unknown, but it is accurate. If you would like more information on the Waffen-SS foreign volunteers there is quite a lot on the net. Also, Roger Bender published several books on the subject, however, they are mostly out of print and will take some searching to find.

A- 34th SS Gren Div "Landstorm Nederland"

B- 23rd Volunteer Panzer Gren Div. "Nederland"

C- 24th Waffen SS Mountain Div. "Karstjager"

D- 25th Waffen SS Gren Div. "Hungarian No. 2"

E- 26th Waffen SS Gren Div. "Hungarian No. 3"

F- 15th Waffen SS Gren Division "Latvian No. I"

G- 35th Pol Gren Division "Polizei Division 2"

H- 31st SS Frw Gren Division

I- SS Frw Gren Division "Bohmen-Mahren"

J- 32nd SS Volunteer Gren Division "January 30"

K- 33rd Waffen SS Gren Division "Charlemagne"

L- 11th Frw Panzer Gren Division "Nordland"

M- 5th SS Panzer Division "Wiking"

N- 36th Waffen SS Gren Division "Dirlewanger"

O- 19th Waffen SS Gren Division "Latvian No. II"

P- 20th Waffen SS Gren Division "Estonian No. I"

Q- 21st Waffen Geb Div der SS "Skanderbeg"

R- 22nd WW Frw Kav Division "Maria Theresa"

S- 6th SS Mountain Division "Nord"

T- 37th SS Vol Cavalry Division "Lutzow"

U- 27th SS Vol Gren Division "Flemish No. I"

V- 28th SS Vol Panzer Gren Division "Wallonie"

W- 29th Waffen SS Gren Division "Italian No. I"

X- 30th Waffen SS Gren Division "Russian No. II"

Y- 7th SS Vol Mountain Division "Prinz Eugen"

Z- 10th SS Panzer Division "Frundsberg"

AA- 38th SS Panzer Gren Division "Nibelungen"CC- 12th SS Panzer Division "Hitlerjugend" (Hitler Youth)

DD- LSSAH

EE- Liebstandarte SS

FF- 9th SS Panzer Division "Hohenstaufen"

GG- 16th SS Panzer Gren Division "Reichsfuhrer SS"

HH- 17th SS Panzer Gren Division "Gotz von Berlichingen"

JJ- 18th SS Vol Panzer Gren Division "Horst Wessel"

KK- 13th SS Mountain Division "Handschar"

LL- 14th SS Waffen Gren Division "Galizische No. I"

MM- 8th SS Cavairy Division "Florian Geyer"

NN- 1st SS Panzer Division "Liebstandarte"

OO- 2nd SS Panzer Division "Das Reich"

PP- 3rd SS Panzer Division "Totenkopf"

QQ- 4th SS Panzer Division "Polizei Division"

RR- Gross Deutschland Division

The SS Proficiency Badge

The Germanic Proficiency Badge (Germanische Leistungsrune)

This badge was founded on 15 August, 1943, by Reichsfiihrer-SS Himmler. It was instituted in two classes; bronze and silver, and consisted of two victory runes superimposed on a convex mobile swastika (46mm in diameter). The badge is of copper-plated zinc with an olive-bronze or silver wash.The runes are die-struck tombac with black enamelling and silver-plated edges.

Close examination of period photos and original badges would indicate that there were at least two slight variations of the badge. Type A (illustrations from original press photos) has the sun wheel arms flat or with a very slight curve and the pins are cut short. It should be noted that the holes for the pins are a perfect size and fit. The short round pins extend only a few millimeters from the holes and are slightly flattened from the bend, as if from a jeweler's hammer. The reverse is perfectly smooth whereas reproductions tend to have a more unfinished look. It is totally unmarked. Type B is thinner than Type A, the sun wheel arms are more concave, the pins are longer and the illustrated example has a bubbled appearance on the reverse. It is also unmarked.

After Himmler had decided on the institution of this award, he gave Gottlob Berber and his SS-Hauptamt the task of establishing the badge's attainment rules and regulations. In a parallel development with ultranationalistic movements in Germany and Italy, most European countries in the 1930s possessed their own right wing political groups based to one degree or another on the German National Socialist movement. After many of these "Nordic" countries were occupied by the Germans after 1940, various groups in Germany, most especially the SS, sought to exploit these splinter movements. Active collaboration with the occupying authority was encouraged and imitation of German forms was also strongly suggested.

After a long struggle, Himmler's SS gained control over these groups in 1943, raising or taking over token military units under German Army control. These "Legions" were, with a few exceptions, taken into the Waffen-SS.

The Germanic Proficiency Runic Badge was intended to emphasize the Germanic character of the satellite nations as well as to symbolize their connection with the SS.

In an 11 February 1944 issue of the Dutch "Stonn-SS - Weekblad der Germanische SS in Nederland," This decoration was to be "an incentive for physical conditioning and military education in the spirit of National Socialist world outlook and a confirmation of voluntary acknowledgment of the Germanic communal destiny."

The award was to be made by the Chief of the SS-Hauptamt after consultation with Reichsfiihrer-SS Himmler. Those who wished to compete for the Germanic Proficiency Runes Badge, and were not members of the Germanic SS or aspirants in the organization, had to hold a political leaders card issued by a Germanic SS service center. Testing for the badge required three weeks of preparation before applicants could take part in the course which had been layed out. An alternative was to complete 120 hours of training which could not extend more than six consecutive months. The test was to be supervised by a qualified representative of the SS-Hauptamt, and the instruction center had to be assisted by two members of the Germanic SS service center.

The following criteria were required:

1. Single or individual athletic proficiency tests.

2. Team or group athletic proficiency tests.

3. Individual political aptitude tests.

Under the first category, the requirements were:

In bronze

1. Run 400 meters in 72.5 seconds.

2. Broadjump four meters.

3. Swim 300 meters in twelve minutes.

4. Demonstrate proficiency in a selected sport such as skiing, with an acceptable good rating.
Note: To pass the above unspecified sport test the applicant had to fulfill the requirements for award of the National Sports Badge (Reichssportabzeichen), or hold a certificate for solo flying, or riding, motor sports, winter sports, etc.

In silver

1. Run 400 meters in 68 seconds.

2. Broadjump 4.75 meters.

3. Swim 300 meters in nine minutes

4. Demonstrate proficiency in a selected sport such a skiing, with a superior rating.


Individual military proficiency: (Not required for military personnel with a minimum of six months active service.)

In bronze

1. Rifle fire, prone position, target at 50 meters. 40 points, Note: Two test shots were permitted with a time limit of ten minutes.


2. Military tactics test covering such topics as field camouflage, map reading, forward observation, etc., with an acceptable good rating. Note: The above two tests would be performed at a respective SS school.

In silver

1. Rifle fire, prone position, target at 50 meters, 60 points, 2. Military tactics test covering such topics as field camouflage, map reading, forward observation, etc. with a superior rating.

Under the second category, the requirements were:
In bronze

1. Complete a 100 meter relay race in seventeen seconds.

2. Complete a rope climb in twelve seconds, 3. Complete a 110 meter assault course run with a hand grenade throw in 60 seconds.

4. Complete a 2000 meter cross-country run in ten minutes.

5. Complete a 30 kilometer march in full march order in 9 1/2 hours.

In silver

1. Complete a 100 meter relay race in 14.5 seconds.

2. Complete a rope climb in nine seconds.

3. Complete a 110 meter assault course run with a hand grenade throw in 50 seconds,

4. Complete a 2000 meter cross-country run in eight minutes, 5. Complete a 30 kilometer march in full march order in 9 1/2 hours.

Under the third category, the requirements were:

In bronze

1. Complete a written and oral examination on National-Socialist theory with an acceptable good rating.

In silver 1. Complete a written and oral examination on National-Socialist theory with a superior rating.
Note: The time limit for the written examination was two hours. At the Dutch SS School at Avegoor the choice of subjects was: 1. "Our Enemies," 2. "Being a Germanic and becoming one," 3. "People and Fatherland." The oral examination consisted of the same subjects as for the written one.

Participation in the competitions for this award was not limited to German nationals or members of the SS but all participants had to be approved by the issuing authority.

The first awards were made by Himmler on I February, 1944 when he visited the Dutch SS School at Avegoor, near Arnheim. Also in attendance were the Higher SS and Police Leader in Holland, SS-Obergruppenfiihrer Rauter, Reichskommissar Seyss-lnquart, leader of the N.S.B. Mussert, and Chief of the SS-Hauptamt, SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der Waffen-SS Berger. Himmler gave a speech praising the achievements of the Dutch SS (and the "Westland" Regiment in particular) and then presented the badges personally. He also took this opportunity to announce the expansion of the Dutch Volunteer Legion to a grenadier brigade (SS Grenadier-Brigade "Nederland").

Subsequent awards were made in Denmark on June 2, 1944 by SS-Obergruppenfiihrer Berger, and in Norway on August 16, 1944 by the Higher SS and Police Leader in Norway, SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Rediess. It has been reported that exams were held in the Beneshau/Prague area of Czechoslovakia, but it is not known if official award ceremonies were held.

The decoration was worn on the left breast.

These badges were reportedly only made by the firm of Kremnitz in the Protectorate, and this raises the question of the two variations for which no answer is available at this time. These badges had no markings of any kind on the reverse, and had a semi-broad standard pin.

The enameled runes were fastened to the badge with two pins per rune, flattened over on the reverse.

An exam record book was given to applicants which contained the certificate for the founding of the award, the regulations for the award, regulations on all categories including all sports which the candidate had to fulfill, and the application for the three-week course for the Germanische Leistungsrune. Pages 14-22 listed the grades earned on the various exams and sports. Page 23 was the application form for the Germanische Leistungsrune in Bronze, and page 25 was the final document for earning/possessing the award. Page 26 contains additional regulations which explained that the award could be recinded if the recipient was required to re-do the tests in the future, and then failed them. This is also mentioned in the last part of the "Bestimmungen" on page 8.

Postwar copies of this piece bear various spurious markings including "RZM" and "MOll." This latter number, alleged to represent an official contractor's number, did not exist. Postwar reproductions have the runes affixed with epoxy cement, a compound unknown during the Third Reich, or have the runes soldered or rivetted to the badge. Both are certain signs of a reproduction.

The publisher welcomes additional input on this elusive badge and hopes to produce a second part to this article based on this new information. Special thanks go to Steve Till, Fernando de Soeten, Otto Spronk, Alex Yordt and Yuri Desyatnik for their valued guidance and assistance.

Sources:
Deutsche Uniformen-Zeitschrift, August 1944, p. 4. "Die Germanische Leistungsrune fur die SS"

Gregory Douglas: "The Germanic Proficiency Badge (Germanische Leistungsrune)", "The Military Advisor", Volume 12, Number 2" R.James Bender Publishing, 2001

Bender-Publishing.com

(A tip from germanmilitariacollectibles.com. I would say that 99% of these I have seen are fakes. Be careful!)