SS-VT Black Service Dress

After the outbreak of war it was unusual to see Waffen-SS troops in the black service
clothing, although some officers may have worn it on furlough or on special ceremonial
occasions. Before the war. the "Leibstandarte”, the SSVT Standarten and Sturmbanne. the Staffs of the Academies. and the SS-Totenkopfstandarte all wore the black service uniform for special parade and ceremonial duties. In addition the "Leibstandarte” were issued in 1937 with special white parade equipment which included white belts. cartridge pouches and shoulder braces.

The black uniform comprised the peaked cap (Tellenriutzel) the undress field service cap (worn off-duty in the barracks. etc.) the service tunic. breeches and high boots. Field Officers wore steel nickel plated spurs. The brown shirt was worn with black tie by the NCOS and enlisted men and white shirts were worn by the officers.

In 1937 officers were provided with field grey cloth dress belts which were faced with an aluminium woven fabric with a woven—in SS rune design. The belt had two slides on either side of the buckle. These slides were also faced with the silver coloured fabric and they and the belt had two woven-in black silk stripes along either edge. The buckle was the special SS officers patten. Officers wore white gloves with gauntlet cuffs and white short gloves with the black overcoat. Some photographs show officers wearing brown leather gloves. NCOs wore short white gloves. Other ranks wore short white gloves on special occasions. Officers wore an aluminium cord aigullette under the right shoulder cord and fastened to a small hook under the right lapel.

Officers and Warrant Class NCOs carried swords. The swords were carried in the same manner as in the old German Army. that is to say, on a thin canvas belt worn under the coat with only one suspender and hook. The sword was suspended on one ring, the suspender strap emerging through a slit in the left tunic pocket. The swords had bright nickel plated knuckle bow guards and black grips bound with aluminium wire. The scabbards were black enamelled metal. The officers swords had a black roundel on each side of the grip, edged with silver and bearing the silver SS runes. The NCOs had their runes on the flat top of the pommel. The tops of the officers' scabbards had a silver interlaced design. Mounted troops carried sabres when on foot. The swords were carried on the saddle when they were mounted.

SS sword knots were made of aluminium wire and had an aluminium woven fabric strap with two interwoven black silk stripes on either side. The stem of the knot had a black silk roundel with the black SS runes in the centre. The NCO`s sword knot straps were black with three interwoven aluminium stripes. Junior NCOs had black and aluminium sabre knots or bayonet knots (troddehn). The troopers` bayonet knots or sabre knots were aluminium but had stems in the colour of the squadron or company, red. blue, green, yellow or white.

From 1933 the Allgemeine-SS and the SS-VT and SS-TV were entitled to carry the SS ceremonial dagger (dolch). They were pemiitted to wear this weapon in most orders of dress except on parade when the sword. sabre of rifle and bayonet were carried. Officers and senior NCOs are known to have worn the dagger on occasions (eg. at weddings or official receptions) during the war years.

The dagger was shaped like a Gothic hunting knife and had a black wooden grip with a white metal national emblem and a roundel with the SS runes. The sheath was made of black enamelled metal and had nickle mounts. On the polished blade the words of the SS motto “MEINE EHRE HEIST THEUE" was etched in Gothic upper,

Left to right: Senior NCO'S pattern sword, SS ceremonial dagger (dolch), 1936 pattern special dagger and suspension for officers and NCOS. officers pattern sword.

and lower case lettering. The dagger was suspended on a short black leather strap. In 1936 a special dagger was issued to the officers and NCOs who had been in the SS since 1933. It was similar to the 1933 model. but the new sheath had an additional fitting around the centre with a continuous swastika design. This special dagger had a suspender consisting of a series of linked oblong plates alternatively decorated with SS runes and deathsheads.

Walter-Karl Holzmann, "Manual of the Waffen-SS, Badges, Uniforms, Equipment", Bellona Publications, 1976

The Waffen-SS Indian Legion

Collecting items from the era of the Third Reich is interesting. Research on these events reveals much about the nature of the individuals and formations who participated in the war. Many examples can be found, of men in desperate situations who earn respect with their actions, even from the enemies they fought against. Other formations earn shame, notoriety, and eternal disgust for their despicable and inhuman behavior.

In the closing stages of World War II, as Allied and French resistance forces were driving Hitler's now demoralised forces from France, three senior German officers defected. The information they gave British intelligence was considered so sensitive that in 1945 it was locked away, not due to be released until the year 2021. Thousands of Indian soldiers, who had joined Britain in the fight against fascism, betrayed the oath to the King of England. They then swore to serve Adolf Hitler. This betrayal threatened to rock British rule in India, known as the Raj. The story the German officers told their interrogators began in Berlin on 3 April 1941. This was the date that the left-wing Indian revolutionary leader, Subhas Chandra Bose, arrived in the German capital. Bose, who had been arrested 11 times by the British in India, had fled the Raj with one mission in mind. That was to seek Hitler's help in pushing the British out of India. Bose hoped to raise a force of about 100,000 men which, when armed and kitted out by the Germans, could be used to invade British India. He decided to raise them by going on recruiting visits to Prisoner-of-War camps in Germany which, at that time, confined tens of thousands of Indian soldiers captured by Rommel in North Africa.

This photo shows a battle equipped unit of the legion. Various uniforms, overseas caps, trousers are in uses. Of particular note are the supposedly "Luftwaffe" or "SS" or Heer Tropical boots, and the use of grenade bags. None of them seem to be wearing the sleeve shield.

The Legion Freies Indien / Indisches Infanterie Regiment 950 was organized as a standard German army infantry regiment of three battalions each of four companies. They were issued Standard German Army tropical uniforms and weapons. Many wore the traditional Indian turban , others chose the Hats, caps, and helmets of the German army.

The Indian Legion Flag

All commissioned officers of I.R. 950 (ind) were German, but after a brief course some Indian NCO's were commissioned, in October 1943.

The unit was partially Motorised, being equipped with 81 motor vehicles and 700 horses, and was later referred to as Panzergrenadier Regiment 950 (indische) presumably to reflect its semi-Motorized status.

Members of the Free India Legion during training for duties on the Atlantic Wall, circa 1943.

The German High Command despatched them first to Holland and then south-west France, where they were told to help fortify the coast for an expected allied landing. The Legion Freies Indien was deployed in France on coastal defense duties in the area of Lacanau near Bordeaux where they were inspected by Generalfeldmarschall Rommel. Rommel was responsible for their original capture in North Afrika.

On 8th August 1944 the Free Indian Legion (now comprising about 2,300 men), like all the national legions of the German Army, was transferred to the control of the Waffen-SS as the Indische Freiwilligen Legion der Waffen-SS. A new commanding officer, SS Oberführer Heinz Bertling, was installed.

Despite the change in authority from Army to Waffen SS, the Indian Legion continued to use Army ranks and uniforms. The notorious SS map of February 1945 does show SS collar tabs featuring a tiger's head for the Free Indian Legion but it is unlikely that it was even manufactured and almost certainly it was never actually worn. However the Sleeve Shield for the legion was widely worn, though not universally.

Legion members wearing the shield on their greatcoats .

After D-Day, the Free India Legion, were in headlong retreat through France. They suffered their first and only combat casualties during this retreat while being engaged by French resistance fighters. They lost one man dead and a few wounded.

It was during this time that they gained a loathsome reputation amongst the civilian population. The former French Resistance fighter, Henri Gendreaux, remembers the Legion passing through his home town of Ruffec: "I do remember several cases of rape. A lady and her two daughters were raped, and in another case they even shot dead a two-year-old little girl."

Here are genuine original examples of the special sleeve insignias manufactured and issued to the members of the Indian Legion. Any other varieties should be considered reproductions.

The Printed Version on Linen

Three legion members wearing various tunics, with the legion shield on their right upper sleeves.

The "BEVO" Woven Version made with Rayon

Legion members in the Westwall Dunes.

Sandar e Jang (War Lord) Breast Badge, for "great personal bravery against the enemy". Obviously Manufactured, but likely never presented considering their battle history.

The 2nd class medal . A version without swords, Vir i Hind (Hero of India) was to be awarded for "distinguished service"

Charles Warriner, "The Waffen-SS Indian Legion", Militaria Blog, 2009

Maria Therisa Waffen-SS Division

In September 1939, German Panzer Divisions made mincemeat out of Poland’s finest Hussar formations. With the advent of this type of mechanized warfare., the downfall of the horse cavalry seemed to be assured. But the Russian-German War was to alter that judgment.

The wide open steppes, wild marshes, and thick forests of Russia, required a certain type of mobility that motorized vehicles, dependent upon fuel and roadways, were unable to provide. When utilized properly, both the Russian and German cavalry formations fulfilled this requirement. For example, the German conquest of the Pripet Marshes in 1941 was achieved largely by cavalry units.

The Red Army enjoyed an overabundance of cavalry troops but generally used them in a reckless manner. The carnage and toll taken of the Soviet Cossack forces was so great that the Germans were almost convinced that horse cavalry units were an anachronisms. As a result the Wehrmacht began upgrading its cavalry into motorized formations. By l943, the excellent 1st. Kavallerie Division had been reshaped into the 24th Panzer Division.

On the other hand, the Waffen-SS had employed “traditional" cavalry regiments in Russia from l941 onward. By 1943, four SS Kavallerie Regiments in two brigades were fighting in Russia as part of the 8th SS Division "Florian Geyer”. This division, under the command of SS Brigadefuhrers Bittrich and Fegelein, traveled nearly 1500 miles deep into Russia and considerably distinguished itself.

In 1943, when the Waffen-SS began a major expansion of its foreign units, the lesson learned from "Florian Geyer" was not forgotten. The cavalry offered a cheap, efficient way to obtain high mobility without having to worry about good roads, vihicle parts and petrol.

Most of the East European SS Divisions being formed were basically foot infantry. This alone made them inferior to the motorized, panzer or panzer-grenadier elite formations. Thus the prospect of forming cavalry units offered a way to bridge the gap between the grenadier and the panzer-grenadier troops.

1. Waffen—SS collar patch for the 22nd SS Kavallerie Division.

2. Official vehicle identification shield for "Maria Theresa".

3. Unofficial vehicle identification sign of the 22nd SS.

All of the insignia above bear the design of a "Karstblume" which became designated as a Cornflower.

VI. DIVISIONAL INSIGNIA

In early I944, the supply office of the 22nd SS Division received a shipment of collar patch insignia bearing the design of the Alpine Karst flower. Considering these to be the new "Maria Theresa" insignia, they were distributed to the troops. As it turned out the Karstblume collar patches were ment for the 24th Waffen-Gebirgs Division der SS “Karstiager", operating in Italian Tyrol. They had been accidently sent to the wrong location. “Karstjager" never did get them and "Maria Theresa" wore the patches for the rest of the war. Once it became apparant that the 22nd SS Division was stuck with the Karstblume insignia, it was decided to identify the design on the patch as a variety of cornflower. It was felt that this would be more appropriate

for a “lowland" formation.

Inevitably, the Katstblume or cornflower was adopted as the Divisional emblem and appeared on vehicles and directional signs: Two different designs of varying format were used. One showed the flower enclosed in a shield and the other showed the flower without the shield.

While the Waffen-SS never awarded a cufftitle to the 22nd SS, post-war manufacturers issued them "posthumously". As a result several bogus designs of "Maria Theresa" cuffbands are in circulation today. There are no other distincttive Divisional insignia known.

For photographs of the Divisional collar patch and members of the unit, see Waffen-SS, Its Divisional Signs, by Beadle and Hartmann, (Bromley, England: Key Publications) 1971.

Richard Landwehr,"SS Cavalry: 22nd Fieiwilligen Division der SS "Maria Therisa", 1944-45", Military Collector's News, 1972

Development of the SS Uniform

THE DEVELOPMENT

1921-1922

Red NSDAP brassard with white circle and black swastika was worn on civilian dress and the old army uniforms of ex-soldiers and members of numerous pro-Nazi Free Corps.

1922-1923

NSDAP banned.

February 1923

With the re-organisation of the NSDAP an attempt was made to standardize the clothing of the SA. Its members were ordered to wear field grey breeches, grey wind jackets, and the forerunner of the SA cap, a grey ski cap with the black, white and red national comade in front.

May 1923

The Adolf Hitler Shock Troop was formed, and wore army uniforms, NSDAP brassard. and grey ski cap with national cocade above a white metal skull badge.

November 1925

Brown chosen as the colour of the SA uniform. The newly formed SS wore black caps, ties and edging to the brassard.

September 1925

SS Musterbefehl der SS Oberleitung dated 29.9.25, ordered that in future the skull will be worn above the cocade on the cap.

August 1929

Coloured cap bands and collar patches with unit numbering introduced for the SA. By this date the SS uniform had become reasonably standardised.

June-Sept 1930

Brown shirt banned in certain states.

1931

SS awarded their motto MEINE EHRE HEISST TREUE. (My honour is loyalty).

April to June 1932

NSDAP uniform banned throughout Germany, Publication of first SA and SS dress regulations.

May 1932

Introduction of new badges of rank.

July 1934

First SS dress regulations published.

THE TRADITIONAL UNIFORM

The name given to the SS brown shirt uniform after the introduction in 1932 of the new black service uniform. By 1932 the traditional uniform had become reasonably standardised although there were still variations in the colour of both shirts and breeches. During 1933 senior regular SS leaders were equipping themselves with the new black uniform while the part-time rank and file continued to wear the brown shirt. During the summer of 1935 the brown shirt was worn as a summer uniform for the last time, and by 1936 the black uniform had been issued to the whole SS. During the transitional period it was not uncommon to see items of the old and new uniforms being worn together.

DIENSTMUTZE - Service cap

Black cloth SS cap with matching peak. Black leather chin strap for all ranks.Twisted cord around the crown of the cap according to rank; Untersturmfuhrer up to and inc. Standartenfuhrer; Black and silver (Black orwhite) twisted cord. Oberfuhrer up to and inc. Reichsfurhrer-SS . Silver twisted cord.

DIENSTBLUSE - Shirt

Brown cotton drill shirt with 4 black leather and two horn buttons downthe front. Two parallel breast pockets with pleats and buttoned flaps. Cuffslinked with two black leather buttons. Six metal belt hooks attached to thewaistband. Stand and fall collar edged in twisted cord according to rank. SS-Mann up to and incl. Obertruppfuhrer ; 2mm black and white (laterblack and aluminium) twisted cord. SS-Sturmfuhrer up to and intl. SS-Sturmhauptfuhrer ( Later Obersturmfuhrer).2mm black and aluminium twisted cord. SS-Sturmbannfuhrer up to and incl. Reichsfuhrer-SS; 2mm aluminutwisted cord.

ABZEIGHEN - Insignia

All SS insignia worn on the shirt was subsequently worn on the black service uniform. and is described in the section dealing with insignia. There were however two pieces of insignia, that appear to have been worn on the shirt and not on the black uniform. The first was a white linen brassard with HILFSPOLIZEI printed on it in black letters. This was worn by SA and SS men, instead of their NSDAP brassard, when serving as auxiliary police in 1933. The second was a circular white badge 8.5mm in diameter on which was a red cross. This badge was worn by medical orderlies who had not passed the State Medical examination. It was worn on the upper left arm above the brssnard. The rest of the uniform consisted of black breeches and boots, black leather waist belt and cross strap with nickel plated buckles and fittings. The equipment was the Imperial German army pattern and consisted of pack, ground sheet, water bottle, drinking cup, mess tin, and bread bag.

THE BLACK SS SERVICE UNIFORM

Introduced in 1932 with the first SA and SS dress regulations. For a short time the black SS uniform was worn concurrently with the traditional uniform. The cut of the black uniform was the same for all ranks, but the quality of the cloth of leaders uniforms was superior. Leaders often had their uniforms privately made, which accounts for detailed variations in quality and cut. After the setting up of the Reichszeugmeisterei (Quarter Master General) a remarkable degree of standardization was achieved. However impressive the black uniform looked. it was not suited to the increasingly varied roles that the SS was called upon to play. As early as 1935 certain SS units were issued with grey uniforms identical in cut to the black ones.

After the outbreak of war black uniforms were seldom worn.

As SS men had not been issued with overcoats at this date, they were lent police ones, stripped of insignia.

SS SERVICE DRESS LIST. 15.12.34

SS Service tunic. - Black twill

SS Service tunic. - Black cloth

SS Service tunic. - Black gabardine

SS Service tunic. - Earth grey twill

SS Breeches - Black twill

SS Breeches - Black cloth

SS Breeches - Black gabardine

SS breeches - Black twill

SS Breeches - Black cloth

SS Breeches - Black gabardine

SS Breeches - Black corduroy

SS Breeches - Earth grey twill

SS Trousers - Black twill

SS Trousers - Black cloth

SS Trousers - Earth grey twill

SS Overcoat - Black twill

SS Overcoat - Black cloth

SS Weatherproof cape Black pouch for weatherproof cape. - Black

Overcoat lapels - Silver grey cloth for Oberfuhrer and above.

As described in the original German as Stiefelhose as opposed to breeches.The difference was that breeches had a more pronounced curve on the outer seam and were not so hard wearing.

SS-DIENSTROCK - SS Service Tunic

Intl. SS Service tunic in black twill or gabardine for leaders.
SS Service tunic in black uniform cloth for men.
SS Service tunic in earth grey drill for all ranks.
Open single breasted tunic with four matt silver buttons in front. Two parallel breast pockets with centre pleats and buttoned flaps. Slashing slash side pockets with buttoned flaps. Single back vent with two matt silver buttons. Open collar edged in twisted cord according to rank. Turn back cuffs. All insignia was worn on the tunic.

SS-BREECHESHOSE (UND STIEFELHOSE) - SS Breeches

Inch. SS Breeches in black twill or gabardine for leaders.
SS Breeches in black cloth or corduroy for men.
SS Breeches in earth grey drill for all ranks.
Black cloth breeches with lace-up legs. Two front pockets, two back and a watch pocket, front and back pockets fastened with black plastic buttons.

SS-HOSE, LANG - SS Trousers

encl. SS Trousers in black twill for leaders.
SS Trousers in black cloth for men.
SS Trousers in earth grey drill for all ranks.
Long black trousers with white piping down the outside leg seam. Two side and two back pockets fastened with black plastic buttons. Black trousers were fastened under the instep with a leather strap. Earth grey drill trousers were not piped and had grey plastic buttons.

SS-DIENSTMANTEL SS - Service Overcoat

encl. SS Overcoat in black twill for leaders.
SS Overcoat in black cloth for men.

Double breasted overcoat with two parallel rows of six matt silver buttons down the front. Two slanting side pockets with flaps, collar edged in twisted cord according to rank. Leaders with the rank of SS-Oberfuhrer and above had silver grey lapels and piping down the front of the coat. All insignia was worn on the overcoat.

Andrew Mollo, "Uniforms of the SS, Vol. 1", Historical Research Unit, 1968

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 Visor Cap Eagle

Form II, 1936-1945

In early 1936 Hitler inspected and approved a new form of national emblem, especially designed for the SS. This eagle was sanctioned by a letter dated March 23, 1936 from the Chief of the SS-Hauptamt. This form remained in use until the end of the war and became the standard pattern replacing the earlier eagle insignia.

The first new SS national emblems were available beginning in April 1936 and were manufactured in silvered Cupal, a synthetic alloy (consult volume 3, page 36 for Cupal detail). An unauthorized neusilber version was manufactured by some manufacturers as a result of a misunderstanding of the regulations. One must note that the neusilber metal was no longer allowed for use in manufacturing from the summer of 1935.

Simultaneously with the Cupal version, the matte-grey aluminum eagle form appeared. The Cupal (or Coupal) version of the eagle officially was tobe worn by enlisted ranks as well as leaders with the Schwarze SS-Dienstmutze (black visored cap) the matte aluminum version was to be worn with the erdgraue und erdbraune SS-Dienstmutze (field-grey and earth-brown visored cap).

Two months later, in June 1936, the bright aluminum version was first mentioned in the Mbl.d.RZM and was to replace the earlier matte version. This light weight national emblem was for the most part worn by all personnel when they obtained the new insignia for any reason. The reverse was stamped with the RZM control number which was occasionally positioned At the edge of the wing.

Embroidered versions were not officially permitted for wear with the SS visored caps of the General-SS, but other forms were observed being worn, predominately being the 1936 political or army forms.

Higher SS-leaders often purchased better quality insignia even though this form was not strictly regulated. In fact, the Cupal version was an item of excellent quality.

The basic design of the new SS emblem consisted of an eagle with outstretched wings, staggered at the tips. The head of the eagle, faced to its left.The eagle clutches an oakleaf wreath enclosing a mobile or slanted embossed swastika. The wingspan is approximately 7.0cm and the height approximately 3.2cm. Its design remained unchanged through the years until the end of the war.

Many eagles manufactured during the war were of pot or zinc metals and of a slightly smaller size, measuring 6.7cm.

During the early war years, the SS national eagle emblem was also available in silver-painted aluminum, grey-painted cheaper light weight materials or of better quality silvered Cupal.

Wilhelm P.B.R. Saria, "Headgear of Hitler's Germany Vol.4", R.J. Bender Publishing, 2005

Bender-Publishing.com

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

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

Waffen-SS Rank Insignia

The Allgemeine-SS system of indicating rank by pips, bars and oakleaves was altered only slightly by the SS- Verfiigungstruppe (SS-VT) and later by the Waffen-SS, The right-hand collar insignia indicated unit, while the left indicated the rank of the wearer . The SS runes were eventually worn by all units of the Waffen-SS with the exception of the SS-Police Division, the SS-Totenkopf Division and non-German units. The Totenkopf (death's head) was worn by members of the SS-Totenkopf Division, its Ersatz units (replacements), the Inspectorate of the Concentration Camps and Totenkopf independent units (Insp. K. L. und TotenkopfSturmbanne).

The practice of the right-hand collar insignia indicating unit, while the left indicated rank was disregarded in three recorded instances. This occurred when the unit insignia appeared on the left as well as the right collar patch:

(a) Totenkopf ("Totenkopf" Division and other units) (b) Odalrune ("Prinz Eugen" Division) (c) SS runes (reason unknown at time of writing)

All Waffen-SS collar patches were black with the exception of early Italian units in the Waffen-SS. The Italian-SS initially wore red as the colour for their collar patches and other insignia. They were honoured with the colour black, however, when the Italian SS Legion became the 29th division of the Waffen-SS.

Early SS collar insignia for enlisted men and NCOs was initially piped in silver/black twisted cord but this piping was discontinued probably for reasons of economy. The collar patches of officers and some N COs, who were officer candidates, were trimmed in silver cord. SS Generals' collar insignia were also trimmed in silver cord.

In early 1942 the basic shape of the oak-leaves was altered. The leaves were now of a straighter style and the woven pips were in a slightly different position. The significance of the rank insignia was also effected as indicated in the following chart.

Rank To end of 1941 1942

SS-Oberfuhrer, 2 leaves

SS-Brigadefuhrer, 2 leaves, 1 pip

SS-Gruppenfuhrer, 3 leaves

SS-Obergruppenfuhrer, 3 leaves, 1 pip

SS-Oberstgruppenfuhrer, ---

Rank 1942-1945

SS-Oberfuhrer, 2 leaves

SS-Brigadefuhrer, 3 leaves

SS-Gruppenfuhrer, 3 leaves, 1 pip

SS-Obergruppenfuhrer, 3 leaves, 2 pips

SS-Oberstgruppenfuhrer, 2 leaves, 3 pips

Although the SS-VT and later the Waffen-SS retained the Allgemeine-SS collar rank insignia system, the tendency for closer association with members of the Wehrmacht's combat forces is evident in their shoulder straps. Originally, Waffen-SS shoulder straps were identical with those of the German Army and were worn on both shoulders. The only variation was that the straps of SS enlisted men and NCOs had a black underlay. Enlisted men's straps were piped in Waffenfarben and NCO's straps were trimmed with a 9mm wide aluminum (later cotton) border.

Straight silver cords were utilized for the ranks of Untersturmfuhrer to Hauptsturmfuhrer; entwined double silver cords for Sturmbannfiihrer to Oberfiihrer; and entwined gold/silver/gold cords for Brigadefuhrer to OberstgruppenfUhrer. Reichsfuhrer-SS Heinrich Himmler wore his special shoulder straps with 3 entwined silver cords on the black base with the addition of a silver 3-leaf insignia. The system was later altered for officers' ranks from Untersturmflihrer to Oberfuhrer by the addition of a black base under the Waffenfarben. The pips on shoulder straps were the same as those of the Army in colour (i. e. gold for SS-Obersturmfuhrer to SS-OberfUhrer and silver for SS-Gruppenfuhrer and above). They were later changed to silver for all ranks.

In 1940 the Waffen-SS adopted the circular rank insignia of the Army's Oberschutze. This insignia consisted of a star which was positioned on a black, circular backing and worn by the SS-Mann below his SS sleeve eagle. The title of SS-Mann was altered to SS-Staffelmann and in 1941changed to titles similar to those in the Army. . . . SS-Oberschutze, SS- Obergrenadier, SS-Oberkanonier, SS-Oberreiter, etc. The single chevron sleeve insignia of the Army Gefreiter was also adopted and worn by the SS-Sturmmann. The double chevron insignia of the Army Obergefreiter was adopted and worn by the SS-Rottenfuhrer rank. The Army's influence was also seen in the introduction of the silver lace around the NCO collar. The SS-StabsscharfUhrer (equivalent to Army's Hauptfeldwebel and Hauptwachtmeister), a senior NCO serving in the capacity of company Sergeant-Major, wore two 9mm wide silver strips above the sleeve cuff.

R.J. Bender and H.P. Taylor: "Uniforms, Organization and History of the Waffen-SS Vol. 1", 1969. R.James Bender Publishing

Bender-Publishing.com

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

SS Shoulder Straps

Officers and men of the SS-Verfiigungstruppe initially wore the shoulder trapS and boards with all uniforms in the identical format and manner of wear as with the Allgemeine-SS. Later, they continued to wear the standard pattern Allgemeine-SS shoulder straps/boards on the black uniform. However, they were distinguished by the wear of cyphers (bronze metal for officers, and silver-colored metal for enlisted ranks), to identify their units. Following the outbreak of the war, officers converted to the army pattern shoulder boards (to be discussed with the chapter dealing with the Waffen-SS).The Leibstandarte "Adolf Hitler" was the first unit to transition to wearing the army pattern shoulder strap for enlisted personnel. The earth-grey shoulder straps with white cord piping about the edge were worn on both shoulders of the earth-grey/field grey uniforms. The unit cypher was embroidered in silver-grey thread on the face of the shoulder strap.

The short-lived 1st pattern, earth-grey shoulder strap, apparently worn by the LAH only, was replaced by a second pattern of black cloth, rounded ends, and piped with black/aluminum cord. Machine-embroidered on each strap was a 3.5 cm regimental cypher, in silver-grey silk, for the SS-Leibstandarte "Adolf Hitler" (LAH), SS-Standarte "Deutschland" (D), and SS-Standarte Germania" (G).

The third pattern of shoulder straps was introduced and was of simpler cloth version. It reverted to the pointed ends, was made of black cloth, and had the Cypher embroidered in silver-grey silk thread. This pattern was not piped.

A fourth and final pattern was introduced in late 1938/early 1939. It was made of black cloth with rounded ends, and piped in the branch color (covered in the section dealing with the Waffen-SS Waffenfarbe).From December 1939 the regimental cypher was of the Roman (Antiqua) variety rather than the earlier Gothic form shown above (except for the LAH, which retained its former insignia). When pips and tress were introduced for wear by NCOs, the cypher was silver-colored metal, and slightly smaller than the silver/aluminum cypher worn by officers.

J.R. Angolia: "Cloth Insignia of the SS", 1983.R. James BenderPublishing

Bender-Publishing.com

SS-Heimwehr Danzig

"DEARER DEATH THAN TO BECOME POLISH" The SS-Heimwehr Danzig
Danzig, one of the largest ports on the Baltic Sea was founded in the 13th century as the capital of Pomerania, it became a part of the Hanseatic League in the 15th century. Being of primary importance as an open water port, the Russians took Danzig early in the 18th century, later in this same one hundred year span Prussia made the city a part of its empire. From 1807 to 1814 Danzig was a free city, being reclaimed at the end of that time by Prussia to become the capital of West Prussia. Danzig remained the capital until the Treaty of Versailles in 1918 made it a free city again until such time as it could be given to Poland.

On January 22, 1920 the last large military parade was held in the Danzig Square, marking the end of German rule in the city. By February 17th all the German troops, including Danzig's own regiment, the "Liebhusaren" were out of the city. The dictates of the Versailles Treaty had stipulated that there were to be no soldiers within the city, it was to be a completely neutral "Free City". By June of 1921 a German "Freikorps" had been formed to prevent the Polish government taking over the city. Like the other Freikorps groups in Germany at this time, the "Danziger Freikorps" had no legal basis for its existence and like the others, it was composed of beerhall toughs, exsoldiers and malcontents. The only thing that held the members in common bond was the fact that they were all intensely nationalistic.

From the time Hitler came into power in 1934 until the outbreak of war in 1939, he raged about the peace treaty, the loss of German territory around the world, and the "Polish Corridor". The ban on rearmament was of course openly flaunted. It became quite evident that Hitler was not going to admit the loss of Danzig when he made it a Gau of Nazi Germany under the supervision, of Gauleiter Albert Foerster. A "Gau Abzeichen" was ordered struck and consisted of an oval badge with an outline of oakleaves, inside this border was found the Danzig crest, consisting of two Maltese Crosses with a crown at the top, behind this emblem appeared the swastika. The words "Alter Kampfer" were also on the badge.

Through all the years since the end of the war in 1918 the German people were led to believe that Danzig was under constant harrassment and pressure by the Polish government. Poland could do nothing to stop this propaganda because Hitler had complete control of the German news media.In early 1938 Hitler ordered Totenkopf Standart III to be formed and to be headquartered in Danzig, under the direct command of the Berlin office.. In the summer of 1938 Standart III was nicknamed "Goetze" after its commander, Lieutenant Colonel Goetze.
In the middle of 1939 men and equipment began to come into Danzig from the East Prussian areas. Inside the city a company of men was formed and called itself "SS-Heimwehr Danzig". The uniforms were Waffen-SS and the arms were modern. They paraded openly in the streets in full military regalia, defying the Versailles Treaty .

On August 18, 1939 Gauleiter Foerster presented a unit flag to lieutenant colonel Goetze with the slogan "Dearer death than to become Polish". This flag was one of a kind, in the center, over the front of the swastika was an SS skull, two diagonal black rays crossed the flag, one with the SS insignia, the other with the Danzig crest. This flag was to be "Flown in honor at the head of the SS-Heimwehr Danzig" On September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland, the 1500 men of the SS-Heimwehr Danzig fought in and around the city until the 5th when they were transferred to the Westerplatte area where they saw action until the 19th when they became absorbed by the Totenkopf division.

From the time of its conception in 1938, the SS-Heimwehr Danzig left no question as to its allegiance. Unlike some Polish units which were composed of Volksdeutsch and went over to the German army at the first opportunity, the SS-Heimwehr Danzig was openly pro-German.

Deeter/Odegard, "The SS-Heimwehr Danzig", "Militaria" 1969

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!)

The TENO Dagger

Technical Emergency Corps - (Technische Nothilfe) TENO or TN

Organizational Facts. The Technical Emergency Corps (TENO) was formed on September 30, 1919, to assist the German population during times of crisis and disaster resulting from natural catastrophies. It functioned under the pre-Nazi Weimar Republic as a society of technical volunteers who were called to duty in the event of a public disaster. The Corps provided essential services during emergencies with its personnel being highly trained in fire fighting, decontamination, etc.

TENO men were distributed throughout the cities, industrial centers, and major traffic hubs for the repair and maintenance of public utilities. The Nazis realized the potential value of the TENO and reorganized the Corps in 1939 as one of the main Party formations under the auspices of the German Police. The commander of the TENO prior to World War II was SS Gruppenfuehrer Schmelcher.

Subsequently, he was placed in charge of technical affairs of the SS and was succeeded by SS Gruppenfuehrer Weinreich. The services of the Corps were required extensively after the outbreak of war in army rear areas and occupied territories, thus freeing army engineers and personnel for other tasks. During the conduct of the war the TENO became an almost integral part of the Waffen SS.

Type. Subordinate Hewer. Awarded to selected full-time subordinate members of the TN. The hewer could only be purchased through official TN channels.Year Adopted. 1938.

Description. This massive sidearm was intended for actual use in emergencies as an axe or hacking knife. The sole manufacturer of the TENO sidearms was the Carl Eickhom firm of Solingen. The hilt and scabbard metal fittings are nickel plated. The two white or orange celluloid grips, each marked on the inside with a small Eickhorm squirrel trademark (note: the reproductions are missing this feature), are retained in place by two countersunk bolts. The TENO cogwheel device is incorporated into the pommel, and the TENO eagle and swastika emblem appear on the crossguard. The heavy steel blade is bolo-shaped and intended for field use. A shallow fuller appears on each side of the blade. The large metal scabbard is painted lacquer. Each hewer was numbered for issue, with the number appearing on the blade underneath the langet and the corresponding number on the upper lip of the scabbard throat.

Length. 40 cms (15.8").

Blade Motto. None.

Accouterments

a. Hanger, a black leather frog permanently attached or clipped to the top of the scabbard fitting.

b. Portepee: a series of portepees were available for wear with the hewer, depending upon the type of duty. The most common TN portepee being a silver acorn with purple top and orange stem, indicating stand-by service.

Collector Availability. Rare

Johnson & Ormsby: "Daggers of WWII Germany", Clay Communications Group, 1980

Allgemeine SS Headgear

General SS (Allgemeine SS) Headgear

THE EARLIEST official headdress of the Allgemeine SS consisted of a black SA style "coffee can" cap (Tuchmutze). Three versions of this cap exist, the fittings dependent upon the rank of the wearer.

The basic cap, including visor, was covered in black wool and possessed a set of stylized, non-serviceable ear flaps which were cut or scalloped in the front. Insignia consisted of an early pattern M-29 Party eagle in silver metal which closely resembled the early SA style "pointed wing" eagle. The skull was the pattern associated with the 1st and 2nd Leib-Hussar squadrons of the Imperial Army, i.e. a silver metal form with a jawless skull resting on crossed bones. The eagle was affixed to the hat front above the scalloped edge of the side panels; the skull was mounted where buttons would have existed had the side panels been functional.

The enlisted versions of this cap (SS-Mann to Obertruppfuhrer) lacked piping. The chinstrap was of black leather with black painted buckles and fittings, and was secured to the sides of the cap by two black painted plain buttons.

SS ranks from Sturmfiihrer to Obersturmfiuhrer wore the same style cap, though the crown of the hat was piped in interwoven black and white cloth cords.

SS leaders from the rank of Standartenfuhrer to the highest levels wore the same style cap, though the crown was piped in twisted silver cord to indicate rank.

Fittings (i. e. chinstrap, side buttons) on the early "coffee can" cap remained the same for all grades. Officer caps generally were of better quality than those issued to lower ranks.

SS VISOR CAPS

During the period 1933-34, the distinctive SA style cap was phased out of the Allgmeine SS and a general purpose visor cap was introduced. This cap confored style to Army patterns and indicated rank by the use of piping and chincord straps.

The earliest of these visor caps appeared about 1933 and were issued to enlisted personnel from the rank of SS-Mann to Obertruppfuhrer. The crown of this particular cap was of black woolen cloth with black cap band and polished black leather visor. Fittings included a black leather chinstrap (SA style), black enameled or lacquered buckles and plain side bottons.

Insignia consisted of the early pattern SS/SA visor cap eagle which was positioned on the front central seam of the cap below the crown. Mounted to the band was the Hussar-style skull. Insignia was of natural aluminum metal and secured by the use of pins or prongs to the cap.

The leather or fiber visor had a raised convex border along, its leading edge for strength. The cap crown was piped in white as were also the top and bottom edges of the hat band.

In 1936 a "saddle" formed SS visor cap was introduced and was soon worn with the dress and undress uniform by all ranks. This field service hat differed in some particulars from the earlier visor cap, notably in its use of piping, band material, and insignia.

The enlisted style SS service cap, worn from 1936 to 1945, was of black cloth with the crown and leading edges of the cap band piped in white cotton. The cap was issued with a black leather chinstrap secured to the body of the cap by black painted metal side buttons; buckles and fittings were of black painted or enameled metal. The insignia consisted of the M-36 pattern SS eagle which had a full body, wide, outstretched wings, and which stood on a wreath enclosing a swastika. This eagle was mounted below the crown on the central seam of the visor cap by the use of prongs or pins.

The skull was also altered during this period. Instead of the old style Hussar skull, the new emblem consisted of a full-jawed skull resting on crossed bones. The skull displayed a three-quarters view to the right and was secured to the cap's band by prongs.

The visor was of black leather or fiber reinforced by the convex ridge along its leading edge, and finally it became the standard SS visor cap worn by all ranks from SS-Mann to Hauptscharfuhrer.

Officer service caps differed only in those qualities which were reserved to indicate officer rank. Officer cap bands were of black velvet instead of cloth. Allgemeine SS personnel from Untersturmfuhrer to Standartenfuhrer utilized white piping on the cap body. However, in place of the leather chinstrap, one of twisted aluminum braid was worn which was secured to the cap body by the use of pebbled aluminum buttons sewn or affixed on to the cap.

The insignia remained the same as that for lower ranks though finished in matte silver.

Allgemeine SS ranks from Oberfuhrer to Reichsfuhrer wore the same style officer cap but piped in silver wire and with braided aluminum chincord. Buttons were pebbled aluminum and the insignia was matte silver.

During the war all Allgemeine SS personnel wore a visor hat with a field-grey wool top (identical to the Waffen SS model). All other aspects were the same as the regular black topped version.

ALLGEMEINE SS WHITE VISOR CAP

SS personnel with the rank of Untersturmfuhrer and up were permitted to wear a white-topped visor cap with the summer service uniform. The white linen top of the The earliest pattern "fatigue" cap worn by units of the Allgemeine SS consisted an Imperial style Feldmutze patterned after the undress caps of enlisted ranks in Imperial Army.

Made of black woolen cloth, this cap was piped in white along its crown and the edges of the lower band and possessed an early style metal SS-SA "pointed wing, eagle and a Hussar style skull. The cap was cylinderical in form and was worn for fatigue duty.

Initial Allgemeine SS overseas caps were worn by the SS-Verfugungstruppen who would later evolve into the Waffen SS. This cap was brown or earth-grey in appearance and made of wool with a button mounted on the front. The side of the cap bore an embroidered early M-29 "pointed wing" eagle which was sewn to the panel.

A new pattern of the SS overseas cap was introduced about 1934 which consisted black wool on cloth and bore a button of silver-colored metal on the front bearing the traditional SS skull in raised relief; A cloth embroidered eagle mounted on triangular black patch was sewn to the left side of the cap. After 1938 the eagle was altered to the later SS pattern. This hat was worn only by enlisted ranks, and later, in a grey version, served the Waffen SS as one form of an overseas cap.

ALLGEMEINE SS TRADITIONAL CAP

A special SS "coffee can" cap was retained for commemorative and traditional occasions and was patterned after the early 1932 cloth cap. It differed only in its use of M-36 SS insignia.

Tom Shutt: "Dress and Field Service Hats of the Third Reich", H.S.M. Publications, 1981

Early Rank Insignia of the SS

The SS badges of rank were quite equal to those of the SA because the SS originally was an organization within the SA. Therefore the only real difference between the early SA and SS badges of rank was the fact that all SS collar patches were black and all double-coloured SS cords and piping were black/white. But this stands for the SS rank insignia up to 1934 only. After the political degradation of the SA in that year the badges of rank of both organizations have gone their own way. From 1934 until 1942 the SS badges of rank remained quite unchanged. In 1942 a new pattern of oak-leaf emblems was introduced and the rank of 'OberstGruppenfuhrer' was added to the list of ranks. It was about the same year or a little later when completely new SS collar patches appeared to pull one line with the 'Waffen-SS' ones, although there remained slight differences.

1933 SS COLLAR PATCHES

Features

black cloth for men: SS.-Obersturmbannfuhrer', black velvet from 'Standartenfuhrer' upwards. Silver coloured, resp. matt aluminium braids and stars. Silver coloured metal, resp. silver embroidered rank badges.

The piping according to rank:

'SS.-Mann' - 'Obertruppfuhrer' - no piping when worn on the brown Blouse and white twisted cord (not always because of difference in manufacture) on black Service Tunic.

'SS.-Haupttruppfuhrer' - 'Obersturmfhrer' - black/white twisted cord in any case.

'SS.-Sturmhauptfuhrer' - 'SS.-Reichsfuhrer' - silver twisted cord.

The Ranks

1. 'SS.-Mann'

2. 'SS.-Sturmmann'

3. 'SS.-Rottenfuhrer'

4. 'SS.-Scharfuhrer'

5. 'SS.-Oberscharfuhrer'

6. 'SS.-Truppfuhrer'

7. 'SS.-Obertruppfuhrer'

8. 'SS.-Sturmfuhrer'

9. 'SS.-Obersturmfuhrer'

10. 'SS.-Sturmhauptfuhrer'

11. 'SS.-Sturmbannfuhrer'

12. 'SS.-Obersturmbannfuhrer'

13. 'SS.-Standartenfuhrer'

14. 'SS.-Oberfuhrer'

15. 'SS.-Brigadefuhrer'

16. 'SS.-Gruppenfuhrer'

17. 'SS.-Reichsfuhrer' in the rank of 'SS. -Obergruppenfuhrer'

1934 SS COLLAR PATCHES - Features

The material of the collar patches remained unchanged.
Members of the 'SS.-Stammabteilungen' wore grey collar patches (material according to rank) with bronzed stars and black braids with silver stripes.

Piping according to rank

'SS.-Mann' - 'Stabsscharfuhrer' (aluminium) twisted cord.
black/silver (black/

'SS.-Untersturmfuhrer' - 'ReichsWhrer-SS' - silver (aluminium) twisted cord.

18. 'SS.-Mann'

19. 'SS.-Sturmmann'

20. 'SS.-Rottentuhrer'

21. 'SS.-Unterscharfuhrer'

22. 'SS.-Scharfuhrer'

23. 'SS.-Oberscharfuhrer'

24. 'SS.-Hauptscharfuhrer'

25. 'SS.-Stabsscharfuhrer'

26. 'SS.-Unterfuhrer'

27. 'SS.-Obersturmfuhrer'

28. 'SS.-Hauptsturmfuhrer'

29. 'SS.-Sturmbannfuhrer'

30. 'SS.-Obersturmbannfuhrer'

31. 'SS.-Standartenfuhrer'

32. 'SS.-Oberfuhrer'

33. 'SS.-Brigadefuhrer'

34. 'SS.-Gruppenfuhrer'

35. 'SS.-Obergruppenfuhrer'

36. 'Reichsfuhrer-SS'

37. 1929 collar patch for Hitler's adjutants - black velvet with silver embroidered or white metal emblem and silver twisted cord piping. Right and left collar patch were identical.

38. 1934 additional collar patch of Reserve Battalions worn on both sides of the collar above the regular collar patches.

39.
1934 collar patch of 'SS.-Ehrenfuhrer' (Honorary Leader) in the rank of 'SS.-Standartenfuhrer'.

'SS.-Bewerber' (applicants) wore no collar patches.

'SS.-Anwarter' (candidates) wore plain collar patches without cord edging.

40. 1934 Chevron for 'Stabsscharfuhrer' worn on the right lower sleeve above the cuff.

Rudolf Kahl: "Uniforms and Badges of the Third Reich", Volume II, Military Collectors Service, C. 1968