UNIFORMS OF THE JIJI

VOLUME 1
ALLGEMEINE- .... 1923-1945
Andrew Mollo
KCOlKaneHllIO, HaM AOCTanllCIo TonloKO CTpaHII",'" C ljJoTorpaljJlIRMII.
Windrow&Greene
,
,
I
"
'/
h
!.r-;:'~
4
6
8
ABZEICHEN
Inslgnl.
All insignia worn on the shin 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 shin.
and not on the black uniform. The first was a white linen brassard with HllFS-
POllZEI printed on it in black lellers. This was worn by SA and SS men.
instead of their NSOAP brassard. when serving as auxiliary police in 19331
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
brassard. 2. 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.
1. Oas Drille Aeich. Vel. 1. p 425
2. VOBl. der OSAF. Nr.2.. 10.6.31.. Zift, 9.
THE BLACK SS SERVICE UNIFORM
Introduced in 1932 with the first SA and SS dress regulations.l. For a short
lime the black 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 tor detailed variations in Quality and cut. After
the setting up of the ReichSleugmeislerei (Quarter Master General) a remark-
able degree of standardisation 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 cenain SS units were issued with
grey uniforms identical in CUI to Ihe black ones.2. After the outbreak of war
black uniforms were seldom worn.
1. Die Uniformen der Braunhemden. pp. 4 & 5
2. Oas Schwarze Korps. No. 10.8.5.35. P 4
An SS auxilliary policeman. in March 1933. As SS men had not been issued
with overcoats 81 this date. they were lenl police ones. stripped of insignia.
(London and Wide WorId- Brian Oavis collection)
Q

~
. .
ss Man In S81VlC8 dins
10
ss Man In wInter servlC8 dress with lleld cap.
ss leader ,n walking-out dress
Relchsluhrer-SS Helnllch Hlmmler and members 01 Ills pe.sonlll stall In wlnte. servtce dress. Winte. 1937.
11
.-
Formal evening dress for SS Leaders. SS Mess dress.
13
14
SS COLLAR CORD
ss Mann up to and Incl. SS Oberlrupplijhrer. 2 mm black and whIte tWisted
cOld.
SSSturmfuhrer up to and incl. SS-SturmhauptfUhrer. 2 mm alummium and
black tWisted cord.
SSSlUrmbannlUhrer up to and incl. SS Obergruppenluhrer. 2 mm aluminium
tWisted cord.l.
In Octobel 1934 the system was modified as follows:
SSBewelber up 10 and incL SS Stabsscharlijhrer. 2 mm black and aluminium
tWisted cord.
SS-Unlersturml(jhrer and above. 2 mm aluminium twisted cord. 2.
1. Miuollungsblatt der RZM. No. 4. 23.6.34.p 6.
2. Mltle1lungsblall der AZM. No. 25.17.11.34. p 6.
SS-KAMPFBINDE
SS Brasllrd
SS-Kampfbmde (Blassald) worn on the upper left arm of all black SS
service uniforms: see rear endpaper.
A member of the crack 7th SS Cavalry Regiment (Plauen. late! Berlin)
in summer walking-out dless. (Hugh Page Taylor collection.)
16
ss peaked caps
2
3
Top 2nd pattern SS field cap badges
Bottom. 3rd panern SS held cap badges
THE FIELD-GREY FIELD SERVICE UNIFORM
Certain unitS had been issued with a field-grey uniform for field work as
early as 1935.1. but it was officially introduced in November 1935.1a
This uniform w a ~ identical in cut to the black one. but was worn wllhoutthe
NSDAP brassard. In 1936 the SS version of the national emblem was
introduced. and was worn on the upper left sleeve of the tunic and ovcrcoat2.
In 1938 two shoulder cords began to be worn. instead 01 one. Prior to the
Introduction of fleldgley peaked caps. in March 1937.3. black ones were
worn With field-grey uniform,
THE FIELD-GREY SERVICE UNIFORM
Introduced in 1938 to replace the black uniform as a service dress for members
of the General SS. It was identical in cut to the black uniform, bUl was worn
with the national emblem Instead of the NSOAP brassard. and with two
shoulder cords. instead of one.
1. Oas $chwarze Korps. No. 10.8,5,35. p 4.
la. SSBefehlsblall .. 25.11.35.
2. Mitteilungsblatt der RZM. No. 11.23.5.36. p 205.
3. SS"Befehlsblatt.. 25.3.37.
Some confusion exists as to the exact colour 01 the first grey SS uniforms
The Germans relerred to tile colour as erdgrau or earth-grey, but as far
as can be ascertained it diliered linle from Ihe later SS Feldgrau 01 field
grey. which was identical to the colour of army uniforms.
SSOberfuhrer Wlmmer of Himmler's personal staif wearing regulation
AlIgemelne-SS field grey service uniform. (Oodkins colleclion)
17
1B
22
PLATE 1
; , "
: 1
, ,
, ,
, ,
f ' , ,
, '
, '
, '
, f
f :
, ,
, ,
, ,
, ,
: ;
, ,
, .
- -
1
7
14
_ "
fJ 1 f
, " , , , ,
; ~ ~ ' f
, ,
, . ,
: I ;
'! ' ,
, I ' , ,
, I ' ,
, /1 I ,
fA V f
't -
,
9
15
; ...
I
j
' r; r ,
, I ~ ' '
: : r f
, , '
I 'f f
, ' '
1'1' I !
: ;
:' :
: ' :
't.. I , ! t
................................................... : ....................................- ~
3
10
16
4
11
5
12
6
13
17 16
23
24
PLATE 2
7
13
2
8
14
3
9
15
4
10
16
5
11
17

12
18
25
26
PLATE 3
2
,
4 5 7
oBEASTE S.A. FOHAUNG
SA High Commend
Belole the assasslnallon of Ernsl A6hm In June 1934. and lhe establishment
01 the SS as an Independent organlsallon within the NSDAP. the SS came
under the ovelall command of lhe SA. SS Leaders attached to the Oberste
S.A.-fiihrung wore carmme collar patches. shoulder cord underlay. and
3 cm. wide black armband.l.
1. VOBL. der OSAF. Nr.H.. 1.2.34.. Z'll. 18.
REICHSFOHRUNG.SS
SS High Command
Hlmmler's personal Slall and ofhclals of the ttvee main. and numerous sub-
Sidiary departmentS of the Aelchsliihrung-SS were members of the General SS.
Apart from lhe armbands and that identified the wearer's main
department. there were also those that showed the departmental rank 01 the
wearer. These armbands were supposed to have been worn on the leh cuff
of the black uniform only.2.. allhough they were later worn on Ihe grey service
uniform. The departmental rank armband had plecedence over Iny other
armband. and was not supposed to have been worn in conjunction with a
second armband. although this was often done.
As the SS increased Its sphere of activity the AeichsfiihrungSS was enlalged
to eight main departments. and a new armband was introduced In 1939. which
was to be worn by all offiCials 01 the AFSS regardless 01 department.3.
Members of the mechcal company of the SS Main Office. wore SAN.ABT.SS
HA on thel' llmlband.4.
In 1936 an armband V.u.W Hauptllmt was Introduced for members 01 the
Main EconomiC and AdministratIVe Office.5.
2. Organisationsbuch der NSDAP.1943. p 434.
3. SS Preisliste. Apnl 1939. P 6.
4. SSPreisliste. Ap:11 1939. p. B.
5. SS-Beflthlcblan.. 1939.
n '-F-t-t""I' 1. I'1'lel'I"" I' ,,1'1"'; <' "" I '1'111"11 'f' '-"1"'>'" lir> 11" '-I." I 'It
'"
'-
"
,
"
1

l)

<" ..." . l}
, ,- ()
-
'.
,.;

t
,

,
1

l.
"
" ,
./. -

*,4"
l'
.' '.1' 11 .\.1,11.. L""" I;, Ll" I ,10--< ... I..I l---I-,I'. '., L.' 4-l--l .... C.Lt l-f
Armband for all SS m('mbers of lhe slaN of Ihe SA High Command. 1933.
27
28
PLATE 4
.............__""'''''''"
SS- tjet Cl Ptnn1t
::p , ""'''' =_
2
3
4 8
1. Afmband 101 members of Hlmmler's persona! staff.
2. Almband for the Stall of the SS Main OUictl. (Inlr. 25.1.35).
3. Armband tor the stall of the SS Main Security Office. (1nll. 25.1.35).
4. Armband for the staff 01 Ihe SS Main Race and Rehabilitation Olllce.
(Inlf 251 35).
5. Armband fOf ReichsluhlerSS.Hauptamtchels and Amtschefs ollhe three
SS Milln Ollices.
6. Almband for HauptabUlItungslelter on the staff of the RelchsfiihrerSS
and lhe thlee SS Mam Offices.
7. Almband for Abtellungslelter on Ihe staff of the RelchsliihrerSS and lhe
Ihree SS Main Offoees.
8. Almband lor Releremen on the staff of the RelchsluhrerSS and the
Three SS Main Offices.
9. Armbadge for lhe staffof the SS Mam Security Office and an SO personnel.
10. Armbadgc for the staff of the SS Main Race and Reha1;)lhtatlon Olllce.
(lnlr. 6 1035). Also for Agllcultural experts.
11. Almbadge for the staff 01 the SS Main Race and RehablhtatlOn Office.
12. Almband Introduced In 1939 lOf III offiCIals attached to any of the Main
01 subsidflty offIces whICh made up the 8:"llarged RFSS.
As from September 1939. all SS armbands were to have lhe Runic SS.
I SS Prels!ISte No. 29.,15 12.34. plO.
2. SS Preis!lste No. 29.,15.12.34. p 11.
3. SS Prclsllste No. 29.,15.12.34. p 11.
1011. Mitteilungsblau der RZM. No. 2.1.2.36., p 27.
12. SS-Pfelslfste. April 1939. p 6.
'0
9
11
12
19
PLATE 5
31
PLATE 7
1 2
"
37
38
PLATE 8 see colour gUide on from endpaper
1It Pattern
1. Armband for membe's of tl,e 3,d company of the I b<lllallon.
2. Armband tor members 01 the 4th company of the 11 battalion.
3. Armband for members of the 2nd company of the III battalioll.
4. Armband for members of the 6th company 01 the IV battalion.
2nd Pettern
5. Armband for members of the 1st company of the I battalioll.
6. Armband for members of the 5th company of the 11 bal1allon
7. Armband for members of the 9th company of the III ballallon.
8. Armband for members of the 13th company of the IV banalion.
9. Armband for the staff of an SS reserve battalion.
10. Armband tor members 01 the 3rd company 01 an SS reserve battalion.
11. Armband for members of the 4th company of the 1st ballalion of the 31 st
SS Foot Regt. (landsl1utj which had been awarded the commemorative
name FAUST.
12. Armband tor members 01 the 1st SS Foot Regiment JUlIUS SCHRECK
(Munich)
1-4 Unrlormen der Braunhemden.. p 87.
511 Minellungsblatt der RZM. No. 30.. 22.12.34.. p 7.
12. Dienstalterllste det S5.1944
PLATE 8
2
3
4
5

7
8
,
10
11
40
SS-REITERSTANDARTEN
SS Cavalry Regiments
Each SS District had one or two Cavalry Regiments under liS command.
which were identified by crossed lances on the nght collar patch and arm-
badge.
In 1937 ttlere were 21 Cavalry Regiments.l" and in October 1944 thele
were 22.2.
1. Dienstalterliste der SS.. 1937.
2. Dienstalterhste der 55..1.10.44.
A cavalry officer with the rank 01 SS-Ostubar. and his adjutant.
PLATE 9
1. Collal patch for commissioned ranks in an SS Cavalry unit. flat lorming
part 01 a cavalry regiment.
2. Collar patch lor non-commissioned ranks in the 6th SS Cavalry Regiment
(Dusseldorl).
3, Armbadge lor all ranks In SS mounted t;nits. inCluding the Main Rldln\}
School in MUnich.
4. Armband lor leaders In the 5th company of an SS Cavalry
5. Armband for non-commiSSioned ranks in the 1st company of an SS
mounted unit under the command 01 SS District East: see hom endpaper.
1-3. Mllteilungsblalt der RZM. No. 4.. 23.6.34, p 7.
pLATE 9
,
4
41
pLATE 10
2
pLATE "
45
PLATE 12
2
,"
"
SS-FLlEGERSTURM
SS Flying Company
The SS Flying Company was lormed In Munich In November 1931. In
September 1933 all flying units were Incorporated In the Deutsche LUlt-
sport Vcrband.1. There appears to have been no official InSignia to Identify
SS flYing personnel. but some did wear a whlle melal Winged plopcl!er on
the right collar patch.2. Certain members 01 the company wore an SA/SS
pilot's wings on their right breast.3.
1. Unllormen der Braunhcmden. p 25.
2-3. Ritter von Schleich II1uSlf3\1on between pp 176 & 177.
Collar patch lor membcrs of the SS FlYing company.
SA/SS pllo1's wings.
SS-STREIFENDIENST
SS Provost Service
A Strellendlenst was formed as and when reqUired by the commander 01 an
SS DiSlfic!. Amongst liS duties were the patrolling 01 out-ai-boundS areas.
Set:"U1lJ II,at SS men b<:haved IllCmselves. ware ploperly dressed, and were nOI
seerl In 'he straets, III unI!olm altel midnight A palrol conslsled 01 two or
tnee men undel Ihe command 01 il senior non-commiSSioned leader. who
carried a special pass 1 All members or a Streile wore il n'ckel-plated gorget.
1. Organis31ionsbuch der NSDAP,1936. p 55.
SS-STAMMABTEllUNGEN
SS Supplementary Reserva Companies
Trase special umlS were tOlmed by each SS d,st"ct from members of Ihe
Gereral SS who we,e over 45 years of age
\lcmbcr;; 01 a Stammabtel!ung wore SS unllolm With sllvel grey collar
II..L:cIes The Iloht collal palch bOle the emblem and number in black silk
01 'he ac:tve unll 10 which they wele attached.
In July 1936 plain sIlver grCV almbands WIth ahJmlmUm stnpes lor leadels.
and grey for men WCIC Ullroduced. as were grey collar patches for
SS SlaflCanen!uh,llf, \Vlth aluminium embtoidered oakleaf 2.
Bv 1939 nll:mbelS of an SSStammablellung allached la an SS Dlstnct
\',Ole :l,t! name 01 the d,stnCI In black Silk for men. and aluminIum wue
c"-u'o1dery lor leadels. on lhell arnlbanc!s.3. Also In use were bronzed lank
PIpS. ilrd olack collar patch lank b,ald .... 'm alumullum slllpe, Instead 01 the
n, "mil! plllC!rn.4.
'Olllt1 SI\fSS iKllllUlISt'<l!lVe 011 coal Wllh the r"nk of S,absvel'
\\dl: ,nQSfUhrt!. see lear endpaoer
1. Die SS.. 1ol19
;: Mll1ellungsb!an der RZM. No. 26 .2B 9.35 p
3 Mlllellungsblan der AZM No. 15.,18 7.36. p 302_
4, SS-Prelshsle Ap,,! 1939. pp 5 & 10.
SS-VERWAlTUNGSFOHRER
SS Administra1ive leaders
Whilst the SS was Shll P31l 01 the SA. SS adml:lISUallve OlllCI31s wOle Ihe
insignia as Ihell counterparts If! the SA. namely blue collar patches and
undllflay 10 the shoulder cord. and thelt badges of lank 0'1 both collar
palehes 1
F,om July 1934 until the introductIon In 193501 a sacc,;}1 allnbadge (Plate
No 15) SS 8dmlnlSlrallve olhe'als wore no drst,ncl,ve badges 2.
1 Umlormen der BrauntMlmdcn p 93
2. Mllteilungsblall del RZM No. 3.1.2_36_. P 27.
49
50
SSEHRENFOHRER
SS Honorary leadars
HonOlary rank In Ihe SS was conferred on a number of impOrlanl 1IfISIOClaIS.
linanciers and Indusuiahsts. whom RelchsfuhrerSS Heinflch Hlrnmler know
would be valuable 10 him. in hIs suemplS to Infiltrate Inlluenltal conservahve
Groups In lhe Gelman h,erachv 1.
Honorary leaders were given the IIghl to wear SS Uniform wl\h SS rank whICh
corresponded to their status III CIVilian hfe.
Spec,a1lnStgnla which allrrst was qUIte sllalglltlorward was Illlcr enlarged 'l ..
and Ihen. nOt long aller. seems 10 have been abolished altogether Apanlrom
special collar palch", and ilfmbands. hol'lOl'ary leaders also wore a Silver
agulllellc. sllT.llal 10 the pauem Inttoduced In 1938 for all SS leadtol:'i
,. Del Orden unter dem Totenkopf p 132.
2. Millellungblatl der RZM. No. 29.. 1S 12.3'1 P 11
(See lront endpaper 101 armband colOl.lIs )
PLATE' 3
1. Collar patches lor an SS Honorary Le8der WIth lhe lank of SS-Sland:"ten.
fuhrer gazelled to (; la sUite) the 2nd SS Regtrnelll (Flankfun/Malll)
2. Armband for SS Honorary Leaders.
1. Die Un,fomlen der Blaunhemdcn. p 98.
2 Die UnifOl'men der Braunhemden. p 98.
PLATE '4
1. Armband lor SS honorary leader attaehed to SS OISlrict 5ooth.
2. Armband 101 an SS honolary leader atlached to SS Sub-district IX.
3. Armband for an SS honorary leader allached to the 5th SS Regiment
(Traben -Trarbaeh).
4 Armband 10r SS honOlary leaders wilh Ihe rank of SSSturmfuhrer up to
and including SSOberSlurmbannfiihrer.
14. Mitteilungsblatt der RZM. No. 29..15.12.34. p , 1.
PLATE 13
2
pLATE 14
,
2
3

, .. ,
4
5'
Armbadge worn on the upper leh arm. above the brassard. by graduates
of the REICHSFUHRER$CHULEN. (From centre to OUler edge. black.
whole. red)
Armbadga worn on the lower lelt sleeve by SS members 01 the AUS
LANDS"ORGANISATION DER NSDAP. Introduced on the 25.9.36
SSSCHULEN
SS Schools
Staff and cadeTs 01 the following SS schools wore the name 01 lheir school
on their armbands.
1. SSREITSCHULE FORST (Dlsbanded7.B.193B).
2. SS-HPT-REITSCHULE MONCHEN (In March 1938 ltlls armband
was replaced by Ihe crossed lances which were on Ihe arm badge.
3. SSMOTORSCHULE BERNE (Runic SS).
1. Ml\leilungsblatl der RZM. No. 11 .. 23.5.36. p 205.
23. SS Price Ilsl. April 1939. p 6.
SSARMELABZEICHEN
SS Armbadgas
Armbadges were worn on the lower lelt sleeve 3.5 ems above the armhi.tnd.
PLATE 15
1. Leader In medical service.
2. Medical personnel.
3. Leader In dental serVlco.
4. PharmaCIst.
5. Leader and under leader in veterinary service.
6. Farrier.
7. Bandmastar.
8. Leader In administrative service. Introduced 25.2.1938.
Other armbadges existed, but havll not yel been idenllhed.
1. For cross countl'f spon.
2. Wollsangel.
3. For exSA men in SS.
4. For Kylfhauserbund. Introduced on Iho 25.4.1938.
5. For tournament and racing club.
1. SS-Prelshste. March 1941,p 6.
PLATE 15
, ,
7
SS-ARMWINKEl
SS Ch.vroos
PLATE 16
1 lu' Alte J(;amp'e' (hOl:our chevror: lor old ',j1lL'fS) was
wcrn 00 the UPj;1!1 F1;,ht mm bV SS rm:o whe had pnell e:lllC/ .he SS.
""SOAP 01 ore 01 Its 0I'9anr5i'ltonll$ helore the JOih JanuiorV 1933 A'so bv
those members of tt:c Auslnan SS, NSDAP CJr onc 01 Ofg<l:1lSaIIUfls.ol
members 01 11 tloceat:-le AUSII;2<l pro-NiI7' orgumsall:>l'l. and bv I:"05e. In
AuslIla wt>o vtrlul1teEled fot SS membctsh p before the 12th FebruoY.','
1933.
2 l:hrenw nfm! IUI Pohzel uoo A'l{jcllul1ge (Honour
chevron lor ex 'llC'llbcIS 01 ll'e PO'lce ilnd armeu forces) fn;loduccd
25 7 1935. was wOln on the upper nrJh, ,um by all SS velefans wl'., had
sONed ill Ihe mOler! !mees er pohce. Cf who had selvef! 511nullarloouslV In
another party organisation.
3. Chevron for ele-membels ul the SWhlholm (Sleel Hc;lmet UI!l<.I11,satlon).
was wurn on the lower lell sleeve.
1-2. Organts<ltionsnLJeh del NSOAP. 1943.. P 435.
3. Mllteltungsblatl der nZM 1935 No 2915.12.34. p 1'.
teu
Armband mtroduced Olllhc 251h May 1936101 ex members of the "Slosstrupp Adulf Hitler' worn 011 "yht cuff
PLATE 16
2
3
56
SSADJUTANTENSCHNUR
SS Adjutant's aiguillette
WiliJe the SS was sUIl unCer :IlC o\'C'laH wmmwd 01 the S.4... Huhm hall "
number of SS adJul;!n;i or. hIs \.. -::) \\'Cre Ih ait;jl.t11cItc
fer SA Ildj\llants.
SS leMrs WIth the r<l'"lk ul SSStunnful"er ami ahove. nonl ..... .ldju:ar't
b'l \'10 Reich5fliurcr'SS welC ('1\:11100 10 ...IEilr 011 :Ill') ,gh: 5oould'll of
se/vice untlo,", :1,1111::. a blacli: 1111:1 !>'lvtr ,'l'SJ,lIel111 1
SS-SIGNAlPFEIFENSCHNUR
55 whistle lanvard
BI'Id<. twIsted silk cerd ("IW'ill!! was worn I:y n(JIlccmffiisSIUIHJII alh
ecl1lmlS!oiorred leaders from tile top tunic. butten \0 the left t:/Cllst
service lUr'lic.2.
Adjutant with the lank cf SS-Ustul In tr.e 6th SS rOOt Aegl.
Chaf1ottenburo (Berlin). February 1933. (Sudverlag).
')S w h i ~ l l e lanyard.
57
SS-D1ENSTDOLCH MODELL 1933
SS Service Dagger, Model 1933
IlllloCuced on the 15th Decefllbe< 1933 for al ra"k51n lhe Gc..,cr:ll SS Tt-c
light 10 \vcar Ihe daGuer was bestowed Oil fJll SS mal" on the 9'h Novelllbcl.
alter he had 5ervoo three as an SS C'lI1U,dale. and hac been finally
accepted In lhe SS. The dagger W3S \\'011'1 wl\h all 0I0C!S 01 dr!!S!> unlll
September 1940. wllen 'I was no longer 10 /)(' worn.
Dagger wooden tj/lpwl\h mset white metdl ea;llc "lid SS ballfje
Nickel plated sl,calh anu 11111 pleces_ Black melal Elu'crI mall ... or
blade. MEINE EHAE HEISS1 1REUE Daggers prcsemed by lhe
SS l-IoH\r1ch H'f!lrlilllr hore an IrIS(;llpIIO" 0'1 Ihp. rCVCll,C of the blulh: IN
HFRZllCHER KAMFHADSCHMl H, H1MMl Average overall lenil,l!
37 ems.
Hanger FES1S1EIl AI[M(N W3S a short bldek S113:) with an ov,,1
nlckelplated buckle alone cnd. and a mck!!l p1illed r..lif.l ;It the other rne strap
was passed 111I0ogh lhe IIn1J on tl'e daggel shealh. and 1',ell cllppc:.J
01'110 a 0 ling 011 a b ;lck leather slide ell the scrvlce belt. In NovemlJ.!r 19311 It
.....as ordered th<tl wllh SC'fv,ce Ul'1IfOTTT'. Ihe daggcf would. In future. be wo",
In a speCial vel\lcal black leathcr ha""ef. 001 CHTriAGETASCll( t lhc
dagger was. 'ram 1'1<11 date. 10 he >Nom With lhe old type hllrgm. only VOI\ll
walk,ng out unlfOfm
SS-DIENSTDDLCH MODELL 1936
SS Service dagger Model 1936
Introduced on the 251h August 1936 a5 a new uiI\j\jer for Wl:m With
and undress un,forms. by comrmSSloncd ond tll0se l1on-CvrWI1ISSlullod
who were lully lIedged SS men 00'010 the 30lh Jam.ary. 1933.
IdentIcal to Ihe 1933 modell1\llh the ell:cepllun 01 (ill ell:lfil sheil!n Imm9 and
chaIn hanger.
SS-SEITENGEWEHRE
SS B.yonets
Model 84/98 bayonets wefe not standard ISsue In the General SS. bvllrke
sleel helmelS VIlE-le ISSUed tor special occaSions.
....

58
SS dagger model 1933.
ss S!:P/lCe da.gqcr mOl1c1 1936.
SS-QllCfsct!a'!I,I'rt'f Hem- cl R(10WS.(, ,n wal<'IIlCJ'OUI Ulu'orm
Will' l l ~ 19:'lli 1'"1<)11"1 '1;)<:'1(", Jllly 1937. (W. 8/cop er collecllGfi I
59
60
SS-AUSROSTUNG
SS Equipment as at December, 1934.1.
SS pack with C,lfryl'l;j straj)s
SS Triar.gular grol.nd shell;'
SS Ground sheet <lCCE::ssorv bal. emrt)'
SS Grourld sheet pen.
SS Ground slieet pole_
SS Ground sheet I,ntl.
SS Mess trn wun cntlnuIl11plemen!s.
SS Ealing Implemcnts
SS BlI:ad bag,
SS Sread ban strap.
SS Waler bOlll'! viIlh Irdl l.Ol/er.
SS Drinl-.rng cup
SS Pack cOl/cr. grey.
SS Sleeprng Vil!). while.
SS SI!)nal linin (RetICClOr) !'ll OlIlJrch cljlumn. lrQnL
SS Signal light (Rctlcc10r) for IT'arch column. rear.
SS 51g'1alllgl1l (RnllectDr) lor m<lrch column. ann.
SS Shoe cleanll19 kit.
III 1936 black. fell waler hOllle r:O\lcrs. and black carwas bread IW[Js were nc-
longer suppliccl. the wlll;le SS was la he Issued With ol1es,/
1. M,tleilunusLJlull del RZM 2.9..1 :d2.3'1, ;J 14
? Mineiluflgsblatt dCI RZM Nr>, 1:1 .6.Ci,3G.p 237.
PLAn: 17
1!J36 f,eld eu,I'pment corslsl'llq ut PelL'" Will' lolrler: (!round shet't ill1(j mess
I n \IVnil breild hag and \IVale' butt le Ir urn ,lIlVlce hell lJ ndell ,e"l h
U1her ri'rnks cross Slr<:lp The >1rOlll10 sheel W<:Irt'r tJottl(: (Ol/()! ilnd urt!<Jd u<Jg
<:Ire grey, lhe Dlllt Cind StrilPS hlilckellcd on (lll1p,r S\lrlnces, Ildtural T\lde on
l!lller surftlces, lhe rrwss llll. bl"d, all (lIne! rllet,,1 white. Ine p.1I':I<. n<Jlural
1JItJ,.... n callskin
PLATE 17
. ~ . - - _ . J
-
61
6.
SSlEOERWAREN
SS Leatherware 8S at December 1934.1.
SS Wa'51 bell In1('(I '11-1111 bucld':! Il)f SS rn " I,ll In .)110 SS Hautl!
MI@f"I'Cf
SS W'lIstllclt. \.u,lmelt Will' lor men Ut) to ,lilt! ",cl SSllaunt
SCllOrtUhll,;
SS Wa,!;1 bell. I""d '0',,:11 buckle t(,lf 1o,;;IIJ",S
SS Wa,M m-II. v.nh buCkle 10' leiICers
SS CIt"'.. SlIiIC. I "I!(I lilt SS men up 10 .lod ,oci SSII<1ulI1SLha,lu11lc,
SS (ftiS" """'0. u'lll"leu kll SS n><'n up 10 and Ine! SS- HauplscharrullfC'
SS Cross saap. hned IO! le... deJs
SS Cross SIHIJl. UI, 1Il:l10l Icilcers
SS CIOSS strap (lhll.'C p L.C). Imcd I()C SS men up to anu ,"t-! SSHaupt
sch:nluh.('I
SS Cmss sHap (lhree piece). "ni" t'il 1.1' SS uo ar.d lrtl SS- Haupt-
SClllUfutllCf
SS Ill,'e.: poctc} h:Y.!'d fer le<llU!t's
SS CfOSS 5llilP (lhoec flICCC). l."'hncd 101 Ieade,s.
1 tvcc IHCOIl 5:,,,,)$ wt!1C \\I"m by nnunted anu medJCal
personnel.
SS g,tl3::l (lnree Pt.1 Black
Me:>5 Ill. :r.[I;t;')
SS Sptll 51'<1"
SS M.11Ch :>lr<JP (MarKI .. el1" I.)
SS AU>ulhary caflVlllO s:,ap lor p..ck:
SS WillS1 bell slide
SS Dagoer slide (DulL! ..Ula"lcn)
SS Dispatch case
SS Map case
SS BaYl,l1l\!1 hoy
SS Dagger "O<J ($(1Ilcngcwchfl3schenl
SS Dagger hanger (Ol,llchllagelaKhen).
SS Daggcr hanger. lor mounted personnel Brown
SS Daggor Ilangcr (rCStStcllrremcn).
SS Riding brecches ICillher (Buckskin).
1. Mlllcilungsblatt der RZM No. 29,1512 34.p 14
SS leadC1's bell
SS olhl:r ranks belt buckle.'
I Mentioned as new '1ems on VOBl der OSAl- Nr,6,
26.1 32 . l,II 22
SS-SPORTBEKLEIDUNG
SS Sports clothes as at December 1934.
SS Motorcycle
SS Motorcycle ovcralls. grc)'.
SS Tr'lImn!) outfl!. glCy,
SS Sports troUSC'iS. blllCk sateen (satin)
SS SPOlts veSI. while wll11 SS badne.
SS costume. black wool
SS l:latl1lng COStUrll(: Three cOff\f>rcd type. bIJ(;k, wool.
SS Ski tuniC
SS Ski (Uberfallhose).
SS Ski cap.
SS Ski oalters (Wlckclglll11ilSdwr').
FenCing Jacket arm bad(le
Sports veSI badoe
SS Spons clothes as at March 1941.2
SS Sports trouselS. black Sdteen
SS Sports shrrt. white With SS badge,
SS Tralnmg jilcket, blue With SS badge.
SS Tr;JInHlQ llOusers. blur.
1. Ml\leilunnsblatt der RZM. No. 29.. 15.12,34, pp 13 & 14.
2. SS-Prerslistc. M,lICll 1941, 3,
63
MUSIK-INSTRUMENTE UND ZUBEHOR
Musical instruments and accessories as at March 1941,1
SS Drulll-mlljor's milCC WlthOlct cord ane ti>ssels.
SS hfe. Aln,y rnedc.L
SS Drum
SS DnJl11 sl,ck
SS Dnl'!l rover Wlttl carf', nCl S!fa:>.
SS UUl]le with l),JlloJlnl f'rrblem ill1d blmlrng.
SS trumpet.
SS Cord ar1d tassels tor Drum mac(;,
SS Drull1 !IlJ'lk with loathcI stlap.
SS Drum huok WUIoOUllcJlhcr strlp.
SS Slieet mus,c l'<Ise.
SS Bu>]le carrYIrl[j strap.
SS Drum slick case
SS F,lc ("lse.
SS Drum knee leillhcI (ApI\Jn) Illack Icather.
SS Dfum knee le<ltller (Amon) white Ic;;ther
SS Trumpet b<1nncr Wllh !i cm aluminIum frlr1[Je.
SS KCllIll drum banner With 5 cm <1IUmlnlUm lrlnQc rncludll1g
SS piJrar!c flllg for "'Jmglmg JOf1l11lIc'".
1 MdfCh 1941. P 14
SSSPIELMANNSZUG UNO MUSIKZUG
SS Corps of drums and bands
"V1u5ICI<inS m the SS. <is n 111e Gefm,lI1 rnrllY welC divided .1'tCl tl'lu
The SPIELMANNSZUG or corps of (:IU'I\S. 1 bCll'le' r
nn! twcnty fCI.r dlummers and filers or bt.qler,. (,.umrnwukd I,V
Drum-ma;ur
Thc MUSIKLUG Of band 01IlC:V'/(',J11 tWC'lly al:l f0rty m"S!';:li)",
Icd h'{ iJ MUSIKFlJHRER (Bandrnaster)
I-<Il:h SS fOOl rcg'men1 liw! (lno hand and onc 01 mOlC coms 'll
SS cavalry rC[lments II"d ,I 01 trumpeters which CCllslsted ut >1';
... trumpeters ard a KESSELPAUKEH (KellleclUmrtwc)
SS- SCHWALBENNESTER
SS "Swallow's nests"
MUSIC ans woro;l spel-Idl wln[jS ur iJS \I'.crc It
on both sroulders of tllelr tUl1lC SS "sw;l1 ow's nosts' 'Ncre
or black ololn ,rlmmcd WIth while. for the CD/PS of drums. ,tIlr! .11Ulnlr'II
bra d for !:;,nrJsmen, Drum-milJors liad 7 cm long \'>111C funge.1.
In 1!l3ti \-'llllte tllmmlnq for "swallow's nests' was <IboJisl;l!d line: al 111l.SIClJ
113d alun'lIllum braid. but bandsmerl wefC r; yen 3 cm. ant: DrUrTl-!lI;]I. 'I
70'\ 101101 ;]IUfllllltJrtl hinge 2
Drum-mil;er's mace
"ndmaSleIS w,lI Icact's rank dl(! flU" .... cal s.....alo,.-/o; n.''''''. bu' 1l.1fla
coo the r "rrrbalJgc
SS-SCHEllENBAUME
SS "Jingling Johnnies"
'lI'qhnq Johl1nlcs" were call1ed ill tho hoad of bands and Clime 10
,I'.e 181h cenlUry. frOm Turkey, vU! Poland ,md AUSlfl1l Its ollgm If\ MOh1ll11'
.oan :umlcs was Ihat 01 a symbol of command 11IIer II wns used In lUlk,s]1
aOlssnry as a perCUSSion Uls\lumcnt 3
'Ingllng JohnnlCS" did not COf\fo"n 10 allY standard pattern. and many
florenl models CXI:>lcd. In most cases lhey were pa,d fOl b" pllv<lte SUb-
rlptlOt' and prese,,:ed to a unLI by the Clllzens 01 lIS galllsoll lown,4 Some
'flJhng Johnn,es" of dlsbaoded Impenal a'my regiments fouIld ,hcr way
10 the SS bul wcre Ilaroded back to those reglOlCnts 01 ,he newWe/urn;'l('h'.
were to carry on Ihe lladltlons of the disbanded 1O{JlmclltS 5
SS-FANFARENTOCHER UNO PAUKENGEHANGE
SS Trumpet and kettledrum banoels
u..,lpcl and kenledrum ballnors dl[l nOI conform 10 any standard deSI<Jn. ;mu
"I In most cases presented 10 Ihe un I by public SUCscllpt,on 1he
I l-l.lllOralencss of the des,.,n 01 Ihe banner deperdcd on tll(' (le
1
lo",s'V
the subscr.llers.
1, Mlaollungsbl,,11 dcr RZ\1 No, 29.15 12 34 p ".
2. MI:tc,lunqsblall del' Rl'v1 Pl;o -1.15.236 p.19.
3 1NC.'l und Bliluchturr ces Suldillen p 127.
1 0,15 Sch....Dlzc Korps No, S1..17,12 36 p 4,
., 193:1 I);, J.l'11 der DCUi$cllen. p91
'I .r"n,,!! .... Ih (llllT11 and d'''fT' Slreo. ilnd 11':>1 'swallo.... s
IS t I (l'pO; II rlll,Wo; .100 Ot m ma,ar see le"l endlJ<lj)l'l
! 1
65
66
\
I ~ ;
-J;: .
.1' ,A
f\ A
' 'Le". '-:jiTll.:
i l ~ i
It\"
Obverse <lmJ reverse of IYPIC31 SS Trum:>ct b30ner.
"SdICllcllhllum" ol the 36th SS Fool Rcglmcllll (03l1.1!g).
"S:"eller-I;ll\ml' 01 the 12.th SS Foot Rcgimt'rll (H,mnovcr) which W < l ~
orcscnlo:od 10 the re!jlmenl in December 193G
6/
68
DIE BLUTFAHNE
The "Bloodflag"
On lhe 91h Novemoer 1923 Hltle,'s to r1aLn 01 ":'I,llIC.h wa!>
!>t-alll,;,ed by a pahce volley_ F,om Ihc SIlf!een Nil:",:n;JI Sue ,111515
that had neen I. 'led, imd tt>e ot"er!> thall'llr: hn ....,oundco a bl{)Qfj $Oaki'd
SWilstlkll lIaq v.as fro..., I\S dead bearer, Andrens Baurocol The NDSAP
was b.ml;cd, Hllier Inpfl$Oncc, and tl'c IIa1 .... as COIl! Scaled by It-C, un ch
Pc";;e PfeSl(1.rnl
On 'I'e 9111 19]6 flag \Vim a new pele i1rd IUI} rll'e
scnlcd to t'l! SS,StUIM 1 \ SS Stand':lIte (\hmetlt.'fl),
fCI sale kceplOU II I:!d b': tl'en become one uf tt'e mOSt hOl'cl.rcd r('hu ul
I htlcr's Struflflle I(,f -.... er r,cm Ihal day 0" all rew SlanOiJffts 'lnd ft.1gS wcre
Inaugur;'ltcd by be nn loud",'j ""nh thc "elOlld Flaq" 1
Hie 1l,;'1.eral 01 Udl,'et;>, -, \!ft.,; Oil" ., l' ':! ',hI OIl
wlllch the "Blooo f.-a"" was Ifoooea Scltcrl8,Jacrdu::ns,
o
..
STANOARTE (FELOZEICHEN) OER SS
SS Standllrd
I hO prcsenwlIon of four SA standarC5 t00k pluco on tll(, 28th J"nu<JIY
1923. on the fllst Party Day Rally helll III Munich. It thenuecame the custom
10 presenl new st3ndards ,md 1139S al the llm1W31 P3rtv ()av 11,llIy_2_
The IlIst 8 SS sl31\d3fds were presemiW ;Il Nurcmber!!. In
1933.3.
Tile dOlh 113rl of the s\<lruJmd measurl:!d 60 x 70 ellls. and was edged on three
sides with ulack and white fllngll; latel Black. white and led lunge The flag
was suspended ffom a while metal cross bJr l' x <lOcms. on the hont 01 WlllCh
weltl Iho IOttors NSDAP cn J black ground On Ihe reverse was :he name 01
the region or ellstuct to winch the unit belonged. or 3 cOlllmernOI:H1ve name.
In Scplemuer 1933 Ihe tellers and Ihe name were revCf5ed Above IlIn cross
har was tile natlonat emhlem which conSisted Of <l wl\lle metal wl,wth
WIHI gIlt binding. Insldo wl1lch was il ulack swasllkil 32 ems In dlallleler.
With wllll!1 me131 surround The lI'.rC<lth and sw,1st,kJ weru IlY ;,l
gilt mOlal flYing eagle. Tile uver;lll heIght of the SUlntlard was') .30 m
Tho standard W:lSlrooped by the 1S1 hatlallon uf ,Ill SS leglmeo1. and call1ed
by il COlnet who was euhcl aSCIllor nOllcommlSSloned or Junior commiSSIOned
leader.
A cornet wOIe J gorge!. brllldohcr and wlnlO gloves whcn carrYing the
standard 4.
Tre SUlllt!;lrrl 01 lilt! 45111 SS Re!llllcnt tOppeln)
soo re"" lJl1dl);lP<'I
69
10
SA/SS Slandardb . earer s gorgel
Massed SS Slandards at the 1 9 3 ~ P ::l arty Day Rally
(Planet News B' . mm DD . VIS Co/fecl/'on.)
SS-STURMBANNFAHNE
ss Battalion flag
Tlw IIrst 10 SS batlahon 1Iags were presented In 1929
1\2 more were p ~ e s e r l l e d at MUnich In November of the same yCill 6.
rhe flag measuled 120 x 140 cms. and was edged on three sIdes Wllh black
and alumll1lum lr1nge. In the top left hand corner was a black rectangular
patch 20 x 15 cms. which was edged In twisted aluminium cord. and on which
was embroldeled rn alumllllum Wife the number of the bal\allon in IOman
numerals. and Ihe reglmemal number 111 arab,c numerals. The s\l\;i1sllka rested
on ItS side 111 tho I,rst paltern ollhe flag. but in the laler pallern It slood on liS
pOlnl. The flag was <ll1ached to Ihe pole by SIX 10 mm nlckel-plaled rrngs.
The pole was made of wood polished black. and was surmounled by an
alUminiUm lance 11ead If al any lime a slandard-bearer had been killed carrYing
the lIag. IllS name and date of hiS death were engraved on a mOlal flng which
was then filled to the pole above the JOint. The overall height of Ihe flag
was 3 m.
The flag was call1ed by a senior non-comnl"sslnned leader who wore a
gorget. bandolier .lOd while gloves 7.
Flag 01 the 3rd oalla!lun uf Ihe 9th SS Rcglmem (Slelllll)
see rea' endpilper
71
"
,
\
~ j
/

S5-REITERSTANDARTE
SS Cavalry standard
The fusll.:Jvalry standards wele rvcsenled In MunIch ,n October 1935 8.
11 was call1ed by a IUlllor commIsSIoned. or senior noncommlSSloned leadel.
who wOIe a 901gel. special knee length clad: leather bandohel and while
Iloves 01 gauntlcts_9
Oas Schwar7e KOIps No. 29.. 19.1035. p 5.
2 Un formen des I3rounhemden. p 15.
3 Urlllormen das BHlunhcmden. pp 84-86.
4. UllIforl1lCIl del Bl3untltHnden. pp 85 b 88
!j. D<ls 5<.:h'\l<lrlO Korps No. 31 . 310.35 p 1.
6. Oas SChW3r1E! KnTps No, 37,.14.11 3[). n 5.
$lil!1da'u 0' rhe 1!J!I' Cavnlry HC\illll('1l1 (Vi U'lI('n1
1><:e I",,' elluOilrwr
I{ew ",lt1ahon flags being lrlaugul:llcd bV Adoll Hitler. at Ihe 1938 Pally
Day Rally The standard bearer IS W(!3l1ng the rn,)wly Introduced golget
and bandolier 'Hcmnch Hot/man)
SS Slan:1ard-bealof .lttho 1933 Party Day Rally neld al Nuremberg He
wears '0 SNSS standard bearers gorget (Fnednch 8.iUe,.)
see page 69
See page 65
See page 71
See page 73
see page 49
see Plate 8, page 39
2
3
4
See Plate 9, page 41
Ion'
rh! 1
.... " _.". . - .
5
6
7

See 11, page 45

9
10
11
See Plates 13 & 14, pages 50 & 51
............PwQ -- I"I I
.....
UNIFORMS OF THE ....
VOLUME 2
GERMANISCHE-Ji"1940-1945
Hugh PageTaylor
KCOlKaneHIlIO, HaM AOCTanllCIo TonloKO CTpaHII",'" C ljJoTorpaljJlIRMII.
Windrow&Greene
,
the N.S.B. but in practice it paid obedience only 10 Himmler and was but
a 1001 of his representative in Holland-Rauter. 11 held its fns! parade in
the Hague on January 11 th. 1941. and on February 22nd. 1941. a large
rally was held lor them in the Clly-Theater in Amsterdam and there
followed a massed march-past through the Slreets of the capital.
In March 1941 the Dutch SS was reported as having some 600 members.
On May 17th, 1942. Musserl handed the Dutch SS over to H,mmler at a
ceremony held in Amsterdam-it was a move described at the lime as
"the inCOfporation of the Dutch SS mto the Germanic SS", and It was
"received into the SS Order and CommunllY With all nghts. duties and
laws that this Ifwolved:' Hlmmler also honoured them With the right to
wear the German SS belt buckle with the motto "Melne Ehre helsst
Treue" (Rei: Der ReichsIUhrer-SS. FUhrerhauptQuarller. den 23. Junl
1942. Tgb.Nr. RF(V.) This point marked the lormal transler of alle-
giance of the Dutch SS to Hitler. Himmler and the German SS proper.
(although it still continued to be a formation of the N.S.B.) and at this
ceremony the only concession given 10 Mussen was that he took the
oath of allegiance from the Dutch SS personally. This oath was given
10 Hitler and ran as follows:
"Adolf HItler. leader of the Germanic peoples. I swear loyal and
failhful obedience unto you. and those that you place in authority
over me. unto death. So truly help me God r'
C'Adolf Hitler. Germaansche Fuhrer. U zweer ik hOU en lrOUW en
U en de door U over mij gestelden gehoorzaamheid tot in de dood.
Zo waaflijk helpe mij God n
At this ceremony the full complement of the GermaniC SS in Holland
is reported as 750 men.
The actual status 01 the Dutch SS was. to say the least. confUSing. and
il remained ambiguous to the end. It owed its allegiance to the N.S.B.
and the SS rather than to Holland or Ge.many. It was said to have been
The commander 01 the Dutch SS (Voo/man der Nederlandsche SS)
J. H. Feldmeijer.
SS SCHOEISEl
SS Footwear
As German.
SS KLEDING
SS Underwaar
Black shirt.
White shirt.
Black tie.
SS RANGAANDUIDINGEN
SS Badge. of rank
The badges of rank in the Dutch SS corresponded exactly to those of
the Allgemeine-SS. Although the official rank chart shows badges 01
rank for genera! olficers. the most senior Dutch SS officer held the rank
of SS-Standaardleider. and it is therefore presumed that they were
never in fact required.
SS $?I!:C!:LS
SS Coller patches
Collar patches wele used to denOle the rank and unit 01 the wearer.
The unit designation was worn on the right. and the badge of rank on
the left collar patch, The commander (Voorman) of the Dutch SS wore
special collar patches as illustrated.
Members of the Staff of the DutCh SS wore a plain right hand collar
patch.
Members of the numbered SS regiments (SS-Standaarden) wore the
regimental number In ArabiC in aluminium embroidery on the right
collar patch. Collar patches were edged In tWisted cord. according 10
rank (see Volume 1. p. 20).
SS-Roltenlelder. Avegoor. Augusl 1942,
11
12
(Above) Commander of the 3rd regiment of the Dutch SS.
(left) DutCh SS man,
(opp. page) Parade of the 1st Regiment of the Dutch SS.
13
14
Group of senior Dutch SS and police leaders. March 1943. Front row I la f. Feldmel)er. JansonlUS. umdentlfled SS leader. and Bewnk
Back row. Two unldenllf,ed SS leaders, and three Dutch police officers.
.J
16
PLATE 1
1
7
13
2
,
"
3
9
15

10
16

II
17
.,
~ " , ~
,
~ ~
,
~ ~
,
~ ....~ ,
,

~
" "
~
'" "" " '<).
~

12
17
18
PLATE 2
1 2 3
4
pLATE 3
1 2 3

19
20
ss SPORT INSIGNES
SS Sports badges
Because of Ihe Importance attached 10 proflClencV In sport. a number
of awards were made to Dutch SS men at the SS School Avegoor In
ElIecom. In the summer of 1941 a special award In lour classes was
Introduced bv Feldmeljer. August 9th.. 1942. saw the fIrst award of
the Relchssportabzelchen to Dutch SS men. when one In gold. four
In silver and two In bronze were ISsued. In April 1943 62 "Relchs
sportabzelctlen "were presented. and finallv In February 1944 95
.. Germanlsche Lelstungsrunen" were awarded to Dutchmen by
Relchsl.:ihrer-SS Helnllch Hlmmler
The Dutch SS Sports Badge was awalded In three classes according to
the age of the reciPient.
In bronze for men between 20 and 30 years.
In silver for men between 30 and 42 veals.
In gold for men of 42 years and older.
The Dutch SS Honour Sports Badge was awarded In gold onlv.
SSOpperstormleider J. l. Jansomus (Chief-ai-Staff of the Dutch SS)
and a member of the WatfenSS at a presentation ceremoovof the
"Reichssportabzelchen" at the SS School Avegoor. August 1942.
ss Sports badge (SS-Sportteeken).
SS Honour spoilS badge
SS VLAG
SS Flag
The Dutch SS did not have unit flags or standards. but did carry a Ilag.
Dutch SS Flag.
21
24
plans than the Flemish SS and he envisaged that DeVlag should
e....entually replace the V.N.Y. and ha....e the Flemish SS as Its own
militia. Actually DeVlag and the SS were closely Interwo....en and many
Flemings belonged to both organisations. Another indication of the
inter-relationship between Flemish SS and DeVlag is Ihat according to
the instructions for funcllonaries of Ihe laller for service duties within
that organisation men were reqUired who were "members of the
Germanic SS , , . or who can be conSidered as being on the same le....el ...
Once Berger SWitChed hiS attention from the Flemish SS 10 the DeVlag
the Importance of the former diminished and DeVlag continued as the
vehicle of SS ideology in Flanders. E....enlUally. In May 1944. the
F l e m l ~ h SS (Including the Flemish Corps) was merged with DeVlag to
form a "Securlty Corps" ("Slcherheltskorps"). By the autumn of thal
year It had virtually ceased to eXIst. and In September Belgium was
liberated by Ihe Allies.
The Flemish SS differed In se....eral respects from its Dutch counlerpart-
whereas the DUICh SS was a forma\lon of the N.S,B, the Flemish SS
was In no way anached to the V,N V . and whereas the Dutch SS had
but one leader from beginning 10 end (or at least until hiS death). the
Flemish SS had several leaders.
RenE!! Lagrou was Ihe anginal commander of the Flemish SS. but in mid-
February. 1941. at the age of 36. he left to JOin the "Germania Regiment
of the Waffen-SS. For some time he served on Ihe RUSSian fronl as a
war correspondent and IS recorded as being the fllst Flemlng to recel....e
Ihe second class Knegs....erdlenstkreul wllh swords. Wounded fater that
Lapel badge for members of the Flemish SS for wear with ci....ltian
clothes.
year he returned to Belgium. but did not resume his command at the
Flemish SS. He remained a member. howe....er. and in 1942/1943 was an
SS-HauptSlUrmfuhrer In 11. as well as being "Generale Sekret8f1S der
SS-Onderstormlelder August Schollen.
26
The funeral of SSOnderstormleider August Schollen in Brussels on December 8th. 1942.
Flemish SS Flag,
PLATE 4
, Badge worn on the upper left arm by all ranks in the Flemish SS.
Here for non-commissioned ranks.
2. Flemish SS other ranks belt buckle.
3. Armband tor all ranks of the Flemish SS.
4. Armband for all ranks of the Flemish Corps.
29
PLATE 4
2
30
3
4
Reichscommissar for occupied Norway Terboven, Higher SS and
Police leader Rediess and Vidkun Quisling, February 1942,
HISTORY OF THE NORWEGIAN SS
Motto: Min ;!Ere er Troskap
Germany Invaded Norway on Apnl 9th, 1940, and in September of that
year Josef Terboven was appointed Reichscommissar. Under him and
representing the SS in occupied Norway came a "Higher SS and Police
Leilder", at first SS,Obergruppenfuhrer und General der Polizei WeitzeL
but soon after replaced by SS-Obergruppenfuhrer und General der
Pollzel Wilhelm Rediess ("Der Hahere SS- und PolizeifUhrer beim
Reichskommissar fUr die besetzten norwegischen Geblete'").
Vldkun Abraham UlUtltz Quisling (born 1BB7) was Ihe Norwegian
Minister of Defence In the Agranan Government. but when this fell in
1933 he formed a fasclst-slYle political party called the Nasjonal Samling
r'N,S,"-"Natlonal Union"). ThiS party With liS para-military troops the
Hlrd (similar to the S,A. of the N.S,D.A,P. In Germany) was consequently
In eXistence when the Germans mvaded. Quisling was believed to have
been a party 10 the German invasion, and the regime he proclaimed
upon tllelr arrival so Incensed the Norwegian people th3t it lasted only
a week. QUisling still continued 10 lead his Nasjonal Samling. however.
which was the only political party permitted In Norway by the occupying
forces. Aelchscommlssar Terboven was extremely hostile to Quisling and
as unco-operatlve as pOSSible. but on Hitler's orders did help him to bUild
up the strength of the N,S, The success of QUisling's efforts can be seen
Iromthe increase In N,S, membership from 6,000 In September 1940 to its
peak of between 45,000 and 60,000 in early 1943, Under occupation the
Nasjonal Samling grew and With it tile Hird. which was by Ihen oulfitted
with uniforms and insignia similar 10 Ihe German S,A. There was.
however. no Norwegian political SS organization such as already had
been formed in Holland and Flanders. as QUisling was very much
against the Idea. For despite hiS shortcomings, Quisling was fanatically
pro-Norwegian and he rightly saw in the political SS a movement
towards a Great German Retch, and a threat to Norway of being
Incorporated into It as a mere districl (Gau), But whereas Quisling was
against Ihe formation of a Norwegian political SS, Himmler, his "Higher
31
32
SS and Police Leader". Rediess. and Relchscommissar Telboven were
slrongly in favoul of ...
Ouisling and Telboven fought bitterly and the laller did all in his powel
to dlmimsh lhe importance 01 QUisling and his NasJOnal Samling. One
01 Terboven's attempts was even to replace QUIsling as "Ferer" (leader)
of Ihe N.S. In June 1940 by his old Inend Irom the Saar. Chief of Police
Jonls lie (born 1899). who although not a member ollhe party was a
strong sympathizer. It was only Ihrough (he diplomacy 01 one 01
Ouisling's best Iriends. Albert Viljam Hagehn. that the plan failed lor
Hagelin stated (Quile without foundation) Ihlt Quisling had appolr1ted
him as deputy leader 01 the N.S. and that he should therelore take over
the leadership and nOI lie.
This rivalry between Terboven and Quisling continued and m ffild1941
Tefboven and ue once again got together and set about the lorma\lon 01
a Norwegian political SS conlingenl behind QUlsling's back. Accordmg
to subsequent N.S. propaganda it was at a meeting of the 711'1 Hlld
Regiment 'Viking" In Oslo on May 16th. 1941, that the creation of such
a unIt was first suggested. and It was a suggestion that apparently mel
with some enthusiasm. for a number of the Hlrd men present declared
themselves willing 10 join al once. They had not long to wait. lor just
one week later (on May 21 SI, 1941) a Norwegian poli\lcal SS formallon
was established and called "Norway's SS" ("Norges SS"). On Ihat day
ReichsKrhrer-SS HeinriCh Himmler Ilew in to Oslo where he was met
by Reichscommissar Terboven. a disgruntled Quisling. and a number 01
senior SS and Wehrmacht officers. and then taken to the Nasjonal
Samling's PartY House.
The ceremony opened with a speech by the Rikshild's Chief of Staff,
Orvar Saether. who spoke to his former Hild men that had volunteered
to be the first aspirants of the new Norwegian SS. He explained how
they were about to join SS comrades from all the other Germanic
Jonas Lie and members of the Norwegian SS. May 1941.
Members of the Norwegian SS swear the oath of allegiance to Hitler
and QUlsli ng, May 1941.
countries, and how their role was to protect and safeguard the future of
the Germanic race,
Once Saether had handed over his Hird men to the SS. Helnrich Himmler
look the stand and described to them the development of the SS In
Germany from Its eswbllshment in 1925 until the present day, and also
how the SS stood as a guarantee for the future of the Germanic
communities, Having referred to the achievements of the Norwegian
volunteers in the SS Regiment "Nordland" (then serving wrth the
"Wlklng" diVISiOn of the Waflen-SS) which had been raised in January
1941 from Norwegian and Danish volunteers. Hlmmler stated that the
formation of the Norges SS was a new and importa'nt step forward for
the Germanic community, The honour for its foundation. he told his
audlonce, would fall upon Norway.
Hlmmter then appolllled cabinet minister and Norwegian Chief of
Police Jonas Lie as SS-standartf0rer and leader of the Norwegian SS
(as has been seen above. Lie was an old friend of Terboven. and had
been chosen by tllm to found and recruit for the Norwegian SS-Lie
was a sympathizer of the N.S, but not a party member and was a man
disliked and distrusted by Quislrng), The oath of allegiance was 1aken
by Lie. who then administered rt to hrs men, and was given to both
Hitler ana OUlsling,
Immediately after the ceremony the new SS aspirants !ravelled to the
SS school at Elverum. where they recerved a beginners' course lasting
SIK weeks.
To sum up, although the Norwegran SS was created as a subdivision of
lhe Nasjonal Samling it was strongly opposed by Quisling, and recruiting
by Jonas Lie was at first carried on behind Ouisling's back, and later in
direct defrance to his orders, Loyal N,S. members were urged to oppose
Lie's recruiting drive and this met with paltial success at first. but the
Norwegian SS was too strongly backed by both Lie's Stale Police and
Terboven's Reichscommissarlat to be blocked in this way. Whether
33
SS STAlHJElM
ss Steel helmet
The German 1935 mode! steel helmet sprayed black was used by the
Norwegian SS. and it also appears that the field grey German Army
helmets complete with the Army eagle (Hoheitsabzeichen) wele worn
as issued.
ss SKOT0Y
SS Footwear
Black boots
Black lace-up ankle boots
Black lace-up ski boots
Black lace-up shoes
SS HANSKER
SS Gloves
Black leather
White cloth
ss UNDERT0Y
SS Underwear
Brown shirt
While shirt
Black tie
ss lA:RT0Y
SS leatherwear
Black. lealher belt and cross strap With niCkel plated two pronged belt
buckle and single pronged cross strap buckle_ The German SS belt
and buckle is also known 10 have been worn. and as It was referred to as the
"belt buckle for the whole Germanic SS" In an order from Himmler dated
June 23rd. 1942. I1 may have been Introduced forthe entire Germanic SS
about that time.
ss TJENESTE DOlK
SS Service dagger
The Chief of Staff of the Norwegian SS is known to have worn the 1936
model SS service dagger. An example with the Norwegian version 01 the
SS civilian badge on the top of the grip does exist.
SS-standartforer Jonas lie (here just back from the Eastern Front and in
Waffen-SS uniform). With members of the Norwegian SS and Police.
March 1943.
41
PLATE 5
1
7
13
,

14
3
9
15
4
10
,
11

,
-
-
,
,
!J."'i

,
@

,

,
,

,
,
,.
,
......................
, -
-
6
12
4'
PLATE 6
i f t ~
~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~
1 2 3
4
5
pLATE 7
2
3
''''1- J. ,-': J"' P'r" ....... ......t.:J.....,. l!"1.r.l"j. !'4. ...

,-,
,
,- 1

I_

!_I .... I

,

,
.

I

,
i\ T ,
......
,
"\
5I,.
"'--'.

l\n <-'''''''''r . i ._-, t ; -1

"
;
, L
l-' ." ; 1 \..: r-'
, . ,
._-


\...'
,. :l
"'-" '. .: .. "

,
- - ,
.,:. "'-
-
-1-,

,. ...., ... ,

,
=
,

,

,.,

"
,

,

,

, , , ,

._.

,

, -,
, .

, , ,.
-

4
47
48
1, Basic Company flag of the Norwegian SS.
SS FLAGS AND STANDARDS
The Norwegian SS had a number of diHerem patlerns of SS flag. Some
were printed so that the SS runes w e l t ~ back '0 front on the reverse.
Others were double sided and had either a white Of Sliver fringe. The only
official flag. however. was the SS company flag (SS-Stormfane).
2, Named Company flag of the Norwegian SS (here SSStorm Oslo).
SS STORMFANE
SS Company flag
Black silk flag which measured approxImately 100 ems. by 150 ems.
in the centre of which were the SS runes In white Silk. The flag was
edged on three Sides With silver ftlnge. In some cases the company name
3. Named Company flag 01 the Norwegian SS with motto (SS-Storm
Oslo IS the only recorded example of lhlS),
appealed In Sliver mock-funic In the top left hand corner, and ,n othOls
lho Norwegian SS mOllO "Mm A:re er Troskap" also appeared under
the runes. All recorded flags wnh company name. or company name plus
molto, were notlflnged. The pole was made of black polished wood and
4, Named Company Ilag ollhe NOlweglan SS.
was surmounted by a nickel plated lance head. or knob. The overall
height of the flag was approximately 3 meters.
The lIag was camed by bOlh commissioned and noncommlssioned
ranks who wOle white gloves or gauntlelS.
49
and then not as a formation of Ihe D.N.S.A.P.-in fact it had nothing to
do with that pafly whatsoever. As a result the D.N,S,A.P:s para-
military formation the Storm Afdelingen ("S.A:'-the Danish eQuiYalent
of the German S,A.) remained the pflncipal party organization,
Hlmmler had long considered Denmark ideally suited for a Germanic SS
extension to the Allgemeine-SS, but found it much more difficult to
establish a branch there than In Holland. Flanders and Norway. for
unlike these countries Denmark still retained its King and Government.
and both yiolently objected to the Idea, As a result it was not until 1943
that such a formation was established, and so in contrast to the other
three branches of the Germanic SS it came not in the early days of
occupation as a reward for collaboration, but rather at a much later date
and in an atmosphere of acute hOShhty towards the Germans in general.
and the NaZIS In particular.
Denmark's branch of the Germanic SS was called the Schalburg Corps
(Schalburg-Korps), and being named after a late Danish Nazi and SS
hero It was the only one not to include its countryOs name in its title.
Only in Denmark, therefore, was there such a cult of the personality in
the naming of a Germanic SS formation. and to understand liS background
and the significance of this name some space must be devoted to the man
YOn Schalburg himself.
SS-OberSlUrmbannfuhrer K. B. Marllnsen. founder and leader of the
Schalburg-Korps.
51
Memorial setVice for members of the Danish Free Corps lulled in Russia. in Copenhagen on the 17th October. 1943. From I. to I. SS-
ObelSlurmbannfiihrer K. B. Martinsen. SS-SturmbannfUhrer BoV'en. SchalbufO'S son and widow. and Of. Werner Best (Nationalmuseet.)
56
SchalbulQ Corps recruils arriving al Ihe RlngSlad 51allOn near Copenhagen accompanied by a Luflwaffe band. (Museel for Danmarks Fnhedskamp.)
Guard outsIde the Scha!burg Corps headquarters at lhe Freemasons' Lodge In Copenhagen. 1943
63
64
Schalburg Corps men in Danish khaki unilorms stand guard outside their headQuarters.
Lowland counterpaTlS in not wearing regimental numerals on the right
collar patch. but then this IS not surprising as Ihey were not organIsed
In regiments.
II IS presumed that any officers with the rank of colonel (Oberst) and
above wore their badges of rank on both collar patches. that is rf there
were .. ny officers of such rank
SS GRADER
SS Ranks
The lollowlng IS a comparison chart between the ranks of the Schalburg
KOlps and the German General SS:
SCHAlBURGKORS
Schalburg Cross
Lrllle IS known aboutthrs cross. whrch was named after von Schalburg.
and IS therefore believed 10 have been founded for award to members of
the Schalburg Corps.
If ever there was a foundation order I1 has so far not come to light. and
accordlOg 10 a former member of the Schalburg Corps the cross was
only awarded once. and Ihen to a member of the Corps killed In a
skirmish With the Danish resistance movement. Soon after Ihis one and
No. SCHALBURGKORPS
1 Schalburgmand
2 Tropsl""er
3 Overtropsf0rel
4 Vagtmester
5 Overvagtmester
6 Stabsvagtmester
7 FiEndrlk
8 L0jlnanl
9 Overl0Jlnant"
IQ KaptaJn
11 Major
12 Oberst!0Jnant
13 Oberst
ALlGEMEINE-SS
SS-Mann
SS-AottenlUhrer
SS Unterscharluhler
SS-Scharluhrer
SS-Oberscharfuhrer
SS Hauptscharfiihrer
SS-Stabsscharfiihrer"
SS Sturmscharfiihrer
SS-UnterSlurmfiihrer
SS-OberSturmfijhrel
SS- Hauptsturmluhrer
SS-Slurmbannliihrer
SS- OberstUt mbannfuhrer
SS-Standartenfiihrer
The Schalburg Cross. Molio Collection
"An appointment. nOI a rank. but included here as an eQulvalell1 drd
eXist in the SChalburg Corps
There is no such rank as an OVerh,ljlnant in Denmark. and this rs
believed to have been a Germanrsed form 01 Kaplajnlcjtnant.
only award. the repon goes. the Corps' headquarters were set alighl by
the resistance. and whole boxes of the crosses were either melted
down. or strewn over the Streets of Copenhagen. Some of these were
undoubtedly picked up by passersby and have since fallen into the
hands of collectors.
65
66
Unidentified Schalburg Corps leader weaflng a DanIsh tunIc.. UnIdentIfied Schalbufg COIPS man wearing black servIce dress.
PLATE 8
1, Collar patch presumed to have been worn by all ranks In the Schalburg
Corps.
2. Badge worn on the upper (eft sleeve by all ranks In the Schalburg
Corps (10 woven s,lk with blue hons and red heans on a golden
yellow field). PholOgraphs suggest that thiS badge may also have
been manufactuled 10 white metal, although all survIving examples
arc 10 cloth.
3. Collar patch fCf membels of the intelligence service of 1119 Schalburg
Co/ps (which appears not to have been worn on lhe Schalburg COIPS'
Uniform)
4. Armband worn by the Staff. NCO School, Guard Company and
Landstormen of the Schalburg Corps (and which was possibly
wlttldrawn the battalion on Seeland dropped the name
"Schalburg"),
RIGHT
m
. Shllllm
ftbsolon
2
{)erluf t!l'olle

Armband worn by the "SkJalm HVlde" company of the Schalburg

Corps (named after the founder of the HVlde dynasty, died 1192).
2 Armband worn by the "Absalon" company of the Schalburg Corps
(named altel the archbishop who founded Copenhagen. 1128-1201)
3. Afmband worn by the --Hcr!uf Tfolle" company of the Schalburg
Corps (named aller lhe naval hero. 1&16-1565).
4 Armband worn by the "Olaf Rye" company 01 the Schalbufg COfPS
(named alter the Norwegian -Danish major-general, 1791-1849).
5. Armband worn by the "lress0e" company 01 the Schalburg Corps
(named alter the lieutenant-c:olonel_ 1811 -1850).
3
.-
4
5
67
PLATE 8
2
68
Flag 01 the Schalburg COIPS (See caption Plale 812. p 67.)
69
standard required for the attainment of the sHver. It was worn in the
centre of the left breast pocket of the service Uniform.
Once Himmler had decided upon Instituting the Germanic Proficiency
Runes. he handed over to Berger and his SS-Hauptamt the task of
devising the badge's attainment rules and regulations. These were
published on JulV 15th. 1943. and the Introduction ran as follows:
"R-slulationl for the Award of the Germanic Proficiency Run..
The Germanic Proficiency Runes shall be awarded to those that have
distingUished themselves in spans competitions and shown spiritual
The Germanic Proficiency Runes in bronze. Mollo collection.
maturity and sound personal thinking in the ideological field. It can
be won by German and other Germanic men.
To be Qualified for the Germanic Proficiency Runes one must fulfil the
regulations laid down in the following three categories:
(1) Individual achievement;
(2) Team achievement;
(3) Tests in theoretical education (Ideology).
The award shall be made by the ChIef 01 the SS-Hauptamt follOWing
consultation with the Reichsfuhrer-SS. Recipients 01 the Germanic
Proficiency Runes receive at the same time a diploma witnessing the
award.
Those that wish to try fOt the Germanic Proficiency Runes and are not
members of the Germanic SS. nor aspirants in that organization. must
hold a political leaders' card ISSUed bV an SS sefV1ce centre to be able
to join a preparation course. The test for the Germanic Proficiency Runes
requires a preparation 01 three weeks. Applicants must then take part in
a course laid down for the attainment of the Proliciency Runes. or be
able to complete 120 satisfactory hours of training, which must oot be
spread over more than six consecutiVit months.
The test shall be carried out bV a fullV Qualified representative of the
SS-Hauptamt. Instruction Section. assisted bV \WO members of a
Germanic SS service centre. The Proficiency Runes shall be worn on
the left side 01 the uniform. more correctlv Wilh service dress.
The Chief 01 the SS-Hauptamt can from time to time insist that the tests
be taken again. Those unable to achieve the requirements. or who do
not take part. forfeit the badge.
It is at the discretion of the Chief of the SS-Hauptamt whether or not
the badge shall be withdrawn on attount of minor inlringements or
fOt other reasons.
Berlin. July 15th. 1943.
Aeichsluhrer-SS
Chief of SSHauptamt
(signed) Berger:'
From his field headquarters on August 15th. 1943. Himmler officially
introduced the Germanic ProfiCiency RUl"IBs.ln the institution document
he stated that it "should be an example in physical training and tests
in the use of weapons in the National Socialist spirit. and confirmation
of the voluntary anainment of the Germanic joint destiny". His intro-
duction ended by refening to the rules and regulations for the anaimnent
01 the badge that had been prepared by the SS-Hauptamt. and which
are reproduced in full on page 75.
73
The lirst award ceremony 01 lhe Germanic Proliciencv Runes held at the Du1Ch SS School Avegoor on February Is!. 1944. From leh 10 fight
SS-Dbergruppenfuhrer Berger (Chiel of SS-Hauptamt). Reichsluhrer-SS Heinrich Himmler. Or. Sevss-lnquan (Reichskommissar in Holland). Mussert
(leader 01 the N.S.B.). and Feldmeijer (Voorman of the Dutch SS).
74
78
Himmler presented the badges personally, taking them from a board
earned by an Unterscharl(ihrer from the "Germania" regiment 01 the
"W,klng" SS divisIon. and made a speech praising the achIevements of
the DutCh SS (and the "Westtand" regIment In particular). and upgf<,ded
the Dutch Volunteer legion to a grenadlel brrgade (SS GrenadIer
brigade Nederland").
Oenmerk:
SSA::resruner
SSA:restegn
The only recOlded awards of the Germanic ProfICIency Runes rn
Denmark were made at H0velte on June 2nd. 1944. by the ChIef ot the
SSHauptamt. SSOberQluppenlUhrer und General der WaffenSS
Berger. The presentallon was made at a memOflal ceremony lor SS
volunteers from Denmark kIlled ,n actIon. and In fact the lest schedule
had been timed so that the lesults would be ready lor thIS ceremony.
Berger spoke of the Danish SS volunteers kIlled ,n action, and how
"their spirits could rest rn peace knOWIng that new columns of Germanrc
fighters stood behind them:' He stated that It was In the memory of the
dead Danish SS volunleels and ,n thell SPllll thal the Inst GermanIc
Ploficiency Runes were being awarded on DanIsh SOIl.
No detaIls are avaIlable of the number of badges actually awarded. nOI
of the recipIents. However. photographs suggest that the badges went 10
members of the Schalburg Corps. who wele wearing the black service
uniform.
SSHooldstormlelder Bettrnk wearrng the leistungsfUne and FeldmelJel rn
Ileldgrey unifolm.
Norway:
Germanake Runemerke
Germanake Dugleiksrune
The only recorded awards of Ihe Germanic Proficiency Runes In Norway
were made at the Norwegian SS School on August 16th, 1944, when
the Higher SS and Police Leader In Norway. SS-Obergruppenfuhrer
Rediess, acting upon instruct,ons from Hlmmler. awarded ten In silver
and fifteen in bronze to members of the Norwegian SS. Also present at
the ceremony wele SS-neststandaflf0rer RIISnoES, and the leader of the
Germanlsche Leitstelle In Norway, SS-Sturmbannfuhrer Le/b.
Once the commander of the Norwegian SS School had bade hiS guests
welcome, Redless spoke of the badge's meaning. and how the 25
recipients had, though their behaViour, been a good example 10 their
comrades In the Germanic SS. and to the youth of Norway. He then
presented the 25 badges to the Norwegian SS men.
Alter the awards SS-neststandartf0rer RIISnoES made a shOrt speech on
the meaning of the victory runes of the SS and the sun wheel (Which
two emblems made up the deSign of the Rune Badge), as well as of the
swastika. He ended by slIessing the need for volunteers for the front
hnes. In his words. "to enable the SS to achieve the final victory".
SS-mann of the Norwegian SS wearing the Germanic
Proficiency Runes.
79
UNIFORMS OF THE __
VOLUME3
....-VERFUGUNGSTRUPPE 1933-1939
AndrewMollo
KCOlllaneHIlIO, HaM AOCTlIIIIICIt TOnltllO CTJIlIHIII4Io1 C clMnorpacIJlIJIMII.
Windrow&Greene
2
SS and vetelans' aSSOClauons, but when It dawned upon them that the
Nazi Party organisations did not Intend serving as mere training units,
but had pletentlons of being an Independent armed force. they
changed their minds,
Hitler had relied on the backing 01 the army in his rise to power. and In
the uncertain years that followed his takmg of office. he had to sare-
guard his good relations With the Army High Command. This partiCU-
larly mvolved restraining Ernsl R6hm's massive SA. which was a real
threat not only because of liS vast size. bUI also because its leaders had
pretentions of fOlming IIInlO a "people's army", IrOnically, Ihe army took
less heed of Himmler's comparatively smaller SS, which was eventually
to grow inlO a small Party army ell 01 its own. Yet even m Ihose early days
Hlller had to keep a tight rem on Hlmmler, and prevent the proposed
armed SS Iromgrowing 100 fast.
So it was with a cellaln degree of caution and restraint Ihat the local
leaders of the General SS were allowed to start recruiting and Iraining
a full-time fOlce able 10 carry OUI police and Internal security dUlles.
As will be seen from the unit histories thal follow, small groups were
olganlsed in certain areas of Germany. and in many SS Districts groups
of 100 armed men wele organised as "HeadQuarters Guards". When
trained these were known as "55 Special Detachments" (SS-Sonder-
kommandos), which were later renamed "Barracked Centulles"
(Kasemierte HunderlSchaften), When they reached company sl/ength
they were renamed "Political Readiness Detachments" (Politlsche
Bereilschaften).
Such delachments were formed at Munich. Hamburg, EUwangen and
Reulhngen (jointly known as WUl1.Iemberg). Arolsen. Leisnlg (or
Oresden), Wollerdlngen, and elsewhere.
These Political Readiness Detachmenls were of battalion size and can
be laken as Ihe nucleus of Ihe laler SS-VT. For most of them eventually
went to make up the SSVT. wllh the notable excepllon of the 3rd. whll":h
became a guard unit for the Buchenwald concentration camp.
Reichsfuhrer-SS Heinrich Himmler created the SS-Verlugungstruppen as
his personal army for use in case of internal strife. only to have it subordin-
ated to the army in time of war.
6
Members of the LAH in drill uniform. The officer and n.c.o:s wear black caps and breeches. whereas the men have earth.grey field caps and drill
trousers. The brassard was rarely worn with drill uniform. Bozich Collection.
8
The Reich's Chancellery Guard Detachment on duty, 1935. National Archives,
Commander of the 1st Battalion SS Regiment
"Deutschland'. SS-OberSlurmbannfUhrer RIl!er
von Heng!. He wears an earth-grey seNice tunic
with two shoulder cords and an army pattern
nallonal emblem on the sleeve, 1934( ?).
Munin Verlag,
~ I g h l .
Daladler inspects the guard of honour of
Regiment 'Deutschland September. 1939.
11
administer thl$ regIment a planning stall (Arbe'tsstab) was established
In Ihe early summer of 1935. which on July 1SI. 1936. became the
regImental staH under SS- Hauplsturmluhrer JUlInel,
By mId February. 1935, a reconnaissance platoon was added to the
mOlor-cycle company. and the regiment's order of barde was as follows;
AI the Party Day Rally at Nuremberg In September 1935 ("Der Palleltag
der FreihelCI, the 1st SS Regiment was given Ihe honour \ltle of
"Germany" ("Deutschland"). and at Ihe same ceremony fltC8lV8d lIS
regImental standard and banahon Ilags. In the autumn 01 1935 a
mOlor ttansport column (Kraltfahrkolonne or KK) was added to the
IIlrd Battalion.
In October 1935 the 1st and Ilnd Battalions. together With Ihe 131h
and 14th Companies. went to the Konigsbruck training area near
Dresden for training. At this time Rllter von Hengl left the regiment
to loin the alpine troops of the army and was succeeded as com-
mander 01 the 1st Battalion by SSSturmbannlUhrer Georg Keppler.
The regiment moved into liS new barracks at Munchen-Frelmann on
November 7th. 1935. Two days latet. on the 9th. unllS from MUnich.
Dachau and EJlwangen took part in a commemotatlve ceremony lor the
1923 Putsch at Ihe Feldherrnhalle monument in Munich. and wore lor
the first time the cuffband WIth the GothiC Inscription "Deutschland".
In March. 1936. the baltahons 01 the reg.ment wele statIoned al MunICh.
12
3 Stabe SS-Sturmbann
9 SSSchutzen- Slurme
1 SS-Kradschulzen-Sturm
3 SSMaschinengewehr-Sturme
1 SSMinenwerferSturm
3 SS-NachtichtenZuge SS-Sturmbann
1 SS-Panzerspih-Zug
2SSMusikzuge SS-Sturmbann
3 SS-Kraltfahrkolonnen
3 slaffs (one per battalion)
9 flfle companies (three per
battalion)
1malar-cycle company
3 machine gun companies
1 morlar company
3 Signals platoons
1 armoured car platoon
2 bands
3 mOtor transport columns
Heinllch Himmler. Adoll Hitler and SSBrigadelUhrer Paul Hausser watch
"Battle readiness manoeuvres' of Regiment Deutschland In 1939.
Stab staff
I. Batail10n (Hamburg) 1st battalion at Hamburg
11. Bataillon (Arolsen/Waldeck) Ilnd battalion at Arolsen
Ill. Bataillon (Wolterdingen) IlIrd battalion at Wollerdingen
13. Infanteriegeschutz- Kompanie 13th infantry gun company at
(Wismar) Wismar
14. PanzerabwehrKompanie 14th anti-tank company at
(HamburgVeddel) Hamburg-Veddel
15. Kradschutzen- Kompanie 15th motor-cycle company
On March 13th, 1938. "Germania"' was amongst the German troops
that marched into Austria. In the summer of the same year, the regiment
carried out security duties during Senito Mussolini's visit to Germany.
By August 1st "'Germania" was known as an SS regiment organised
like an infantry regiment of the army. It was ordered that in the event of
mobilisation in the interior of Germany, "Germania" was to receive an
additional armoured car platoon, a light infantry motor-cycle company,
and other additional communications sub units,
In the autumn of 1938 "Germania" assembled at the Konigsbruck
training area near Dresden and was placed under the 4th Infantry
Division. It was under this formation that it took part in the march into the
Sudetenland. Once in Czechoslovakia the regiment was stationed in
Prague and served as the Guard Regiment of the Protector of Bohemia
and Moravia (Wach-Regiment des "'Reichsprotektors von Bohmen und
Milhren"). (The IIlrd battalion served as a Guard Battalion in Prague
from March 1939 until July 31 st. 1939). "Germania" was relieved from
its duties in Prague and its elements were brought together again at
Konigsbruck on August 17th. 1939. In the summer of that year the
regimental staff and 1st battalion were still at Hamburg-Veddel. the
Ilnd battalion at Arolsen. nnd the IlIrd at Radolfzell.
During the night of the 16th/17th of August. 1939. "Germania" was
alerted and brought together at Konigsbriick in preparation for the
coming of the Second World War. It was than placed under the 14th
Army for the Polish campaign. and other than having its armoured
car platoon serving under the 8th Reconnaissance Unit of the 8th
16
Armoured Division of the German army its order of battle was the
same as that of the "Deutschland" regiment. Its designation by this
time was that of a motorised regiment (SS-Standarte 'Germania" (mot)).
Commander; SS-Standartenfiihrer Carl-Maria Demelhuber.
The standard and battalion flags of the SS Regiment "Germania". 1939( n.
Bundesarchiv Koblenz.
INSPEKTION DER SS-FOHRER-SCHULEN
INSPEKTION DER SS-JUNKERSCHULEN
Defence Minister Blomberg's decree of NO'lember 1st. 1934. prO'lided
for three officer cadet schools for the SS-VT. In 1935 Hitler ordered
that future SS officers should be tlained along military lines. and chose
an ex-army Lieutenant-General to see to it. Paul Hausser founded the
SS officer cadet school at Brunswick. and in the summer of 1935 was
appointed inspector of SS officar Cadet schools. They were officially
recognised as part 01 the SS-VT. and service in them counted
as fulfillment of the German conscription obligations.
The schools at Toll and Brunswick were modelled on those of the
army. but more anention was given to political and ideological training.
often at the expense of more traditional pursuits such as "square-
bashing". Physical f i t ~ e s s was considered to be of paramount im-
portance. and competitive sports and realistic manoeuvres. using live
ammunition. produced a hardy. possibly reckless. breed of officer
Note: A third SS officer school is reported in 1935. Which would
probably have come under the control of the Inspectorate. This was
the SS Medical Junke! School. which was later renamed the SS
Medical Academy.
SS-FOHRERSCHULE TOU
SS-JUNKERSCHULE TOU
An SS leadership school was founded at Toll in the Bavarian Alps by
Reinhard Heydrich in 1932'. In eally 1934 training for the armed SS
Cadets of the SS Officers School. Toll. during a route march. 1935.
This shows very well the first earth-grey field tunic. and it was unusual
to see it worn with the brassard. Auln, Folkerts.
23
24
was begun in the same town. and the first course was held In a former
hotel from April 1st to December 23rd of that year. SS-Ostubaf Paul
Lettowwas instructed to form the first officer cadet school of the SSVT.
and he re-formed the old school that Heydrlch had previously created.
This was named the SS Officer School T61z (SS-Fuhrerschule Tolz).
an was officially opened on October 1st. 1934. It was re-named
"SS.Junkerschule Tolz" in the following spring. although the old title
was still in use as late as midAugust. 1935.
Soon after the foundation of the school. work was begun. at state
expense la build a new and spacious school complex at Bad Hilz. but
it was nol completed until 1941. Courses. however. were held there from
1934 onwards and the school officially moved into them on October
1st.1937.l
At first the number of cadets in each course was limited to about 110.
but this number rose later to 240
1
. The school staff numbered some 80
officers and other ranks.
Commanders: SS-Obersturmbannfuhrer Paul Lettow
SS-Standartenfuhrer Voss
SS-StandanenfUhrer Klingemann
SS-Standartenfi.!hrer Dor;lfler-Schuband
1: Aeitlinger. p. 76
l: Weidinger. "Division Das Reich". vol. 1. p.110
~ : do.
SS-FOHRERSCHULE BRAUNSCHWEIG
SS-JUNKERSCHULE BRAUNSCHWEIG
Hausser was appointed the first commander of the second Ollicer Cadel
School of the SS-VT at Brunswick (SSFuhrerschule Braunschweig).
This was renamed the SS Junker School Brunswick (SS-Junkerschule
Braunschweig) on February 1st. 1935.
Hitler congratulates newly commissioned SS officers in Ihe Mosaic Hall of the
new Chancellery. 1939. Planel News
The first course began in the spring of 1935 and together with those
that followed. was based on those in army olficer cadet schools.
Courses lasted ten months and were made up of about 240 cadets. In
the summer of 1935 Hausser was appointed Inspector of the SS
Officer Cadet Schools (Inspekteur der SSJunkerschulen).
Commanders: SSStandartenfiihrer Paul Hausser
SS-Oberfiihrer Friedemann Gotze
SS-$tandartenfiihrer Arno A1tvater-Mackensen
SS-Sturmbannfiihrer Lothar Debes
SSOberfiihrer Werner Ballauff.
SS-ARZTLlCHE AKADEMIE
Reference to an 'SS Medical Junker School' (SS-Arltliche-Junker-
schule) can be found as early as March 1935'. Other sources state.
however. that the SS Medical Academy was established at Absen-
sttasse 6. Berlin NW 40. in 1937. and was moved to Graz in the autumn
of \ 939.
Commander; SS-Standartenfiihrer Dr. Schlink.
: "Der Freiwillige"', March 1956. page 5.
VERWALTUNGSFOHRERSCHULE DER SS
SS-FOHRERSCHULE OES VERWALTUNGSDIENSTES
The Administration School of the SS was opened in the late summer of
1935. and was housed in the staff building at Dachau, which had been
taken over from the Ilnd Battalion of the 1st SS Regiment.
Different c o u ~ e s were provided for members of the SS-VT and the
General SS. and each lasted three months. In the first course there were
some 53 trainees. The men came from the SS Districts (SS-Ober-
abschnitte) or SS companies and had to be al least 23 years of age
and not over the rank of SS-UntersturmlUhrer. They reported to the
An SS-Standartenoberjunker of the SS Administration School. 1938.
Imperial War Museum.
25
28
".- -... .- !
Fig. 2a
Fig. 2b
is
1\
r
<>
f ~
<>
e>
~ \
<>
,
~ '
<>
t::
1
,
~ I
,
,
IJ
, I III
,
\
\
I
\
,
\
I I .
,
.l-
e> <:> j 1
...",..""... 11
._--....- .
... --'
Fig. 1
in.
\\J
i
'0 I=.--A
, .
, i
i
i
1
!
,
,
\
1
,
,
.I
,
i\,0
i'" i:
. ---.-'
- ~
, -.".----
30
32
-
,
L . - > . ~ .. ~ ____
SSDRILlICHlEUG
SS Drill clothing
In order to protect and preserve the black service uniform, a tunic and
trousers were produced in a lightweight drill (Drell 01 DliIlich). These
garments were produced in a variety of patterns and colours. ranging
from ofI-white to light grey (Cementfarbe).
At first officers and n.c.o:s wore a drill jacket which was identical in
CuI to the black tunic. and on which all insignia was worn, including
at times the brassard. The drill tunic was worn with brown shirt and
black lie. black breeches and black peaked cap.
The men wore a shapeless jackel with stand collar and five buttons.
It had a leh breast pocket and two hip pockets. and was worn with
drill trousers and field cap.
Members of the 11 th Coy of the SS-Sonderkommando Zossen in Essenfassen.
1933. The men are wearing the first pattern drill uniform and field cap.
Schneider Archiv.
SSFELDANZUG (ERDGRAU)-
ss Earth-grey field dress
By June 6th 1935. the LAH had been completely equipped with l;lrey
uniform'. although it was not officially introduced until November 25th.
1935,3
The tunic was identical in cui to the black service tunic. but had five
instead of four buttons. and could be worn open or closed. The
officers' version. which was usual I}' tailor made. retained the four
buttons and could not be worn closed.
At first breeches were worn by all ranks. and those issued were
reinforced with leather on the seat and inside leg.
By 1936. members of the SS-Verful;lunl;lstruppe were being issued with
the following c1othinl;l .
2 tunics. black.
1 tunic. earth-l;lrey.
1 tunic. earth-grey drill.
2 pairs breeches. black.
1 pair breeches. earth-grey.
1 pair breeches. earth-l;lrey. drill.
2 pairs lonl;l trousers. black.
1 pair trousers. earth-l;lrey.
1 pair trousers. earth'l;lrey drill.
2 greatcoats. black.
1 greatcoat. earth-grey.
The earth-gley (Erdgrau) uniform of the SS-VT should not be
mistaken for the earth-brown (Erdbraun) guard uniform of the
55-Totenkoplverbande.
One black uniform was kept in the man's locker. and used as a
parade dr.ass.
A member of the LAH with hiS locker in the background. Note the army
pattern escutcheon on his helmet. and non-regulation national emblem
on his peaked cap. Summer 1935(?) National Archives.
33
34
I
,
'I
,
i
\0-
~
,
i
!l1}
i
i
,
1(J}
I
i7
I
,
i
,
,
,
,
,
I
i
I
,
,
,
\.
1
,
--._-..._....- ... l
11/
,
\
J--..----
\
SSFELDANZUG (FElDGRAU)
ss Field-grey battle dress
The earth-grey umforrn began 10 be replaced In 1937 by a new field
uniform. This was based on lhal In use In the "my. but retained certain
t.OIcally SS features. It contmued to be worn un!11 g,adually replaced
at the beginning 01 Ine war. The lumc was wo," closed. bul Ihe top
00110n could be worn undone between 151 April and 30lh September
when In the field, while being lIansported by \fam, and while tllvellmg
alone.
The lacl Ihal earth-grey clothing was sllll in use In 1941 is confIrmed
bv an Older which stated Ihal all earth-grey lunlcs, lrousers. greatcoats,
held caps. dnll and ski dothes were \0 be ,ttlpped of 10s'gl'lI.1 and
Mnded In fOf the eventual use 01 clv,han workels In wOlk camps.'
'DIVIsion Cas Re.et!. vol. 1. p. 63.
!DI8 Waffen-SS. p. 22.
~ S S - Befehlsblatt. 25.11.35.
4Tiken from an undaled dOCllmenl. WhICh may posscbly hive
come from a pay book.
IVelordnungsblan del WaHen-SS. 1941. Zlff 121. p. 25.
Lefl
Gun crew of the LAH wearing Ihe first earth-grey field funic end
breeches. The helmet is the 1916 model. The Wide leather bandolier
ISchlepPflemen) IS lor manhandling Ihe gun. AUlumn 1935( 1).
National Archives.
R'ght
SS fle!d blouse (hI Pallet")
A,' h,sl It was ISSued Wllh 2 mm black and aluminium Iw'sted
COld around lhe colli". bUI th's was sooo d,s.c:onlcnved'
'VerOldnungsblall der Waffen-SS. 1940. ZIlI Nr 155
35
36
SS-TARNANZUG
SS Camouflage uniform
Due 10 the IMllUiye oltha commander 01 the Auklarungsabtellungl
SS-VT, SS-Stulmbannfuhrar Dr. lng. Brand!. an altempl was made to
modernise the old. and to introduce new combal clothing and eqUIp-
ment lor the SS-Verfugungslruppen'
In 1939, Brandt designed and had manu!ltctured I cover for the steel
helmet. and I smock rn I Spolled camoullage malerlaL These were
soon ISSued to field unIts. whO must ha'18 been the first regular troops
in the world to be ISSUed With camouflaged clolhlng. Known as
"'Tiger JackalS" (Tl(lerlacken), lhe smock (and helmet CO'l8f) doesn"t
appear 10 haw been generally worn during the lnyaSlon of Poland. or
lhe bailie of F"nce. bUllater In the war 'I was so common. thalli became
the elSlest way 01 IclenlJfylng SS troops
SS-TARNJACKE
SS Camouflage smock
nlls smock-like pullover garment was made 01 waler-repenent Imen
duck. As It wu reversible. the camouflage desIgn was prlnled on
both SIdes. One Side was Pfedomlnenlly green lor spnng and summer.
while lhe reverse WIS grey brown for .tJlumn and Winter use. The
smock had no collar, and was galhered around the neck.. ....,tSlS and
WIISt wl1h elastIC, It had two vettlcal openings above lhe wa,sL In
front. 10 enable tne wearer 10 reaCh hiS tunIC pockeTs
SS-STAHLHELM TARNOBERZUG
SS Steel helmet camouflage cover
The ctlYer was cut 10 fit oyer the sleel helmet. and was made of the
same camouflage malellll as Ihe smock. It was attached 10 lhe helmet
by three spring-loaded, double Sided metal hooks.
IDivlSlon Das Aelch. Vol 1. P 104,
N co and men of the Armoured Car P1aloon of Regiment "Gel mania'", 1939
Note the lalge meetune-embrOldered badges on the belBI BundesalchlV
KobleN
SONDERBEKLEIDUNG FOR PANZER EINHEITEN
Special clothing for armoured units
CreW1l of enclosed armoured vehICles were Issued With the speCial
black C10lhlng whIch conSlsled of a beret, shirt. lie. Jacket and trousers,
SCHUTZMOTZE
Craah helmet
A padded black cloth cap wl\h four rubber vennlation holes, and
black fabric lining. Over the baSIC cap was worn a large removable
black beret. whIch was usually worn pulled to tne back. In front
was worn a while or silver grey silk machine embroidered na\lonal
emblem. and the death's head.
FElDJACKE ISCHUTZJACKEI
Field jacket
Shon double breasted black cloth jacket. wtnch could_ be worn open
or closed. It was fastened in front by four large. and three small black
plasllc buttons. The cuffs were slit at the back. and could be fastened
8lIher tightly or loosely around the WriSt. The fint pattern had pink
plping afound the collar and collar patches. but thiS pracnce was soon
discontlnued_
FElOHOSE (OBERFALLHOSE)
Field {(OUMrs
Long black cloth trousers WIth tWO slanting SIde pockets WIth buttoned
flaps, and a fob pocket. The trOlJsers were gathered at the ankle, and
were worn folded down over tne tOP of the marching or ankle boot.
TRIKOTHEMD
Tricot shirt
Brown shin without pockets.
SCHWARZER SCHLlPS
Black tie
SS-KOPFBEDECKNUNG
SS Headdre..
Until the Introduction of gley head-dress In 19356. black peaked and
field caps were worn with grey uniform. For details of black head-
dress see volume 1, pages 15 and 16,
The same Insignla was worn on grev. as on black head/dress.
SS-FOHRERDIENSTMOTZE (GRAU)
SS Officera' ..rvice peaked cap (grey)
Earth or field grey cloth cap with black velvet band and black fibre
(Vulkanflber) peak. Patent leather and leather peaks were rorbidden.
TWisted aluminium chin cords were rastened to the cap bv two 13
mm aluminium bunons. All officers up to and including the rank of
SS-Standartenfiihrer wore white piping untIl January 1941. by which
date they wele expected to have the piplng In the colour of their branch
of servIce (WaHenfarbe). See AppendiX Ill.
General officers WIth the rank of SSOberfiihrer and above had alu-
mInium piPing irrespecllve of thell branch of service.
Officers acting as Judges and umpires at manoeuvres wore a detachable
white cloth band on their caps.
Offlcels of Il/SS"O" watch Itve tiring on the AJlengraben
ualnlng area. 1936, They wear the earhes! form of greV sefVice
peaked cap. Schneider Archlv.
37
38
SSFELDMOTZEN
SS Field cap.
The lirst paltern field cap. which was worn by members of the SS'
SOI'Iderkommando Zossen. was identICal In cut 10 the field cap
(I<rinen) 01 the Imperial Gemlan Am",. It was made of black cloth,
and was Circular In cut and had either !Wo or three while plplngs. It was
worn WIth the same melal badges as on the peaked cap.
In 1934 an earth-gley boatshaped field cap (Schiffchen) was IntrO'
duced! for wear WIth the dnll unilorm. The CUI of the cap remained
unaltered unullts Ieplacement In 1940. but lIS coloul and badges were
changed a number of times.
The lirst caps were probably ISSued With a plam white melal bUllon
in honl. and the early verSion 01 the national emblem. machine em
brOldeled in white silk. on an earth-gley cloth triangle. on Ihe left
side of the cap. Soon after liS mtroducuon. the bunon was changed
to that with Ihe death's head on iP.
in 1936. the cap began to be issued in black cloth for wear wllh tne
black uniform.
In 1937. the cap began to be issued in field-grey cloth lor wear With
the lield'grey lield uniform. At the same lime the nallonal emblem
was produced in a new form. This was the SS verSion. machine
embfoidered m white silk on a black cloth triangle. ThiS badge was wo,"
on both the black and field,grey caps.
In 1939. following the army practice. an inverted chevron (Soutache)
in the colour of the bral"lCh of seMc:e (Waffenfarbe) began 10 be WOtn.
bul not as generally as in the army.
Mer the beginning 01 the war. the death's head bunon was painted
lield-grey.
In February. 1938. a lield-cap wu oHlclal1y Introduced for non-
commissioned officers. I1 was Ileldgley with black cloth band and
white piping. The peak was made of the same cloth as the tOP 01 Ihe
cap. and it was worn Without a chin s\lap. At IlrSI only melal. but tater
bolh metal and cloth badges were worn on thIS cap The order Intro
ducmg the cap. emphasised the fact Ihat I1 was a held. and 1'101 a peaked
cap. and should not be worn on occasIOns when a peaked cap was
proscnbed.
Oum'lg the Wilt. a number of offJCefs appear 10 have worn IhlS cap In
preference to any other.
Untlt the Introduction In 1940. 01 a regulauon offIcers' "eld cap. tnay
wore the 1938 model army officers' "eld cap with a metal 01 woven
death's head In place 01 the natIonal cockade
l
.
SSBefenlsblal1. 25.4.38. z,tl 12. p. 9.
JMIlIellungsblatt der RZM. Nr. 29. 15: 12.34. p. 13.
der RZM. Nr. 29. 1512.34. p 13.
SSBefehlsblal1. 25.2.38. lifll 5. p. 8.
ISee for example SSGruppenluhrer Elcke's field cap on page 8
of the book '"Damals'.
SS-STAHlHElME
SS Steel helmets
.--..-
A member of SS-Standante I on guard outside the Feldhellnhalle In
Munich. 1934 ( 1). He wears the 1916 mOdel sleel helmet with unusual
Chin stlap.
L'h
SOdefl of SS-Sonderkommando Zossen weanng a Kratzen". and the
black 5el'Vlte peaked cap The cord on hiS collar and collar patches IS the
Cre-Octobel. 1934. pattern Nallonal Archl ....es.
The Pohtlsche Bereltschaften were at flrsl ISSUed WIth the 1916 model
steel helmet. which had been palnled black.. later a special version
oflhe 1916 model was produced bv the RZM It was different In shape.
and much lighter than 115 predecessor. and WIS obvlouslv designed lor
Inlernil seculllV use only. Its wldo leather dlln strap was fastened bv a
smgle pronged. black melal buckle. On the inside of the rim. it was
stamped with both RZM and SS Issue marks.
The black service peaked cap being worn bV an n.c.o.. and a soldier
weanng the 1916 model steel helmet with modified Chill strap alld army
patte," escutcheon Nallonal Arch,....es.
39
40
The 1916 model black steel helmet was worn with grey uniform
t
.
but the LAH. and possibly other units. wele issued with it in field grey
finish as well.
The 1935 model In black for wear with the black uniform. and field-grey
for wear with field uniform, began to be Issued in 1936. but replacement
and guard Ur'lltS (Wacr.Einheiten) were stili wearing the old model.
when It was ordeled, m March 1941. that they should be sent la the
penitentiary in StraubmQ. Bavarra, where they were probably dismantled
for meltm9 down
1
The 1935 model was worn with the final pallern of escutcheons until
1940. when fOl reasons of camoufJage the red. white and black shield
was ordered to be removedl.
tSee for example picture on page 23,
'Wirtschahs'und Verwaltungsanordnungen (W.V.A.) 1941. Ziff 159.
IVM-SS, 1940. Nr. 136/85. pp. 65/42.
WAPPENSCHILDER
Escutcheons
The LAH at first wore (he SS runes in silver on a black shield. and then
the SS runes in black on a silver shield. on the right. and the diagonal
shield m the R e l c h ' ~ colours on the left side. Other units wore the SS
runes In white, Withm a double white Circle on the light and a swastika In
white outline on the lell side.
Late In 1935 all these escutcheons were changed to the final pallern
which was mtroduced for the whole SS,
Steel helmets were often issued. and worn. without escutcheons.
1st pattern steel helmet escutcheons for the LAH The lett hand side
escutcheons were in black/white/red
2nd pallern steel helmet escutcheons for the LAH.
SS-FUSSBEKLEIDUNG
SS Footwear
Marching boolS. long.
InfantrY boots. half length.
Riding boots
laceup boots.
Walking-out boots.
Sports shoes.
House shoes.
Socks.
Fool cloths.
Knee pads.
lsl pallern sleel helmet escutcheons for all other SS-VT units
Fmal pattern steel helmet escutcheons lor the whole SS The lelt hand
Side escutcheOn was In black and white on a fed gfOund outlined black
SSSPOREN
SS spurs
Strapon spurs
Screw-on spurs.
SSHANDBEKLEIDUNG
SS Gloves
Gloves. wool. grey-green.
Glo\les. COllon. whlle.
Gloves. leather. grey.
SS-UNTERKLEIDUNG
SS Underwear
Brown shirt. triCOt.
Blown shirt. cotton.
Underpants.
Vesl
Night shirt.
Tie. black.
Pullover.
Braces. grey (1 pall per year).
41
1st pattern machine-embroidered national emblem for the sleeve.
SSABZEICHEN
SS Insignia
There were lWO categories of insignia worn on SS unilOlm. The IlIst
consisted 01 those badges which wele worn on all SS uniforms.
iuespective of the wearer's rank or unit. These wele the death's head
(Totenkopl). the emblem olthe SS. whIch was worn on the head-dress.
the brassald (Kampfbinde). the emblem 01 the NSOAP. whIch was
worn on the upper leh aIm. and the national emblem (Hoheitsabzeichen).
which was worn on the headdress and left sleeve.
The second categol)' identified the lank. Unl! 01 qualification of the
wearer. and consisted 01 collar patches (Kragenspiegeln). shoulder
straps (Schulterstucke). armband (Armelstreifen). which was WOIfl
2nd pattern machine-embrOidered national emblem for the sleeve.
on the lell cuff. and the arm-badge (Armelabzeichen). which was worn
on the lower left sleeve.
HOHEITSABZEICHEN
NatIonal emblem
Even before the official order of March 7th. 1936'. established the
swastika wi1hin a wreath 01 oak leaves. surmounted by an eagle with
Outstretched wings as the emblem of the Third Reich. the eagle and
swastika had been worn on the uniforms 01 the NSDAP and armed
lorces. Onlv members Of the armed forces and aHiliilted organisations
{such as the NSFKj wele allowed by law to wear the national emblem
on the righl breastt
43
By order of the RF-SS in May 1940. all collar palches wllh runes and
numerals or lellers were to be changed for those with Just the SS runes.
At the same ume the 2 mm black and aluminium cord on collars and
collar patches was abolished'.
'Verordnungsblalt der Waffen-SS. 15.8.1940. Zlfl Nr. 155.
SS-SCHULTERSTOCKE
SS Shoulder straps
Olflcers and men at lirst wOle one and later two General SS shoulder
cords on the eaflh-grey tuniC. See volume t. pages 21 and 26.
Other ranks were the first to receIve army pattern shoulder straps
(Schulterklappen). while commissioned ranks continued to wear the
General SS pattern. It was not until 1939 however. that n,c.O.'S braid
began 10 be worn on the tunic collar. lInd together with aluminium
Slars. on the shoulder Straps.
The first army pallern shoulder straps were made of black cloth with
rounded ends. and were edged in black and aluminium cord. In tha
centre of each shoulder strap was a 3.5 cm high regimental cypher
(Namenzuge). which was machine embroidered in silver-grey silk
thread. This pattern 01 shoulder strap was usually sewn into the top of
the sleeve.
The second pane," was Simpler in design. and probebly was intended
to be worn WIth the field blouse. It was made of black cloth with pointed
ends. and in the cenlle was a 3 cm high regimental cypher (Namen-
zuge). whiCh was machine embroidered in silver-grey silk thread. This
palle," had a tongue which was passed through a loop on the shoulder
and fastened to the tunic by means of a button. This bullon sometimes
bore the number of the company in arabic numerals.
At the beginning of the war these cyphers were often covered with the
strip of field-grey cloth. for security purposes.
Starting In late 1937. black cloth shoulder straps with rounded ends
and piping in the branch of service. began to be issued to other ranks.
and by September 1940. sufficient stocks were available to equip
training units (Ersatz-Einheiten) with them'.
Simultaneously Ilrmy pattern officers' shoulder straps begun to be worn.
These were identical to thOle of the army. but at first only had a white
cloth underlay. which was later changed to the colour of the branch of
service. See AppendilC It I.
Regimental cyphers (Namenzuge) were in bronzed metal for officers.
and aluminium for n c 0 s. the latter were different in design and smaller
in size.
'Verordnungsblatt der Waffen-SS. Nr. a. 5.9.40. Ziff 46.
1sI. 2nd and 3rd pallern SS runes. The 1SI IS hand embrOidered. and the 2nd and 3rd ale machine embroidered. Mollo Collection.
45
SS-ARMELSTREIFEN
SS Armbands
The armband became one of the most diStinctIve features of the SS
uniform, and apart from IdentIfying the unit of the wearel, was partly
responSible for the remarkable esprit de corps of the SS.
The armband could be worn by all ranks. usually wIth the exception
of recrUits. on the left cuff of the tunic and overcoat. The band was
made from a 2Bmm wIde black woven tape with a 2mm wIde aluminium
Wire strIpe along the top and bottom edges At fust all ranks had the
name or tItle of the unit hand embroidered In aluminium Wire, See
Officers' armband. Regimen! "Germanla". Hand-embroidered type.
nl."u... UI.ntlUtH:UUltnUIt.,11 fI It j U ,)"t;, IU:;:; IllS I
.......
Other ranks' armband, Signals Battalion, machine-embroidered tYpa.
OfJlcers' armband. Regiment 'Oar Fuhrar" Woven tYpe.
PLATE 1
2 3 4
48
,
6 7 8
9 10
11
B
12 13 14
c
49
16
,.
17
50
o
52
PLATE 2
3
2
4
PLATE 3
2
3
54
PLATE 4
2
3
55
PLATE 5
1
5
2 3
4
6
66
PLATE 6
,
2 3
5
57
PLATE 7
,
2 3
5
59
PLATE 8
,
3
2
4
60
PLATE 9
,
61
PLATE 10
2
3
4
62
PLATE '1
1 2
3
,
63
PLATE 12
1
,
3
,
"
PLATE 13
2 3
,
_ ~ ...,: . ~ - '" . tifl'"iII_
SS-ScnttCe13rCtl\11 clttucig
tdlllI _. - - " ! " ~ _ . ~ _
5
65
PLATE 14
2
66
3
SS.ARMElABZEICHEN PLATE 15
SS Armbadge.
Armbadges (Raute) were wom on the lower leh sleeve. 3.5 cms above
Ihe almband.
All armbadges were supplied by lhe RZM. unhl February 1936 when
It was announced that they would no longel be available. and retailers
were adVised to mark. ,heIr lists accordingly. Presumably in future
these badges could only be obtained from the qualifying body.1
PLATE 15
1. Officer In administratIVe service. Introduced 252.38.
2. Offlcel In legal 5elVlce. Introduced 203.38.
3. DocIOl.
4. Bandmaster.
5. Officer in technical service.
6. Officer and n.C 0 In veterinary service.
7. Technical sergeant (SChlffmeISler).
8. Almourer n.C.O.
9 Signals perSOOllel.
10. FarriBr.
11. Medical personnel.
IMltleilungsblall del RZM. Nr 3.. 1 2.36.. p 27.
7
2
67
68
PLATE 15
3
8
,
9
5
10
6
11
SS-ADJUTANTENSCHNUR
ss Adjutants' cords
Wltt! eUect f/Om the 1st May 1938, SS officers officially appointed
adjutant in the AUgemeine-SS. SSVerfugungstruppe. and SS-Toten
kopf"erbande, were entitled to wear a new paltern aluminium and black
cord. The old black and white silk cord could be WOIn until the 31st
December. 1938' See volume 1. page 57,
The army patlern made 01 aluminium cOld was also worn on fleldgrey
uniform.!
SSACHSElBAND
SS Aiguil1ette
The almy patlern ollicers' aiquillette in aluminium cord was worn
for the fllSt lime at the 1937 NUfenberg Rally. by officers of the
Regiment "Deutschland'" didn't receive it until July 1938. The LAH.
alguillene was wOln wilh both walklngout and parade dress, as well
as with formal evening Cless. See volume 1, page 13.
The aiguiUelte was WOIn under the right shoulder strap, and the other
end was allached to a small bullon. under the right lapel.
'SS-Befehlsblalt.. Nr 4" 25.4.38" p 2.
lSee Weldinger. Division Das Reich, opp page 225.
lWeidingcr. Division Das Reich.. p 47,
Officers' aigulllelle. Mollo Collechon,
69
70
A senior n.c.O. of the LAH with sabre National Archives.
SS-SABEL
SS Sabre
Before the In!roductlon m 1935 of the SS sword. officers wore ltle
army paltern with lion's head pommel In silver instead of gilt fUllsh.
Certain examples had the SS runes In a black enamelled circle on the
reverse langet. and the SS mono MEINE EH RE HEISST TREUE etched
on the blade.
Mounted personnel were Issued with the army oauern cavalry sabre.
which had a plain nickel plated hilt and black enamelled scabbard.'
See for example Eickhorns other ranks sabre. Model No 189.
, Das Schwalze Korps. No. 2.. 10.637.. p.3
SS-FOHRERDEGEN
SS Officers' sword
The new officers' sword was presented by the ReichsfiihrerSS. la
battalion commanders and above in the SS-VerfiigungstfUPpen. General
SS leaders with the rank of SSStandanenfUhrer and above, and
departmental chiefs in the SS Main offices (Hauptamter).
Graduates of the SS officer schools were automatically presented With
the sword at a special ceremony on passing out. These swords. ond
those presented by the Reichsfiihrer-SS as special awards. were
known as honour swords (SS-Ehlen-Degen). If the sword presented
by the ReichsfUhrerSS was lost. a new one could be purchased from
the SS Clothing office (SS-l(leiderkasse) on presentation of the award
certificate'.
Sword. Nickel plated knuckle bow. qUlllon and tang bUlIon. Black
wooden grip bound with silvered wire, and Inset white metal SS runes.
Black enamelled metal scabbard With band. loose ring. and nickel
plated locket and chape. Plam straight polished steel blade With one
narrow fuller.
Off,cers' sabre by Elckhom. F. J. Stephens I J. Angohil Collection. SSUntersturmfuhrer Karl Bohmer. in walkingout dress with army panem
sable.
71
!uqun JJit 6tn lJrgcn In
l!I" o1Jn NUMl' !1111
lll,d," 6i, ifIn nkmlll,.1n
l!I" Cmlo ldlnGl'";IlIoI, IDle 6it 6M ffF;
ol!jltn IIIIb flit nllaUdj Un)Ulttll1l
.o"ru roUin t'.rlll oa6klbul,_.o-. WI ft6:.
loll; llIllO)<l,; lSdjd6al IS.. -i'Ia IlIICI ea " 1llICI, /0
,.lIt le llIClid ca 6<. fuldj.futj.... ISlS.
DaQ'If<n lSi. r.!n(n 1IId'9 .. JktlloucII 4ic
OlltdjtktJIi4\U1G 6i1,fu mo!rl pfdjlllh
./lit in I\lItlIIlIIb rdjlt4;lca 'I... lmnIII''''' ald4<J
SS officers' sword
Award cilatlon for the SS sword.
72
ss-uNTERFOHRER DEGEN
SS Non-commissioned officers' sword
This sword was worn by senior non-commiSSioned offlcels (Portepee-
Unterfuhrer) with full dress. Informal service dress. and when walking
out. It was nOt 10 be worn in the field or dWlng training
Sword. Nickel plated knuckle bow. qUlllon and cap p.ece. which bale
the SS runes Black wooden grip Black: enamelled metal scabbard With
band. loose ring. and shoe. and nickel plated locket. Plain straight
polished steel blade With one narrow fuller
Detail 01 the top of the tang button of the SS n.c.o.'s sword.
SS-PQRTEPEE
SS Sword knots
As In the German army. SS officers and nc o's wore sword knots
on their swords Certain officers wore plivately purchased bayonets.
on whIch tlley tied their sword knot
2
ThiS practise was common during
the First World War. but rare dUllng the Second.
I. 1s1 paltern officers' sword knol (Ponepee)
2. 2nd pattern officers and senior nC.O.'s sword knol (Ponapee)

o
2
73
74
TRAGEVORSCHRIFTEN FOR SElTENWAFFEN
The wearing of swords
The officers' sabre. and laler the sword. were worn on the left hiP,
suspended vertically from a black leather ffog (Aushaktel1). which
was clipped to a thin labrlC belt. whICh was worn either over the Ilghl
shoulder. or round the wa,st. undel the tUniC. The leather frog was then
passed through the slit Undel the leh hip pocket flap When the overcoat
was worn Ihe leather frog was also passed through the slit under the
left overcoal pocketllap.
An optIonal extra. whICh appears to have been rarely WOlf1. was an
alUmlf1lum bfaid shng (Sllbertragnemen). which was anached la Ihe
labm: belt. under the tunIC. and clipped onlO the loose flng on Ihe
sheath
J

The n.c o:s sword was WOfn In the same way wrth walklngout dress
when the waist belt was not worn. bul when It was. the sword was
suspended from a black leather sling (Tragnemen). which had nickel
plated fillings.
Mounted personnel camed the sabre In a special frog which was
attached 10 the saddle When on fool. it was worn If1 the same way as the
sword.
Apparently mounted personnel were not allowed la wear a sabre WIth
walking-out dress Inslead they wore a bayonet".
'Verordnungsblalt der Wlllten-SS. 1940. lilt Nr 234
lOamals. p. 33.
ISS del'" NSOAP. Klelderkasse Kalalog. Gulllg ab 1 November 1940.
p. 13.
"Feldgrau. 1954. p. 131.
SSSElTENGEWEHRE
SS Bayonets
The Issue 84/98 short Mauser bayonet was worn WIth all orders of dfess
It was earned In a black leather flog (Selteogewehnasche), and
suspended from tne waIst belt. on the left hIp WIth undress unllorm
privately purchased (Extra) bayonets. w.th nickel plated fillings and
black enamelled sheaths. were worn.
SSTRODDElN
SS Bayonet knots
8ayonet knots were probably introduced In 1933, The bayonet knot
was divided Into five parts. the strap, slide. stem. crown and tassel.
The colour of the slide and crown Identified the company. and the stem,
the ballalion of the wearer.
The knot was worn tIed to the leather bayonet frog. SO that 11 hung In
ffont of the bayonet.
1 JumOf n c o's bayonet knot. to! Unte,fuhrer ohne Portepee.
2 Soldier's bavonel knot. lhe stem rs led DespIte the owner's name
tag. sevvn mSlde the strap of an Oflglnal example m the author's
collecllon and mdlcatlng 1st company I battalion. I1 lS lhooghllhat
th,s knOI was tor the 5th company. II ballalion It SO. thefllhe SSvr
used lhe same colour sequence as the Army
1 2
76
SSAUSAOSTUNG
SS Equipment
The basic personal equipment 01 the General SS IS described In volume'.
pages 60 and 61. and that 01 the Pollllsche Bereltschaften was exactly
the same. In addlllon to the basic equipment. they were Issued with
old paltern ammunition pouches (each pouch camed nine clips). and
an 84/98 bayonet. Officers and n.c.o:s were issued with pistols.
As soon as the SSVerlugungstruppe undertoOk serious mill\ary
training. they were Issued with the same equipment as the army. The
following list 01 equipment issued to a member of the SS-Verfugung-
struppe was extracted from an undated document.
Waist belt and buck.le.
Cross strap.
Cross Strap (threa-piece).
Bayonet frog.
Ammunition pouches. pair.
Clothing bag.
Pack (Model 1934).
Mess tin snaps. pair.
O"ercoat straps. three.
Ground sheet. old square type {Model 1931). grey.
Ground sheet, new three-cornered type (camouflaged).
Ground sheet accessory bag.
Ground sheet pole (three-piece).
Ground sheet pegs (three).
Ground sheet line.
Pack cover.
Bread bag with strap (Model 1931. then Model 1934).
Water bOllle {Model 1931).
Cup.
Eating implements.
Mess tin.
Despatch case.
Map case.
Theongrnalcaptlonslateslhat'onSeptember 11th. 1938. 120.000 Storm
Troopers were reViewed by Herr Hl\ler at NU1emberg: for an event
covered by the world press. rIfles were leflln camp Associated Press.
-
SS-VerfugungSHuppe eQuipment 1935 Bell and straps. ammuMlon pouches.
and other leatherwork IS black. showing natutal hide mner surfaces. the mess
tin and bayonet and scabbard. black; all other melal, while. the groundsheet.
breadbag. and waler bottle cover. grey. the pack. natural brown calfslon. the
bayonet gflps. blOwn wood - and nOle JUllIor n co's Troddel
77
7.
LAH guald of honour aWaIIlng Mussolim's arrival in Mumch. 1938. NO!lce both 1916 and 1935model Sleel helmets Heinrich Hotfmann.
WEISSES lEOERZEUG
White leather equipment
The LAH being a guards regiment spent much of Its time on celemonial
duties. for which white equipment was introduced In stages.
In 1936 white waist belt, cross strap. bayonet frog. pistol holster and
pack straps were introduced and worn together with black ammunition
pouches.'
In 1937 the white leather waist bell and cross strap was replaced by
an aluminium braid belt (Feldblnde) for officers of the LAH. This belt
was Introduced gene/ally In 1938.
2
In January 1938 the LAH marched past Adolf Hitler wearing white
leather waist belts. cross slfaps. bayonet frogs. and ammunition pouches.
The Reich's Chancellery guard detachment wore white leather equip
ment when on duty at the Chancellery.
'Relchstagung In NGrnberg 1936, p. 321.
2Mmeilungsblalt der RZM. Nr 6. 25.4.38. p. 11.
Right
1936 was the first year In which the LAH appeared In white equipment.
Here they are stdl wearing black ammunition pouches. The army
camouflaged ground sheet IS folded and strapped on top of the rolled
greatcoat,
Officers' parade belt (Feldbrnde). Introduced In 193738. Mollo
Collection.
79
of Ihe LAH in sports clothes later they had their OWn sports vest badge.
National Archives
,
-

H
155T
Sports vest badge for members 01 the LAH.
SS-SPORTKLEIDUNG
ss Sport. clothes (el et April 1939) 1.
SPOilS shoes. Model 1931 (Army pattern)
Sports trousers. black. sateen.
Sports Shift w,th SS badge. -While
TlIlnlog lacket wnh SS badge. -blue.
Training 1I0users. blue
-Members 01 the LAH had their own SporlS badge.
'SSPre's!.ste. Apn11939. pp. 2 and 3.
'Weldlnger DIVISIon Oas Relch. Vol 1 . p. 104.
82
,
k
"

1
2
85
The "Jingling Johnnie" of the LAH, 1939(?) The moon has the name
01 the regiment engraved on it. Dodltins Collection,
86
Trumpeters of the LAH Most SS trumpet banners were modelled on those
01 the LAH. Beadle Collecl1On.
Obverse and reverse of a IrUmpel bannef of the III Battalion. Regiment "Der Fuhrer". Pflvate Collection.
FANFARENTOCHER
Trumpet banners
Trumpet banners of the SSVerfUgungStruppe and SSTOlenkopl-
verbiinde were of a standard pal1ern. which was based on those of the
LAH.
1
The banner was double sided. made of black velvet. and was
49 )( 42 cm. On the obverse was a 23 cm high death's head worked in
aluminium lamE!. With detail and shading machine embrOidered In
Silvered wire and black Silk thread
Underneath the deallfs tlead was the regimental or ballalion deslg-
na\!on In 5 cm high. aluminium wire embrOidery. The feverse bore
24 cm high SS runes If'I alumlf'llum lamE! edged in twisted cord. The
reverse onlv was edged In 1 cm Wide aluminium braid. The banner had
5 cm long aluminium fringe on three sides. and was attached to the
trumpet by two nickelplated srlap hooks.
'Reichstagung In Nurnberg 1937. p 33.
lSSBefehlsblatt. 25635. Z,lf 17
.7
BB
PARADEPAUKENBEHANGE
Banners
The kettledrum banner was made of black velvet and was edged in
2 cm wide aluminium braid and 5 cm fringe. On three, or all five 01 Its
panels, were embroidered regimental or banalion emblems. or the
death's head and SS runes in aluminium wire embroidery or aluminium
lame.
GROSSE TROMMEL
ansdrums
The big drum was painted black, and had black and white zigzag rims
(Holzspannriefen). On the front of the drum was painted a white
death's head and the unit name in Gothic script. Ballalion "N" had the
1933 Nuremberg rally badge in place of the death's head,!
GLOCKENSPiEl WIMPEL
Lyra pennons
Small triangular black velvet pennon. edged in 1 cm wide aluminium
braid. On the obverse was embloldered the national emblem In
aluminium WIle. At each of the three pOints of the tflangle was suspended
an aluminium wire tassel. The pennon was attached to the reverse of
the instrument so that it was Visible from the front. See opp. page.
I,",~ ~ ~ : t
!t I ,'1. d 1.6:
Kettle drummer of the LAH Kettle drums and fanfare !rumpets were only
used by nonmounted units for concerts and beating the letreat.
Suddeutscher Verlag
SS-Hauptschatluhref Meyer on NicolaU5 In January 1936 All mounted
In addlUon to {hIm own Instrument. carried a trumpel slung on their
"ad:. The Tnsmp8t Major gave his commands wnh his trumpet Sudd Verlag.
Bass drum ollhe Regimen, "Germania"
89
SS-FAHNEN UNO STANDAATEN
SS Flags and standards
It was the custom to plesent and Inaugurate flags and standards at the
annual Party Day Rally (Reichsparteitag), which was held each
September from 1933 to 1938.
The following units are known to ha...e recei...ed their Ilags and
standards at Nuremberg,
ss standards and battalion Ilags were basically the same for all units
both in the AllgemeineSS and SSYerfilgungstruppe. Each regiment
had its name on the standard, and a black patch on the top corner (neKt
to the pole) of the battalion Ilag, on whiCh was machine embroidered
the regimental and battalion designation. See opp. page
1. SSLelbstandarte "Adolf Hitler", I. 11 and III banahons.
2. SS-Standarte "Deutschland", I, 11 and III banalions,
3. SS-Standarte 'Germania. I. 11 and III battalions.
4. SSStandarte "Oer Filhrer", I. 11 and III baualions.
5. SS Saualion "N'.
Not confirmed.
t standard and 3 battalion Ilags
1 standard and 3 battalion Ilags
1 standard
1 batlalion flag
1 standard and 3 battalion Ilags
1 battalion flag
1 standard and 3 battalion liaRS
Lelbstandarte Adoll Hitler
SSStandarte "Oeulschland"
5S Nachrlchtensturmbann
55- Pioniersturmbann
SS-Slandarte "Germanla"
SSSturmbann "N"
SSStandarte "Der F\.ihrer"
1933
1934
1935
1935
1936
1937
1938
Regimental standard 01 the 55- Leibstandarte "Adoll Hitler" Gilt eagle
and bmding 01 aluminium wreath; red 11ag wl\h black/aluminium/red
fringe, cords and tassels, all other features alummlum. white or black
(SeeYol. 1. rear endpaper)
90
I ~ I
11
Immmmml
I'IJ
ImmIIllml
11
III
FAHNENSPIEGEl UNO STANOARTENBALKEN
Flag patches and standard cross bars
Regimental standard of the LAH. NallOnal Archives
91
Colour party of the SS-Engineer Battalion. 1937(?) Mumn Verlag
92
Battalion flag 01 the SS Engineer Battalion. Black:. while and
red flag: aluminlumflecked black fringe; black and aluminium patch
,n upper hOist canton.
BANDOLIER
Sendolier
In 1935 a new pattern bandolier was Issued for carrymg bOlh the
standard and battalion flag. The bandolier was 11 cm wide and was
trimmed with 4 cm wide aluminium braid. The length of the bandolier
could be adjusted by means of a black leather strap and nickel-plated
buckle on the inside, The bandolier was worn over the left shoulder, on
top of the gorget. with the bucket on the right thigh, The standard
bearer and hiS escon wore while buckskin gauntlets (Stu1penhand-
schuhe).'
lSS-8elehlsblatt. Nr 10. 25.10.38. p. 5.
Detail of the lnnge from an SS banahon flag The top IS the flISt. and
boltom lhe second pallem. Mollo ColleclJon
RINGKRAGEN (BRUSTSCHILO)
Gorgets
The SA/SS slandafdbealels gorgel was worn until 1938, when a new
model wn Introduced h appeals that at one IJme. the LAH had a
specIal model
Stander (gUidon) of the SS Signals Bat
tahon The lunge. cOld and lassel are
black and aluminium
This draWing is based on a photo. found by an Enghsh soldier In an
SS barracks at Unna. Wes(phaha. on 6th June. 1945. The anginal
phOtograph IS In the collection of the Imperial War Museum. London.
93
SS Standardbearer's gorget, model 1938,
94
Slandard bearer's bandolier, 1935 model Mono Collecllon.
UNIFORMS OF THE JtJt
VOLUME4
JtJt- TOTENKOPFVERBANDE 1933-1945
AndrewMollo
KCOlKaneHllIO, HaM AOCTanllCb Tom.KO CTpaHII",'" C cj)OTorpacj)IIRMII.
Windrow& Greene
SS-WACHVERBANDE
SS-TOTENKOPFVERBANDE
SS-TOTENKOPFWACHSTURBANNE
The decree ollhe 281h Febluary 1933 for the protecllOn of people and
state (Veloldnung des Re.chsprils,denlen zum Schutze von Vo'lc und
Slaal. vam 28 2.1933. RgB1 1583). whICh lollowed the Relchslit9 "'l'.
gave the polICe the light to place potential enerrlles 01 tl>e statc (wIlo
had been legally sentenced 10 pr'son by a COUrt 01 law. Of wIlo hawlg
selVed a legal sefltenCe .....ere ordefed to be Iwthe! detamed bV the SO Of
GeSt.lpo) In protectIve custody (Schutztlafl) lor up 10 th,ee months I
As a direct result 01 thIS deCle8 so many socalted oppon8flts 01 the
regime were allested that conventional prison acCOmodal'OI'l was not
avaIlable. and makesll,lt detenl,on centres had to be sel up In Aar I
1935 It was eSllmated that 25.000 people were being held n Plotce1lve
cUSlodV In P,ussla alone:
Helnnch HlmmJer. IS aet,ng Police President of Munich. set up In Marc"
19231he fllst Independent SSrun concenualJon C<lrrp, on tne SIte of a
lormel gunpowder factOfV on Ire ootsk ItS 01 Munich at Dachau,J In the
summer of 1934 most of It'e unoll.cial C<ll1lps were closeC, and as a
dreclte5ull of the Roo ,Poach the remaIning SA C<lmos Jlere 'eMOved
Irom the JuttSd,cbon 01 the cMI authOfl:rl'S. a"ld taken ove bl the SS
The IlIst lul1t,me SS concentration camp unit VIlas recrUited 'rom
members 01 the Genelal SS, to guard Ihe new camp al Dachau AII,rsl
th1s unit was uneer the overall command of SS D,strlCI SOutn. who mace
I1 a depoSitory for liS unwanted personnel. In June 1935, SSOberlulel
Theodol Ercke was madll commander 01 Oacllau.' In a letlel wn,ch I'e
Wfote to Hlmmlel on the 1 h AuguS1 1936. he deSCllbed tile cond'llon,
111,11 Pfeva,led at Dact-au on hiS aftrval
"There >hele I mes when no tUOles. shoes 01 even socks wele ava:lable.
The men camed on IhClr dU1 es '.\"C<lllng their own th,ng, Without
complaming We \\cro regarded as a necessary evil whIch
merely cost mone) , InsignifIcant Guards behrnd barbed wile. At lImes
-

,.,. ,:. I
..... . .
", 'i
lJ I I: t. <i'..... ,,.-. ...
.... .. ':ft ,',';J ' .
,., .t" I .... -' .. :,.;"
w. ...
SS' BIIgadeluhrer Theodol ElCke. commander and Inspector
of SS Death's Head UOllS and Conccntra:ian Camps. 151h
September 1936. (BOl,ch Collec\!on)
2
I was forced literally to beg the treasuries lor the meagre wages 01 my
oUlcers and men. As an Oberfuhrer In Dachau I myself recell"ed a
monthly salary of RM, 230, .. Al the beginning there were no cartridges
or rilles.let alone machine guns. Of the entile stafl only three men could
handle a machine gun. My men wele billeted In draughty lactolles_
Evelywhere there was poverty and misery. At tha1 lime these guards
wefe under the command of the SS District South whIch left the wOlrles
and anxielles to me but. unask.ed. sem me people 01 whom for some
reason or other it wanted 10 be lid In Munich: In consequence they
contammated my men and their SPllll, I encountered disloyalty. graft
and corruption. For these reasons I was forced to dismiss about sixty
men in lour week.s. No progress could be made because the unit was
undelthe command and influence olthe District South and was used as
a deposl\ory for so called Velsorgungsanwarter (ex-soldiers entitled to
exservicmen's welfare benefits). When I found i1 Impossible to con-
tinue like this the Relchsluhrer-SS glilnted my requeS1 and placed the
small guard unit under my exclUSive command. Flom then on there was
uninterrupted progress. I went to WOrK alert ilnd happy. training men la
become N.C.Os and. N.C.Os to become officers. Mutual sell-sacllflce.
deprivations and hearty comradeship created In a few weeks an
example 01 manhood which In turn exhlbned an excellent "'esprit de
corps". We did not become paranoic, because we all had nothing
Behind the barbedwire we qUietly did our duty and ehmmated
Without concern anybody In our ranks who showed the smallest sign
of disloyalty. So we formed and lfained the guard unit In the qUietness of
the concentration camp. Their ideals were loyalty bravery and
obedience,"
Having Improved the mOrale and diSCipline of hiS men. Elckc formdated
serVice regulations for both guards and Inmates. which remained
vHlually unchanged until the end of the war. In 1934 Elcke was made
Inspector of Concentration Camps and SS Guard UnI1S (Inspckteur der
KonZentrationslager und SSWachvcrbande). with the rank 01
SSGruppenfilhrer.
7
By 1938/9 his official mle had become" FLihrer der SS-TV u. KL.
Dachau guard COmpany marches into the compound.
Officers and N.C.O.s wear the black peaked cap. where
as the men wear the earth brown field,cap. 1936.
Daehau Inmates are 9 ven thelf assgnmenlS by the duty officer 1936.
In March 1935 there were Ihe following gUilld Unr!S (Wachverbiinde) In
9)uSI9nce:
On the 1st April 1936 I'll' scallered company,s'led gU3rd units wefe
removed !rem Ihe conlrol at t'l:l General SS. and reorganlsed Into live
bal1alro;ls CJch of whlC" .... as asslgncd to a p<lrllcular camp
Unll: Camp:
SSWachsturmbann 10berbayern Oachau
SSWachstuflTlbann 11 Elbe uchtenburg
SSWachsturmbann III Sachsen Sachsenburg
SS-Wachstufmbann IV Ostfnesland EsteIWegen
SS-WachstuflTlbann V Brandenburg Oramenburg u. Columbla-Haus
On the 29th March 1936 the above units WIth a lotal strength of 3.500
men were collectively renamed Ire SSTolenkopfverbande.
Q
In Apnl
1936 oolh the SS-Verfugungslruppe and SS-Totenkopfverbande well'
c1assrlred as "orgamsa!)ons rn the servIce of the state'-. and placed on the
pohce budgel of the MiniStrY 01 the 10;1'1101.
10
Service In the SS-TV did nOt count as fulfilment of Ihe mrlrtary serv,ce
oblrgauons untrl the Sprrng of 1939. and boys w,th the age of sixteen
and above were accepted as volunteers for 4 or 12. and officers 25 years.
DUllng their service In the SS-TV volunteers had to complete their
nlllrtary service in eithef the armed forces or SS-VT. Elcke preferred hrs
men 10 do the'r servIce In the army. navy or all fOfce. as he was afraid
Ihalllthey were to serve ,n Ihe SS-VT. they mlghl not wanllo ratum 10
the onerous lask of guarding concentratron camps, lIOn completion of
thClr service In lhe armed fOlces TV pCfsonnel were reminded by E!cke
trill "we belong nClthef to the almy nor the police nOf the SS-Veffugung-
SlrUPpe. our cohesion IS based upon comradeshrp inherenl In our
National Socralist Ideology: rI
Fr;Jm the 1st July 1937 the live battalions were reorgan,sed 1010 three
fi!91'Tleflts (Slilndartell). WIh a 10tal strellgth of 4.449 persons.
lJ
Unrt Camp:
SSTotellkoofSlandarte 1 O b ~ b a y e r n Oachau
2 Brandenburg Buchenwald
3 Thurlngen Sachsellhausen
III 1938 a fourth reglmenl was formed In Ausura I 4
11 Oslma/k Mauthausen
a'ld In 1939 a fifth was added
5 D,etrlch ECkhard,
On the 1s. August 1937 the seven concentration camps were
reorga:1ised iOlo three marn camps (HaUpllager).
Camo.
Dachau
EStelWegen
llclllenburg
S.1chsenburg
Oran.enburg und Columbla-Haus
Ha."burg-Fuhlsbunel
Unll.
SS-Wachlruppe Oberbayern
SS-WachtnJppe Ostfrlesla.,d
SS-Wachtruppe Elbe
SS-Wachtruppe Sachsen
SS-Wachlfuppe Brandenburg
SSWachtruppe Hansa
3
Kompanlen or Companies
SS-OberS1UrmbannlUhrer Karl Koch. commander of the
IV SS Death"s Head Battalion '"Ostfriesland"", 1936 (1).
(Black Star.)
7 Kp.* Sachsenhausen
4 Kp. Dachau
3 Kp. Buchenwald/Weimar
3 Kp. Mauthausen
4 Kp. Gusen
3 Kp, Flossenburg/Bayr. Ost.
Neuengamme
Ravensbrud
in the Summer 01 1941 the concenllatlon camp guard establishment was
as lollows; 10
KL mit SSTotenkoplsturmbann
Up to the outbreak lithe war the primary purpose of the concentration
camp had been to Isolate the 'enemies of the state' from the German
people, but with the outbreak of war exploitalion 01 camp labour became
of paramount imporlance. The growth of the camp population was
relatlYely slow until 1941/2, when the camps were filled 10 bursting
point with yast numbers 01 pusoners collected in the newly occupied
eastern territories. ThiS expanSion, and the eyer increasing demand lor
labour was loO much lor the Operational Main Office, under which the
camps had been subordlnilted since August 1940, and in March 1942,
the Inspectorate or Concentrallon Camps (The Inspectorate of Guard
units had been disbanded in August 1940) was transferred to the
SS Economic and Administrative Main Office (SS-Wirtschalts+
Verwaltungshauplamt-VWHA) under SS,Obergruppenluhrer Oswald
Pohl as Group (Amtsgruppe) D. under SS-Brigadefuhrer Ric1)ard
GIGcks
21
uniforms. and Ihe same pay-books (Soidbucher).19 The significance of
tllis dlfectJVe was missed at the time. and the Walfen-SS was always to
regret that 11 had not resisted the lumping together 01 its fighting
formations with the COnCerllratlon camp guards.
5
A Death's He3d hallahon, 1935 (?j (Helr,flch Horrrrann)
und Vemagsangeleen-
Hallhngs3rgcit!genhe,len
N3ctUlchlenvvesen. Lao;;c.sct-u:z
und Wac"'hunde
KraIlfah"",lesen
Wa'leo \,lOC Gerat:)
SC'lulung de.
Arbc'lse,nsatz der Hafll,n!le
HalthngsetnSaiZ
Haltllngsausbrldung
Stai st,k un::! Verrechung
San':;l!s....esen u
Amllche und zal1nalzthcllC Vel-
sorgung SS
AI2'lIIChe V<;r-
sorgung der Haltl,oge
Hvg10msche u san,tare Massna\ .
men '" den KL
KLVerwaltung
RechlS-
he,len
Haushah, Kassenu
wesen
- Verpllegung
Belr.1elCfung
Unlol::unlt
dallon
Legal, lax and conlrac-
lUal maners
o IV/2
o IVl3
oIV/A
oIVI5
Amls9luIlPe 0 was organlscd as lollo\\'s ,n Malch 1942.!!
Office 0, I Cerllflll Oflll:c Zentralaml
(SSOslubaf. l'ebehenschel)
0111 Inmale maltels
o 1/2 Communlcallons, Camp
SecUfI\)' and gua-cl dogs
0113 Motor transpofl
o I/A Weaj:X)ns and equipment
o 1/5 Troop lIam,"g
Olflce 0: Illnnl,lle laboVf
(SS-Slaf MaUler)
o11/1 Inm,lte labour
o11/2 Inmate tra,nlng
o 11/3 StatlsllcS and accounts
Office 0 III Medical malters and
canp hyglene
(SS-Stal Or Ooll,ng)
011111 SS Wedlcal and denial
care
o 111/2 Inmato mec,ul and
dental cale
o 111/3 Camp hyg,ene and
sanllat on
Olfrce 0: IV camp admlnlstJallon
(SSStubal BUlger)
o IVll cash and
pay malters
Supoly
Clolhlng
BIllets and a ommo-
6
rhO wartime guard units were organised In baila'lons and companies
wh,et1 bcre the name of tha camp, e9 6/SS Sturmbarm 'Cl. Auschwl1Z.
was '1'1 fact [he 6;11 CO'Tloanv of the SS Ballallon COr'lCer1l1allOn camp
Auscilwnz lt1e numb!;!r 011'10 guards deponded on the Sdi! of the ca'l'lp.
and of mmates. but was ollCn remarkably small. although milny
01 the larger camps wOle situated alongSldo SS camps or barracks. a:1d
In the caso of a rnsurreC\lon the camp cO'11mandant could call 011
military Ur'llts Ir1the vrcm,!" for aSSIS!Dr1CC
In 1943/4 the SSTotenkopls!urmbann Harrburg Neuengamme con-
Sisted of four companies of GO men armed wl;h 98 K carbme, Of 11\0
240 men. 70 were German nationals (Relchsdeutsche). 74 Rumanians.
many of whom had been wounded 3t Stalmgrad. 25 Slo\'aks. mOSI of
German origin, al'd 60 RUSSians. none Of w;'.om, With Ille llxcepllon of
tl1elr Ne Os. could speak Gormal'll' Al tl10 same camp air fOlce
[1cr,cnnol been taken mto the SS Ifl thc summcr of 1944. Issued
w;!h SS uniforms and paybooks, and used to reinforce the e)l;Istln9
In Sachsenhauserl In Apltl 1945 lhere were apprOXImately
3.000 SS personnel. all of whom wore SS uniform Ravensbruck had
90 men on the camp stall and 250 guards In November 1942. and by
Apnl 19t15 the number of guards hac rrsen 10 550 men 26 Whon Rudolf
Hoess assumed command of Auschw.{z rn May 1940. he had a staff of15,
and a guald platoon 01 50 SS men, which rose 10 3,500 men bV the lime
he relinoulsl1ed t-IS command In December 1943 11
The ongrnal wartime guards ware contrnuouslv changed, as the younger
age groups wele posted to flold units, and replaced by even older
soldr(llS. saIlors, <lHmen, and especially raCial Germans who were el1her
unfIt or un.el able fOI !Ior.thne servrce These decrepit and Incompetent
guards were rell,lorced lrom l,me 10 time, by members of the SA. Prison
Service. and even 1st World War veterans from the
Officers and men of the staff of Buchonwald Concentration Camp In 1940. Judging by Ihell age these are General SS reSErVISlS (Boz!chCollectlon)
7
8
On the 51h Aplil 1944 the WHA listed 20 official concentration camps
and an additional 165 subsidiary labour camps. Z'I and In AvgusI 19-14
feponed that these camps held 524.286 inmates. 30
The following list gives all the main camps (Hauptlager) which came
under the jurisdiction of the WHA. and which were therefore classified
as '"official" concentration camps. II
Dachau 22. 3.33 - 29. 4.45
Sachsenhausen 836 - 22. 4.45
Buchenwald bel Weimar 15. 7 37 ~ 11 <145
Flossenburg/Bayr.Ostmark 3. 5.38 - 23 4.45
Mauthausen 8. 8.38 - 5. 5.45
Ravcnsbruck 15. 5.39 - 21. 4,45
Auschwilz (Poland) 20. 5.40 - 1B. 1.45
Neuengamme 4. 6,40 - 29. 4,45
GrossRosen 1. 5,41 - . 2.45
NalZWeiler (Alsace) 26. 7,41 - 23.11.44
Niederhagen in Wewelsburg 1. 9.41 - 3. 5.43
Stuffhof (Danzig) 13. 1.42 - 25. t.45
Atbeitsdorf 8. 4,42 - 11.10.42
Herzogllnbusch 5. 1.43 - 9.44
lublin (Poland) 9. 3.43 - 24. 7.44
RigaKaiservvald (Latvia) 15. 3,43 - 6. 8.44
Bergen-Belscn 7. 7 , 4 3 ~ 11.4.45
Warschau (Poland) 15. 8.43 - 1. 5.44
Kauen (Lithuania) 15.943-14.7,44
Vaivara (Estonia) 15. 9.43 - 28. 6.44
Klooga (Estonia) 9.43-19. 9,44
KrakauPlaszow (Poland) 11. 1.44 - 15, 1,45
Mittelbau 28.10.44 - 9. 4.45
On the 281h May 1941 Himmler authorised tdS & BdS to form Arbeltser
ziehungslager at the expense of the Reich. These detention camps were
10 be staffed by Gestapo officials and employees and guarded by hired
personnel. olten by auxiliaries such as Estonian. and Lilhuaman police.
n This camp was previously known as Enetsberg.
... This camp also inclvded Auschwitz 11 (Birkenau). and Auschwilz tll
(Monowitz).
SS-Obergruppenfuhler Oswald Pohl. chief of the INVHA. September
1942. He weals a '"Lllewka". a style of tunic which becamo popular
with senior functionaries, (Dodkins Collection.)
In May 1944 Hlrnmler ordered the lIansler of 10.000 reserviSts over the
age of fo"y from the leplacerrent army to the as canp
guards. The same orde' suggested that these reservists. and all concenaa-
tlon camp guards whod,d not meet SS membersh,p requirements m'ght
v.ear a macrlf'e embrordered W on the "gIlt coltar patch. It is not known
,f thiS order was rn fact ,mplemented
As the Allied arm es o\lerran German Europe. and then
Germany hersell. ca"'p alter camp was I,berated In some Ihe SS guards
slayed to surrender. wh,le In others they lied. In all the campSlhe most
appalling conditions were found. due. In the greal par\. 10 the complete
breakdown 01 the system. which resulled In Germany'S collapse.
Elderly concentration camp guard. probabl ( a VolksdeuUcher". being
searcred by Bfl\lsh sold'ers after tne liberation of Bergen Selsen In
April 1945. (Imoemll War Museum)
1. Anatomy of the SS Slale, p. 401.
2. Ibid. p. 406. 3. Ibid. p. 429.
4. Ibid. p. 437. S. Ibid. p. 431.
6. Elcke 10 Himmler on 10.8.36, concemmg SS-TV Ook.DC
Pers.Akt/Eicke 37c/A.
7. Anatomy of the SS State. p. 443.
8. Ibld, p. 442.
9.
10. Soldaten wie andere auch. p. 257.
11. Nuremberg Interrogation Summary No_ 4802.
12. Anatomy of the SS State. p. 331.
13. Statisllsches Jahrbuch der SS der NSDAP. 1938, p, 79.
14 Die Walfen-SS. p. 345.
15 Ibid.
16. Soldaten Wle andere aUCh.. Document 6. pp. 252259.
17. Anatomy of the SS State. p. 459.
lB. IMT. Vol. VI. p. 459.
19 Zusammensetzung der WalfenSS issued by the
Hauptaml (Kommandoamt der Waffen-SS) Ab:. la/Ne/Oe.
Tgb Nr 2825/41 geh. Dated 16.7.41. Quoted In full ,n "Soldaten
wle andere auch". p. 301.
20. Ibid.
21, Anatomy of the SS Stale. p. 461,
22. Ibid, p. 486.
23. Interrogation report No. PVVIS(H)/LOC/477.
24. Nuremberg document 0/748.
25. 0/745a.
26. D1746b.
27. D1749b.
28.
29. NO-020.
30. NO-399.
31 list compiled from the Intemallonal Tr3Cmg Service pub!lcallon
"Haltstalten unter dem RelchsfUhrer-SS (19331945):
32. Nuremberg Military Tribunals Oocument NO-5089.
9
10
SSAUFSEHERINNEN
SS Women Supervisors
The fjrsl womcn's concentrat'Of'l camp was SCI uo at L,chtenburg In
Augusl 1937, and It IS thought \11,,1 the reClUl1menl and tramlng 01
selected women as supervisors began al the same lime.
In order 10 aurael lecfUltS dUflog Ihe war, women were offeree lhe besT
accommodallOO and tugilcI salanes Il'an lhey coold earn elsewhere_
Once they had 101ned. new recr",rts wefe clothed and trained at Ravens-
brUck, whew they remalne<l, or wefe posled to olher wurnen's camps
such as Auschwl!z- Slrkena... According to the commandant 01 Ravens-
bruek. Fllll Suhreo, 1Wwomell Were employed m Ihe camp usell. while
approximately 300 g...ard!'d outside ';\"Ork'n9 pames
mandos). Sunfen estimated Inlt dunng hIS lerm 01 Irom
Noyember 1942 10 May 1945, 3.500 women hlle served a: ore I1me or
anothel in AavensOruck or liS workmg panoes I
PotentIal supervisors were reCIUlted by various NallC):'lal SOCIalist
women's organ,satrons. bul I.:w women were prepafed 10 yolunloo for
lhe concenlTallon camo service, so compulsion to be used to Cbl""\
the ever 'r>Creil5,ng numbers Ihat we'e requHe<! Each armamerts f"m 10
whICh female Oflsoncrs had 1It1011!'d 101 wOlk. had In exchange. to
suneoeer a cena," pcrccmage of tne'r Olhtr female emp!oyees to aet ;!S
supervisors These supcrvl:ors were Ihel\ gIven a IEW 'traming' in
RavensbfiJclr. 21\Cf lIlen let loose 01\ the
As a general 'ule .....omen lecfullec! dUIIUg Will came ulldef
calegOly of W;Jf AUltilialles (SSKnegshellellllnenj. al\d were nOI
incorporated Il\to the COIPS of SS Helpers
members of which had to lulM an SS lecfultll\g s!andaICS.
Women wele also emotoved as suoewrsors 11\ Ihe Police PIlSOI\
Supervisory ServIce (Pohze'oe1angl\lsaulslChlscheoSt). and as gover
nesses III camps for JUyen,le offenders (Jugelldichutzlager), which
came ul\der the jUnsd'ChOn 01 the Ctllcl of the Secl.Ifliy Pollce and SD.
1. Nuremberg Document D3746a & b.
2. Commandant of Auschwitz, pp. 137140.
3. RFSS-Belehl Yon 14.843.
4. Beleh!sbfan des Chefs del" $lpO ul\d des SO NI21 .. 30.4.43. p. 127.
Female overseers captufed by the Brlllsh al Belgel\ Bels,'!n 11\ /\pilI 1945.
The while brassard was probably worn as a token 01 surrender.
(Impellal War Museum,)
SS-STURMBANN "OACHAU"/WACHTRUPPE
"QBERBAYERN" DER AllGEMEINEN-SS
SS-WACHSTURMBANN I "OBERBAYERN"
SS-TOTENKOPFSTANDARTE 1 "OBERBAYERN"
55-TOTENKOPF RE KRUTEN-STAN OARTE "0BERBAYERN"
In June 1935. SS-Obertuhrer Theodor Elcke took over command 01
Dachau concenlrallon camp. and with I1 a thoroughly corrupt and
demoralised guard detachment of barely 120 mel). Elcke immediately
dismissed 60 men and set about Improving the discipline and morale of
Ihe remainder. at Ihe same lime recrulUng carefullychosen personnel.
In 1934/5 this unit was enlarged and renamed SSWaChsturmbann I
Obelbayern'.
In 193711 was again enlarged*. and renamed SSTotenkopfstandarte 1
Oberbayern. and organised as follows:
Stab H.D.
I Stuba. ( 1.- 4. Hdschlt.) 1st Bn. (1st4Ih Coys.)
II Stuba. ( 5.- 8. Hdschft.) 2nd Bn. (5th-8Ih Coys.)
III Stuba. ( 9.-12. Hdschlt.) 3rd Bn. (9th-12th Coys.)
IV Stuba ( 1 3 , ~ 1 6 , Hdschlt.) 4th Bn, (13th-t6th Coys,)
V Stuba. (17.-20. Hdschlt.) 5th Bn. (17th2Oth Coys.)
Nachr. Hdschft Signals Coy.
Muslkzug Band
In September 1938 Ihe 1SI and 2nd battalions took part in the Sudeten
operation at Asch.
In November 1939 the unit was renamed the SS Death's Head Recruiting
Regiment. arid in the winter of 1940/1 was disbanded.
Commanders: SS-Obert. Theodor Elcke., SSStat. 0110 Augustinl.,
SS-Onubaf. Max SimOn.
Some of the additional personnel came from twO SS-Sonderkom-
mandos under the command of SS D,stllc! South Wes!. at the
Political Schools (Ordensburgen) Crosinsee and Vogelsang. (See
"Paoa Ereke" and il,s men relax ot! dUly. 1934 (Page Taylor Collection.) RfSS 155/2684885.)
13
SS-WACHTRUPPE "BRANDENBURG"
SSWACHSTURMBANN V "BRANDENBURG"
SS-TOTENKOPFSTANOARTE 2 "BRANDENBURG"
Oranlenburg-Schloss
Oramcnburg- Schloss
Columbia-Haus 1. Das Schwarze Korps.. No 19.107.35, P 4
2 Dienstalterliste der SS. Stand yom 1.12 37.
3. Die WaffenSS.. p. 346.
4 Elnsalzgruppen In Pole" (Heft 2). pp 3843.
5. Die Waf/en-5S.. p 346
Commanders SS-Os:ubal \I\rchae L,poert
SSStaf Ot:o Re,ch
SS-Stal Paul \JOSll:Z
MaChine gun crew of lhe 1Sl Death's Head Regiment in action during
the Sudeten CIISI5. September 1938.
Motor Transport Echelon
HQ
ls. 8n. (1si4Ih Coys.)
2nd Sn, (5th-Bth Coys.)
3rd Sn (9th-12th Coys )
4th Sn (13th-16th CoJ's)
Signals Coy,
Sand
On the 28th Apl,1 1935 S$-Wachtruppe "Brandenburg" was formed as 11
guard unit for Sacrsenhausen Concentration Camp,l and was organised
as fellows:
1. HundellSchaft
2, Hundertschaft
3, Hundertschaft
In 1935 the unit was re-organised and renamed SS- Totenkopfsturmbann
V "Srandenburg",
On the 1st July 1937 It was enlarged and tormed Into a leglrllent.
SS-Totenkopfstandarte 2 "Brandenburg. By December 1937 the
regiment had but by the sprll1g of 1939 it was <lg1lln dowr,
to four J
Stab
I Sluba. 1.- 4. Hdschft )
11 SlUba. 5 - 8 Hdschh.}
III Stuba 9-12 Hdschh}
IVStuba (13-16 Hdschft)
Nachrlchten- Hundertschalt
Musikzug
In 1939 was added:
Kraftfanrstallel
in September 193B the 151 and 2nd battalions look: part 111 the Sudelen
operatiOn at 8rieg.
On the 12th September 1939 the 2nd (relfforccd) Death's Head
Regiment "Brandenburg" under SSGrut Theodor Elc"e was sent to
Poland where It worked In conjUnction With EG II1 In the 8th Army
region. On the 26th September the regrment returned to Germany.
At the end of the year the regiment was the 5th Death's Head

14
HQ
1st Sn (lst4th Coys.)
2nd Bn. (5th-8th COl's.)
3rd Bn, (9th-12th Coys.)
41h Bn. (13th16th Coys.)
Signals company
Motor Transport Echelon
Band
SS-SONDERKOMMANDO 3
SSWACHKOMMANDO "SACHSENBURG"
SS-WACHSTURMBANN If "ELSE"
SS-WACHSTURMBANN III "SACHSEN"
SSTOTENKOPFSTANDARTE 3 "THORINGEN"
In the spnng 01 1933, SS D'Slflct Centre formed a special commando
Irom General SS volunteers In Dresden, On the 1SI May 1934 a second
cOmpany was formed, and In the autumn a third was formed f/Om cadres
drawn Irom the Ilrst two companies. In the summer 01 1935 Poll\lcal
Readiness Squads (Poh\lsche Beleltschaftenj were disbanded. and
most of the pelsonnel provided the nucleus of the SS-Yerfugungsuuppe.
The 1st and 3rd companies 01 SpeCial Commando 3 went 10 fOlm
Wachtrupp -Sachsen". and Ihe 2nd and 4th. Wachtruppe "El be".
Wachtruppe "Sachsen" was brought to Chemnitz and then transferred
10 Welmar-Buchenwatd "Elbe" was uansfeTred from Bad Sulza 10
Welmar Buchenwald. where both came together to fOlm a cadre tor the
3rd SS Death's Head Regiment Thurmgen". which by December 1937
had grown to seven battalions. J
tn September 1938 the 1st and 2nd battalions took part In the Sudeten
opeTation at Radebeul and K6tzschenbroda,
In November 1939. Just prior 10 the lormatlon of the SS Death's Head
DTVlslolllhe regiment was olgamsed as follows:
Stab
I Stuba. 1 - 4. Hdschft )
I1 Stuba, 5,- 8. Hdschfl)
III Stuba, 9.-12. HdschfL}
tV SlUba. (1 3.-16. Hdschll.)
Nachlichten- Hundertschaf t
Kr aftfahrstallel-
Mus'kzug
ShOrtly after the regiment was renamed the 101h SS Death's Head

Commanders: SS-Sthptf. Kart Koch
SS-Sthptf Herman P,stor
SS-Slal. Paul Noslltz
SSStuba1. Helmo Hlenhes
1. Das Schwarze Korps.. No. 15. 12.6.35. p. 1.
2 Die WalfenSS. p 346
3 D,enslallerlisle der SS vom 1 1237.
4 Die WaflenSS.. p. 347.
Youthful guard of honour dlawn from the 2nd Death's Head Regiment
"Brandenburg", 1938 (7).
PosSibly part 01 the H.Q. company.
- - The rank Sturmhauptf(jhrer was Introduced In September 1931. and
replaced In May 1933 by SS-HauPtSturmfuhrer. although It was still
used in the October 1934 '"Dienstalterllste der SS der NSDAP'".
15
16
OHicers of 55-50nderkommando Sachsen (PS 55.3) in Wlnler service dress. 1934 (?). (Bozlch Collection)
Stcyr accoldlng 10 thE: 1938 SS Slallsllcal Yearbook:,
ss-TOTENKOPFSTANDARTE 4 "OSTMARK"
Formed or. the 1st AplIl t938 by order of the RelchslUhrerSS. near
Linz fOI the newlybullt concentration camp at Mauthausen.
H.O.
tst Bn. (lst-4Ih Coys.)
2nd Bn. (5th8th COYs.)
Slgnltts company
Stab
I Sluba, (1 -<l Hdschft.)
11 Stuba {5 -8. Hdschft )
NachnChten Hunder tschah
Duty NCO. Wllh gorget. and members of SS-Sonderkommando
Sachsen (PS SS 3) In serVIa! dress. 1934 (1). The bUIlding shown above
and opposite has nOI been Identified. II could be ellher the entrance to
Enelsberg Concentr3110n cam:). or the unit's baltacks,
In October 1938 a Ihud ballahon was formed In Berhn-Adlershof.
At lilsl It was known as SS Dealhs Head Battalion GOlle. after its
commander SS-Oslubaf. Galze. In July 1939 II was renamed Ihe
SS Danzlg Home Defence (SSHelmwehr Danzig).
As Ihe original thud batlallon had become an Independenl unit. a new
thrrd banahon Slaff was fcrmed In the summer of 1940. In May 1940 the
rernforced 4111 SS Dealh's Head Regiment was stalloned In Prague. and
rn 194t became part of Ihe 2r.d SS Infantry Brigade.
Commanders.SS-Slaf Ono Reich
17
18
SSSTURMBANN GOTZE
SS-HEIMWEHR DANZIG
Beginning in October 1938, the thOld batlahon of the 4th SS Death's
Head Regiment was formed In Berhn-Adlershof under SS-Ostubaf
GOtze. In the summer of 1939 the Oanzlg Senate had deCided to form a
Home Defence, and the responsibility lor Ihls was laken ovel by the
Relchsfi,ihrer-SS.
In June 1939 the battalion was transported to Danzlg where It was
jOined by the Anu Tank Demonstration Company of the Death's Head
Regiments (Panzerabwehr-Lenrsturm der SS-T01enkopfstandanen),
which as part of the Home Defence. became known as Lemer Company
(Companie o'Leiner
O
). In July 1939 the formation 01 t ~ l e unl1 was
completed and lIS lull complement conSisted 01 42 offlcels and
approximately 1,500 men, tWO-ItHld: of whom were Germar1 nil!l(lr1als
while the lest came from DanZlg
The unit was organised as follows; I
Slab H.G.
1. SChUI20r1-Sturm 1st Rifle coy.
2. Schutzen-Slurm 2nd Rifle coy
3. Scllutzen-Sturm 3rd Rifle coy.
4. SChulzen-5turm 4th Rifle coyo
M,G,-Sturm Machine-gun coy
InfantenegeschulzSturm Infantry gun coy,
1. PanzerabwehrSturm 1st Anti-tank coy.
2, Panzerabwehr-Sturm 2nd Anlltank COy,
Nachrichlen,Zl1g Signals platoon
Pionier-Zug Engineer plaloon
Throughout November 1939 the unit saw action In and around DanzlQ,
Gdlngen and WeSlerplalte Shorlly aftet the unit was disbanded and I(S
personnel distributed as cadres for the new Death's Head u n l t s . ~
Commander: SS-Dslubaf. G6tze
1. Die Waffen-5S.. p. 347.
2. Ibid.. pp. 419-20.
The Danzig Home Defence, August 1939. (HeinriCh Hollmann.)
SSObersturmbannfuhrer Gotze. commander
of the Oan21g Home Defence. Gotze was
killed durmg the French campaign in 1940,
(National Archives.)
SSWACHSTURMBANN EIMANN
This Ullll Wil, formed on the 3rd July 1939. lollowmg we closurc of the
Danzlg Senate. as a Pohco Remforcement Battalion (Polizt'lver,tarkungs-
SlUrmbann) on the ordels 01 SS-Sugar Schalel and with the aSSISlance
01 SS District North East.
Tile baual,on conSisted of 4 companies (Hundertschaflen) and a motor
transport Echelon (Klaftfahrstailel)
From July until September 1939 tile battalion saw act,on In and around
Danzlg Duung Hltler"s V'Slt the bauallon camed Ol,lt secullly duties m
Dhva and D'H1zlg. while two companie!'o guarded Hlt!er'!'o HQ. In
Zoppot
FollOWing the fightmg in Oanzig large numbers 01 Civilians were taken
pnsoner and put in camps at Neulahrwasser. StuUhol and Grenzdorl,
where two compan,es of the banallon acted as guards,
At the beginning of 1940 Hlmmler ordered the battalion to be disbanded.
and Its personnel were uanslerlCd to Death's Head un'ts.
1
UNIFORM
Members of the banallon wOle either black SS. or greygreen Darlllg
police uniforms, although dUllng hiS postwar interrogation E,mann
could not ICmembel I1 the bauallon had ,n fact oeen Issued wl\h
policc uniforms ~
E,nsatzgruppen In Polen" Heft 2. p 1925 Bellcht Gber Aulstellung.
Emsalz und Tatlgkelt des SSWachSlurmbann E
2 Emsalzgluppen m Polen. pp 8384.
19
H.G.
1st Bn. (1st-4th Rifle coys.)
2nd Bn, (5th-8th Rifle COy5,)
3rd Bn (9th- 12th Rllle coys )
SSTOTENKOPFSTANDARTE 5 "DIETRICH ECKHARDr
The last peacetime Death's Head Regiment. was formed in the spring of
1939. and was organised as follows:
Stab
I Stuba. 4. SchutzenSturm)
11 Stuba. (5,- 8, Schutzen-Sturm)
III Stuba. (9.-12. Schutzen-Sturm)
Shortly after the lormation 01 the Death's Head Dr'lrslon the regiment was
renumbered the 13th.
WILODIEB-KOMMANOO ORANIENBURG
S5-S0NDERKOMMANOO D1RLEWANGER
Formed on the 15th June 1940. on SS-Ogrul Gonlob Berger's
suggestion. from convicted poachers servlrlg In concentration calT,ps,
and known as Poacher Commando Oranlenburg, Its commander. Oska'
Dlflewanger_ was a recently released concentration camp Inmate. newly
commissioned II'l the SS wllh the rank of SS-Ostul. Training was earned
out by the 5th SS Death's Head Regiment. and In September 1940
three hundred men were transported to the General Government. where
they were employed both f,ghtlng partisans and guarding labourers_
On the 29th January 1942 Hlmmler Issued a directive which established
the status of the SS SpeCial Commando Dlrlewanger. as lhat of a
'Iolunteer formation of the Watlen-SS
Commander: SS-Ostuf, (later SS-Oberl) Oskar Dlrlewanger
SS-TOTENKOPF-ERGANZUNGSSTURMBANN Ill
SSPIONIEREIHEIT z_b.V. (t-met.)
Thought to have been formed in Breslau in 1938. and disbanded after
service in the Polish campaign. as a semi-motorised englrleer unit under
army command. Its personnel were distributed to the WaffenSS or
Death's Head Guard Formations.
1
20
UNTERFOHRERSCHULE
With the re-organisation In April 1936 01 the SS Death's Head un'lS. an
N,C.O."s school was formed. Its permanent staff in May 1937 was
79 persons:ltls thought that the schOOl was dlsbanced In July 1937,
A I and 11 Supplementary is thought to have elClsted_
1. Der Frelwilhge. No. 1. January 1970. pp, 16-17
2. Stal,st,chcs Jahrbuch der SS der NSOAP. 1937. p. 51.
SS-Brigadefuhrer Schaler with members of the Danzig Protection
Polico (SCbulZpolizei) who were attached to Guard Battalion.
autumn 1939. (National Archives)
SERVICE DRESS 19401945
By 1940 all concentrat,on c;anl:) guards had been eQi.lIpped wllh at least
one f'eld-grey uniform, which was Identlcalln all respects to that of the
Walfen-SS (whlcll wIll be desc"bed In Volume 6l_ Staff 01 guard
personnel be,ng transferred ellher 10 or from WalfenSS replacemenT
unITS. were to be eQUipped With the follOWing baSIC Items 01 clothing
sUitable lor fIeld-service use l
1 Cloth blouse. fleld-grev WIth Ins'gnla
1 Clolh uouse,S. tong. fleldgrl!"(
1 CIOlh 9leatcoat. fleld.grey
1 Field cap. fleldgrey
1 Pr.lace-uc ankle boots
1 Brown shirt or urdervest. wh.te
1 Pr. underpants
1 Pr. socks
CoU;ar Irnel (Klagenbrnde),
Unde,vest.
Bataclava helmet (I<opfschutzer)
P" groves. wool
P, braces
3 Handkerch,efs
1 Waist belt.
1 Bait buckle
1 Bayoretlrog
ThIS was on lact the bnlc clothl"9 ISSUed 10 coocentration camp
personnel unlll the end ot tne war
I SS Main Office order ca:ed 9.336.
2 VBldWSS.1942.118M92
22
AUSSTATTUNGSSOLL FOR BEKLEIDUNG UNO AUSROSTUNG
DER AUSFSEHERINNEN IN DEN KONZENTRATIONSLAGERN
Issue clothmg and equipment lor female overseers In concenlrallon
camps.
I. Clothing.
i1. Normal c(othmg.
CIOlh jackel.
ClotlltunlC.
Cloth greatcoat With hood.
Waterproof woollen cape.
Dull jacket.
Drill skirt (diVided).
Cap (boat shaped).
Blouse. grey.
J
,
Stockings. wool.
Stockings. wool.
Tie. black.
Sweater. wool.
b. Winter clothing.
Cap with earmutfs.
Scarf. wool.
Socks. wool.
Tricot shirt.
Knickers. wool,
Gloves. wool.
11. Footwear.
Guard boots.
Ankle boots.
Ill. Equipment-.
Bread bag,
Bread bag strap.
Water boltle.
Whistle,
Whistle lanyard.
Dust and sun glasses.
- Only Issued to overseers of outSide working partIes (Aussen
Kommandos) .
\. Wlrtschafts-u. Verwaltungsanordnungen. August 1944., p. 29.
Left to right
VCfY carly photograph of SS concentration camp guards wearing drill
uniform with the early service cap, Probably taken in Dachau in 1933.
Members of SSSonderkommando Sachsen (SS PB.3). 1934 (n.
(BOllch Collection,)
Death's head personnel In the earth-grey service uniform. 1937.
(Bozich Collection.)
23
24
Duty N.C.O. (Unterluhrer ."om Dienst) with gorge!. and leader of the
Political Section, who was a member of the Security Police, 1939 (?).
(Bozich Collection.)
SSHauptscharfuhrer on the staff of the commandant of
Buchenwald Concentration Camp. The letler "l" on his
shoulder straps stands for training (lehr). and Since Hlis
~ , ..........,...
SSHauptsturm!Uhrer Campe gIves hIS olders to Block Leadels (Block
fuhrer) Mever, Saalhofl, Hohmann, Kfamer. Schroter and Seifert,
Sachsenhausen 1940 (n, (W,ener LIbrary)
photograph was probably taken ,n 1939/40, 1\ IS lIkely that thIS man
was responSible for trammg resef\/Ists who had been called up to replace
the regular guards. The same man also a p p e a ~ In the photographs on
page 22 all of whIch were found In an album bv an American soldIer
at the end of the war, All the photographs are reproduced bv the
courtesy of Stanley J. Bozich.
STAHLHELME
Steel helmets
The follOWing informatIon complementS ihe se<:tion on steel helmets
,n Vol. 3. pages 3941, and IS also applicable to the SSTV.
In August 1935 the RFSS ordered that all members of the 5SVT.. TV..
and officers' schools must have the new pallern escutcheon on their
steel helmets. The escutcheons were to be pamted in 011 paInt. so lhal all
unllS taking part in the NurembelQ Rally WIll have the nevII paHern
esculcheons on their helmets. I
The Chief of the SS Mam Office amended the above order on the
14th August. as the new pallern escutcheons, In the form 01 transfers,
had b<:>en ordered from the f,rm of C. A. Pocher G.m_b,H. NUrnberg.A.,
althe cost of Rm 2S.-per 1,000 p a l ~ . ~
On the 1st November 1935, ,he Chief of the SS Mam Office made It
known that since the Milllslry of War (Relchskllegsmllllslellum) was
due to deliver the new M.35 steel helmet for f,eld service at the end of the
year, the proposed greygreen cover 10f the black steel helmet will not be
Introduced.
1. Older of the Chief of the SS Ma," Off,ce to all units of the SSVT.
dated 121h Augus11935, See RFSS T-354 414/4133167.
2. RFSS T-354 414/4133164,
3. RFSS T-354 414/2674053.
25
26
KRAGENSPIEGEl
Caller petche,
In Ihe Allgeme'ne-SS and Ihe Pohl'sche Bere'lschahen Ihe balta',on
was Idenllhed by Ihe colour of Ine stripes, and the company b'{ t!lC
arablC numerals on the alTJlbafld. (See VoJUl""le 1. page 3.:1 )
In Ihe SS-TV olflcers WOfe Ihe OO:lahon number In Roman numerals
(IV), while other ranks wore the company (Hundenscnah) number '"
arab'c numelals on the right collar palch unoelneath Ihe death's head
The IIlSI paltern death's head whICh Illhought fO have been Introduced
In 1935. and Irom ""tllch Ihe un'l detlved lIS name, was rather crudely
embrOidered ,n a'umlnlum WIle The ceattfs head contlOued 10 be
embrOIdered 1fl alum'nlum ....Are until April 1936 \vhen Hlm-nler
that In future atummlum embrOtdeted ins,gnla wdl not be WOln on the
fleld-gley unoform because Illeilectc<l too much lighl.-
On lhe 1st July 1937 the fIve battalions we,e ,e,o'gan,sed IOta three
(Ialer live) teglmenls. and the praCIlCO of weallng the balla!lon number
on the fight collar patch by ofl,cets was dIsconTInued,
In t 938 a lounh regiment was formed ,n Auslfla, and It '5 thought that
by thiS I,me the company number had been changed to the regl'Tlcntal

In May 1940 it was ordeled that in tulule collal patches beaflng the
death's head and numerals and leners would no longer be worn. The
poslllon and deSign 01 lhe dealh's head was also changed Irom the
honzontallo Ihe vertIcal poslllon, so that the death's head laced to the
leh (see Plate 11. hg. 1.) Al the same lIme the .....eanng Ollile dealh's
head on both coltar patches was lorb,dden J
1 RFSS T-175 155/2685049
2. see pholDglaph on page 14
3. Ausliihtungsbestlmmungen RFSS Hauptamt HuB VOM 196.1940
1/3 1501 Zllf. 7. See also VB1 d W SS., 1941.. UI. 482,
Member 01 SS-Slurmbann Dachau weallng the RZM model SS sleel
helmel, (Suddeulscher Verlag )
SS_WACHVERBANDE 1933-1936-
1. Collar patch 101 non-commiSSioned ranks In the SS Bat1ahon
Dachau (SSStUfmbann Dachau)
2, Collar patCh tor oU,cers ot the batlahons and companies
(Hundef1schalten) of the SS Guard/Death's Head Ul1IIs.
3 Collar patch lor members ollhe l)atlahon slaft (here. oflicer on
the stall 01 the V/SS Death's Head Battalion Brandenburgl.
4 Collar patch lor othel ranks III The companies 01 The SS Guard/
Deaths Head Ballalions (here. 14th Company)
5. Armband 101 all ranks In lhe J SS Guard/OeaTh's Head Battalion
and the commandan!"s stall 01 Oachau Camp
6 Almband for all 'anks [n the II SS Guald/Death's Head Batlalion
and The commandant's statl 01 Lrchlenbelg and Sub:a C<lmps
7 Armband lor all lanks In ,he 111 SS Guard/Deaths Head Bat-
talton and the commandant"s sTaff of SachsenOOlg Camp
8 Armband fo' aJllanks In The IV SS Guard/Deaths Head Bat
talion and the commandant"s stall 01 Sachsenhausen Camp
9 Armband lor all ranks [n The VSS Gua,d/Deatt..-s Battalion
PLATE 1
2
28
2-6 T-175 1551268497-84 nlcl
On the 29Th March 1936 these units were collectively renamed
The SS Totenkoplverbande, and Ihe WachslUlmbanne (battalions)
and WachsTi.irmen (Companies) were then called Totenkopsturm
banne and Totenkop'slurmen respectively
3 4
5
,
7
,
9
29
PLATE 2
,
,
,
31
32
PLATE 3
3
2
4
PLATE 4
-
........................... '" ..
,
,
I
:0

I
,
I
,
,
.... "" -. ......... ..... .... '" '<'
, --
2
,
5
33
PLATE 5
2 3
4
PLATE 6
1
,
3
36
PLATE 7
2 3
31
PLATE 8
2 3
4
,
36
PLATE 9
,
3
39
40
PLATE 10 SS-RAUTEN
1. Armbadge wom on the lower right sleeve by non-commissioned
members of concentration camp commandanfs staff.
2. Armbadge worn on the lower fell sleeve by all olllcers In tne SS-TV
with the rank 01 SS-Staf. and above.
3.lntrodllCed by SS Ol"del daled 13th December 1939. for all members
of the NSKK who had reported voluntarily 101 duty w Ih the SS Death's
Head Units.
4.lnttoduced by permiSSion of the Fuhrer on lhe 16th f\ovember 1939.
fOf all members 01 the SA who had reported voluntanly fOI duty wIth
the SS Death's Head Units.
1. RFSS T-175 1551268505960.
3. SSBelehl Nr. 351245/39 dated 13.12.39.
4. RFSS T-175 173/2708113.
PLATE 11 INSPEKTION K.l. UNO SSTOTENKOPFWACH-
STURMBANNE 1940-1945
1. CoUar palch for commIssioned members 01 the staff oltne Concentra-
tIOn Camp Inspectorate.
2. Collar palch for other lanks In the SS Dea!h's Head Guard Battalions.
Introduced In May 1940.
3 Shoulder strap lor officer With the rank: 01 S S ~ U s l u l In The con
centratlon camp service Double underlav. brown over block
4. Armband which may have been worn by members of the permanent
sta1l 01 Dachau concentration camp.
1-2. V.SLd. W-SS.. March 1941, Zilf 158.
4. Original example in the Royal MIlitary Museum. Brussels.
3
2
4
PLATE 11
1 2 3
, .
,
4
4\
TRODDELN
Bayonet knots
Although bayonet knots wele Issued. they CId not al first 'dentlfy the
company 01 ballalion of the weall!f. but wele of a standard pallern
(Emhe1tstrOddel).1Nhen the vauous battalions were re-organised into
regiments the system of colouls 10 denote the company and battalion
was introduced.
1. JUnlOI non-commissioned offICers' (Unterlijhrer ohne POllepee)
bayonet knot (uoddel).
2. Olher lanks' bayonet knot
I. AFSS T1551268S060 SSHauptamt dOCument dated 91h Malch
1936.
2. Ibid.
SSAUSROSTUNG
SS Equipment
The same eQuipment was issued to bath the SSVT. and SS TV.
(see Volume 3. pages 76-81).
OUflng the war concentratIon camp guards were issued with the
fOllowing basic items of equipment: I
1 Waist belt
1 Belt buckle
1 Bayonet frog
To thiS was added:
1 Blead bag
1 Pair ammunition pouches
1 PIStol holstel
1. V.BLd.W SS_. 1942. ,tem 92.
Sword knot (Sabetttoddel) for NC.Os :"'Ith rank of SS-Unlerschar-
fuhflr and SS-Scharfuhrer (Unte,fuh'er ohne POrlepee).
S.....ord knolfol SSMann up 10 SS-Rotlenfuhrer (SSMannschaften).

44
SS-SP1ElMANNSZOGE UNO SSMUSIKZOGE
SS Corps of drums and bands
Prior 10 the reorganisation of the five ballalloos ioto three
which took place m Julv 1937. each Dealh's Head bana!lon. wtth
excepTion of the IV. had a battalion strength band (SSMuslkzug
SS-Sturmbann). and a corps of drums.
Alter lhe r9-orgaoisation regiments and "Brandenburg"
aTe known to have had bands. and the existence of a trumpet banner of
the 4th regimen! "Ostmark", suggests that il too had a band.
SS GROSSE TROMMEl (PAUKEI
SS Bass drum
A letter from the 10 the chief of lhe SS Main Office.
dated 31st June 1936 descr,bed how the bass drums should be pa,nled
in time for the 1936 Parlv Dav Rally,
The drums of the Death's Head Banalions were to be painted as follows:
"SS (Kleiner Totenkopf) Sturmbann "Oberbayern" USW."l
1. RFSS T175 150/2678588.
,
jU.
! .t I
" I
, "
;
;
i
'I'
'11
t
i
"Jingling Johnnie" of the 2nd SS Death's Head Regin;ent
"Brandenburg".
Obverse and reverse of a !furrpel banner 01 lhe 4lh SS Dealh's Head R e ~ l " ' n e n l "OSlmark". Allhough lhe regIment was only formed In 1938 lhls banner
shows considerable signs 01 wear, whICh suggests it was used during the war, posslbly by SS Rifle Reglmenl Langemarck". (Mollo Collecuon,)
46
55-FAHNEN UNO 55-STANOARTEN
55-flags and standards
In September 1936 the ',ve Dealh's Head Bal1alions were plcsented
Wllh banahon flags at Nuremberg I
In September 1937. followmg Ihe reorganlsa1l0n of the five battalions
mto 4 regiments, It IS thought that each regiment was presented wl\h a
leglmental standard and Ihree ballalion flags. Although the 4th regiment
had only two banahons. lhe marCh plan for the 1938 Party Day Rally
shows three,2
It was usual Gc/many army p/actlse to use arablc numerals for regimental,
and roman numerals for battalion numbers. e.g. 1/4.SS-TVSlandafle
"Ostmark" or 1Sl Bn, 4th SS Death's Head Reglmenl "Ostmark". I1
appMrs however that In the case of Death's Head leglmenlal slandards.
thiS rule was nOI observed, as can be seen 'rom the photcgraph repro
duced oPPosite. whiCh IS IhoughllO show the standard of the 2nd SS
Dealh's Head Regiment Brandenburg'".
If roman numerals were used to deSignate the u ~ g l m e n t on Lhe standard,
It seems logical thal the same syStem would have been used on tile
battalion flag. but a pholOgraph has come to light which shows that
on the battalion flag the battalion was identified by Roman, and the
regiment by ArabiC numerals as illUSlrated on page 4B.
1. Parte.tag der Ehre.
2. Relchspartcltag. Tell 1 (SS-Dv RPT 1), p.86
Regimental standard of the 1st SS Death'S Head Regiment "Obef
bayern" Gill eagle and bllldlng of i1lurnlnlurn wreath. scarlet tlag
With fringe, cords and tassels In red, aluminium and black. all Olher
features in black. while and aluminium,
" ,
j1
I
\,
\
Believed to be the stane,ild of the 2nd SS Death'S Head
Reg'Ment Brandenburg.
The colour of the SS-Helmwehr DanZIQ. presented to (he
battalion by the Gaulelle' 01 Danzl9. Albert FQfstet. atlhe
Dal\Zlg Malleld on F'lday 18 Augusl 1939 Scarlet flag
fringed with aluminium. all oUler lealUres black. while or
aluminium
47
SSFAHNENSPIEGEL UNO STANDARTENBALKEN
Flag patchas and standard crossbars
A) Collal patches: Worn on the fight collar patch by:
I) Members 01 the SS Death's Head companies (Hunderlschaflen),
an a!umu'llum embrOidered death's head Wllh underneath the number
01 the company (arablc numerals 1 to 25).
21 Members 01 the battalion stall. an aluminIum death's head with
underneath the number of the battalion (roman numerals I,V).
3) SS leaders up to and incl. the rank 01 SS-Ostubaf. on the stafl 01 a
camp commandant an aluminium embrOIdered death's head WIth
underneath the leller K.
4) Noncommissloned ranks on the staff 01 a camp commandant. an
aluminium embrOldeled K. and on the lower right sleeve a four-Sided
badge (Raute) with an aluminium embroldeTed death's head, The
badge is edged 10 aluminium-black tWisted cord,
5) Members olthe medica! battalion, an aluminium embroidered death's
head wllh underneath the leller S,
SS leaders who are qualified doctors also wear on the lower left
sleeve the exisllng lour-sided badge (Raute) With an aluminium
embrOidered Aesculapius rod.
N.C.O.'s and men of the Medical Battalion qualifred as orderlies wear
on the lower left sleeve the existing four,slded badge (Raute) With a
black Silk embrOidered AesculapiUS rod.
6) Membels 01 the stall 01 the Leaders 01 SS Guard Formations. an
aluminium embroidered death's head.
Leaders With the rank of SS-S1al. and above on the staff 01 a camp
commandant or serving with the battalions wear on the lower left
sleeve a lour-sided badge (Rautc) With an aluminium embrOidered
death's head. The badge IS not edged.
IIiEEII
11._
ImEJilll

16WD1
__Ill
48
SSTo1enkopfsturmbann I "Oberbayern"
SS' Totenkoplsturmbann 11 '"Elbe"
SS Totenkoplsturmbann III "'Sachsen"
SS Totenkoplsturmbann IV "'Ostlriesland"'
SS-Totenkoolsturmbann V "'Brandenburg"
SSTotcnkopfstandarle 1 "'Oberbayern"'
I 11 & III Battallons
SSTotenkopfstandarte 2 "Brandenburg"'
I 11 & III Ballalions
SSTotenkoplstandafle 3 "'Thurmgen"
I 11 & III Battalions
SS Totenkoplstandarte 4 "Ostmark"
I 11 & III Battalions
APPENDIX 1
The Chief 01 the SS Main Off,co
IAIO Tgbr. Nr, 01462/36
Subject: SS Guard Formation inSignia
Rei: Veri, IA/O Nr, 01294 01 the 18.3.35.
Distllbutor V
Berlin the 9th March 1936
UNIFORMS OF THE ....
VOLUMES
SICHERHEITSDlENST UND
SICHERHEITSPOLlZEI19311945
Andrew Mollo
KCOlKaneHllIO, HaM AOCTanllCIo TonloKo CTpaHII",'" C cIIoTorpacllllRMII.
Windrow&Greene
A signed photograph of RelOhard Heydllch presented by him
10 K8I1 Hermann Frank, 1941, Heydrich wellrs non-regulation
twisted cord on his tunic collar. (CTK Prague.)
THE SECURITY SERVICE AND SECRET STATE POLICE
In June 1931. a meeting was arranged between the ReichslUhrer 01 the
14,000 strong SS. and a cash,ere<! naval communicauons offIcer
Relnhard Hevdflch, Hlmmler was looking for someone to organ,se an
SS counter-espionage servICe. Hlmmter accepted Heydflch. commis-
sioned hIm In the SS w.th the rank 01 SS-Untersturmliihrer. and set him
up In a small ollice In the Brown House. MUnich I
The embryo Intelligence se......ce was knovm as department lc of the SS
H.gh Command (lc-AbtellullQ belm SS-Oberstab). In April 1932 the
SA and SS were banned. and Heydnch's department became known as
the Press and Inlormatlon Se.....1Cft (Presse-und lnlormauonscl!enst-
PlO) Its luocllon at thIS tHne was to track down anll-party elements.
and keep watch on the oppo5ltlon.
2
Ahllf the removal of the ban on the 14th June. 1932. HeydrICh as SS
Sturmbannfiihrer and Leader of the Secunly se.....1Ce (lal1er des
Slchefheitsd.enstes) WIth a staff 01 7 c...... lians. set up In September an
lc desk in each SS d.stnct (AbschOltt),J In the spnng of 1933 he
centrahsed hiS personnel and Informers. and set up his own temtol'lal
orgamsallon which he controlled Irom a second floor flat al Turken-
strasse 23. MunlChSchwablng. Soon after the SO headquarten;
(Zenlralslelle) was moved 10 a small Villa al Zuccallstsuasse 4. MunICh
Nymptlenburg Apparently so IIlIle money was avarlable dunng thiS
penod that at one lIme the telephone was cut olf lor non-payment 01 the
bill.
OurlllQ lhe state of emergency that lotlowed the RelChstag hIe on the
30th January. 1933. Hermann Goring was put .n charge of the Prussian
Ministry of the InterlOl. One 01 hIS Inst aCllons was to appoint Dr.
RudoIf Diels head 01 Department 1a of the Berlin Police Headquarters
which dealt with opPosl1lon to the republiC.'
To make the tllsk 01 dealing WIth Opposition to the Hitler regime easier,
a Prussian M,msterial Ordinance authorised the police to disregard
paJ8graphs 14 and 41 ollhe PrussIan Administrative Police law. which
imposed reslrlctions on Its powers. As if to underline its new found
power and independence the Polilical Police moved out of ils head-
. ." IVk., IJ ",,., i) - 'I
-, If",. .... ......
-1-')''/10 I

(
Security Police were often blought under severe pressure to join the SS.
On the 30th January 1935 the Secu.ity Office (Siche.heitsamt) was
re-organised as the Main Security Office (Sicherheitsdienst-
Hauptamt).l!
On the 17th June 1936. by decree of the Fahrer and Chancellor. the
Representatives of the German police as guests of the Italian Police
Corps in Rome in October 1938. From L-R unidentified. SS-Stubal.
Heinrich Muller. Chef der OlpO. SSOgruf. Kurt Daluege. SS-Grul.
Reinhard Heydrich. and unidentified section leader (Abteilungsleiter).
party post of ReichsfUh.e.-SS was formally amalgamated with the newly
created governmental ollice of Chief of the German Police. and the
process of unifying the German Police with the SS began. Himmler
appointed Police General Kurt Daluege. Chief of the Order Police. and
SS-GruppenfUhrer Reinhard Heydrich. Chief of the Security Police. t}
The next step in the extension of SecuritY Police powers was the
appointment in October 1936 of Security Police Inspectors (Inspekteur
der Sichelheitspolizei-ldS) in each military region (Wehrkreis). They
were mainly intended to improve co-ordination between Criminal Police
and Gestapo. but in so doing. they succeeded in undermining the
traditional authOlitY of the Police Presidents. I.
On the 1Si January 1937 Ihe Security Service Main Office with 372
leaders and men was situated at 102 Wilhelmstrasse. Beriin. near the
Seclet State Police Office (Geslapa).15
On the 13th November 1937 the post of Senior SS and Police Leader
was introduced by the ReichsfPrussian Minister of the Interior:
"In the event of mobilisation it will be necessary to appoint a
commander within each Military District (Wehrkreis) to take charge
of all forces belonging to the Reichsfuhrer-SS and Chief 01 the
German Police (Orpo. Sipo and SS units):' 16
Originally intended to come into being in the event of mobilisation the
oflice of HSSPF (which in many ways duplicated that of the SS District
leader (SS-OberabschninlUhrer) was never truly established in
Germany. but in occupied territOlies il wielded considerable power.
being responsible for both political administration and the command of
SS. police and SecuritY Police forces as directed by the ReichslUhrer-SS.
By the 31 st January 1938 the SO had 5050 legulal and honorary
members. 11 which by December 1938 had risen to 7230.11
On the 27th September 1939 the Security Police and Security Service
were amalgamated 10 lorm the Reich Security Main Office (Reichs.
sicherheitshauptamt-RSHA). Once again a governmental office. Chief
01 the Security Police. and the Nazi Party office. Chief of the Security
Service wele merged into a single post. Chief of the Security Police and
Seculity Service {Chef der Sicherheitspolizei und des SD-CSSD).19
3
In May. 1942, SS-ObergruppenfGhrer Reinhard Heydrich was assas-
sinated by British-trained Czech parachutists. and after considerable
anxiety and indecision Himmler finally appointed SSOgruf.u.General
der Pol. Ernst Kaltenbrunner as Chief of the RSHA and CSSD. on 1st
January. 1943.
It was inevitable that sooner or later the SO would clash with the
Military Intelligence Service (Abwehr) under Admiral Canaris. but It
was not until Canaris was implicated in lhe 201h July. 1944. plot against
Hitler that the Abwehr was handed over to the SS leaving the German.
as the only major European army without liS own intelligence saNice.
Most of the Abwehr departments were absorbed into ASHA offices IV
(Gestapo) and VI (Foreign Intelligence). Later a special Military Office
(Militarisches AmI) under SSBrigaf. Waiter Schellenberg was formed
10 work closely wilh Amt VI. 20
By the end of Summer 1944 the organisation of all German sabotage
and political subversion had come under the control of one man. when
SS-Ostubaf. OltO Skorzeny. already head of Amt VI S. took over
Mil. Amt 0 (previously Abwehr Abt. 11). Skorzeny and hiS ex-Abwehr
deputy Major Loos had their H.O. m Schloss Friedenthal. Oranienburg
near Berlin.
Section 0 of the Military Office was organised as follows:
Amt 0 S Sabotage
Amt 0 J Insurrection
AmI.Mil.O{T. Supply of sabotage materials
Its functions were divided mto ewo general types:
1. To threaten Allied lines of communication by sabotage and by
fomenting political trouble in Germany and the former occupied
territories. using for these purposes German nationals or Fascist and
anti-Allied elements in the countries concerned.
2. To mount military operations of a special type whIch the regular
army could not normally undertake.
4
To carry oul such operations as lhe rescue 01 Mussolini. the attempted
CapfUre by airborne IfOOPS of Tito. and the abduction of Admiral HOflhy.
Skorzeny had at his disposal the SS-Jagerbataillon 502. which was
later re-organised as the SS-Jagdverbande which had H.O:s and
training camps Widely dispersed throughout Germany.
Chiefs of the Aerchssicherheitshauptarnt. From L-A: SS-Oslubaf. Hubcr.
SS-Oberl. Nebe. chiel of the Klipo. ReichslUhrerSS Heinrich Hlmmler.
SS-Gluf. Aeinhard Heyduch. chief of Ihe Sipo. and SS-Oberf Heinrich
Mullel. Contrary to regulations Heydnch wears two armbands. (Heinflch
Hoffmann.)
SS-ObergruppenfGhrer Or. Ernst Katlen-
brunner, Heydrich's successor on the 1st
January 1943. as Chief of the RSHA
and esso. (Wiener Library.)
The last months of the war saw the final attempts of the rank and file
of the SecuritY Police to hold together the collapsing country. while
their leaders. Himmler and Schellenberg made vain attempts to negotiate
with the Allies. As the war drew 10 a close SO and Sipo furnished them-
selves with false papers and scurried underground. only to be flushed
out again to face trial fOf their wartime aClivities or to continue in their
old specialist roles as East and West prepared for what then seemed an
almost unavoidable confrontation.
1 Heydrich und der Anfiinge der SO und der Gestapo. p. 78.
2 Ibid.. p.
J Ibid.. p. 70.
Ibid.. p. 91.
J Anatomy of the SS state. p. 145.
6 Ibid.. p. 146.
1 lbid.. p. 146.
1 Ibid.. pp. 149-151.
9 Ibid.. p. 152.
10 Ibid.. p. 179.
1I Heydrich und die Anfiinge der SO und Geslapo. p. 297.
L2 Oer Sicherheilsdienst der SS. p, 53.
I J Anatomy of the SS state. p. 157.
I. Ibid.. p. 185.
B Oer Sicherheitsclienst der SS, p. 53.
16 Anatomy of the SS slate. p. 214.
11 Statistisches Jahrbuch der SS del NSOAP. 1938. p, 39.
I1 Ibid.. p. 39.
I' Anatomy of the SS state. p. 172.
20 Schellenberg memoirs. p, 412.
5
A Security Police leader and cadets 8t the Security Police School in
BerhnCharlottenburg, 1938 (7).
members of the SO Fencing SChool in Bernau. but the fact that il was
not included in the March 1941 SS price list suggests that It was never
In lact introduced.7
1.2 Oar Sicherheitsdienst der SS.. p. 85.
l . ~ Oienststellenverzeichnis der Sipo und des SO, Berlin. Aplil 1942.
Original caption to photograph reproduced opp,
() Mil1eilungsblan def AZM NI. 6. 25.4.38, p. 11.
7 Heydrich to the SS Main Office. 29th June 1939 re. Armband
"Fechtschule Bernau", RFSS T175156/2687129.
The opening of the new security Police School in Prague in April 1942.
Heydrich talks to Bruno Streckenbach while SS-Oberfuhrer Erwin Schulz
stands in the background. The Oliginal picture caption refers to the school
as 'Aeichsschule fUr Detusche Schutzpolaei',
9
UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT
From 1933 until the formation of the Frontier Police in October 1937. SS
auxiliary customs personnel wore the black SS service uniform wilhout
Bny special insignia. l
In June 1937 the question of distinctive insignia for members of the
Higa. battalions under the jurisdiction of the InspeclOr of Frontier and
Guard units was still under discussion and in the meantime existing
insignia was to be worn.
2
In January 1939 SS District Elbe applied lor distinctive armbands for its
frontier baltalions bearing the inscription SSGAENZSTUAMBANN
ElBEforthestatl. and SSGAENZSTUAMBANN ELSE preceeded by the
numbers 1-5 for the five battalions. but it is doubrlul il these armbands
were ever actually authorised. J
From October 1937. ollicials. candidate oHl:;ials and employees
(Kriminal-Angestellte) of the following Frontier Police Ollices and
stations were obliged TO wear service dress on duty. although civilian
clothes could be worn if considered necessary.
1. Customs Inspector Generals <In ASHA)
2. Customs Inspectors
3. Frontier Police Commissariats
4. Frontier Police Posts and Out-stations
Member 01 the Frontier Police of the Gestapo in service dress. 1938.
12
The uniform of the Frontier Police was the field-grey service uniform of
the Security Police. which was worn with the armband GRENZ-
POLlZEI, on the lower left cuff. The basic issue of uniform and equipment
consisted of the following articles: 5
1 Peaked C<lp.
1 Field cap
1 Service tunic
1 Pr. breeches
1 Greatcoat
1 Raincoat
1 Drill tunic
1 Pr. drill breeches
It appears that a black peaked cap with white piping was worn with
GrenzPolizei ollicers' armband. (Dodkins Collection)
2 Brown shirts
1 Black lie
1 Pr. gloves
1 Pr. long boots
1 Waist belt with accessories
1 POftepee or sword knot
From the beginning auxiliary customs personnel were armed and a
photograph in "Oas Schwarze Korps" :;hows a frontier guard (Grenz-
wichter) of The 341h Foot Regiment (Munich) C<lrrying binoculars and
a model 1896 Mauser automatic pistol. 6
By 1935 Higa personnel were being issued with 98 carbines and rifles.
and 7.65 automatic pistols.
1
This particular guard is wearing the "traditional unllorm" consisting
of kepi and brown shirt. and over his shoulders a fawn raincoat.
1 Das Schwarze Korps.. No.25.. 21.8.35.. p.2.
2 Der Reichsfiihrer-SS.. Az. B 23 d/18.6.37" Betr.: Dienstabzeichen
der Al1gemeir.en SS. Berlin. den 18.6.37.
3 SS-OA Elbe an den Chef des 55- Hauptamtes. Dresden. den 12.1.39..
Betf.: Spiegel und Armelstreifens der Einheiten des SS-Grenz-
sturmbanns Elba.
~ Bekleldungsvorschrilt IUr die Grenzpolizei der Sicherheiispolizei.
Befehlsblatl des Chefs d.Sich.Pol.u.d.SD.Nr.4{42.. 5.21-22. See also
RFSS T-175 238{2726976-7.
5 Ibid.
6 Das Schwarze Korps.. No.2" 9.1.36.. p.3.
7 See correspondence between SS-Hauplamt and SS-OA Rhein. 30.
1.35. See AFSS T-354 414{4132351.
13
RFSS KOMMANOO z.b.V,
STAB RFSS KRIMINAL-KOMMANDO
The SS was originally created as a bodyguard !orce for Hitler and leading
members of his party, and until 1934 two of the flfSt SS men, Julrus
Schaub end Julius Schreck, together with others. contrnued to be
responsible lor lhe Hihre(s lile.
In 1934 the responsibility for Hitler's protection was transferred from a
few trusted veterans of the early years 01 Nazism a more sophist,cated
section 01 the Security Police, the Reich Securrty Service (Reichsstcher-
heitsdlenstRSD). The RSO mainlained permanent sections (OienSI
stellen). Dlenststelle I was at Obersalzberg (later rn Berlin) and consisted
01 Hitler's personal guard under SS-Slaf,Hoegl
l
, Oienstellen 11 and III
wele known as the Fuhrer Escort Commando. The commander of thO
RSO was SS-Srigal.Ratlenhuber and his personnel consisted, III the
mOSI parI. 01 elCperienced profeSSional detectives from the Cum,nal
Police.
AI Ilrst these secllons were known collectively as lhe RFSS Specl ..1
Purpose Commando (RFSS Kommando z.b.V.), with some 15 leaders,
and presumably Olhe, ranks.
l
In 1936 It was renamed RFSS Staff
Cumlna] Kommando (Stab RFSS Krlminal-Kommando) Wllh a per-
manent establishment of 50 leaders. It IS thoughl that by thiS date the
RSO had assumed responSibility lor the personal safety of other leadll'19
NaZIS. GOling IS known to have had 15 men assigned 10 him,
Ratlenhuber, whose centre of operations was always at Hnler"s head-
Quarters (Fuhrer-HauptQuartier), conlmued to be responsible for Hltle(s
safely untlllhe'end 01 the war. and on 30th April 1945 it was membelS 01
his commando who witnessed the disposal of HlIler's corpse In the
gardens 01 the Reichs Chancellery,
, The last Days of Hitler.. p,194,
1 Guides to German Records microlllmed at Alexandlla, VA.No.39 p VI
1 Dienstalleniste der SS.. 1934.
Dienstallerliste der SS.. 1936.
, Last Days 01 Hitler.. p.194.
14
Himmler greets members of Htller's Escort Commando lA, SSStal.
(Lawl SS-Brlga!.) Hans Ratlenhuber. Hlmmlef. SS,Sluba!. Kempka.
(Helnrlch Hollmann.) .
SSBEGLE!TKOMMANDO DES FOHRERS
(FOHRER-BEGLEITKOMMANDO)
While the RSD tracked down and apprehended ally antiparty or
dlssalfected elements who mIght Wish to assassmate Hlller. lhe Escort
Commando was responSible for protecting him against spontaneous or
surpflse atlempts at assassination or abuse on state occasslons. journeys
and public appearances. In addlllon to the permanent escort. which
consisted mainly of his detectives, chauffeufs and persona! attendants.
extra personnel could be drawn lrom his Bodyguard Regiment and the
various SS main offices.
It appears that in 1940 a regular escort consisting of smart WallenSS
men who had seN'ed at the Iront. was formed under the command of
SS-Ostuf. Franz Schiidle.
l
On the 28th September 1939 Hitler ordered the formation of the
Flihrer Escort Battalion, an army unit. under the command of General
Erwin Rommel. The battalion guarded the perimeter and approaches to
Hitler's field headquarters. such as Rastenburg, while the SS continued
10 be responsible for internal security
I The Last Days of Hiller.. p.194.
Members of Hitler's Escort Commando, drawn from his personal Body
guard Regiment and the SS Main Ollice;'September 1939. IHeinrich
Hoffmann.l
Hitler greets his personal chauffeur SS-Stubaf. Erich Kempka. On
Kempka's right SS-Stubaf Gesch, and on his teft SS-Hstuf. Schadle.
commander of Hitler's Escort Commando, (Heinrich Hoflmann.)
15
16
EINSATZGRUPPEN DEft SICHERHEITSPOLlZEI
EINSATZGRUPPEN DER SICHERHEITSPOLlZEI UNO DES SO
When Germany annexed Austria. Security Police and Gestapo agents
working in conjunction with the Austrian police under the pro-German,
Nazi Minister of the Interior Dr. $eyss-Inquart immediately carried oul
actions against prominent anti-German Ausnians and subversives.
For the invaSion of Czechoslovakia specially formed Action Staffs
(Elnsallsliibe) were formed 10 co-ordinate SO. Security Police and Order
Police personnel and unllS In their speCial tasks. Two staffs were set up.
"K" under SS-Dberf. Jost fOf Prague, and "L
o
under SSSlat. Dr.
$Iahlecker for Brno. Each Stall consisled of an SO and Gestapo expert
(Referent). Czech-speaking interpreters, specialists and lechnlcal
pelsonnel, and 5 Action Commandos (Einsalzkommandos-EK)- with 1
in reserve. I
HaVing proved successful In Czechoslovakia the system WilS developed
and enlarged for the inVaSiOn of Poland In Seplember 1939, SIX SpeCial
Action GlOupSwere formed and altached to each of the live armies taking
part in the invaSion, as well as one for the province of Posen.
- In the event of resistance from 'Franc-Tlreurs and partisans during
the opening stages of the operation. Action Group personnel were to
be armed with carbines. pistols, hand grenades. gasmasks, and light
machine guns. Z
SS-Gruf. Heydrich and commander 01 a Special Action Group during
the invasion 01 Poland, September 1939.
Members 01 a Special Action Group recelye thelf orders. Poland 1939.
Note that thelf yehlcle bears police markings.
In the Free City of Danzig a number of Action Commandos were formed
ifom members 01 the Political Police of the Danzig Crimina! Police and
Protection Police (Schutzpolizei) and General SS. and were exclusiYely
at the disposal of the Danzig Police.
Following Himmler's decree of the 20th Noyember 1939 the Action
Groups and commandos used for the inyasionol Poland were disbanded.
In Danzig and West Prussia personnel of;
EK 16 Abt. Danzig went 10 Stapoleitstelle Danzig
EK 16 Abt. Bromberg went to Stapostelle Bromberg
EK 16 Abt. Thorn wenl to Stapostelle Graudenz
EG VI Stab went to IdS Posen
EK 1Nl went to Stapostelle Lodz
EK 2Nt went la Stapoteitstelle Posen
EK 1N went ro Sraposletle Hohensalza
In Eastern Upper Silesia members of Action Group z.b.V. went to
Stapostelle Kattowitz.
In the General Goyernment personnel of;
EG I went to KdS Krakau
EG 11 went to KdS Lublin
EG III went to KdS Radom
EG IV went to KdS Warschau
On the 28th April 1941. prior 10 the invasion of Russia. the Commander in
Chief of the Army Field Marshal van Brauchitsch laid down the con
ditions and zones in which Special AClion Groups could operate. and
also empowere.d them to take executive measures against the ciyilian
population as long as these actions did not interfere with military
operations. The operational zones in which the groups could function
were divided as follows:'
18
Batlle zone
(Gefechlsgebiet)
L of C. Area
(Ruckwlirtiges Armeegebiel)
Rear areas
(Ruckwlirtiges Heeresgeblet)
Under oYerall CSSD (HeydrichjKalten-
brunner) command. but subordinate to
army in mallers 01 movement. rations
and billets.
Subordinate to representa\lye of CSSD.
who w.as usually group commander.
but subordinate to army In mallers of
movement. rallons and billets.
The army commander had no juriS-
diction oyer action groups. except to
issue "limited" inS!rUCllons when
danger was Imnllnent.
At first the civilian population In the occupied territories. If not actually
pro-German did not resist the occupiers. butthe indlsc/imlnate and brutal
treatment meted out by the secullly forces In general. and the Special
Action GIOUpS in parlicular. soon swung it against the Germans. Large
numbers of Soviet deserters and stragglers cut off behind the German
lines. could now rely on the ciVilian population for support. and began to
disrupt German hnes of commUnications and carry out reprisals on
persons 01 commUnities which had collaborated With the occupiers.
In May 1942 the BdS Lubtin formed a special Action Group (Sander-
elnsalzgruppe) which was to disgUise itself as a partisan band and assist
the security forces In the marntenance 01 order. This unit was intended 10
carry out large scale lootrng and reprisals in the name 01 the partisans. and
thus discredit the partisan movement (Gwardla Ludowa) in the eyes of
the local rnhabltants.
11
In October 1942. SSOberQruppenfiihrer Eflch von dem Bach-Zelewsld
was given overall command of all antlpartisan formallons With the title
of Plenrnpotentiary for the Combatting of Partisans in the East
(BevoJlmachtigter fUr die Bandenbeldimplung im Osten). and in 1943
Chief of Anti-Partisan Formations (Chef der Bandenkampfvefbande).
In Western Europe Action Groups In the extermination sense had not
been used in the initial occupations. but the establishment 01 the normal
seCUrity police network of commanders and regional commanders under
a Higher SS and Police Leader was rapidly set up. The situation however.
developed differently. The resistance movements at first did not take up
arms against the occupiers. but acted as agents and couriers for the allied
powers; their numbers were small and their techniqu?s sophisticated.
and It required moro brains than brawn. on behalf 01 the security police to
track them down. h was not until 1943 that bands 01 partisans began to
harass German lines of communication and supply. as a prelude to the
Invasion of Western Europe.
In the west. SO and security police had no special anti-partisan units of
their own and had to call on the security units 01 the army and the police
These three photographs show Special Action GfOupS in action during the initial stages of the invasion of Russia. A Soviet straggler is captured.
personal documents are scrutinised. and a suspected partisan questioned.
21
Members 01 an AuxIliary Secuflty Police Battalion surrender their
English and Amellcan alms to members 01 the Danish Resistance. 1945.
These ale bell8Ved 10 be members of a LaMan Unll. and lhey weal a
mixture of $chuma. and WaffenSS uniform and lnslgnla.
Cap and armbadge lor AuxlhalV SecUllty Police personnel. Olllcers'
badges were woven In aluminium wire and othel ranks In greygreen
silk Ihread. both on a black background.
29
DIENSTGRADABZEICHEN
B.dgea of rank
Sleeve sUlpes.
Same badges of rank as
Army.
Same badges of rank as
Army.
Members of a Ukramlan Securrly Police AUXIliary ballalion are decorated
with lhe medal for bravery and mefl! of the "Eastern people". This
photograph together with others appeared In Ihe 1st December 1944
Issue of "DIe Deutsche POIIZCI".
b) Latvlans. Estonians and Lithuanians:
Oberslleulnant
Major
Hauplmann
Oberleutnanl
Leutnant
Noncommissioned officers and men to have same tItles and badges
The wearing of German badges of rank by foreign auxiliclfles was
expressly forbidden. I and new titles and badges were gradually intro-
duced. although II appears Ihat neithel Ihe prohIbitIon. or newregulatIons
were ever uniformly enforced. or obscrved.
The Decree of Ihe RFSS of Ihe 30th May 1942 staled Iha! wilh ellecI
from the 1st June Ihe following badges of rank and tllles were to be
introduced: ~
a) Russians and Ukramians. etc.:
Batalllonsfuhrer der Schuma.
Kompanleluhrer der Schuma.
Oberwgfuhrer der Schuma.
ZugfUhrer der Schuma.
KompanleFeldwebel der Schuma.
Vlzefeldwebel der Schuma.
Korporal der Schuma.
Unterkorporal der Schuma.
Schutzmann
as a).
I RFSS T-175 14012668246.
~ O-Kdo I 0(1) Nr.204/42 in Rep. 320 AdJ.Nr.29.
30
The name gIven to a krul1ed woollen helmet with face opening
Invented. together wl1h 1he cardigan, in Ihe Crimean War. The
Germans called It a head-protector (Kopfschutzer).
Item
Field cap
Peaked cap
Field blouse. f'eld Jacket or uniform tunic ,n cloth or serge
Collal liner or 511ff collar
Riding breeches. breeches, field or long trousers gathered
at the ankle
Greatcoat Of over-greatcoat (Obermantel)
Raincoat
HIgh boots. or lace up ankle boots wl1h leather gaiters or
mountain boots
Ankle straps for mountain boots
Shoes. black
Spurs with straps
Balaclava helmet. or woollen scarf
Pullover. or woollen Unde'l3Cket Of fur veSl
Leather gloves. Imad or unloned
Handkerchiefs
Washing bag
Sports vest
Sports trousers
Waist belt
Sword bell (Umerschnallgun)
Map case
Sleeping bag
Shoe resoling ,n the vear
Leather lining tor riding breeches (only If able to ride a
horse)
Sword kn01
Officers' trunk
From SS,SlUbaf upwards
Quantity
2
2
2
4
2
2
1
2 prs.
2 prs.
2 prs.
2 prs.
1
1
1 pI.
3
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
up to 3prs.
1
2
1
2
SSOgrul. Reinhard Hevdllch. hIS adJutan1 and SS-Grut Frank. Prague.
September 1941. (Cn:. Prague.)
34
Despite the IfHroductlon 01 branch of service colours (Waffenlarben).
members of the Secullty Poltce and SD appear to have continued to
wear white. Instead of police green piping.
This was possibly due 10 the rather vague status of the SD as a branch of
the General SS. whose standard piping colour was White. With the
introduction of police paHern shoulder straps in January 1942. N.C.O.'s
with rank of SS,Slurrnscharlul1rer in the Security Police and SD were
allowed to wear offIcers' caps. wrth black velvet band and aluminium
chin cord.
4
I Erlass des Chefs des SS-Fuluungsamtes vom 19.9.1940.
~ Verordnungsblalt der Waflcn-SS. No. 11. 1.6.42. p, 00.
l Ibid.. No. 3. 1.2.43. lIlt. 37.
4 Belehlsblatt des Cllefs d, Slch. Pol. u.d. SO. No. 2/42. p. 6.
Members of Ihe Securrty Polrce search suspects, Poland. September
1939. They are weaflng the fIrst model fieldgrey tunic (Rock) and
special l,ghtweight steel helmet
36
SS-Sturmscharfuhrer Ackermann. Note the while pIpIng on
his oHicers' cap. and police panern shoulder straps. (Dodkins
Collection.)
Poh2el-Griin. but often described as Glfl-Gl1jn or toxic-green.
I Befehlsblatl des ChdSPudSO.. NO.32.. 23.8.41 .. pp.161-2_
! Belehlsblatt des ChdSPudSO.. No.2.. 17.1.42.. pp.5-6.
J Belehlsblatt des ChdSPudSO.. No.49. 12,10.43,. p.321.
To prevent members 01 the SO and Sipo from being mistaken for
members of the Waffen-SS. police panern shoulder straps were
introduced In January 1942. for N.C.Os and men. At the same time the
weaflng of N.C.Os braid on the collar and arm chevrons was lorbidden. 2
With the call-up of women for various duties within the Security Police
and concentrallon camp systems. six new ranks were introduced. which
were Identified by 0.5 cm wide aluminium braid chevlons. which were
worn on the lower left sleeve 01 the jackel and greatcoat 8 cm from the
bonom of the sleeve_]
SS- Manner
SS Men
SS-Unterfuhrer ohne Ponepee
Junior non-commissioned leaders
SS-Fuhrer
SS leaders
Hollere SS-Fuhrer
Senior SS leaders
1
ss- Unterfuhrer mil Portepee
Senior non-commissioned leaders
f
f
Plllte 1 lpp. 38 &I 391
1. SS-Obelgruppenlijhrer
2. SS-Gruppenluhlel
3. SS-Brigadeluhler
4. SSOberlUhrer
5, SS-Standartenluhrer
6. SS-Obersturmbannluhrer
7. SSSturmbannlUhrer
8. SS-HauplsturmlUhrer
9. SS-Obersturmluhrer
10. SS-Unlersturmfijhrer
11. SS-Sturmscharluhrer
12. SS-Haul'tscharfuhrer
13. SS-Oberscharfuhrer
14. SS-Scharfuhrer
15. SS-Unterscharluhrer
16. SS-Rottenluhrer
17. SS-Sturmmann
18. SS-Mann
SS-Hstuf Strobel and members of the Maastrichl SO. 1941, (Museet
vaoIOorlogsdoCUment311e.)
DIENSTGRADABZEICHEN
Bedges of rank
At IlrSl members of lhe SO and Sipowore the same badges 01 rank on the
collar and shoulder as members of the General SS. but with the intro-
duction of field-grey they began to wear army pattern shoulder waps
which had already been adopted by the SS-VerfugungStIUppe.
In August 1941 SO and Sipo members were reminded that they could
only wear armv/walfen-SS shoulder sllaps il they had police-green'
piping. I
37
PLATE 1 DIENSTGRADA8ZEICHEN DER SIPO UNO DES SO 1942-1945
1 2 3 5
1-3: Outer strands 01
Interwoven cord, gold
finish: underlay, tOXIC
green.
1, 2 RanI: stars. Silver
4-10 Underlay.l0ll!C-
green over black Rank
stars, gold
11-17: Undertay 1111 &
oolel P'PII1O 112171.
toxoc..green
a 9
la
10
39
PLATE 2 olENSTGRAoAB2EICHEN oER HELFERINNEN DER SI PO UNO DES SO
Knmtnalsekretalln
40
Krimlnaloberasslslenlln
Krlmlnalobersekrelarln
Kumlnalobefllsslslenltn zur Prufung
PLATE 3 OIENSTGRAOABZEICHEN OER SCHUTZMANNSCHAFTEN OER SICHERHE1TSPOLlZEl 194345
Kapltan
Kompanle Feldwebel
Starschy Leltenanl
Shoulder SHap for commIsSIoned ranks
Vize-Feldwebel
Shoulder slrap fOf non-commissIoned ranks
Lellenanl
Korporal
41
PLATE 4
2 3
4
5
43
UNIFORMS OF THE JiJt
VOLUME 6
WAFFEN.... CLOTHING
AND EQUIPMENT 1939-1945
Andrew Mollo
KCOlKaneHllIO, HaM AOCTanllCb TonbKO CTpaHII"'b1 C cjJOTorpacjJlIRMII.
Windrow&Greene
Typical ~ e e n o , n ~ l d l l an SS eoneenuat,on camp cloth,ng works al ,he begmnlng ollhe war.
2
Soon new works for krTltwear and straw overboots. a weaving mill. and a
training school for tailors was established in Ravensbruck. By 1943 the
clothing works in Dachau and Ravensbruck had achieved a very high standard.
and apart from manufacturing clothing for inmates, were producing some
20% of the Waffen-SS clothing needs. Items of clothing manufactured by the
SS clothing works usually bore the stamp
SS
BW
Another firm. German EQUipment Works Lld (Deutsche Ausrustungswerke
GmbH - DAWj was formed in May 1940. and operated a number offactor'es
which undertook minor economic enterprises, including the sword smithy
run by Paul Muller in Dachau from October 1939."
After the occupation of Poland and parts of RUSSia. Eastern Industries Ltd
(Ostlndustrie GmbH - Ostl) used Jewish Inmates from concentration and
labour-camps to make winter uniforms and various items of eQuipment from
property and raw materials seized by the Germans. In October 1943 Ostltook
over the fur working factory attached to the fOfced labour camp at Trawnlkl,
where. under the management 01 the German service firm of Schulz & Co,
6.000 Jews manufactured and maintained fur caps. coats. and gloves for
the Waffen-SS and armed forces.
Byuse of KL inmates, the SS was never short of labour although increasingly
short of raw malerials. which necessitated restriction on the issue of new
clothing and re issue of renovated used clothing. By 1943 the shortage had
become cmical. and In January Pohl reported to the Reichsfuhrer-SS.
'In the past year the Situation in the field 01 textile and leather goods has
worsened considerably.' He went on to blame this on 'the absence of supplies
from abroad, the continuing expansion of the armed forces, the Increase in the
reQuirement lor work clothing for foreign workers and the needs of the
Notes:
1. NO-678. This induded a small tailors' shop estabhshed In August
1949. transferred to DAWon 1January 1941_
2. NO-l 043. The SS economIc enterprises in Dachau were incorporated
In DAW from 1 January 1940.
3. NO-678. The plant was opened in Dachau In February 1940. and
transferred to Texled on 3 June 1940.
German civilian population as a result of general wear and tear". After cal-
culaung the supply of raw materials available, Pohl estimated that the needs
of [ ~ l e WaffenSS fm the year 1943 could only be met up In the following
percentages:
Wool 26%
Cotton 15%
Synthetic wool and rayon 25%
linen 30%
leather for footwear and equipment 50%
Pohl commented. This m<lans that the wearing time of most articles must
be extcnded by four and more'; adding, .... that It IS only possible to ensure
supplies in the long term if one exercises the utmost economy, and defers
all avoidable claims from the troops It IS known, and stressed time and time
agall1m discusSions with the OKW, that compared to the army the Waffen-SS
IS still considerablv bener clothed and equipped. Our troop commanders
(1ruppenfuhrer) must realise that In tt,e fourtt, year of war It IS no longer
poss,ble to get exceptional treatment.'
One outcome of Pohl's gloomy fmecast. was Htmmler's recommendation
that a look out be kept fOf sUitable foreign uniforms, but once again the SS
me! teSlstance from the army, III Aprrl 1943. SS-Gru!. Berger repolled that 111
Denmark stocks of Danish uniforms could only be utilised (for the German
army) by Commanding General von Hannecken - who was also fmdmg
dlff'culty In ob!alning enough uniforms for German and ethniC' German
conscripts, The situation was no different in December 1943. when the
Hochste SS-und Pollzei-Fuhrer 111 Italy attempted to extract 100.000 sets
of captured Italian unifmms and equipment out of the army. for use by the
rapJdly expanding Italian volunteer units_ Althougll the Waffen-SS was
unable to clothe 100.000 Italians from its own stocks, the army QUmtelmaSter,
OberSllntendant Nierhoff at OKWfVA, played for time by saying that 'there
stili had not been any exact survey of available booty, and that the armed forces
requ,rements are also very greal', He went on, 'it is therefme up to the Wehr-
marcht-Fuhrungsstab to decide', and that 'a deCISion In wilting IS not to be
expected before the end of the month'.
In 1943. the OKW, faced with similar problems. embarked on the next
IneVitable step -the standardisation of the uniform of the armed forces and
organiSations connected With 11. In September 1940 it suggested 'that the
shade and manufacture of the uniformof the Wehrmacht and the organisations
Connected With it should be standardised; especially as the supply situation
in the field of raw materials. particularly textiles. make it increasingly difficult
to keep sufficient stocks of the various colours III use. and also to fu,ther ease
Re,ct,slul"e,-SS Hlmmle' and Gene,.lobe,sl Model ,nspect the t31h SS Voluntee,
Mounlam D,v,s,on (Croal,an) On 12 Janua'v t944, On II,e "ghl IS SSOg'ul.Pohl. and
beh,nd H,mmle'. 5$8"gal F,lll,um_ TIH!V all wu, la,lor-made g,eatcoals w,rh sllve'
g'eV lapcls and coli., parcl1es_ H'mmle' has a detachable fur colla'.
the labour situation'. The sample of the material they sent fOf inspection was
Similar to the earthgrey that the SSVT had used until 1937 - 8. and Pohl
could not resist reminding Hlmmler that 'we realised eight years ago that this
shade was undoubtedly nlore practical and acted accordingly. At the beginning
of the war on the intervention of the OKW, we had to depart from this colour.
although we were convinced that it was beller',
The OKW had to deCide 'what Items of uniform are to be made in future. and
3
Ziff.1S: Subject. SS field-grey field cap for N.C.O.'s.'
II has been ordered that the SS lield cap. without chin strap or wire stiIFener
(Mutzendrahl). IS to be worn. It must be borne in mind. that it IS not to be
worn as a cap. but as a Ileld cap. Ilnd thiS fact has been taken InlO
,ICCounl when deslgmng the cap All caps currently in use must have the
chin strap and sllllener
Allhough IOI\lalty IOltoduced as an N.C.Os cap. II continued to be worn
\,ell on InlO the war by N.C O:s and oflocers (many 01 whom were forme'
NCO s) In lhe field The cap had a fleldgrey lap. and salt Ileld-gley cloth
f' vered peak. black band. and whIte pipIng Badges were OrigInally 10 whIte
fT'l>lal. bUl either metal. machine-embrOidered (from Panzer beret) or
.'. 'ven p;llterns wele used The December 1939 order laid down that m the
lOlly of the barracks. senior N C.Os (Porlepee-Unterluhrer) could wear the
I, Id grey servICe cap With "eld-grey uniform. On all other occaSIOns. when a
" cl helmet was not specll.ed. the Other ranks' field cap (Sch.ffchen) should
le worn. However. amendments to the orde, perml1led the weanng OUI of lhe
Id pattern N.C O:S field cap."
DienstmuUe
s..'Ylce cap
-UlCers were the first to receIve an eaflh-grey peaked servICe cap m 1935.
. 11 by 1937 rt was betfl.Q manufactured Wllh a fleld-gley top. It was worn by
-mmlss,oned ranks 0 on duty. on all occasions when a steel helmet was
11 t specifIed Aftel lhe InUodOCIIOn of an off,ce-r's lleld cap In 1939. the
cap was worn Wllh servICe dress. and. after the outbreak of war. Wllh
..... "Iking-oul dless.
(Hlcers' caps were made of "eldgrey cloth. with black velvet band and
,le piping lor all oHloers up 10 and 'ncluding SS-Slal Semor oHlCers
,\ I" the lank of SS-Oberluhrer and above and alumlmum piping. The peak
-"as made of lacqueled black fibre (Vulkanfiber). although softef lacquered
kdther peaks were also worn. albeit unofficially Chin cords were made of
t ....o twisted aluminium cords. and were fastened 10 the cap wilh two 13 mm
metal buttons. Badges on the field-grey peaked cap were supposed
ICI have been In aluminIum fllllsh. but Silver plated ones were also worn, as
00 The officers cap was alsO worn by graduale officer cadets (SS-Stand.
Ob.Ju.) awaiting P'Dmotlon to SS-Ustul.. and by SS-HauptscharlUhrer
d.Res. in Ihe medical or vetrinary services. For the various regulations
governing the wearing 01 coloured piping on the peaked cap. see the
section dealing with Waffenlarben.
-
TO() 10 bOuom Okl ""ne'" 1'(I1d cap lOfothe' ,ank. and N.C.O:. heldcapw'lh cloth pclak.
11
Too 10 bClIIOIn 1938 model .rtlW oH,ee's l.eld np ,onve'Ied loo SS use New ':"lIn
l.eld ap lor other "nu' 19"0 mooel W.ff.,,SS olfoc.s!lekl cap_
12
were woven or embrOldeled badges 10 June 1940. wearing of lhe whIte
lopped summel peaked cap by WallanSS oU,cers was forbIdden J
The othe, ranks' verSIon of fhe cap was IlIst Introduced m 1939.101 wea, b\
5eOlOI NCO s m the v,c,n,tv ollhe barracks. and I1 was anI\, alter lhe
uOllorm had ceased 10 be worn as a walking-out dress Ihal other ranks weft"
ISSued wllh. 01 allowed 10 purchase lhe heldgrey peaked cap for wea, wher,
walkmQ out II had a fIeld grey lflkof top. bl3Ck cloth band. and whIte PIPIng
The chIn strap was black leather. and lhe peak was black Ilble BaOges WelT
whIle 01 malt-g'ev melal
Conlrary 10 legulallons obsolete pallerns of SS cap badges were wo," 0'
both ollicers' and othe< lanks' 5eIVICe caps DUllng the war the dlftlCulty 11
obtalnmg SS InsIgnIa meant Itlal natIonal emblems of lhe almy and othe'
pohhcal olga",sauons wele WOHl ,nslead of the legulatlOn SS paltern
InItIally. manulacture and retaIling of fleklgley SS peaked caps was con
trolled by the RZM. bUI In February 1941 Ihey wele freed from RZM control
and 'ram then on were obtaInable Irom private hatters and unilorm outflUers
although the mS'9",a was Stili only Obtamable from the RZM. or one 01 lIS
oUlle's. As a resull 01 the difficulty 01 obtammg SS caps and InSignia. man\
olltcers purchased armv caps. had a black velvet band IlIIed over lhe dark
g,een one. and wore the national emblems of the army (Of other political
organisations) Instead 01 the regulation emblem (See. lor the 11Iu-
strallon on p. 91 J
Tho followll19 unusual and unoffiCial prilClIces regardll1Q weallng 01 the se,
Vice cap have been noted.
1, Wearmg of Ihe cap Without chm cords 01 stlap.
2. Aphotograph shows an officel m RUSSia wearing what appears to be a
I,eld-grev ctolh COvel over h,s service cap.
Feldmutze (Schiffchen) fur Fi;ihrer
Offlce,'s field cap (boalshapedl
The December 1939 order requlled lhal officers obtain lhe new field cap
(boat"shaped rn the allforce cut) by I January 1940 PrIOIIO thiS date there
had not been a regulallon olflce(s lleld cap Many offlCels had unoff,clallv
pUlchased lhe 1938 model armV off,cer's field cap. In black Of field-grey.
and replaced 01 covered the nallonal cockade WIth erther the melat SS deaths
head. Of the small whlle me,al one from [he army Panlel lloops collar patch
Thele IS at least one lecorded InSlance of an SS offICer wearing the army fIeld
cap wllh army InSlgma wllh WaflenSS umform. T
The 1939-model offlcer's fIeld cap was made 01 field-grey tukot w,th
lum piping around the lOP 01 the llap In November 1940. however. Hlmmlel
amended his earlier order. and restricted the wearing of aluminium piping to
scnlQI officers with lhe rank of SSOberfUhrer and above. All other officers
wele to wear white piping. ThiS order may have been rescinded. but In any
c"se nobody appears to have taken any notice of It.'
InSignia on an olllcer's field cap conSisted of the national emblem and death's
!lead. both ot which were worn In Iront_ They were macfllne woven in
aluminium thread on a black ground. A Soutache in Waffenlarbe was illso
tll be worn rn front. Accordrng to regulallons the correCI dls\nnce between the
ends of the Soutache was 9 cm,
Feldmutze (Schiffchen) n.A.
field cap (boat shaped) new pallcrn
In November 1940 a new style field grey cloth (black for Panzer troops)
f,cld cap In the air force cut was Introduced. "Inslgn,a on caps for other ranks
was baSIcally the same as for officers. but woven In a silver grey (later mall
grey) artifiCial s,lk lhread, At firstlhe Soutache In Walfenfalbe was sewn 10
the front of the flap of the cap, but In order to bClhtate the changing of the
Soutache and cut down on make,up time. It was deCided to pass the
Suut1lche tl1l0ugh a loop at Its apex and sew It at both ends only" Weallng
the Soutache was discontinued In September 1942,1l
Einheitsfeldmutze Modell1943
Stanclard f,cld CilP. Model 1943
By 1943 practical experience "t the ftont had shown the boat-shaped field
(.''0 to be Imptactlc;)l. as it afforded InsuffiCient shadmg from the g l ~ r e 01
lloe sun. and msufflClent protection to the ears ilnd back of the ned In cold
""eafher S'r1ce II could be worn In many different ways it also tended to
dosfroy the ur1lform appearance of a unit The mountam cap, which had ben
Isslled In Ilm,ted numbers befole the Wilr fOl tralO1I19 111 mQUntilll1QUS regions,
wa'i small. practical- and popular.
355. Field cap.I'
Instead of the existlf19 field cap[s] (boatshaped). a new field cap In Ihe
same cut and manufacture as the mountain cap IS to be Introduced on
practical grounds, The field cap 13 black for Panzer troops. and fleldgrey for
ail othcr units. Designation and article numbO! remains unchilnged
The Ileld CilP[S] (boat-shaped) may be worn out.

It was impractical If1 the sense that crews of enclosed iJrmoured

vehicles were perml1ted to wear it back to front, since the large peak
made it difficult to use optical equipment.
Top 10 bottom. 1943 mod"II,,,ld cap 101 Qlher lanh and cltreers t943 modellield up
ollal" manulaclure w'lh f,nal p.lIern cap badge_
13
Top 10 botlom Peaked serv,ce cap for seniOl off,cers. ofhccts and Olloe, tanks,
14
The issue standard field cap was made of rieldgrey cloth." and was similar
In cut to the mountain cap. with large cloth covered peak and flap thaT
fastened in fron!. with at !ifSt two and then one bunon. which could be
lowcred to cover cars. side and back of the head. and chin. Officers had
atuminium piping around the crown of the cap.
At first the same insignia was WOIO as on the new pallelO field cap. The
death's head was WOIO in fronl. and the national emblem on the leh side 01
the flap. In order to save time the Width of the flap In fronl was slightly reduced
and both badges worn In Iront. Since It was qUicker and easier to sew olle
badge. a new panern, incorporating the national emblem and the death's
head on a triangulal base was Introduced later in 1943. The new insignlCl
was produced In twO patterns. The fifSI was mactllne-embroidered in mall
grey and black artifiCial Silk on a triangular fleldgrey or black (Ior the black
cap) cloth ground, The second pallern was machine-woven In a continuous
strip. although the deSign remained basically similar. There was no officer's
version 01 this Insignia. Allhough primarily deSigned for the M.1943 cap. thiS
Insignra also appeared on other patterns 01 field cap. which remained in
service untrlthe end of the wal.
The follOWing unofficial prachces regarding wearing lhe standard field cap
have been noted:
I. Wearing 01 melal cap insignia in place olthe woven panern,
2. Wearing 01 a combinallon of woven and cloth Insignia.
3 Wearing of lhe army M,43 field cap complete wilh army insignia,
but the national cockade ellher replaced or covered by a metal or
woven death's head.
4. Wearing of M,43 caps made of while malerial wilh winler clothing.
5. Wearing of M,43 caps made of light colouH:!d lightweight materials.
6. Wearing of M.43 caps Wilh tho flaps covered wllh fur.
7. Wearrng 01 ski caps of civilian manufactum either wilh or withoul SS
insignia.
Stahlhelm
Steel helmCI
Initially Ihe SSVT had been issued with a modified version of the 1916
model steel helmet. or SS/RZM model, (See Vol. 3. pp. 39 - 41.) On I
November 1935 the chief of the SS-Hauptamt. notified all units of the SS-VT
that since deliveries of tl,e field-grey Wehrmacht helmet Irom the Reich War
Ministry were expected before the end of the year. the intrOduction of the
grey-green canvas cover for the black onc was no longer necessary. The black
helmet in the possession of the SSVT was to be used 10r parades.
u
This
not,ce does not specify which model helmet was to be delivered. but most
probablY tl was the AClchswehr model, which was, at the time. being fCplaced
by the 1935 model In the ilrmed forces.
The smaller 1935 model steel helmet was flfstlssued to the SS-VT In 1936,
and by the beginning of thc war had been Issued III both field-grey and black
"mshes. The obsolete 1916 model and AZM helmets contmued In use with
security and Ersatz units until withdrawn In March 1941,' I The 1935 model
was made m five basic sizes, weighing from 681 -1.200 grms. The lining was
of niltural coloured leather (perforated for ventilation) which could be ad-
Jusli:ld to fit the head by means of a drawslrlng and was allached to and
suspended from an aluminium band frxed to the shelt of the helmel by three
pins. The two,plecc black teDlhor chin slfap was fastened on bOlh
sldtls to f1ngs on the band. and buckled on the leh side by a Single pronged
while metal buckle. In 1943, both cost lactor and ptOductlon speed were
impflJved when ttle helmet was modified With <In unCflmped brim.
Finish
Belufe the w<lr the steel helmet had a smooth surface With a semi-mail
field grey finish. I1 was forbidden to alter thiS finish either by polishing 01
Greasmg, In March 1940 it was decided, for camouflage reaSOns. to apply a
new slightly rough finish (schicfcrgrau), Umil supplies of thiS new pilin!
""Cle made available helmets were to be camoutlaged temporarily with earth
or clay. Durmg the war many different tlnlshes were applied: although too
and numerous 10 hst fully, mention must be made of the use of common
wl,newash when 'the field' was a snow covered landscape I
Wappenschilde
Es(;utcheons
Flom September 1935 the standaid escutcheons 01 the SS wele WOIn on the
swnt helmet (Vol, 3. p, 41). These werc normally applied by tmnsfef. although
some were hand painted. In Malch 1940. it was deCided. for camouUagc
'eaSOns. to omit or remove the national escutcheon, which was worn on the
lefl of the helmet. In November 1943, the SS IUnes, worn on the fight
sldt:, was also discontinued. although it continued to appear until the end of
the
Accessories
Tho question of eamoull<lging steel helmets was never as impoilanl in the
as it was in the army. since Ihe Waffen-SS had been issued
With a camouflage cover as early as 1938. (Sec section on camouflage
Clothing.) In addition 10 the cover. Wallen-SS personnel used various types
Top 10 bonom t935 model Sleol hQlmel Wllh somlman lIeld-gl<!V f,n,sh and nallGflal
COIOVI$ 193!> model .....,Ih man 10uOh hlllsh ISI J>;l1!orn sloel helmm covo'.
15
Members of SS Deattfs Hud Inlanuy Regiment 2 winter tralnong al M(ins",gen
manouvre winter 193940. They wllBr the t"SI panern held.grey 9futCoal w'lh
Collar plp,ng and have paInted the" helmets with whitewash.
16
of adjustable straps titled to the tlelmet so that foltage and other camoullage
materials could be held In place." Camouflage nelllng III Slrtng or wire was
also used
Notes:
1. SS-Befehls6Iatt .. Nr 2. 25 1939. ZIIf.15.
2. See Appendix I.
3. V 61 dW.SS.. Nr.2. 15 June 1940. liff.46.
4. MlItellungsblatt der RZM. Nt.2. 25 January 1!)4 J. p. 10.
5. V.Bl.dW.SS.. Nr.23. 15 December 1941. Ztff.487.
6. See Appendix I.
7. Bender/Taylor, Vol. 1, p. 85 Wtth illustration.
8 Ocr ReichsfuhrcrSS. SS Belehl (Abschrtft). Belr, : Feidgtaue UllIform
der Weffen-SS. Stchcrheitspalizet und des SO. Bezug Mein Belehl
vam 10 May 1940. Berlin, den 5 November 1940.
9. V.Bl.d.W,-SS.. Nt.21. 1 November 1940. Zlff.
10. lbld.. Nr .20. 15 October 1940. ZIII. 269.
11. Ibid.. Nr .17. 1 September 1942. lifl.309.
12. Ibld.. Nr.19. 1 October 1943. ZIIf.355,
13. Def Chef des SSHauptamles, J/U 1 Nr,014481/35 Bctr,: Uberzug
IUr Stahlhelme. Berlin den 1 November 1935.
14. V.Bl.dW.SS.. NI,6. 1 Ap1111941. Zilf,159.
15. Ibid.. Nr.21, 1 November 1943. Zif1.402.
16. See page 113.
BEKlEIDUNG
Clothing
Feldbluse
Flclrl blouse
In 1937 a new field-grey field blouse and long grey trousers began la replace
tile' ,Id ealth-grey service uniform, The new field blouse was based on the
193', army model but retamed certain SS features. such as the collal. which
tile same colour as the blouse. deSigned to be worn primarily open but
easli, rimed It had slantlf1g slash Side pockets With bultoned flap 1I15tead
of li" pleated army patch pockets The collar (and collar patches and some
p,1llo'lns of strap) was piped 111 black and aluminium twisted cord
unt,1 A.ugust 1940 when 1\ was discontinued'
FC"rI1"t,on of the SS-Totenkopf and SS-Polllel diVISions at the close of 1939
the supply. by the army. of suffiCient Quant't'es of army field
unll,'rms to equip them' The December 1939 Older dllscrlood the freld
blolJ,e as being of aTlny cut With dark green collar. bunon-on collar liner. and
p;Hr,h pockets. The blouse was to be worn open wllh brown shin and black
lie When trarning. on manoeuvres. or on speCial occasions rt could be worn
clo:ed by order of lhe commander. Amendments to lhis order stated Ihat tho
old'style SS blouse (With the same colour collar) was to be worn out'. and
<ilteratlons to the field blouse were forbidden' If lhe Wilr contll1ued for
any length of time, the field blouse would agall1 be supphed With the same
colour collar, The amendment went on to Slate that the blouse was to be
wOln closed at the neck. and only opened by order The May 1940 ardel
the field blouse as being basically the s<tme for officers and men.
and thm 111 prinCiple J1 was to be worn open with shrrt and tie and only
closed by special order.'
The results of tl,ese contradrctory orders can be clearly seen In any Walfen-SS
group photo. where some of the men are wearing the blouse With the collar
opcn at tl,e neck. whilst others wear rl closed. It was just thiS 5011 of lack of
uniformity that Hrmmler was trying to prevent.
Bv the lime of the campaigns In France and the Low Countries. personnel
of the SS-Verfugungs-Truppe-Divlsion were mostly stili wearing the SS
"cid blouse. With Just a few army patterns begll1nll1g to appear. The bulk of
the SS-Totenkopf and SS-Polizei divisrons on the other hand. were equrpped
With <lrmy field uniforms. In 1940. the field blouse collal began. as predicted
In the December 1939 order, to be made of the same matellal as the rest of the
blouse. instead of dark green. The next modifrcations to the field blouse
took place step by step throughout the war, for the purpose of economising
on matellal and labour. From 1942 patch pockets were made without pleats.
One 01 a se"es of photO{jraphs entllled '8 dav In Ihe hfe of Ihe Lelbslandane SS Adolf
H'lle( 22 November 1938. shOWing a sold,er lurnlng h"og POS",OOS uoder the watchtul
eye 01 an SS-Umerscharllihrer who wea,s typical everyday dress cooSiSllOll of an army
tUniC. obsolele eaJlhgrey breeches. aod Ih" M38 N C.O.s held cap wlIII chio snap,
17
Typ'cal uain,ng unilo,m being worn by Le,bstanda'10 SS Adol! H'lle, ,ocrUllS On
22 Novembe' 1938. The holm.,l.s lhe old black t916 mooot. and H'e lllmy held
blouw 's be,ng worn w,lh lhe IUSI Plltlern nal.om,1 emblem and no cull. band. The
lape,ed Housers (St,cfelhoso) and h,gh boolS Ble on Ihl! pr()CC$$ 01 bemg wOln out
18
and laler the lower edge of the flaps was straightened. Since wartime materials
had less tensile strength than rn peace time. it was necessary to increase the
five front bUllons to srx. Other modifications and simplificallons were made
10 the lining and manufaClure of the field blouse. but none of them altered
ils outward appearance.
After exlenSlve field trials with army units. a new field unrform (Feldunrform
1944) began to appear in lale 1944. but never In suffrcient numbers to radrcally
aller the appearance of Ihe WaflenSS. The new field blouse bore cerla,n
similarities to the British baltledress. and COnsisted of a short blouse with wide
waistband and patch pockets. and long taperrng trousers which were designed
to be worn either inside the gaiter or marching boot. The uniform required
considerably less cloth than the eadier models. and was specrally designed
10 facilitate rapid manufacture by semiskilled labour: the M.1944 field
blouse insignia was unchanged. The colour of the uniform was also changed
flom fieldgrey to Feldgrau 44 (the officral designallOn for the new grey-
brown colour). ExiSlrng stocks of field grey and foreIgn materials were made-
up rnto Ihe newfield uniform. thus manydilferenl shades of flcldgrey emerged.
Seitenheken
Belt hooks
Each field blouse was usually Issued wllh four fleldgrey painted steel or
aluminium hooks of speCIal deSign. These hooks were ilttached to a fabric
strap which formed part of lhe blouse ilnmg. The stlap was deSigned to take
Ihe weighl of a fully loaded waisl bell supported by a metal hook.
Feldhose
Field trousers
The 1937 model SS field trousers wele identical 10 the 1935 almy modol.
Both had long straight legs. two SIde pockets and a watch pocket in front.
They could be adjusted at the waisl by means 01 a buckled Slrap and were
desi9ned to be worn with braces
At fi,st trousers were manufactUled in newgley clOlh. but lrom 1939 onwards
they were to malch Ihe blouse In fleldgrey.- In July 1942 ncw standard
Irousers (Keilhose) were rnlloduced.;
220. Introduction of new items of clothing.
For the Warfen-SS a new standard lace-up ankle boot. and freld-grey
Keilhose. will replace the old malching boot and long cloth trousers.
With the Kellhose. cloth gaiters or putlees (m Ihe summer) or canvas
gaiters (in winter) will be worn. Molol-cycllsts and offic131 pillion passengers
(but nOI sidecar passengers) N.C.O.s and men in engIneer units and
guard battalions. Will retilm marching boots.
Kdo.dW.-SS/la
In September 1943 an altempt was made to standardise the various different
types of trousers and breeches in use in the Waffen-SS.
357. Introduction of new llInd alteration of existing clothing.'
For Ihe rest of the war the following are introduced or altered:
1. Riding breeches in drill with cloth belt. side and hip pockets with
buttons. fob pocket with flap. and four loops at the waist for the belt.
Designation and article number:
Riding breeches. drill. Article No. 6/173.
2. Instead of the eXisting riding breeches, breeches will be manufactured
as 1 above.
Designation and article number:
Riding breeches. grey. Article No, 6/54.
3. Instead of the existing drill trousers. a drill t r o u ~ e r s with cloth belt.
bullon fastening at ankle, pockets. and loops are 1 above Will be
introduced.
Designation and article number:
Drill trousers. undyed or rush green ... Article No. 6/171.
4. The expected issue of cloth trousers (Kellschnlll) 10 replace the long
trousers and ski trousers remains unchanged. Trousers described In 1
and 4 above may be worn With or Without braces.
New trousers Will be issued In relation to production.
Existing patterns may be worn out.
New trousers (Feldhose 44) were introduced with the new Field Un,form
'14. They had a built in cloth belt. side. fob and two hip pockets (one was
'ntended for a Ileld dressing pack) all With buttoned flaf}S. The bottom of the
trouser leg had a drawstring so that It could be fastened tightly around the
3nlo;Ie lor wear with gaiters or pultees.
The trousers with a built-in cloth belt were introduced because the
wearing of braces was impractical in the field and impossible with
shirt-sleeve order. The new trouse's were known also as Rundbundhose.
Notes:
1, V.6I.dW.-SS.. Nr,5. 3 August 1940. Zlf!.
2. Soldaten wie andere auch. pp. 268 and 274.
3. See Appendix I.
4. Die Deulsche Wehrmacht 1934-bis 1945, Heft 1 with illustration.
5. See Appendix I.
6. V.bl.dW.-SS.. Nr.13. 1 July 1942. lll!. 220.
7. Ibid.. Nr.19. 1 October 1943. Zift. 357.
8. Die Dcutsche Wehrmacht 1934bis 1945. Hcft 33 with illustration.
Membe's 01 SS A1!{lHl'ent DeUlschland wea,;nlllhe M1937 I,eld blouse France
1940. They have 'emoved tllo" call., patches 10 avold pos,t'vo idont",calion 01
tile,! un,' by the onomv.
19
A lI'oUO 01 N.C.D.I hom Ill. I 4tll SSPl G,en. Rill. 38 (17.sS,P2. G,;m D,Y GOII 8.,I,ell'''II.n) wli"nll Ivp,nl wrv,ce 'MIll lli1ne,ns 01
".Id blousnd 111.'1 ''I us'. f"ne. 1944
20
n,.
..
0'
'O'J,.ph oIlWO young SS men apI",e<! by It Cl Ame....:,,, during lne 01
S'>ow$,"- gene"! shocld<r'Ie'U.nd IllIlt 01 de11l1'(lfiloon 0' ,,",IOI'm IlltIe end
."
Ge"...... PlOSOM'I'I UP by Iht' U S. s..v....lh Almy I,e confronted bylleed
01 Dlchau <:ClnCentrll>Qn Apr,l 1944. the SS mount.,n l,DOPe' _.fl the SS
...en..,., of the edelweISS on M II.ndIord l.-Id ClIp, ind the sho<l M44 1J4'kl bIouw
21
,

An S S O ~ l u l l f .. _;II.n<;I iI I)f.-YllelV l)' ...e!\,)Wd

olloc... quM;I'f' __, 0''''1 lor wall""IlO\oIl.
Neckcloth and coli.....,...'.
22
{El
l
i

,
,
\
I
\
I
,
\
\
\
I
F;e.Jd unifOfln 1944.
f'vz
~
V
:u
~
C-
C-
I
0
-
~
!'
A
:EJ
:.
C-
I
~
"
C-
"
I
I
111
0
n
Tt
'IOW f ~ ; ,
ID

I

,
I
i
\y \Y
,
,
i
I i
I
I
i
0
l.{
V ~
field service ",nilOlm wit/l"Keilhoyo 1942-3.
~
\
, '
:EfiJ
LI C- ,
1
0
C>
6 6
,

l(i-"(i)

kj-
. 1
~

i
00 f
I
,
I
I
I
I
I

!
1
I
!
\
I
I
I

,
I
SS "eld sHVic. "''''form. Model 1931.
23
SSOStUbif KhngenbergW9i"nll in unusuil vorSlOn ot lha prewar rumc
WIth closed oolli. Analt'el photograph of rhe Sime olficlI' shows thll lUnlC
wllh su:fll patch podets and bUlloned Ilaps and plUlS.
24
Rock
Tunic
Until 1939. In the SSVcrfugungstruppe had only onc f,eld-grey
tunic (Rock). which was made of field-grey tllko\. ;\nd was Iden\lcalln Cut 10
the black SS Sl'lrYlce tuniC It was worn on all occaSions with a blOwn shirt
and black t,e, After the gencfalintroduct,on of the field blouse. officers were
pelml\led to continue wearing the tuniC on all occasIons when It was con
venient to do so. such as II"l the office or off duty. The commander SIXlclfled
whIch should be WOIl"l so thlll lhe off,cers' corps was uniformly dressed'
The tuniC was also made 01 lightweIght fleldgrey gabardine or moleskm
wl1h matchmg breeches for wear dUring summer.:
At the begmnmg of the wa'. the more ImpeCumouS SS officers avoided the
expense 01 haVing to buy an exua almy field blouse by havmg then tumcs
converted Into field blouses by the addlllon of a dark blulshgleen standand
fall had tailored alterations so Ihat the coUar could be WOIl"l
closed 1Il the neck. Some. however. had tunics specially m<loe wtlh dark.
green collars. although thiS was expressly forbidden.' Waffcn-SS offIcers
contmued to wear then tunics. In regulation Cut 01 wllh rhe above modlf,ca
lions. as an undress or walklng,olll Uniform tluoughout lhe war.
Weisser Sommerrock
White Slimmer lumc
On 27 June 1939. Himmler aUlhorised Ihe weaflng of a whnc summer
tumc by SS office.s between 1 Ap,,1 and 30 Septembel. h could be WOIl"l as
an undress uniform with long black (occasIonally while) IIOuselS and enher
black or white topped peaked cap. On 15 June 1940. and for the duration cl
the wal. the authOrisation was wll/ldrawn!but It IS almOSI certain Ihat the
comparatively few officers eqUipped With the white tunic had It dyed Ileld-
grey. and conilnued 10 wear It dUring Ihe war.
A number 01 officers continued to wear lightwclght field blouses In various
kinds of washable white materials. The cut ,md InsIgnia worn on lhese
unoffiCial exlra blouses varied conSIderably.'
Another type of washable white jacket was worn by orderlies (Ordonnanzen)
while serving al table.
Notes:
1. See Appendix I.
2. Original elCample in g<lbardine In the aUlhor's cOllechon.
3. Original elCample in author's colleClion.
4. see BenderfTaylor. Vol. I. p. 41 with iIIustratl()(l.
5. Ocr ReichsfUhrerSS. Betr: Weisser Sommerrock. Berlin. 27 June 1939.
6. V.Bl.DW.-SS. Nr.2. 15 June 1940. Ziff.46.
7. see Bender!Taylor. Vol. 1. pp. 42 III 76. with iIIUSlrations.
Feldbluse (Fuhrer)
( f I j ~ l d blouse (officels
The RClchsweh! pauern officer's field blouse had been adopted by at leasl
one officer In the lelbslandane Adoll Hlller as early as 1935, but I1 was nOI
unul 1939 tllal olflcers thloughoul the aImed SS began eqUipping themselves
WIIII a field-grey field blouse lor wear on aChve duty_ During thiS tranSlt,onal
penod a number of stop-gap measurcs wcre laken b\' officelS, who clther
modlflcd Ihen tuniCS, or obtained an Issue field blouse from stores.
The December 1939 oldel, concerning lhe flcldgrey unllorm of the Waffen
SS. st,pulated thal an olllcer"s blouse was to be Identical In cuI to that of Ihe
men (I.e Ihe Issue blouse), and worn opcn althe neck With blown shirt and
black tie, It could be worn closed only.1 mOn had been ordered to close theirs,
Weallng the dark blulSlt grccn stand-andfall collar (army offlcer's field blouse
collar) was forblddcn ' ThiS IS Intercstlng, because 11 shows H,mmler's latem
dislike of [he stlffnecked PrUSSHln lunker look. which he did not want
emulated by hiS "classless' SS ThiS ordcr had no sooner been typed OUI when
It WIIS amended by the SSHauptaml.ln IUlure, wearing [he blouse open With
sh,,[ and \le was 10 be dlscontmued lor Ihe dural IOn 01 the war. It was now to
be worn closed. opened only by specIal Older, as In the army,: WaflenSS
offIcers now began 10 order army field blouses. but Hlmmler rnslsted thallhe
stand and fall collar was 10 be fastened With one hook. no[two l'
But on 10 May 1940. Hlmnllel amended hIS December 1939 field blouse
order, stipulating once agarn (and conlfadlctlng the pre"ious amendment)
that Ihe field blouse for officers and men was to be Iden\lcal In all,espects,
and In plinciple was to be worn open wllh shirt and tIe. Only on special
occaSions (rain. storm. or cold etc) could the blouse be closed o"er shirt and
tie. The order went on to say Ihat the blouse be altered [0 close lightly and
comfortably o"er the tie. Few officers had either time or inclination 10 obselve
such subll!iues.
Throughoul Ihe war. then, WaffenSS officers. wOle eilhel a privately
tailored fIeld blouse in ,limy oflicer's cuI. or with slight differences. such as
Slanlong slash side pockets With bunoned Ilaps. as on the SS tunic. or with a
Sland andfall collar made 01 Ihe same material as the blouse. During [he
COurse of lhe war the buttons on the front of some lallor-made blouses wele
reduced from srll. to fi"e, In aClion offlcefs tended to wear Ihe issue field
blouse, Field blouses fOI summer wear were also made of lighlweight gabar-
dine, moleskrn. or drill in various shades 01 grey or lield-grey, Captured So"iet
grOundsheets were in plentiful supply on the eastern front and the olr"e
green waterproof col1on duck was often made up into lightweight field
blOuses,
Ss-ogrul 'Sepp' D>e1roch ana memoers 01 his Slall neat Cl\ilr\QV If'! Aofll t943 LR, SSHstul
MoDous weannll'55U8 \ll'IIIOIm WIth OftoC4lr'S b30ge 01 rank. Olelfich rOl once weanng 11 'easonab/v
'egulallOl'l olfoeer's _edress SS,Slubal. and 0Ms000ill OlMlfatOOlls Qlfltel (lal LehfmaM on
.egu"'llOI'l oftoeer's 1181d seMCIl un,fOlm, llfld SS,Slubal Meyer ,n it ore-war lUOlC whOC:lll\ils DelIII
eonvene<l ,mo it 1181d blouse Dv tile add,toon of it stand..od-I"II colla' an<! 51" rellllns IIle _Iv form
ot nilll(lNl emblem
25

An unidenllfied SSOberSlurmfilhrer hom Ihe SS Death's Heed O"',s;on. photo

graphed sometome atter June 1942. wea"ng a tailor-made lightweight foeld blouse
tor summer wear.
26
Insignia
Generally speaking all inSignia could be worn on both lunlC and field blous_
On the tunic and tailor-made field blouse. InSignia tended 10 be of olflr'"(
quality. Collar patch emblems. Mlional emblem, and cuff-band mscriptll n
were usually hand-embrOidered. In filet. the May 1940 order actually gOf'S
so far as to stipulate that only on the tumc were handembroidered lrat!e
badges to be worn. On the lield blouse. oUlters were 10 wear the
embroidered pallern. In 1940. officers' inSignia began to be machine wov'"
in aluminium thread. and by lM end of Ihe war It had mostly replaced lite
hand-embroidered piltlern on mQSl officers' uniforms.
Officers usually wore the field blouse wl\h inSignia as issued. Since brig! I
aluminium embroidery was dangerously conspicuous In acHon OIfiC("IS
retained the Issue rnslgnia only addrng thell rank badges. often omlllrng th!
IWlsted aluminium cord flom lhe collal patches.
Stiefelhose (Breeches) und lange Hose
Breeches and long trousers
The officer's tuniC was worn With tailor-made newgrey (neugrau) trllll
breeches without piping. Aiding breeches were made of a speCial hea'.ty
new-grey tnkot. and were usually reinforced With grey buckskrn on t c
seal and rnside leg. or just at the knee.' With the IIgtnwelght summer tun-,;.
bleeches were made of matching ',eldgloy gabardrne or moleskin.
Dlf-duty oUicers could wear long new grey trousers with white plpll g
irrespective of branch of service. t Piping in Walfenfarbe was Introduced I 'It
discontinued alter 31 December BOlh breeches and trousers h.od
similar pocket littings two slanting slash pockets fastened With a bullen.
a watch pockel in llOnl. and a slraight slash pockel With button on the 10 It
hip. Trousers were filled With ollher loather or clashC 100tSlfaps (Stegcl.
Trousers and breeches deSCrIbed above continued to be worn With the tunic
and field blouse throughout the war. but front-hne officers tended to W>ilr
long field-grey Issue trousers. or cavalry breeches With the lield blouse of
other ranks. In August 1944 officers were ordered to wear long trOusers w'lh
corresponding footwear (when their men had been ordered to turn oul n
long !lousers without gaiters). They were also to wear long trousers (rnstc"d
01 breeches and boots) with inlormat service dress (Kleiner DienstanzuJ)
and reporting dress (Meldeanzug).
Notes:
1. SS-Kleiderkasse Katalog.. pp. 5.18.25 with Illustration.
2. See Appendil( 11.
3. Der AeichsluhrerSS.. SS-Selehl; Betrlfft: Feldgraue Uniform der
WaflenSS.Sicherheitspolizei und dcs SO.. Berlin, den 5 November 1940.
SS medical OU,ce.S who volunlwred for medical durlCS ar rhe llberaled concenuauon camp 31 Neuengamme. May 1945. The on lhe leh wears rhe 1944
mOdel hid unIform. The olflcer In rhe cenue (whose badges of On Ihe collar palch and shoulder straps do not maleh) wearS rhe 1943 modellleld blouse. lrOUSerS
and marching boots. The SS-Osluf. on the "ghl wears standard Ileld cap. tailor-made held blouse from Issue Quality cloth. and of1icer's breeches and boots.
27
SSOSlu1. Bohm(!r wea"nll 01her 'Bnh unrform cOflgralulale$ membe.s 0' lI.s
banahon. The SSSlabsscharfuh.el (Spoess) wears a most unusual wmle. head
dress. whrlo lhe 'esl 0' the me" weD' both panems 0' lhe 'reld cap. and
grealcoatS wnh eilher lhll dark g,een 0< "eldgrey colla.
28
Mantel
Greatcoat
The orrglnal earthgrey greatcoat was Identical In cut to the black one. and
tlad an earth grey collar which was piped in tllack and aluminium tWisted
cord until August 1940. Shoulder straps and collar patches were always
worn. but not the national emblem.
Introduction of the fleldgrey unifOlm was accompanied by a m;;Jtchlng
regu!atron almy gleatcoat With dark blUlshgreen collar. ThiS IS confirmed
by the December 1939 dress regulations which stated that the WaffenSS
greatcoat was to relam liS eXIsting CUI but have a dalk green collaL
l
Both the
SS and army paltern greatcoats we/e wom SIOO by SIde. With or Without
collar cord and patches. until the old earthgrey model was weaned In
March 1941. iI For the rest of the war. and until the Introduction of the standard
greatcoat. the WaffenSS wore tho army pattern greatcoat which al 11Ist
had a dark green and tater a lieldgrey collar.
28. Standard greatcoat.
l
In order to continue the standardlsa\lon of the uniforms of the armed
forces. a standard greatcoat IS tlereby Introduced.
DeSIgnation and an,cle number
Cloth greatcoat ... Arllclc No. B/87.
The old surcoat (Ubermantel) for drivers. andlhc old pallcrn cloth greatcoat
Will continue to be worn. EXisting Stocks Will be used up.
SSFHA/la
Fijhrermantel
Offlcel's greatcoat
By July 1935. the leibstandarte Adoll Hitler had been issued With earthgrey
uniforms. which Included an eanhgrey greatcoat wuh matching collar.
While cellaln officers drew Issue greatcoat from regimental stocks. others
wore privately tailOled army pallerns. with colla/ 01 slightly darker lace cloth
(Ablclchentuch). Both issue and plivalely made greatcoats had collar
patchcs. shoulder straps. and cuff-band. but at first the national emblem
appeared only on private coats. At this time the greatcoat collar was not
piped in tWisted cord. FollOWing army regulations. the colour of the greatcoat
collar gradually became darker. unlll it was a datk bluish-green.
The next step In the development 01 the officer's greatcoat came in 1937.
with the introduction of field grey. Once agam officers wore either issue
Notes:
1. See Appendix l.
2. V.Bl.d.w.SS.. Nr.4. 1 March 1940.ZilI.t21.
3. Ibid. Nr.2. 15 January 1944. Zifl.28.
greatcoats with appropllate InSIgnia. Of had them tailor made. The tallor-
made heldgrey SS office(s greatcoats differed !fom that 01 the army only
in its hall belt. The SS design was Idenllcal to that on the blacl( greatcoat -
being 5 cm wide and buttoning at each end The afmy half belt lorned III Ihe
middle where It was fastened with two buttons.
l
The Issue held grey SS
greatcoat was Iden!lcal to the army pattetrl. Collar patches. shoulder straps,
and cuUband was almost Inyarlably worn. whereas the national emblem
appeared only on some coalS.
With tile military deyelopment 01 the armed SS. there was a tendency to
follow army fashions In matters 01 dress. which led to the remoyal at coliar
patches Irom the greatcoat By the outbreal( of war. the Situation was prctly
muddled. Wilh officers weanng fleldgrey greatcoats With either matching
or dark green collars, either With or Without collar patches. so Ih,11 a number
of orders had to be ISSUed lhroughout the course 01 the war to clarity the
Situation. (See section on Issue greatcoats.)
SenlOI officers With the ranI( 01 SSOberfuhrer and above were allowed 10
wear the greatcoat w,th the tOp three butlons undone. thus elCpOSlng sllyer
grey lapels. In February 1941. holders of the Kmgh(s Cross olth& hon Cross or
Waf Serv,ce Class were also allowed to wear Ihe tOp two bUTtons undone
and to laid back the lapels so that any decoration - which was worn at the
neck - was Ylslble,' A comparatlYely common. but unoffICial practice. was
the wearing of twisted aluminium cord on the darl( green greatcoat collar
Accolding to Waffen-SS legulatlons all Inslgnl1l could be worn on the greal-
coat. allhough. for reasons already Slaled. there was a tendency to follow
army praCtice, and Ilmll the mSlgnla to shoulder straps. national emblem. and
cuffuand In addlllon to the regulation cloth gre3tcoat. officers were allowed
10 wear the follOWing exlra coats:
Regen-Wettermentel
Raincoat
ThIs fleld.grey raincoat was firSt Inuoduced In 1938. S ilnd could be purchased
and worn bv officers and senior N CO.s. The only InSignia offICially worn
on Ih,s coat were shoulder STraps During the war officers oflen unoffiCially
Wore the motOlcvclist's coat as a ramcoat.
ledermantel
leather greatcoat
The field-grey leather greatcoat was an extremely elCpenSlve elClra Item of
clOthing. which was purchased by lhe wearer. It was supposed to conform to
regulahon greatcoat cut. but many yaWlllons in colour and cut were worn
Again. shOUlder straps only wer' offiCially acceptable. but some officers
WOre all msignlil.
550g'uf. 1.1. Gen. d, W.55 D,el"ch With o " , c e r ~ of lhe 12.55.;>1. D,v. HIlIe'Jl.lgend. sprong
1944. D'emch wears a 'egulal,on lI'llilrC08t wlTn s,lver g,ey lapels and da'k green Colla'.
MOSI 01 lhe Olher oU,ce,s appea, to De weatlng Issue greatcoats. wh,le one has added
a fur collar.
29
....----.... Tragen der Spiegel auf dem Mantelkragen
Wearing of collar patches on the greatcoat collar
The wellllng of collar patches on Ihe g,ealcoat was nevel very uniform.
and the following Iou, o,ders were Issued In :m allempt la regularise the
situation.
le>-
,
1.0-
,
b
!
,
:0-
!
;
!
,
;
!
,
i
<;>
;
;
!
f
o! ' \ , , ~ \\1
i\
,."._-_-.l' ..~ . , __..~

231. Collar patches on the greatcoat collar.

The RelchsluhrerSS has Oldered Ihat collar patches wlIl be worn on Ihe
gteatcoat collal. as well as on the blouse. by all units of the Waffen-SS.
Collar patches must be put on Immediately The removal of collar patches
for reasons of camoullage may ontv be aulhotlsed by the RClchsfuhrerSS.
Kdo d.W.SS IVa
169. The wearing of collar patches on the greatcoat.'
With immedlale eltec!. and by order of the RFSS. the wearing of collal
patches on the gleatcoal must cease until further notice because of
shortage of raw materials
for Ihe sake of uniformity. this order does not onty apply to the manufacture
01 new collar palches lor grealcoats, bUI Ihose already on greatcoats
must be removed and used elsewhere.
Sgd. JUllner
SSGruf.u.Gen.Lt. del WaffenSS
37. The wearing of collar patches on the greatcoat collar."
The Relchsfuhrer-SS has orde,ed:
FollOWing the published order In Ihe V.Bl.d.W.-SS. No. 11 of 1 June 1942.
concerning Ihe wearing of collar patches on the g,ealeoa\. It is ordered
that collar patches Will be worn:
1. Bv the Alfgemeine SS on all gleatCOats
2. By the WaflenSS on all greatcoats With the exception of:
(a) Leather greatco:n (grey)
(b) Raincoat (Iubberlsed or impregnated fablic)
(c) Surcoat (for dlivers)
(d) Guard coat (fur)
(e1 Motorcychsts coat (rubbeflsed)
(f) Field greatcoat (Feldmantell
Standa,d llfCalCOa1.
30
2. The wearing of collar patches on the greatcoat.:
I Item (llUet) 37 01 the VBldW-SS. No, 3 or I Febfu;nv 1943 IS
hereby amended
2 On lhe grounds 01 (shoftage of) law nUlleuals colla. patches and lhe
cull-band will not In IUlule be worn on 'SSue 9reatcoalS (truppen
clg.enen Mantcln)
3 Collar patches and cull-bands may conllnue to be worn on all pllvate
greatcoats wl1h the exception 01 .
(a) Leathel greatcoat (9Iey)
(b) Ramcoat (rubberised or Impregnated fabriC)
(c) Surcoat (Ior drivels)
(d) Motor-cyclists coal (rubberised)
(e) Field grealcoa! (Fcldmanlel)
4 In the AlIgememe SS. collar patches and cuff-bands Will COnlmuc 10
be worn on all greatcoats.
SS-FHA/la
To summarise. Ihose possessmg their own p"vale greatcoats could conllnue
wcanng colla. patches. but Issue greatcoals we.e to have the collar palches
removed prior 10 Issue. and were to be worn wltnoutlnSlgnla. with lhe excep-
lion 01 shouldet straps In thIS connectIon II IS mlercstlng to note Ihal even
the SS Guaod Banahon. wtuch was drawn from lhe Lelbstanda,leSS "Adoll
Hitler". and whIch callHK! out guard dulles at the Relchs Chancellory ,n
Berlin. wore the greatcoal WIthout colla. palches.'
Notes:
1 Unllormen-Markt. Nr 4. 1940. p. 27 With Illustration
2 V.Bl.d.W.-SS . Nr.1. 15 January 1941. lllf 5.
3. SS-Bolehls-Blan. Nr.3. March 1938. lllt.ll.
4. V.Bl.dW.-SS.. Nr.IO. I October 1940. lifl 231,
5. Ibld Nr.. 11. I June 1942.lif1.169
6. Ibld Nr .. 3. 1 February 1943. lllf.37
7. Ibld Nr .. 1. 1 January 1945. lltl.2
8. Hamburger lIIustrleJ1e Nr 16. 17 April 1943. pp. 40) wtth IIIUSlratlons
31
TVPIC811SSll8 o'ev woollen and WllII wa'me,s. F,om one to IOIJ'
1H11I$ dflnote(l the Srl0 ollhe a,ucle. One nng waslhe
32
UNTERKLEIDUNG/WASCHE
(Underclothing)
Issue underclothing conSisted of Ihe following Items:
1. Brown shllt
2. Neckcloth or collar liner
3. Black [le
4. White undershill
5, White underpanls (Iong-Johns)
6, Braces
7. Pullover
8. Handkerclllels
9. Socks
10 Footwraps
1. Brown trlkol collaHl1lached shllt wllhout pockets. Replaced. together
wllh while undershut. by the new standard shirt In 1943.
.'!. The neckcloth was made of earthgrey or black COllon and was fastened
around the neck by a tro-strlng. It was designed to be worn In conJunc-
tion wllh the collarless white undershirt. and to give a neat appearance
when worn With the closed field blouse.
The collal liner was Issued Instead of the collarallached shirt or neck
c1oth.lt was allached 10 the inSide of the field blouse collal by five small
buttons sewn there for this purpose and enabhng easy removal for
washing. The hnel was while on the InSide (next to the neck) and field-
gleyorrush green on the outSide. When the field blouse was worn open at
the neck. the hner was buttoned so thal it followed the hne of the opening.
BOlh neckcloth and Irner were disconTinued after Ihe rntroductlon 01
the standard collarattached shlll.
3. The standald SS tlO was of black aruflcial Silk as woln With the black
se,vlce unilorm. It was only issued together WIth the blown shirt
4. The standald army Issue natural coloured aettex underslllft was Im
practical in the front-line because of lis conspICUOus cOlour and was
sometimes dyed green, It. too, was replaced by the standard shin.
5. LongJohns (or underpants) were made 01 natural Coloured wool or
COllOn. three-Qualter length. and tied at the rear 01 the waist and at
lhe legs With drawstlmgs, They did not stand up very well to the rigours
of continuous marching. so In September 1941 a speCial lining was made
available fOI the 'speedy and durable Improvement of underpants',
G. Fieldgrey elastiC braces With metal flllmgs and leather straps were not
issued aftef the IntroductIon of trousers wllh built In belt. Other ranks
were entitled to a pair per yeal.
7 Fleldgrey knitted woollen pullover with long sleeves and V-neck.
Pullovers wl1h turtle necks were also Issued late! In the wal.
9_ The grey knitted woollen socks had 1-4 bands at the top During the
second half of the war there was a tendency to wear the tapered trousers
(Keilhose) Inside socks and roll them over the top of ankle boots. ThiS
practice was forbrdden In August 1944.
10 In the Russian army footwrap clothS were. and still are. conSidered to
be a hrghly rmportant part of an Infantryman's kll. and far superior to
socks. bUl In the German army and Walfen-SS. they were only Issued rf
socks were not available. The footwrap cloth was square and folded
around the fool. Its advantages were that It d,dn't slrp down tIle foot as
socks tended to do. and could be re-positioned so that the sole of the
foot was always wrapped in a fresh and dry part of the cloth. ClothS
were eaSier to wash. dried qUIcker. and lasted longer than sacks
Officers"
1 Officers' brown shrrts for wear With the tuniC were made of poplin With
detached collar. White shuts were never worn With the field-grey tunic.
4 Officers' vests were made of natural coloured wool. cotton. Of aertal[.
and usually had short sleeves. For the Winter there were long-slecved
shifts With lined fronts.
5 Underpants were also made of wool or cotton. With an elastiC waist.
SpeCial re-inforced short- Of long-Johns In either light or heavyweIght
materials were wom lor riding.
The above Items were recommended by the SS Officers Clothing Counter.
but officers could purchase CIVilian underclothing If they wished. Later In the
war. shirts of almost any colour could be worn under the field blouse
Finally. In August 1943. a standard field-grey shllt was ordered to replace the
vallous types of shirt in use. The new pattern shut was manufactured In
vallous materials and colours. but tIle most typical were field grey Irlkot Of
aerlel[. Although the introductory orders clearly stale that the special badges
a! lank were 101 wear on clothing Without shoulder straps. some shrrts were
manufactured With loops for the shoulder straps. and shoulder sHaps were
qUlllt commonly worn on lhe shirt.
335. Shirt with collar attached.It
, Instead of the brown trlkOI shift. and wtme undershlrlS. a grey green
Collar attached shirt Will be introduced.
DeSlgnal10n and article number:
Collar-attached shin .. ArtIcle No. B/415
This shirt Will be supplied as and when ready. There IS no pOint If.
making applications for preferential delivery. Other types of shirt are
to be worn out.
Top Issue colla' lItlacrle<! b,own woollen sh"l.
BOllom Issue cOlla' allactled !Ieldg'ey aenex sh,n.
33
In summer, clOttl gaiters or puttees, and In Winter canvas gailers wdl be
worn with the Keilhose,
Motor-cyclists, official pillion, but not sidecar passengers, and N,C.O.s
and men in engineer units and guard ballalions Will retam their marching
boots.
Kdo,d,W,-SS/la
Nearly all new foolwear was issued In lIS naluralleather colour, and was then
stained and polished by the recipient. In peacetime only the best pair of
boots was actually polished. while field boots were lust blackened and left
With a dull finish, In 1944. the blacking of Issue footwear was forbldden.
a
Officers
With service dress (Le, breeches) officers worc high black riding-type boots.
wtllch were privately purchased and thus not of standard pallern. Some had
plain tops, others had various kinds of straps and buckles around the top to
prevent the boot slipping down the calf: boots were either suff or soft.
Like everything else during the war. boots became increasingly scarce, so
that regulations governing the wearing of boots were generally relaxed In
August 1943 Waffen-SS officers were ordered to wear long trousers and
ankle boots al all occasions allended by other ranks. With undress uniform
(I e. long lrousers) officers wore either black or lacquered leather laceup or
elastiC Sided ankle bOOIS or shoes.' I n action and as war progressed, Issue
marchmg footwear was Increasingly worn WIth long field-grey trousers by
CQmpany and field officers.
Spurs
Officers wore variOUS types of spurs with different orders of dress, With
service dress, officers with the rank of SS-HauptsturmfLihrer and above wore
rust-proof, nickel plated spurs with straps and buckles, With either a straight
or slrghtly curved neck and eUher a sharp or dumb (non-spIked) rowel
With undress unrlorm they could wear speCial screw spurs With straight neck
and dumb rowel or plain (huntmg) neck For dancmg thele were speCial
SCrew dancing spurs {Tanzsporenj,e
Although the high black boot (contemptuously mrsnamed 'jackboot' by
the enemies 01 Germany) became one of the hated symbols of NaZI militar-
rsm, there IS a touch of Irony m the suspicron that the Germans would them
selves have held the boot In disrepute after the war on the grounds that rts
strff shaft caused varicose veins!
Top Slanda'd ma'ch,ngl>ool (Knooolbeche' 0' 'd,ce s h a ~ e r ' ) w,lh hrgh shalt.
BOl1om: Standard laceup ankle l>oor wh,ch graduallv replaced Ihe cosllv 'dice shake,'.
35
Canvas and Italller g"I., lor wee' wtllltlle e l l ~ l e 0001.
36
It was obvIous that many SS officers clanked around In SPUIS and leath'
l
posterlOI relnlorcement to thell bleeches with no aspirations In horsemanshl[
nevertheless, throughout Its short history there were many SS orders COl
cernlng the wearing of spurs. Finally, In June 1943. Hlmmler Issued t ~ ~
follOWing order
217. Tho wearing of spurs.:
The RClchsluhrer has ordered
ThaI In the whole SS - Allgcmelne. Wallen. and Pohzel - only members fll
mounted or hOlse drawn units may wear spurs If they arJ authorised to (\"
so In the relevant regulations
All other members at Ihe SS and police. oU,cers. N C Os and men of tl .}
Allgemerne-SS. Watlen-SS. Order and Secullty Police may only we.1
spurs when gOing to fide. while rid109. and on 10turnlng from riding
SSFHA!11
In add,tion to spurs, there was an adjustable black leather strap (Marschflemer I
thal fl\1ed under the InSlep. and around the ankle, 'I prevented movement I
lhe foot InSide the bool when marching.
Gamaschen
Gaiters
When leather became scarce In November 1939 the marching bOOI had to l<!
replaced IOf economic reasons, In July 1942 a standard lace-up anklc bOI t
was issued In place of the marching boo!. 10 be worn wllh canvas gano1;
In Wlnler and punces In summel. The gaiters. made of field-grey or olive
green canvas Wl\h enher black 01 brown leathel fittings and blndmg. were
almost Identical to those Issued to the 8f1tlsh army The garter was not J
popular innovation and was given a numbel of disparaging names. such <1-';
'dog blanket' and 'retreat gaiters". With utmOSI cunning Ihe German soldl!'
tfled to relaln hiS marching boots for as long as pOSSible
In summel 1943 there was a COnespondence between Hlmmler's adJutall
and the head 01 DepartmenT B. SS-8ngal Lamer concemlng Stynan galler i
(5lelflsche Ubergamaschen) Hlmmler had approved 01 them. and want I
them tested In the field b\( SS-GebllgsOlVlslon Nord. It IS not clear from 11 <!
correspondence I1 they were fOf Ihe exclUSive use of mountain Troops. or tl '
whole SS, nOf IS there any descllpI,on 01 Illustration of the gallors In questIon
but It IS Ihoughtlhal Ihey are the ones Illustrated on p 51. which appear 11
man\( Wallen-SS photographs
Abschlussbander
Puttees
German putlees were made of an elasllcated cloth and were 73 cm long and
8 cm Wide With a 20 x 2} cm strap and patent buckle
Wearing of gaiters and puttees
Gaiters were worn over the top of the ankle or ski boot and bonom of the
trousers and fastened by two leather straps and metal buckles on the outside
so that the straps faced Ihe rear. The coneet method of folding the trouser leg
was to grasp the back and fold It to the front on the inSide. ThiS was to pfevent
the insides of the trouser legs rubbing togelher and wearing out.
A popular habit was the rolling of socks outside the trouser leg and over the
top of the ankle or ski boot. but this was finally forbidden In August 1944."
Notes:
1. V.Bl.dW.SS.. Nr.13. 1S November 1940. Zlff. 335.
2, Ibid. Nr.13. 1 July 1942. Ziff.220.
3, Ibid. Nr.l0.15 May 1944. Ziff.233.
4. SSPrelsliste, Gultig ab 1 November 1940. p. 41 with illustrations.
5, Ibid.
6, lb'd.
7. V.BI.d.W.-SS.. Nr.12. 1S June 1943, Zllf.217.
8. Ibid. Nr.15. 1 August 1944. Zilf.'l33.
TARNBEKlEIDUNG
Camouflage c10lhlng
The deSign. development. and manufacture of ctothlng made from a fabrrc
on which a camouflage pallern had been printed was the most 01l9inal of all
SS IIlnovatlons in the field of uniform and equipment. and was to have an
enormous IIlfluence on wartime and post-war uniform development. Today
most armies In thc world wear same form of camouflage clothing.'
Camouflage clothing was tested III Ihe field by SSStandarte Deulschland
in December 1937 and January 1938. and In June 1938. after further in-
vestigation bv the Reich Patent Office. a patent in respect of each item of
clothing was granted to the NSDAP ReichsfuhrerSS. By 1 November 1938
Weidinger in his history of the Das Relch division attributes the Initiative
for the design and development of camouflage clothing and equipment
to the commander of the Aufklarungs-Abtcilung/SS-VT. SS-Stubal.
Dr.lng.Brand\. Responsibility for the manufacture of prototypes and
initial delivcries rested with OtlO Schick. and it was proposed that
he and hiS assistant should be found a post in the inspectorate of the
SS-VT. Hausser pOinted out that It was unlikely that the army (OKH)
Would agree. since it was working on standard camouflage clothing
for the army and air force. Hausser thought it would be easier if Schick
and his assistant were given an SS post outside the inspectorate."
The l,rSI patte,n SS C4moull81le j8ckel 8nd helmel
cOVe! bt"ng worn In France, 1940.
37
.- -' -

,,-'--"------------- --.:.,:- -- -:;.::---./
38
quanlltY produclion of camouflaged groundsheets. steel helmet covers an,j
face masks was already undef way I
On 27 Janua!Y 1939. SS-Bflgaf. Hausser reported to the chief of the SS.
Hauptamt that despite great difficulties In obtaining suffiCient quanlllies t I
waterproof cotton duck. and the fact that pflntlng on the matellal had to 0\1
carried out by hand. 8.400 camoul!age groundsheets and 6.800 helllltt
covefS had already been supplied to the SS-VerfUgungs\lUppe. It was hoped
thal the remainder would be supplied by April 1939 Hausser added that ha
thought 11 adVIsable to Issue 20 camouflage jackets per company fOI aSSllU t
HOOP training The face masks he found unusable."
Camouflage clothing was used spallngly dUflng the Polish campargn.
and. probably due to Hausser"s suggestion. was only Issued 10 ilssaull
trOOps. but thiS new SS InnOVation dId nOt go unnoticed by the army.
parently GenerJ(major Werner Kempf. In a report to the Oberkommando
des Heeres. praised the camouflage groundsheets and helmet covers used 1;;1
SS-Standane Deutschland while under hiS command. At the request of thl
OKH the SS agreed to send a sample of the groundsheet and helmet cover t::l
OKH Section In.6. at the Bendlerstrasse. Bellin.' The arnw. howevel. did nut
Inaoduce camouflage clOIhlng until 194213. and the only other branch of the
armed fOlces to make extenSive use of SS camoulfage clothing was the
all-force General GOllng Regiment (later. Hermann Goring DiVISion).
By June 1940 the tedium 01 hand plinting had been superseded by tl e
rolter pllnllny press. and the lollowlng Quanlllies of camoullage jackets IId d
been delivered:
SSVerfUgungsDivlslon 10.900
LClbstandane SS Adolf Hitler 3.000
SSTolenkopfDivlslon 9.000
SS-Pollzel-D'VlSlon 9.500
By September delivery of a further 30.000 jackets was anticipated. but thiS
would use up the peacetime stock of material. The reqUired quanlltY vI
camouflage Jackets had been determined by the fact that only field unllS
(diVISions) wele to be equipped wllh them. but It was then ordered that tl e
SS Death's Head leglments wele also to receive them. It was hoped. however.
that 75% of the Death's Head regiments' requirements could be supplied
from the 30.000 jackets delivered by September 1940.
The big problem. even at thiS early date. was raw material supply. Apparentl.,..
thc SS war requllcment for waterproof cotton duck had been liKed by It e
OKH at 42.300 metres pef month. but thiS was only sufliclent for 8.
9foundsheets. 6.000 camouflage Jackets. and 14.000 steel helmet cover,
I1 groundsheets were nOI Included. then 18.300 sets of jackets and helm.t
covers could be produced Pohl hoped 10 overcome this deflcll by gelling a
liuger allocation out 01 the raw matellal ofllce at Ihe OKH. and he was
confident thal I1 he hi,ld sulllClerll mi,llerli,ll. i,lny quantity 01 camouflage nems
could be mi,lnulactured because pllnllng i,lncl presented no problems. I
The Orlgmi,ll helmet cover. Jacket. i,lnd lace mi,lsk were followed In June
1942. by a camoullage pe<lked !reld cap. and In January 1943 by a camouflage
r:ombmallon lor armoured vehicle crews. On 9 Januafy Pohl repolled thi,ll I1
was now no longer possible 10 use Ihe high quall1y COllon duel:: for camouflage
uniforms. and 111 luture the Wa!lenSS would have 10 make do will I drill
rnaterlal. which had no waterproofing qualities As 11 happened. even drill
matclli,l1 was In short supply. and atthough sulllclcnt for the manufi,lcture 01
camouflage Jackets for the combat strength 01 mUShng diVISions. no law
matellals 01 any kmd would be available for other kmds of ci,lmouJlage
clothing In lact the Jackel was also from drill matenal Irom
\ 944 until the end 01 tl,e war
C.mouflege pltterns tsee reer end peperl
As already deSCribed. the ci,lmoullage patteHl Wi,lS flfst hand Pllnted. then
,oiler printed In averi,lge four colours The desrgn valled conSiderably and the
generi,ll tendency dUllng the war was lor an II1creasmgly spotted deSign m
lighter Shades. Earlier Ci,lmoullage uniforms tended to be much darker thi,lf1
laler ones
Most camouflage garments made f!Om waterproof Imen duck were pllnted
on bolh Sides. and lhe articles made from thiS mateflal wele reverSible.
which was not the case With unllorms made from dflll mi,llenat On one SIde
the deSign was predomll1antly green for wear during Hle seilson of milXlmum
foliation. whilst on tile reverse It was In vallQUS shades of blown for use In
autumn. Winter. and early SPlll1g. There WilS no Slgm!lcilnt reason for the
difference between one camouflage panern and anotheL To suggest. as do
some Post-war publications. that cerlaln units had speclat deSigns. or Ihi,l!
speCial patterns were deSIgned to blend With speCifiC regions In which
operations were to take place - or as two BlIllsh writers suggested In a recent
publication on WatlenSS uniform. that 'there was i,l speCial brlck" pattern
lor wear In predomrnantly bUilt up afCas - a!1llbutes almost supelhuman
organ,sauoni,ll ability to Ihe supply SCIVlces 01 the Walfen-SS.
Jacket
The lacket was a smock-like. revelslble. pullovel garment I1 had no collar.
and was gathered at the neck. wrists, and waist With elastiC, The Ilfst pallern
had no pockets. but two vertical openrngs 111 front. above Ihe Wi,lISI. whIch
gave the wearer access 10 hiS Ileld blouse. which was worn underneath.
Wartime modtllcallons to the smock were to sew loops In threes to the Iront
SS NC.O. wcallng a steel helnlel Wllh camouflage cover.
39
Group Of WaU",,"SS Offoee<S eonfer"ng.o th(t r,&Id, ltIey wea, f ~ s t pattern camouflage
helmem COVOIS and smocks At ngnt. I'IOle llle applied ~ r sleeve raok badge.
OllI'lOI'ng a company olfice,

,
"

..,
,

-
'"
r
.'.
.,
~
""
"

,,>;
,
A WafleoSS IIreoad,el wea"oll the herfl0llbooe Iw,11
eamouf. d,,11 urulo<m Hungary. August 1944 IBundesarcluv)
0' the shoulder and upper outside sleeve. and replace lhe vertical openings
with IWO side pockets with buttoned flaps. below the waist, Some photo-
graphs taken lOwards the end of the war show whal appears to be a smock
with a collar. but this was In fact the collar of the camouflage field blouse
worn underneath lhe smock dUflng the summer.
The jacket was worn in many dltlerent ways. Some personnel tucked lhe
cutis and skirt of the jacket inSide the elastiC at the WIlSt and waist. but In
cold weather It was often worn on lOP of the greatcoat. The jacket appears
to hllVe been the only camouflage uniform which scems never to have been
worn with insignia An example In the lmperJal War Museum. london. IS
made 0' camouflage dnll mateflal and modllled by a Zip fastener filled In front
and the culls removed jusl below the elastiC. It ceased to be manufaclured In
January 1944 with the InlrodUCIIOn of Ihe camoullage drill blouse.
Steel helmet cover
The reverSible steel helmet cover In camouflage material for wear on the 1935
model steel helmet bcgan to be Introduced In 1939.
s
It was atlached to thc
helmct by threc rust-proof. spring-loaded, double,slded metal cliPS, Helmct
covers made from 1942 onwards often had loops sewn onto the fron\. top,
and back of the cover. to hold foliage. The cover was sometimes worn on lls
ov,," as an ImproVised camoul/age head-dress.
Fece mask
The lace mask was one 01 the original Itcms 01 camouflage eqUlpmenl which
had undcrgone !fIals belore the wal and was pronounced useless by Hausscr
In 1939.
1
Since Quanlll1es had alfeady been manufactured It was decldod to
Issue them In Apfl11942.
134. New introduction of the camouflaged face mask."
In order 10 complete Ihe camouflage of men, and In addition to the eXlsllng
camouflage clothing (jacket and helmet cover) a camoutlage face mask
Will be inlfoduced.
DcllvelY la the diVISions and brigades. elc. 01 the WaffenSS will follow.
Indents from lhese units for up 10 30% of the lighting strength. for the time
being. must be senl to the SS,WlrtschaftsYcrwaltungs-Hauptamt.
BerhnLlchtcdeldeWesl. Unter den Elchen 129
For !raining purposes each company of Ersatz unllS Will be enlllled to Iwo
face masks. SS-FHA/Aml IV
Tho face mask was baSically a series of strings which were filled to an elastic
ated strap, At the bonom the Strings wC/e woven together. so thal thcv formed
a CUlIaln which hung in front of the face. The mask was usually worn on ,he
Steel helmet. and when not In use was eithel thrown back over the helmel or
hung round the neck.
41
Top FUll "rnoutJ.ige "eld "Po
BonOI'll C.mouflage f.-Id cap W1lh ",gut.llon 1n5'O"1I.
42
III SS SIM1dIflentultre. Ind 01 the 12 SSpz _ 0
HltleflU{)e1lO. welt"'ll' blouse mMle lIomltlllln clmounage male'
Field cap
In June 1942. a camouflaged field cap was mtroduced :
170. Introduction of a camouflaged field cap for troops.
The RelchsluhrerSS has ordered the mlloductlon 01 a camouflaged flckl
cap fo' Ileld units The cap IS to be worn without mSlgnla.
Delivery can begm at the end 01 May Kdod W SS/Ia
The cap was made 01 wate'plool duck. and could be worn wIth elthe' the
autumn Of summe' pattem on the outsKie. although the sweat band of the cap
was sewn on the autumn SIde
432. Camouflaged field cap.
By o,der Relchsfuhrer-SS. the held cap WIll In lutufe be worn with
InStgnla ExIsting caps Without InStgma muSt be WOIn OUt
SSFHNla!IV
n> s necessitated the manutacture of specIal InStgma which wele woven In
blOW'n ilrtlllclat silk thread 101 the autumn. and brIght gleen thread lor the
$I.lmme, paltern The background 01 lhe Inslgma remained black Thete we,e
othCl' Items of clothmg and equipment made from camouflage matelOals
but these WIll be dealt WIth under Ihelr ,especltve sect,ons as lollows:
Gloundsheec. EQUIpment
CombmallOfl fOf tank Clews. Tank umfOlm
QI,U unllolTTl, 01111 unllOlm
01111 umlOlm 101 tank Clews. Tank unllOlm
WJnte, umlOlm. Wintel umlOlm
P;tfachute smock Palachute umfolm
Non-regulation camouflage uniforms
The,e ale a lew lecorded Instances of WallenSS troops wearing camouflage
unIforms. other Ihan lhe standard Walfen-SS panem In June 1944 Hlmmlel
VISIted SSFlerwllllgen DIVISIon GallZtefl m lIamlng al Helde1a9C" Photo-
glaphs of thiS V'Slt show Uksalnlan volunteers weaflng 81my camouflage
smocks and SS camouflage helmel COVCl'S -In 1944 large quantllles 01 camou-
flage umfomlS In German cut. but manufactured Irom Italian camoullage
mateflal. appealed In Normandy There were also Isolated cases of WalfenSS
Personnel wearing Umted States camouflage SUIts In NOlmandv
Notes:
1 J G Quo Sch,ck an den Relchsluhrel'SS Beu.: Abschluss der
Arbelten lur die Tarnausruslung . Munchen. den I November 1938.
2 Del Inspckteur del SSVT. SS-Bllgal Hausser an den Chef des
SSHauptamles. Inspcktlon der SS-VT Betr.. Tarnausrustung zu
.....mbe<$ 01 Itw SS HeornwelT' D.n;rog _I"'" lhe c:oIou,MI heom"QlbOlle Iwtll
dull uno.torm. NOM -'to lne SS Pll1em ......etJOong liupporl"'ll. Au9uli1 1939
De! Relchsluhrer-SS. PCl'soohcher Stab Tgb NrAR/1938/1 Wa./Lu
vom 13 1238 Belrlln. den 27 January 1939.
3 Dct Chef des Beschallungsamtes-SS. SS-Oberl. Gartner an SSStal
Dlesterweg. Hauptabtellung IX/2. BellIn. den 8 Novembel 1939.
4. SS-GIUI Pohl. Chel des V.u W Hauptamtes an den Relchs!uhler
Betr Tarnlackcn. Tarnschume und Tflppelwagen.. Berltn. den (7)
June 1939
5 SSOglul u Gen d W.-SS Oswald Pohl an den RelchslUhler-SS
Belr . Benchl Ubel dlC Rohstofllage au! dem Splnnstofl-und
LedCfgcolel.. Berlin. den 9 January 1943.
6. V.Bl.dW.SS.. Nr.8. 15 Aprt11942.llff 134.
7. Ibid. Nr.11. 1 June 1942. Zlft.170.
8. Ibid. Nr 23.1 December 1942. Zlfl.432.
9. Die Woche. NI.23. 7 June 1944. p. 5.
43
Tile rusll ",elm dull un,torm beln9 wo,n bV Bosn,an ,n Till! WaUllnSS.
Janus,., 11144.
44
ARBEITSANZUG/DRILLlCH
(Working and doll uniform)
Al the outbleak of war the armed SS had two basIc patterns of drill un,form
The fust was the SS-YerfugungstlUPpe one consls!lng of a field blouse and
long trousers. Identical In cut to the field-grey SS field blouse and trousers
but made of a cement coloured herrlngbone twill (Drillichstolt) The field
blouse was filled with detachable buttons. shoulder strap loops. and wa\
worn with shoulder straps nallonal emblem. and collar patches Alter the
beglnnmg of the war. thiS blouse was often worn dUllng the summer as a
summer UnlfOfln
W,th me very rapid expans.on of the Waffen-SS 10 t 939---40 It was necessa,-.
to Issue large auar\lllieS of unbleached natural coloured linen hefllngbon..
Twrll. as used In The German ,HOlY. The Jacket had five detachable bunons In
trant and two flapless SIde patch pockets No Insignia was IOtended to be
worn on thiS Jacket The trousers were the same as thel' cloth counterpafl_
Durlllg the war ,he unbleached drill Uniform was considered totally Impractical
because of ItS colour. and " was either dyed rush green or replaced by onr>
made of rush green IlOen hemng-bone tWIll ThiS wartime working unlfon"
ulcluded either the Wallen- SS palleln Sctlllfchen or the standard field cap
made of the same material They differed from cloth models Insofar as neuhel
cap had a separate flap which could be lowered The standard field cap
Idenllcal to the one made of camouflage matellill
Watt,me experience and lhe need to standardise Walfen-SS uniform brougl1l
aboul lhe Introduction of iI combrned summer field serVice and working
unltorm
99. Camouflaged drill uniform.'
To utilise fronthne experience. a camouflaged drrll uniform consisting of-
Drill blouse .. Article No B/40
Drill trousers .. A'llcle No B1l7!
IS rntroduced as a camouflage and working uniform
On those drrll blouses In the same cut as the clott, field blouse. the ranK
badges for Items of clothing Without shoulder straps (according to
V.Bl.dW.-SS.. Nr.4. 15 February 1943. Zrlf63.) are to be worn 0.5 cm
under the natiOnal emblem.
Collar patches are not to be worn.
Existing types 01 drill uniform as well as the camouflage jacket are to be
dIscontinued EXISllng stocks may be used up.
SS-FHA/la
This uniform was made of unbleached tWill on which the camouflage pattern
had been printed on one Side only. and was therefore not reversible. Insignia.
other than the nOhonal emblem and special rank badges. were nOI Intended
to be worn on the blouse. but there were Instances 01 shoulder straps and other
inSignia appearing.
\. V.BI d.W.-SS.. Nr.5. 1 Malch 1944.llll.99
SS-SPORTBEKlEIDUNG
SS Sports clothes
SPOilS clothes were pulchased from the RZM belole the wal. but soon altel
the oUlbreak 01 Will stocks were reserved lor officers and UnitS ot the Wallen-
SS. who held stocks of SPOilS clothmg whIch was ISSUed as and when
lequlfed and letulned altel use Those members of the Wa/fen-SS who had
been ISSUed WIth SPOilS clothing belole the war continued 10 use it. In 1941.
WaffenSS troops In Greece used spoilS clolhmg as tropICal dress. Instead 01
theIr fleldgrey fIeld UnlfOlm.
SS sports clothing conSisted oflhe lollowlng Items:'
Shorts. saun. black
Vest. with SS badge. white
Tramlng Jackel. WIth SS badge. black
Tramlng trousers. black
SS badge for Fencing Jacket
SpoltS shoes. natural colour. leather
The same Items are listed In the MarCh 1941 SS puce Itsl. but the ltalnlng
lacket and trousers are desc..bed as blue." SpoilS shoes were mcluded as part
01 the wafllme ISSue schedule In September 1940."
Notes:
I SS-Prelshste. Apul 1939. p. 3.
2 Ibld.. p 3
3. V.Btd W SS . Nr 8. 5 Septembel 1940.llff 45.
VARIATIONS ON THE STANDARD FIELD SERVICE UNIFORM
1. Cavalry or hors. drawn units.
In addition to tong trousers. mounted personnel were ISSued With a pall of
field-grey clOlh breeches WIth seat and InSide leg letnfolced Wl1h grey leather.
In place of drrll trousers. they received drrll breeches. In October 1943'
standard riding breeches on both cloth and tw,ll wele intrOduced. whICh had a
bUilt-In cloth bel\, Side and h.p pockets WIth buttons and a fob pocket With
lIap. and lour boil loops at the wa.st. Instead of marching boots. mounted
personnel rece.ved a pair of lidlng boots complete wl1h SpUIS. Laler in the
The 1944 umoultage droll in<! summer loeld servICe uniform.
45
SS ,n RussIa 1941. It Wil'j; common IlrICl>ee 10 lUoCk the culls .nd
sklfl 0111!41 camou",ge stnQCl( uoder lhe .1,urH; ill The _,sI and WIISI.
46
- - '.
Gl
--..
T
IF
-',--..
.. (il

f
I
\
I
I
\
'l

(
\
!
\
,1
\
:/
, :,.
war mounted personnel made increaSing use of ankle boots with puttees or
gaiters for training on foot
2. Artillery and Flak (axe!. Panzarjagar (anti-tank) and Sturm-
geschutz (self-propelled gun) personnel).
Artillery men wore standard field grey uniform of the WalfenSS. or with
varrallons for mounted personnel, If they were serving In horse drawn unIts.
During the course of the war varIOUS kinds of overalls were worn In action
Ind on maintenance work. In September 1942 anti-aircraft gun crews were
,ssued with black overalls.'
308, Protective clothing for anti-aircraft gun crews.
For anti-aircraft gun crews serving wl\h Ileld Units a two-piece overall
consisting of -
Protective jacket. black. drill
(Manufacturer's code 8/307)
Protective trousers, black. drill
(Manufaclurer's code 8/308)
IS 10 be Introduced.
Field unit requirements must be forwarded via clothing channels.
Kdo,dW. SS/la
3, Engineers
Engineers also wore standard fieldgrey uniform (8lack special clothing
If crews 01 armoured vehicles in PanzerPioniere units). bUl because of thclf
speCialised tasks lhey wore many kinds 01 protective clothing and equipment.
such as rubber waders for bridge building and hie jackets lor crossing rivers:
these articles were nel1her clothing or personal equipment but technical
apparatus Issued for the task in hand.
4, Mountain units
Belore the war great importance was attached to the training of SS personnel
In mountainous regions and winter sports, lor which purpose the follOWing
black, (Ior Allgemeine-SS) and earthgrey (for SS.Verlugungstruppe) ski
clothing had been introduced In 1938:
1
Ski cap. gabardine. black or earth-grey
Ski blouse. gabardine. black or earth-grey
Ski trousers. gabardine. black or earth grey
Puttees
Before the war ski clothing was issued to personnel only for the duration of
training. then returned to stales, but in 1940 WaflenSS units serving in
Norway were already being issued with suitable clothing and equipment lor
wear in mountainous regions.
The black overall for crews of anl'aIJcrah guns. Russ,a Wlnler 19423,
47
I1 IS nOI mtended here to deSCribe the elfaclluncllon and manulaclure 01 every
arllcle IIsled above. since this would reqUire a manual on mounlamee"ng.
so It IS only pos.slble 10 desc"be lhose Items 01 clothing whICh dlflered
conSiderably from standard patlefn. EQUipment Will be COveted In the sectIon
dealing With that subject
2. In the above IIsllng.the mounlain cap IS Included In adchtlOn 10 the fIeld
cap (Schlflchen). because 011 the lime It was SIIU classlhed as an Item
of special clolhlng for wear when mountaineering. It had nOI yet become
a dlsl'nctlVe head-dress. Being an ISSue Item I1 was ldenllcal for all
ranks. although officers could buy elClfa caps of supenor Quality. ollen
With aluminium pIping around the crown and on lhe front 01 the flap.
The Ileld cap was worn In barracks and on "eld ualmng when the steel
helmet was not specified In March 1941 the mountain cap was offiCially
recogmsed as a dlstmctlV1t head-dress.'
A"icle
A2. Bread bag
43. Bread bag strap
44 Mess-11n
45. Ealing Implements
46. Idenllly disc with cord
47. Ousl and sunglasses
48. Towel
49 Carrying slfaps for
50 Sleel side hooks
51. sewing bag
52. Cleamng bl'Ushes. set
(W) - Issued only In winter
Quantity
1
1
1
I
I
I
I
2
4
1
1
... llooP o"cers In TypoQI Wf'\ItCe dress 19.3. Three of the offlCel'l _ sl.
"OUMI'I. wh,-' I.... _ If' llle IO'IOddlol _.-s f)Ivs Iou<s and kn,ned woollen 1OC'ks. I1 IS
.....eresllng 10 noM 1Nl lour ill ups be... L-A _ "'''0...1
emblem...cl "n"" .....ad on '.onl SS edelwe>u on lhe !eh. dUI,,'i ....ad on
Ironl ....Iat mv todelwerss 01\ left. met.l1 In Ironl. _ dUI"'.
head lA "On! _Ad 110...1 emblem on llIe ..1t.
306. SS Mountain c.p.
The AelChsfUhrerSS has authorised all members of
SS-Geb.rgs-OlvISlon Nord and SSF,elw,Ulgen-Oivislon Prinz Eugen
10 wear the mountain cap.
The AelChsfuhrerSS has forbidden all officers. N.C.O.s and men m Olher
uruts hom weanng Ihe mounlain cap.
Kdo.dW.SS/la
49
SS mOUOla,,'1 t'oops wnh heav,lv loaded ,uckucl:s aod the specIal laf9c capacIty
wale, bOllle.
50
But In Septembe, 1943 it was decided to introduce a standard field cap lor
the whole Waflen-SS. 10 be modelled on the mountain cap. and it was there-
lore necessary to preserve Ihe special idenllty of Wallen-SS mountaIn troops
by the Introduc\lon. In OClober \943. of the cloth edelweIss fOI wear on the
leh side of the standard Ileld cap and mountain cap. (For detaIls 01 the
insignia and melhod 01 weallng see Vol. 7 of the p,esent series.)
3. In wintel a white knitted woollen cover was WOln over Ihe mountain
cap. and ,n the forests of Lappland the steel helmet cove' was worn
either on tOP of Ihe mountain cap or on liS own as camouflage head-
dress. and thIS practice may well have been responSIble for the introduc-
tion of a camouflaged lield cap latel in the war. I
4. The a'my pattern wind cheater is Included In the above listing. although
photographs of 11 being worn by Walfen-SS personnel have not so lar
come to light. ThiS double-bfeasted. lO-button. olive green calico
jackel. had two slantIng pockets wIth buttoned Ilaps above the waist.
and two patch side pockets with centre pleats and buttoned flaps.
It had a half belt at the back with two buttons. and the cuffs could be
fastened tightly around the wrist by means 01 a tab and button. All
bUllons. e_cept those 101 the shoulder straps. which were In metal.
we(e either horn or plastiC. Only inSlgnra normally worn on this garment
were the shoulder straps.
5. Field-grey mountain trousers were cut wider in the leg than standard
long trousers. and were relntorced in the seal. The trouser legs were
fastened at the ankle by dfawstrmgs and held If'Islde the mountaIn boot
by foot straps. In 1943 mountain trousers we'e gradually replaced
by the new Keilhose. 'I Popular with mountaineers were the non-
regulation Climbing I,ousers or knickerbockers. which were buckled
just undor the knee and worn with long woollen socks.
6. The snow smock or shirt was a loose fllUng slngle-b,easted undyed
cottOn smock. deSIgned to be wo," over the normal uniform and equip-
ment as camouflage in snowy terrain. I1 was litted with a hood and
collar. and had \Wo vertical slies above the waist to enable the wearer
to reach hiS blouse pockets or ammunition pouches. Bultons were
standard metal pattern wllh malt-white finish.
8. Canvas mlllenS with leather palms and wrist stfaps were used In con-
junction with woollen gloves 10 improve insulation and keep the gloves
,,,.
9. Boots had a specially designed lace-up ankle and thick studded soles fOI
climbing and skiing. Many olticels and mountaineers wore thei, own
privately purchased mountain lootwear. whIch did not conform la
any standard pal1ern. Mountaineers also wore special rock climbing
canvas ankle boots with rope or felt soles.
la. Wrist warmels were made of field-grey. baUle green or grey knllle<!
wool. and were 10 cm long and open al both ends. They were deSIgned
to seal all the sleeve at the WflSt to exclude draughts and prOtect the
wrist where the sleeve and glove jOined.
49 On the outside ollhe field blouse at waist level. lour sets 01 three (later
two) holes can be seen In IIont and at the back. These were deSigned to
take a metal hook 01 special deSIgn. which on the inSide was attached
to a labrlc strap whICh fOlnled part 01 the blouse IImng. The stlap was
deSIgned to take a hook. and dlSlflbute the lully loaded weight 01 the
wa,st beltthrooghoulthe shoulders of the Ileld blouse.
50 Mountain troopS were olten called upon to carry considerable weights
and 'I was lound necessary to reinforce these labrlc straps by two
94 cm long webb,ng ones (Trol969une). The metal hooks were attached
to lhe ends 01 the straps. whIch were then worn Ovel the shoulder inside
the blouse. By supporting the hooks lhe straps transferred the burden
to the wearet's shoulders and thus relieved lhe sualn on the bloose.
The following Items ale known 10 have been ISSUed. subsequent to these hSTS.
At lhe end 01 1942 a new anorak and overalls began to replace the ..... ,nd
cheater In the almy. and was soon ISsued to Waffen-SS personnel. The anorak
and overalls were made 01 a spec,al revelSlble layon. while on one s,de and
tan or rush green on the other. wh,ch had excellent watelproollng qualities
when wet and good ,nsulatlOn when dry
Initially ne'ther puttees nor gallels appear to have been worn by WaflenSS
mountain troops. and the trousers were held Insrde the mountilln boot by a
footsllap. Eventually shorl elasllcated army Style puttees (Wickelgamaschen)
wele ,ssued (measuung 73 x 8 cm. With a 20; x 21 cm strap) which secured
trousers aM top oflhe boot and gave added ankle support. Meanwh,le the
WatfenSS was developing liS own ""pe 01 gaiters based on the old Austrian
army 'Styrlan' pilllern In June 1943 Hlmmler requested Ihat ten paus of four
dlflelent pallerns be senllO SS-Geb,rgsD,vlslon Nord lor "eld evaluallon.
The gaiters. made from various types and colours of canvas. coveled the
top of the boot and laced on the outSIde. Straps and binding wele made
01 webbmg A combined webbing and metal footstrap. is one leature which
suggests that these gaiters were prlmallly deSigned for use by mountain
IfOOps. since a webbing Of leather strap would have been severed by the metal
studs and nails alfll<.e(i to the soles of mountain boots.
TOp Sr,nd,.d 'n.... "'>01,'"1"" boor.
Bonom Mo","I,," boot w,th 'Styll,n OIlIer.
51
A Bosnl3n Moslem bemg Issued wllh brandnew mounla,n trOOD clothing, 1942.
Notes:
1. V.8I.d.W.-SS. Nr.19. 1 October 1943. lrl!.3!"!7.
2. Ibrd. Nr.17. 1 September 1942, Z,ff.308.
3, SS-Plerslrste.. Nr.3. 1 Januarv 1938.
'I. V.8I.dW.SS" Nr.14, 1 December 1940.lllf.418.
5 Ibid. Nr.17. 1 September 1942. llff 306.
6. Kampf untel dem Nordllcht IllUSlIatlon between pp. 176 and \ 77.
7. V.Sl.d.WSS.. Nr.19. 1 October 1943, lllf.357.
8. De! Chef des Amles B 11. SS,Wlltschafts und Velwaltungshauptaml
SSBrigaf.lorner an SS-Ostubaf.Dr.Brandt (Pers.5tab. RFSSl.. Berlin
28 June 1943.
5. Training and replacement units_
Before the war It was normal practice to rssue a new recruit with one complete
field service unllorm for wear during basIc training. on completion of which
he was Issued wllh a second seL The fnst. now somewhat wOln and olten
stripped 01 inSignia was relegated for wear In barracks. while the new unilorm
was reserved for wear on exercises ilnd manoeuvres outside barracks.
Even before the war and the rapid expanSion of the WaHen-SS. the flfst
everyday unIform. or part of It. conSisted of odd Items of the old earth-grey
service uniform. untIl finally Withdrawn In March 1941,' Already by 1939
training and replacement units wele being Issued wllh the most unusual
selection of Uniforms lor thea baSIC training. Members 01 the SS-Totenkopf-
Erganwngssturmbann III In 8reslau. for example. were wearIng FlfSt World
War tunics of the lelb-Kurassler-Regt Nr,1. WIth black collar and wh,te
IItzen, 101 stable duty and training. Without SS Illslgnla. DUllng the PolIsh
campaIgn they were refelred to by the German army as the 'strange guards'.'
By 1940 mosttrainll1g and replacement personnel were being Issued With twO
fIeld grey field uniforms and a set of dnll. As raw materials beCame scarce
and stocks depleted. Ersatz unIts were the first 10 suller: In 1941 they were no
longel issued With malchrng boots but two pairs of ankle boots.' By the end
of the wal the Waffen-SS was not even able to Issue the two baSIC sets of
fletd and one set of dill I uniform. and were lorced la requislllon stocks of
mrscellaneous uniforms, 01 manufacture new selS out of whatever matellals
were available In 1944-5 members of lhe Feldersatl. ballafions of the Toten
kopf and Wlklng diVISions In Schrotlersburg (Welchsel) were wearing field
blouses made out 01 two dlftelent krnds and colours of matel ial. The breast and
back porllOIlS (above the waist) wele made 01 dark doll material. while the
lower parI of the Ironl and back portions (below the waist). collar and
sleeves. were made of the normal fleldgrey material. The greatcoats were
-_.'
,
\
...
--'-
. / ' ~
~ \
\
\ . ~
:./
\
\
....
,
'()o
'-"
"
/!
,
/ j
. i
~ " -
..j
,
,
l
,
_.._ - _ . _ - - ~ - . _ - ..
Snow smock with del'll or coil".
BEKLEIDUNG DER PANZEREINHEfTEN
Clothing of armoured units
The German definitIOn of the term armoured troops for lhe purpose of .ssulng
the special tank black Uniform. was the crew and exchange crevv of
lanks. armoured cars. and radIO vahlCles With enclosed superstructures.
All othe' personnel In armoured Units wore the standard field-grey uniform.
Towards the end of the war there was a tendency to ISSue the special black
undorm to all p8rsonnelm an armoured Unit
The specIal black Uniform was fIrst Introduced in 1938 for wear when on
duly With an armoured vehICle. smce dill and grease marks would not show
up. Wllh Other orders of dress the standard field-grey Uniform was normally
worn later In the war lhe black Uniform was pl"oudty worn at every oppor-
tunlly. even when walking-out on RelCh lemtory. In fact Ih,s was due to
lteld-grey uniforms being no longer ISSUed In add.llon to the black. At first
the special black SS uniform was manufactured by the SS (Iolhlng Works and
d.lfered slightly from .IS army counterpart. but once again rapid expansion
necessitated the Issue of army Uniform. In complete contrast to the SllUallon
wh,ch came about Wllh the field-grey SS field Uniform. the SS managed to
maintain the supplies of liS own special black unIform. and It is therefore rare
to see the army paltern being worn after 1942 As In the army. there was no
SpecIal black greatcoat to go WIth th.s Uniform. and standard field-grey was
.ssued.
earth-brown.' Many a young SS recruit. aUracted by the glamour and appeal
of the SS Uniform. must have sullered severe disillusionment as he stared at the
motley collection of'hand-me-downs' w.th which ne was issued on reporting
for servIce.
Schutzmutze/Baskenmutze
Crash helmet
This specIal headdress was deSigned to act both as a protective head-dress
and a smart Item of military uniform. It conSisted of a round black. cloth
headplece. padded With rubber and lined With American cloth. With four
rubber ventilation holes. Over the headplece filled a large black. felt beret
Notes:
1. V.Bl.d.W.SS Nr.4.1 March 1941.Z.11 121.
2. Der Frelwllhge Nr.l, January 1970, pp. 16-17.
3. V.Bl.d.W.SS.. Nr.20. 1 November 1941. Zltf.428.
4. Feldgrau. Nr.1. January 1956. p. 19.
53
A,moured Car crews from rhe SS Re<:onna'SSOlnce Ballal,on
in the SS verSIon ollhe specIal black clothing. France 1940
On the front of the beret were worn specIal versions of the nallonal emblllrn
and death's tlead. both of whIch were machIne-embroidered rn SIlver grey
SIlk thread on a black ground. ThIS Issue Item at head-dress was IdentIcal
for all ranks. However. the beret was WIthdrawn alter proving ImpractIcal
dUflng combaT experience: In ITS place. eIther the Schlffchen. standald fIeld
cap In black cloth (see sectIon on headdress). or the steel ~ l e l m e T were worn.
Feldjacke
Field jackeT
ThIS was a short doublebreasted black Jacket fastened wllh seven black
plasllc bUllons. WIth collar worn open or closed with brown shirt (later grey
grllen) and black tIe. I1 dlffe'ed from liS army counlerpartlnsolar as Ihe front
was CUI vertically Instead of slanting. and had much shorter lapels. Jackets
were also privately made Irom vanous lrghtwelght or camouflage malellals.
'
The COllar 01 Ihe black Jacket was sometimes piped In pink lor other ranks.
and enher pInk pIpIng or tWIsted aluminIum COld for offIcers. I1 has been
suggesle<! Ihat pInk pIpIng was only worn by members 01 the SS Plo Regt 5
(Wlkrng Dlv.).' but thiS IS nOI conllrmed by pholographic evidence. 'I t IS more
lIkely tha! early In the war almy field jackets WIth pink pIping were rn fact worn
by bOlh olllcers and men WIthout legard to the unIt. Alumrnlum TWIsted cord
on the collar was lfadlllonally worn by SS offIcers. and appears to have been
worn by mOST on the black field jacket.
Collar palches 'or other ranks were also pIped In pink. but again phoTographIc
eVIdence does not hmit It 10 members of Aufkl.AbI.5. as photographs of It
wo,n bv members of the AufkI.Abt,LSSAH.1 do eXIst. IllS moslllkely thaT
prnk pipIng was Orlgrnally Inlended to Idenllly members 01 reconnaissance
ballalrons Irom those In Panzer reglmenls. but thIS fine dIstInctIon. like many
others. became blurred In wartIme.
N.C.O.s (With the pOSSIble exceptIon 01 those in PZ,Rgt.LSSAH.1.) did not
wear lace on the collar 01 The black field jacket
-The base 01 the Panzer berel had a second lease 01 Irle when eXls\lng
stocks were covered WIth tan matellal and. 'med wllh rabbtt lur flaps.
Issued as WInter headdless.
Notes:
1. Die Deutsche Wehrmachl1934 bls 1945. Heft.12 with IlIustrallon.
2 The WatlenSS. I(S dIVisional lflSlgnia. p. 22.
3. See lor example the pholO 01 Max Wunsche as SS-Stuba!.. and
Chef I.{SS.Pz.Rgt.LSSAH.l .. in Bender-Taylor Vol. 1. p. 44.
This quite clearly shows pink pipIng.
Feldhose
Field trousers
These were similar to the army panern. haVing slanting sIde pockets with flap
and bullon (later two buttons). watch pocket. and bUlloned hip pocket.
They were baggy and cut like ski trousers. the bottoms lastened around the
ankle by draw-strrngs and lootstraps.
Fussbekleidung
Footwear
Ollginallv both marching and lace-up ankle boots were Issued with the
black uniform. butlrom 1941
1
ankle boots and gaitels only were to be worn.
allhough It appears this order was disregarded and those In possession of
marching boots continued to wear them.
In August 1941 the need for a practical working and summer uniform. and
the necessity to provide reconnaissance personnel with a less conspiCUOus
Uniform when operating on loot brought about the Introduction of the reed
green drill uniform.
355. Protective clothing for personnel in armoured reconnais-
sance units. ~
1. Crews of armoured cars ale to be issued with protective clothing In the
same cut and make-up as the black field uniform. This protectIVe
clothing is to be worn as camouflage over the black Uniform. or on ilS
own in summOf. and also to prOtect the black uniform.
Designation and arllcle number:
Field jacket. drill. reed green.
for tanks ... Arllcle No. 309:
Field trouselS. drill. reed-green.
fOI tanks ... Alticle No. 310.
2. The dflll unilOlm for these units IS discontinued.
3. Divisional reQuirements must be sent to the SS-Verwaltungsamt with
the next clothing Indent.
V3/431/8AI.
Although the basic cut 01 the jacket and trousers remained unchanged.
there were minOl modilications. such as a large patch pocket With flap and
button added to the left lront of the jacket and left thigh of the trousers.
In JanualY 1943. the reed green drill unifOlm was replaced by a new one-
piece reversible camouflage combination. The old reed gleen drill uniform
continued to be worn. and was suit In use in Normandy in June 1944.
Maetlln<! embroidered badges lor the Panzel beret. The nal,onal emblem ,sohen m l ~ l a k l l n
for the slellve emblem but was o! speCial design.
55
;
i
\
26. Camouflage combination for tank
V.Bl.dW.SS., Nr .16. 1 September 1941, Ziff.355
1. The crews and e)(change crews of tanks. armoured cars. and radio
vehicles with enclosed armoured superstructures are 10 be issued
with 11 camouflage combination instead of the protective clothing,
drill, reed green.
2. Designation and article Number:
Combination, camouflaged. fOf tanks ... Arlicle No. 306.
3. Field unil requirements must be forwarded to the WVHA.
SS-FHA./a/Amt IV.
The combination was made of water repellent colton duck with aUlumn
and summer shade camoullage patterns. It was usually Issued wl\h the nallonal
emblem on the left sleeve. shoulder strap loops cmd detachable metal
shoulder strap buttons. Later models had a large patch pocket With flap and
button on the front of the left thigh. Nevertheless. the need 10 pfOvlde
crews with bener winter clothing was anticipated.
27. Winter combination for tank crews.'
In order to improve the winter clothing of tank crews and exchange crews.
a newcombination is Introduced.
Designation and article number:
Winter combination for tanks ... Article No. 396.
Field unit requirements must be forwarded to lhe WVHA.
SS- FHA./l a/AmI-IV)
The winter combination was basically the same cut as the camouflaged onc.
but was made of two thicknesses of cloth. white on one side. and fleldgrey
on the other.
Because of the difficulty in getting in and out of a combination. it was never
very popular. and so in January 1944. It was decided to reissue the two-piece
drill uniform in camouflage material Instead of reedgreen. This was also
done to coincide with the intfOduCllOn in the rest of the Waffen-SS of the
camouflage working and summer field service uniform.'
"
l
SpeCIal black clothIng 'or
armoured vehlckl crew.
Unofficial uniforms
On the whole the clothing of armoured personnel appears 10 have been
fairly standard. but there were two major changes at diVisional level. bOth
of which took place in Normandy in 1944. The fifSt was the wearing of various
items of camouflage clothing. field caps. jackets. and combmations by
members 01 the Hitlerjugend and its parent Adolf Hitler Division. which were
made from Italian camouflage material.' The Adol! Hitter Division arrived in
SS-Stub<J!. (Kdl. SS-Plo Rill. 5) alle' the award ollhe Kn'9hl's e,o. Ru.s,a. Seplember 1943. a good c,osssecllon 01 Panze, troop cloth,ng.
57
Captu'ed SS men wea"nu lhe ,uSh g,wn d,,1I u",ro,m !Of a,mouled vehIcle crews.
Normandy June 1944.
58
France In Decembel 1943 alter helpmg dIsarm lhe Ilalran armed forces and
Ilghung pal1lsans In nOlthern Ilaly. and provIded 11 cadre for Ihe formanoll
01 the HltlerJugClld DlvlsrOll. large quantllles 01 Italran mOlal llanspOfl and
olher materIals werc used to replace dIsastrous German shortages.' In Ilalran
naval depots large quantities of German feather Uboat clothing (ollglnall'r
supplied by Germany 10 Ilaly) were discovered. requlSI!loned. and Issued 10
German tarlk crews In Normandy."
Notes:
1 V.BI dW.-SS.. Nr.13, 1 July 19. ZI1I.220.
2. Ibld.. Nr.16.1 September 1941.Zlff.355.
3. Ibid. Nr.2. 15 January 1943. Zlff,26.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibld.. Nr.5. 1 March 1944. ZIII, 99.
6. See illustration on p. 42.
7, DleWalfen-SS. pp. 181-3.
8. Verbal conversation With the former divisional Ordnance Offrcer
February 1972.
FElDGRAUE SONDERBEKLEIDUNG
Fleldgley special c10thmg
The special fleldgrey clothing was first Issued to members of the Slurmge
schutz Ballerre LSSAH In trme for the campaIgn in the Balkans In the summer
of 1941. but 11 was not unlll Augusl 1942 lhatll was issued to crews of sell
pfOpelled guns (Slurmgeschutze).
283. Special clothing for assault gun units.'
Assault gun crews will be equipped With the newly Introduced special
clothing.
F,eld Jacket. field grey
(Prod. code 311. subject B)
'od
Flcld tlousers. fleldgrey
(Prod. code 314. subject B)
EXisting field blouses and trousers Will be worn OUI.ln accordance wllh thr
published order (V.Bl.dW.-SS.. Nr.16.. 1 September 1941. Zllf.348)
non-mounled personnel are issued wrth one pair of ankle boots Instea(J
01 the marching boots with ordinary uniform.
Kdo.d.W.-SS/li
I n December 1942 the wcaring of the field grey speCIal clothing was alst'
extended 10 self-propelled anutank gun unrlS (PanzefJagerernheilen.(Sfl.) ,
The uniform consiSled of a field-grey Jacket and long trousers. brown shut
The Pan;re. Russia summel 1943. Panzermllyel' wearing llle .eve'slble wrnter combInatIOn for rank crllW1O. dunng lhe
bal1le 01 CharkOll. February/March 1943.
59
SS p,......KhuUe <;.....,,\1 In. D.ale ot Nor_ncl1......."ng lheC:_'qOr" unatoom
tor l.nk Cfews.
GO
BI:Ioc:k ":101"-< U _I dothong llI'ltIg WOIn Dv ....maers ollM 2!Pz Resl1 12 (H1lIer"JU\IetICI
0_1',n, Rl'>I"ms. Novemoe. 1'.3
(laler Ileld-grey) and black 111'1 Although not mentioned In the above order
a fleldgrey verSIon 01 the black beret was <11:,0 produced' but ,t was not worn
unlll the ,ntroductlon In 1943 01 a self-propelled rocket launcher Wllh
superstructure (Mauluer S(tKfz 3) Officers usually WOH.' Ihe ISSUll
field urllform wllh lhell badges 01 rank:, N.CO,s (with the of thoS()
in SS Sturmgesch Abt and SS Pz_Jag Abl lSSAH.l.) dId nOt wear lace on
the lacket collar' Pink piPing was worn on the collar by certain members of
pz Jag bauahons. and a few oU,cers wore !Wlsted aluminium cord. but
lecorded cases 01 these practices ale rare.
Notes:
1 1/ Btd W.-SS. Nr 16. 15 August 1942 UI283
1 Ibld Nr 23. 1 December 19a2. Z,t/434
3 There IS an example of a fleldgrev berel with InSignia In the COlleCtion
of Davld Delich. Kansas e,lV. OhiO. U.s A.
FAllSCHIRM-SQNDERBEKlElDUNG
ParaChule c10lhlng
01 olllhe branches of the SS. least 's known about Ihe CIOlhlng and equlpmenl
01 SS parachutists. SS 1I00PStOok pall In twowell-known all borne operallons-
the Iiberat,on 01 Mussotrm ;!Od the ,memplcd Capture 01 T'lo In hiS mountain
HO In YugoslaVIa. Despue these evenTs there IS lUlle or no relerence 10 lhe
clolhlng and eqUipment of the [lOOPS who palllc,p,lled In the operallons.
'
It appeals that lhe alr-Iorce assumed responsibility nOI only for lhelr parachute
training and transportal Ion by air. but also the equipping of SS parachut'STs
w,th speCial all-force clolfllng and eqUipment. Normally then SS parachutiSTS
wore standard fleldgrey uniform wllh lhe paraChUTiSt helmet Insle<ld 01 TIle
standard 1935 model The best method of ascerlalnlng e:oaclly what They
wore IS to analyse eX'Shng photogr<lphs of lhem.
liberation of Mussolini. Gran S8SS0, Italy, 12 September 1943.
SS Stulmbannluhfcr Skotzeny and hiS small gliderbolne SS commando
WOfe German alr-Iorce lrop,Cal clolhlng With all-force nahonal emblem
on the head-dress. shllt. and field blouse. and Waffen-SS shoulder straps.
Skorzen'l hImself wore a Waffen-SS sleel helmet leather equipment. such
as lhe sub machine-gun pouches appear to have been the early SS leather
pauern At a rally In the Berlin SPOrts Pal<lce aller the rescue. OltO Skorzeny
and members of h,s commando wore lield-grey Waffen-SS service dress.
Raid on Tito's Headquarters, Drvar, Yugoslavia, 25 May1944.
On thiS operation (Rosselsprung) two companies of SS parachU(lsts. Irom
SS.Fallschlrmlager-BataiIlOn 500. were dropped by parachute and twO
landed by glider. The parachutists under the command of SSHauptslurm-
Thflle NCD's from tile SSPl. Jag Abl lSSAH'. Spr'''lI T943 In AV5S'" Ihev 81. all we811"l1
Ihe sp&CI3l held-gflly cloth'no Only N C O_s on ItllS d'Ylsoon wele perm'Ue<l to wear Ia<;e on the
coiIlIr 01 th,s iKkel lhe 'SPItlSS' ,n the C8fIlre wea's an army nal00na1 emblem and trOOP
dealn's head on h,s held caP.
61
fuhler Rybka. wore Im-lofce clothing and equIpment II conSISlcd of
helmet (will' or wlthoul camouflage nel). geometriC pattern camoullage
smock. complete with alr-torce nattonal emblem on the light breast. f,cld.
grey 110users w,th the sIde opening \11,gl1 pOCkCIS. canvas gaIters. and ankle
bOOIS SS untform was represented by the field cap (Sch,lfchen) With SS
insIgnia and the bell buckle.
Towards the end of the war. SS. like ,III-Iorce parachutists, were thrOwn Into
aChon as Infantry. ,InCl contmued 10 weal standard t leld-glcy clothing and the
parachulIslS helmet
SCHUTZANZUG
Protect,ve clothing
Protective clothing was Issued to Wallen-SS personnel. IHespectlve 01 their
branch 01 service. to protf!Ct therr ordinary clothing and person from severe
climatiC and phySical conditions. but which cannot be claSSified as wmter
clothing.
Kradschutzmantel
Motorcyclist's coat
ThiS was Illst Inlloduced lor army dispatch riders and personnel In urlltS
eqUipped With motol-cycles. and later adopted by ttle SS, and worn by all
branches ollhe armed lorces. Waffen-SS and polJce until the end of the war.
The coat was made 01 a fubberlsed fabriC. bUI like the greatcoat. also had al
Ilrst a dark green clOlh collar, bUI already In 1939 coats With f,old-grey cloth
collars were In use I The coat was double breasted With Wide sleeves that
-

I
T-
/ I.

SS paratroopers du"no ,he 'a,d Oil r,!os HO. YugQlsavi. May 1944
Reccmly a batch of brand new (one only WOIn) parachu\lsts smocks.
made of SS camouflage dllll matellal Win, the SS national emblem
on the nght breast. [Ulned up In America. According to unconllrnlll(l
reports thf!se werf! found by American troops In the SS Clothmg Depot
at Dachau m April 1945 Thell wme brOught back to America. like so
much SS camouflage clothing. because they were thought to be Ideal
for duck shooting ThiS IS the only recorded Instance ot the SS nallonal
emblem sewn on the light breast. and may have had something to do
With the statlls ot SS parachutists under allforce operational command
62
Notes:
1. In April 1944 It was announced that only those who were phYSically
suitable could wear parachute clothing. This excluded those With
large thighs and thick lorsos. V.Bl.d.W.-SS., Nr.S. 15 April 1914,
Zlf1.189.
.....
.0
-," --
"
!
i
i ...-
'--....- "-.. -----.;......--- .....
'-------. ...,'
-----. ; ..

Liole venoon 01 lhe IOf torce .teel as 'ssued 10
SS
63
D,spalCh "der wearmg lhe r",bbe"ied rTI(IlO< CYChsfs CO<l!. and brown leather
ga",nllels wllh seperaled lh",mb and forefInger.
64
could be fastened IIghtlv around the wnsl. The skill of lhe coat could be
divided and bUlloned around the legs. Although or,gtnallv Inlended as a
motm-cvcllng coat. 11 proved popul<)r <)s a rainCOat and oflen worn as such
by WaffenSS personnel, The rubbellsed materIal was not very Strong and
did not stand up well to the rigours of !lonthne use, so the follOWing order
was Issued:
216. Motor-cyclist's coat. I
The malar cyclisfs coal may onlV be worn on duty bv members of lhe
WaffenSS. who have been offiClallv Issued With It. The mOlor-cychsfs
coat must be worn over the eQurpment OnlV when action IS Imminent
may lhe belt be worn over the coat
SS-FHA/la
In addition to the coat. overalls were made oflhe same malerlal. and deSigned
to be wom over bOlh the ordmary lrouselS and footwear dUllng wel 01 muddy
condl1lons. Other speclahsed protectIVe clothmg fa/ motor cyclists were
vanous types of goggles With either nOlmal 01 smoked antlglare and sun
lenses. and ellhe' gauntlets 01 mlltens In canvas or leather. The gauntlets
were made of a dark brown leather and had a separate lhumb and forefinger.
and could be fastened at the WIISt with an adjustable suap and press studs,
Note:
1. V.Bl.dW,SS., Nr.3. 1 February 1943, Zltt.216
WINTERBEKlEIDUNG
Winter clothing
It IS well known lhatthe Germans hoped to defeat RUSSia before the coming
01 wmte" and therefole made little or no preparations for wagmg Wlfller
warfare. Failure to prOVide troops with adequate warm clothing resulted m
disaster For the a"..erage German Winter. a pullover, knllled woollen gloves.
greatcoat. and toque wele conSIdered suffiCient additional clothing lor
uoops able to return and sleep In modern quarters, alter the campaigns of
1940. extra winter ctothlng had to be prOVided lor IrOOpS servtng m Norway
419. Special clothing for especially cold zones,'
1. The following items are rntroduced as addlhonal winler clothing for
especlall.,. cold zones:
Anorak With hood. fur lined.
Fur waistcoat.
These aflldes WIll onl.,. be conSIdered for unllS Quartered In former
Polish territory and Norway. The anolak IS nOI SUitable for cavalry
units. and so IS nOI prOVided. These unus Will be Issued wllh sheepskins
2, The enlltlement IS.
Anorak with hood. fur lined fOf 10% of the fighting slrength.
Fur walstcoal. one pef man.
The anorak with hood IS to be used fOf patfols over fairly long distances.
The guafd coat. fur. is imended for statlonafY Of walking guard duty
within the afea olthe barracks.
Allocation Will be made on procurement and accorOlng to available
stocks by application to lhe Verwaltungsaml def WaftenSS
Units in Norway will be given prlOflty In supplies.
V/3431/December 1940
Pelzwaste
Fur walstcoal
ThiS was a shOIl (just below Ihe waist) sleeveless waistcoat designed
for wear undef Ihe greatcoat fOf additional warmth. and was made from
any available types of fur and to no standard pallern,
Windbtusa mit Kapuze. pelz-gefuttart
fur Imed anorak
II is not known whethef thiS was the same as the garmenl lhat appeared
dUring thewlnter 011942-3. bUlltlS conSidered unlikely. So far It has nql been
pOSSible la Idenllfy thiS item In photographs.
Nacktpelz
Sheepskins
The version Intended for use by mounted units was a threc-QuarlCf length
double-breasted sheepskin coat wllh lamb's wool collar.
Wachmantel
Guafd coat
ThiS was a traditional garment for sentlies on static guard duty In extreme
cold. The coat was made of sheepskin with lamb's wool collaf. and was very
long - almost touching Ihe ground. It was usually worn together wilh straw
ovef boots,
DUflng the fllst RUSSian Wlntef of 1941-2 Gefman troops were forced to
augment their meagre winter clothing with whalever lhey could lay their
hands on. and ImprOVise as beslthey could. The Items listed above were made
available whenever possible. and often two greatcoats were issued, worn
one on top of the other. But the greatcoat and surcoat were not very practical
10f wear in action, and weight alone Imposed qUite a burden on the weafef
Sloch of clothing originally Inlended for mountain troops. such as woollen
Scarves, mlllens, Wlntef underwear. and most imporlant of all. the snow
smock, were Issued 10 the fighting troops whenever pOSSible. Where shortagos
.0
,

"
r# ..-

:,

I
\
W;nfel clOThing 'ssued to EsTonian near Leningrad. December 1942. The
hooded wh'Te conon smock was p"ma"lv fc. camouflage. and was worn ove' other
typeS 01 Warm w,nle' clOThing. The bOOTS malle (It ",hlte canvas with lealher
blndmg and 'ubber soles.
65
For drNers only
}
330, Issue of winter clothing_ ~
From 15 September 1942 all untts must be Issued With articles of Wlnkr
clothing:
Woollen gloves
Balacfava helmet
Surcoat
GaUnllets or ml!lens
Pullover
Over socks
were stili apparent. captured Russian Winter clOthing. particularly cap
were issued. Sheepskin Clothing, the tradmonal Russian peasant Winter
clothing, was enher requIsitioned from or manufactured by the Russ,ar"
themselues, and either sold or bartered to the Germans
In Germany a maSSive collecllon of winter clolhlng was Instituted, and thou.
sands 01 ladles' old lur coats, ruSly skiS. and old toboggans were rushed to
the Iront. olten w,thout repair or alterallon. Nevertheless. the wrelched
supply situation at the front was not allev'aled unlll winter had broughl
much suffenng. hardsh,p, and death to many Ill-eqUipped !fOOps.
In Apnl 1942 winter clothing was 'e-collected for repau and storage unl,1
IUrlher need.' Throughout 1942 the Wallen SS developed and manulactUlcd
its own winter combat clothing Independent 01 the almy. It consisted 01 a
lurlined pullover anorak In a water lepellent. cement coloured gabardln'
Imed with various kinds of black. brown, or while furs. or sheepskin Overal s
were unlined and unqUllled. and deSigned to be worn over ordonary tlouser
The bottoms of the !fousers fln,shed on a gallel, which f,tted ovel the top ....1
the boot WIth laces and footstraps, by this time the lace-up ankle boot was ,n
general use, and the gaiter preventod melted snow from entering the bmI
When snow lay on the ground, on undyed cotton overall, consistIng 01 ,1
separate smock with hood and Irouscrs (specially deSigned to go OVE'[
anorak and trousers) was Issued. The advantage of thIS arrangement was th"t
the white OVCl garments tended to get very duty but being separable could be
easily cleaned or replaced.
Head-dress conSisted of a fur cap. based rougl11y on the Russian modr,l,
with ear flaps. The head piece was usually made of leather, sheepskin,
field grey cloth, or the same material as the anOlak, Another pattern UTilised
eXisting stocks of Panzer berets by covering lhe black head pIece wtlll
cement coloured cloth and fitting rabbtt fur to the front and ear flaps_ Th s
may have been originally intended for crews of armoured vehicles. as phot(
graphs of it being worn are very ,are,
An unidentif'&d SS officer wea"ng one of rhe many d,lfe,enr paue,ns 01 sl>eepsk,n cap
end COlt wh'ch wele made for the SS ,n Poland end Russ'a,
66
ReqUirements of these articles are to be forwarded to the competent service
offices.
Fur clOlhing and other special Winter clOthlOg is not issued la Ersat7
units. The provision of thc field reserve (Fcldersatz) wllh these arucles
Will be undertaken in due course through collecting POlOtS. poss bly Rlga.
Stel1ln. Warschau and Kracau. There Will be funher IOSlTuctlons. EXlstlOg
stocks from the fur and textile collections by the German people are 10 be
Issued on transfer 10 the front as additional clothing. and a Simultaneous
entry to that effecl is to be made In the pay book.
The addilronallssue of a second a,my blanket or greatcoat IS not permissible.
Field Unl1S Will be supplied With wlOtef clothlOg by a special regulation of
the SS Wntschafts -Vefwallungshauplaml.
SSFHA/IV
Kopfschutzer
Balaclava helmet/toque
ThiS was baSically an open ended cylll1der of knl1ted wool (measurlOg
33 x 29 cm) which could be worn 10 a number of different ways - round Ihe
neck like a scal!. on the head like a cap comfollef. Of fOund Ihe neck and
pulled up over the back of the head. coveflng the ears. like a Balaclava helmet.
Obermantel
Surcoat
ThiS garmenl. Introduced as early as 1937. was a long. loose fining and heavily
Ilnod version of the greatcoat. deSigned to be worn over the ordinary greatcoat.
or sheepskin or fur waistcoat by dnvers of open motor veh,cles. Early models
had black and aluminium twisted cord around the collar. the same cOlour as
the coal. and the national emblem on the left sleeve. Basic cut was Identical
to thal of the greatcoat.
DurlOg Ihe war many dlflClent patterns of thiS coat were issued. and 10
addition to the normal side pockets they were equipped wl1h two vertical
pockets above the waist. which were so placed and suffiClcntly large to
convemently take a gloved or mlttened hand. The sUlcoat was lined with dark
grey blanketll1g or brown fur; some had lleld-grey leather patches on Ihe
shoulders_
"The term 'speclal winter c1Olhlng- (WlOter-Sondefbekleidung) was
reserved for the speCial wlOter combat clolhlOg SUltabte for wear in action.
as opposed to other types 01 winter clothing worn by personnel behll1d
Ihe lronl
knllled woollen toque (KoplsehullerJ and wr'$1 walme'$.
TYPical eardelender$ made hom held-g,ey cloth hned Wllh lamb"s wool.
It CQvered the ears and wu ned under the chin.
67
Wachmantel
Guard coat
ThiS was a Irad'lIonal garment (sulcoal) 101 sentries on stallC guard duty
In extreme cold. I1 was usually made of sheepskin and worn together wl\h
straw over b001S.
In January 1943 Pohl reported thal 'thanks 10 supplies obtained in the
Balkans. and by the change of domicile of the Jews, the WaHen-SS was
able la obtain suffiCient stocks. and was able also thl$ year 10 line anoraks
With fur. Next year. however, we must also change over to the Winter clOlh,ng
introduced ,n the army','
FollOWing a crash programme. the army succeeded in iSSUing liS new winter
combat Uniform 10 field units In time for the winter of 1942-3. but apartlrom
odd sets obwined from the army by the WaltenSS, liS own verSion 01 thiS
clothing did nOt enter service until the winter 01 1943-4. The clOthing
consisted 01 a hood. jackel. trousers. and mittens. made Irom twO layers of
wind ploof material. With wool-rayon interlining. It was reverSible. being
white on one side and SS autumn camouflage on the other. and was designed
either to be worn OVOf the ordinary field uniform or In conjunction with
speCial qUilted under garments. The white Side of thiS unllorm tended to
get filthy. which defeated ItS purpose as camouflage In a snowy lilndscape.
so troops behind the front were ordered 10 wear It With the camoullage side
out.
0
I
0
,Q-
0
0
I
0
'0-
I
: ~
I
'?
!
I
I
\0- 0,
,
,
;
,
I
0- Ol
.I
,
\
:,0-
!
Q
' ..
-
---- .---d

Recognition
Because of baSIC Similarity In shape (or shapelessness) and coloUl of winter
clothing. a system 01 markings had to be Introduced to Identify one Side
from the other. On the RUSSian Iront a strip 01 black cloth was worn on the
upper left or right arm. and changed dally. so that It could not be Imitated
by the enemy. the 1943 pattern winter COmbat jacket was prOVided wllh
buttons on the sleeves. so that the Strip could eaSily be changed. Waffen-SS
personnel also wore the death's head on the front of the lur cap. sometimes
accompanied by the national emblem.
Su.coal. O!lverse and reverse and dela,l of raIsed hOod
"--' .. ' ..--_ _----_ .
/
.- ..,-
",
Notes:
1. V,Bl.d.w.SS.. Nr.14. 1 December 1940,2111.419.
2. Ibid.. Nr.8. 15 April 1942. ZiH.13fi
3. Ibid.. Nr.18.15 September 1942.ZI!f, 330.
4. SS-Ogruf.u.Gen.d.W.-SS Oswald Pohl an den RF-SS. Seu :Serlchl
Uber die Rohstolflage auf dem Splnnstofl-und Ledergebiet. Berlin.
den 9 January 1943.
68
I
SS-Grill.",. Gen L. d W SS Sle'ne, we.rong an '.sue Sulcal' w"lIlealhe, ,lIool!le' p,d.
t.,. SS O,cll. we3rS lhe "elll Prey g''''eall.
Tile 1942 SS w,nle' cornbal un,form. The lokl,e. on ,roe "\1111 Welr5. toque.
69
Gro",p Of SS gfenad'C1S on 1944. wearong the new pane,n f,eld caP. wh,le one w ~ r $ a capl",'ed
Sov,et Wln1er cap wIlh SS ,ns,onla, Some 01 Ihe men wea, lI'e SS vars<on 01 1ha spec,al army
winle' combal ",n,fo.m.
SS 'eversible ...... nte' combal ",,,,Io,m conSISlono of
Jacket. ll005l:"S. hood and mlllens. onuod",ced In 1943.
70
-----
TROPENBEKlEIDUNG
TroPical clothing
Tropical clothmg came lather late to the Waffen-SS. and IS believed to have
been first ISSUed to members 01 the S!Urmbngade Relchsluhrer-SS on then
arnval on CorSica In September 1943 Although there was talk of sending the
Walfen SS to north Africa. the clothing was designed p(lmaflly lor wear In
southern Europe. the Balkans. Adrlauc. and southern RUSSia. and conSisted
of the following Items:
1 Sun helmet
2 Field cap (Schlflchen)
3 Standard Ileld cap
11 Field blouse
5 Shirt
6 Field trousers
7 Shorts
All lhe above Items were basically the same In CUt and manufacture as the.r
field grey counterparts. but all were made out of a sand coloured cotton
dull
Tropllnhelm
Tropical helmet
The shape was the same as that Issued to German trOOps In North Africa, lwd
was made 01 cork covered With olive green cotton dllll, All external leilther
Urmmlng was In field-grey. and the helmet had a red IImng The SS runes
and national colours were the same as those worn on the steel helmet. but
were detachable white metal shields I
Fllldmutze (SchiHchen)
Field cap
Idenhcal m cut 10 the newpattern field-grey field cap. (See p_ 73 )
Einheitsfeldmut;re
Standard field cap
Tho same shape as ItS field-grey counterpart. but Without separate Hap and
buttons In frOnt The same inSignia was worn on both caps. and consisted of
a national emblem and death-s head. machine-woven In sand coloured
irtchclal Silk thread on a black ground
The Irrsl mention of tropical clothing In the SS-Verordnungsblalt IS In
NI 19. 1 October 1943. Zlf1.370.
fmpro.nsed IfOpOl;.1 c101hong III G,ee<:e 1941. f;OflSlSI.ng 01 sports doll>eS .nd C.plUled
6<.'JSh sun hel....ts.
7.
Gesele. commander 01 !he Sturmb"gade Re,chsfuh'e.-SS,
lOOn ahe. h's unO! had been 'ssued w,th CIOth,ng. Seplembe1 I !l43.
72
Feldbluse
Field blouse
There were two basIc piHternS 01 tropical field blouse, as well as a number nt
mmor vatrants. The fl,st was Identical In cut la Ihe 1940 model army Ilelcl
blouse, Ihe second was basetl on lhe velY elfltlent Italian bush jack(1
(Sahanana),
Normally only badges 01 rank and lhe naltonal emblem were worn on th"
troDlcal flcld blouse. allhough Olher InSlgma. such as colhn patches anti
nilllonaltly badges. were also worn by mdlYldua\s.' The nallonal emblem
was machmcwoven m sand coloured arl,l,c,al silk on a black ground. anot
NCO s lace. which appeared on lite colla, and sleeve chevrons was ai'
woven m sand coloured arllllClal Silk
Hemd
Shlfl
The shin was also manufactured In llle same way as the lta!tan Saharlanil
With IWO breast patd, Dockets.
Feldhose
Field trousers
T1lese we'e In lhe standard trouser cut. wllh bullHn clOth belt, twO sl,lIlf,n(j
SIde Dockets with flaos and bunons. walch pocket. and hip pocket wuh bunon
The bOllom 01 the trouser leg lapered and was fastened around Ihe ankle wltl,
a draW-SUing and footstrap
Kurzhose
ShOIlS
Poss,bly nOI olllClal Issue. but certainly wo.n by cerlam Waffen-SS personnel
Same cloth belt and pocket a"angement as Ihe Ileld trousers.
Notes:
1. ThiS is a desCllptlon of the helmet Illuwated (only surviving example
known al lIme 01 wtltmg) from Ihe colleCtion of Mr James van Flecl,
Slanhope. New Jersey. U.S.A,
2. See the Waffen-SS. Its D!vislonal InSignia., p. 63, with iIluSlrallon
'\
Cl
Two ~ n . " n Voll<sdltulKh. '1'1 lhe .....'kong DIVISIOn. _<t\Q UOOIUII
......>form lIncl mounu,on bOOtS.
73
Nallonal e m b l ~ m s fo, wea' on 1he sleeve. lR: hand emb,o.dNCd and machine woven
pane", 10' oU,ce,s. Bottom fOW. l-R mach'ne embro'dered and machlnc woven panc",
10' 01hc' 'anks.
ARMELHOHEITSABZEICHEN
National emblem for the sleeve
TIle nahonal emblem first began IQ be wom on the upper lell sleeve of the
earth-grey SS Uniform rn the summer of t935 Conllary to popular belief
rt was not generally worn by all ranks on the field-grey tunic. blouse. anu
greatcoat until 1938. Prior to thal year oflicers usually wore a hand-embroid
ered versIon. other ranks a machrne-embrOldeled velsron rf the freld blouse
or greatcoat had been issued with It on.
In 1938 the second and frnal pattern of the SS natIonal emblem In aluminIum
hand embroidery 'or oflicers. and machine embroidered In silver gre'l SIll'
thre<ld for other ranks. began to be generally Issued. and were listed In the SS
price list issued by the RZM.' PhotographiC eVIdence suggesls. howevel,
that the orIginal pattem was still in use In November 1938.' In 1939 the
nallonal emblem began to be woven In alumInium thread fOI oU,cers and SIlver
grey thread for other ranks. Thrs pilttem was to remain in use unlll lhe end of
tile wal.
A common habit (open to a numbel 01 ullerplelatlons) was the wearing bv
WaHcn-SS officers of national emblems olher than that of the SS on both the
head-dress and sleeve. Most common wele those of the army. although
nallonal emblems of lhe NSDAP were also wom. This pfactice. whIch was of
course, unofficial. was most common between 1939-40. when the SS-VT
became the WalfenSS.
During this period of fapid expansion. SS insIgnia for the l1eldgrcy uniform
were SIlII controlled by the RZM. who gave pllollty to clothing depOls. so
that RZM outlets had difficulty in obtaining stocks. Army Inslyma on lhe other
hand wele in plenllful supply and avarlable. over lhe counter. In military out
flHers lhroughoutthe country. The appearance of army national emblems on
SS uniforms later In the war was due to the fact that those who had earlier
purchased almy emblems contInued to wear them. and army insignia remained
eas.el to obtaIn at the 'ront and in occupied terfllOlles than that of the SS.
Thfoughout the war the national emblem continued 10 be wom on lhe upper
left arm 01 nearly all Wallen-SS uniforms and clothing (In CIOlh. cotton drill
and camouflage malerlal) although offiCially II was nOllO be worn on camou-
flage clothing.'
The wartime pattern was In fact the woven type. manu'actured m aluminium
lhread 101 officers and silver grey silk for olher ranks. The shade of the thread
used lor the national emblems 01 other ranks varied considerably includmg
white. mattgrey. and beige. added to which fading and ,dirt tended to alter
the colours. However. the followmg different coloured lhreads were used lot
specifiC types of uniform:
74
Top 10 bonom l-R' Badges for the old and 'law p<1nern field caP. Combined badge for
lh. standard field cap, macl"n. emb'(lIde'ed and mach,ne W O ~ e n pancm. for wear on
field gtey headdres. Mach,ne embto,dered and maeh,no woven palle",. for wear on
bli'Ck headdress.
HOHEITSABZEICHEN FOR KOPFBEDECKNUNG
National emblem for headdress
At flfst Ihe SA and SS shared the same small while metal (tin) national emblem.
which was worn on frOnt at the service cap. above the SA button. Of SS
death's head. In the summer of 1935 the Lelbstandane-SS Adoll Hitler was
equipped With earthgrey. and a photograph 01 seven offIcers In brand new
earthgrey uniforms shows twO wearing the Relchswehr n<ltlonal emblem
on their service caps. I1 may be assumed Ihat thiS was JUSt anOther case 01
'ElgenmiichtlgkClt" (personal vanity). or that certain LAH officers Wished to
emphaSise their military standing by wearing army as opposed to political
insignia. In February 1936 Hitler Inspected and approved a new SS verSIOn
of the natIOnal emblem for the service cap. The badge was made of sllveled
Lupal (synthetiC alloy) for the black extra cap. and matt aluminium fOI' the
black. eanh-grey 01 fleldgrey servIce cap.
ThiS national emblem remained In use unt,lthe end of the war as the standard
pattern metal SS n<ltlonal emblem. although both types of metal and fln'sh
used valied cons,delably. HandembrOldered verSions of the SS national
emblem were vefY rare. and most of those In private collections were m<lde
after the war for use in theatrical productions. Certain olllcers wme either the
hand-embrOidered or woven army nat,onal emblem on theil field service
caps. while olhers wore the SS sleeve version. bUI none of these unoffiCIal
modes had any slgnlflC<lnce whatsoever.
Aluminium wire on black ground for officers
Sllvel grey thread on black ground 101 other ranks,
Light khaki (sand coloured) thread on black ground for wear on tropical
uniforms.
Brown on black ground for camouflage uniforms (autumn). ~
BlIgtll green on black ground for camouflage uniforms (spring)
Notes:
1. SSPreishste Nr,3. 1 Janu<lry 1938,
2. See photograph on p. 18
3. SS-Preisliste Nr.4. March 1939,
4. See orders Quoled In sectoon on camouflage clothing.
5. See source of th,s mimmation ,n footnotes to section dealing with
camouflage clothing.
6. Adjutant des FGhrers. Hptm.a.D.Wiedermann An die ReichsfGhrung.
SS Belr Hoheltsabzeichen fur dre SS Mutze, Berlin. den 3 February
1936.
Standard mmal cap Insignia.
76
TOTENKOPFABZEICHEN (STOFF)
Death's head badges (cloth)
The fust cloth verSion of the death's head badge was not made for the SS
Panzer beret.
In 1939. SS death's heads began to be machrne woven rn aluminium thread
for the new pattern SS offrcers' field cap.l W,lh the introduction. in Novembl!r
1940. of Ihe new Slyle SS field cap, the dealh's head began 10 be machine
woven In sliver grey Silk thread far other ranks, In addlllon to Ihe pattern 10
alum,nlum thread. ThIS patlern was manufactured unhllale m Ihe war. when
it began to be replaced by Ihe new combrned death's head and national
emblem for wear on Ihe M.1943 standard field cap,' The machine woven
death's head was manufactured m a standard size for wear on alllhe various
kinds of field cap. and was even worn by some personnel on the service cap,
A slightly larger verSion was, however, produced for wear on Ihe Fez. (See
Vol. 7; sectIon on the \ 3th SS D,v) The same colour threads were used for
the manulacture of death's heads as were used for national emblems.
TOTENKOPFABZEICHEN FOR DIENSTMOTZE
Death's head cap badge
The dealh's head was worn on nearly all Items of SS headdress beneath thE
na1l0nal emblem. The death's head was adopted by Hrtler"s SIOSSlrupp In
1923. and was to remam the symbol of the SS until Ihe end of the war
The first pallern was tdentlcal 10 thal worn by the PrUSSian Lile Hussar
Regiment Nos, 1 and 2, and was made of silvered tm, In 1934 It was replaced
by a specially designed SS model. Both old and new badges were worn
concurrently, but by the outbreak of war only a few WatfenSS otlicels
continued to wear Ihe old pallern,'
Like the national emblem. the dealh's head was manufaclured IIfSI m SIlvered
tIn, and then In an alloy. The death's head for wear on the grey service cap
was to be rn matt alumrnium. and Silver plaled lor the black walkmg-out cap
Although rntended for wear only on the serVice cap and the N.C.O.s field
cap, the metal death's head was worn on other types 01 headdress such
as the field cap. standard tield and ski cap, and on varrous kinds 01 fur cap. I
Notes:
1. SSPreishste. NrA. April 1939, With hand-wrmen amendments
2. See section on head-dress.
3. See illustratIon on p, 58.
4. See illustration on p. 70.
SS.VT/WAFFf:NSS 8ADGES OF RANK IDlf:NSTGRAOABZEICHENJ 19)91940.
ss QI>orl.......
....... u.... w'\;S
SS-Ooooo-""...
e;,." W ss
,
/.
'''.
SS 01>0,,,,,,.,'.'."
.'
.'
.......:/
SS S,U''''''''.....' ..I'..
"DespIte o,,'e,s to the conualy c<llla, /NI'cl!fl we,e seldom pIped III and , ....."te<t cc'd......tll!'eas the IIIPlnO ..... as s"ll.etalned on 'M colla, DU,e'I ,.nls shQ",kfm 5
wIth po,nted l!f'lds and oU,ce, S WllllOut .l1e unde,lay .....e,e 5"11 tile m05' common '"
86
o

ss _ .. ,.,
ss SCh.ll" "-I......
,,-
SS-I.l .....
5$Ob'''I<....''- ~ . " w .

li,
,//
" ..:./
o
'"I
SS 1l''lI_lulut'
u. G..,. M.,. d. VI SS
SS ..
yG.... llG.W.SS

u.G.n.G.W.SS
WAFFENSS BADGES OF RANK IDIENSTGRADABZEICHENI 1942.1945.



,
I
0 0 0
.,
0 0
,
0 0 0 0
,.
0

SSUnlOawrmluJu.,
ssO.,..,,'G'uPP<'nlu....'
u. G.n. 01>0,. G. W.SS
88

ssOI>t,"'.....". u .........

SS ot>et"u'"\W1..r " " ~ ' . '

89
An hton'an SSSlandarteno!J.e'lunker, wearing off,ce(. cap (wIth non-
'egulatlOn natoonal emblem) and bell, The badge. on h,s lell breast pocket
are estonIan.
Of1icer cadelS (SSJunke') at lhe funeral of SS Bnga!. Ff1lz Wm. ~ I l l e d near
Caen on 12 June 1944. Ahhough lechnlcally cadelS held N.C.O. ,ank
lhev ale not wearrnll glove. Thev all wear the cullband 01 Ihe" former
unIt to whIch they wIll return, and nOl thel 01 I ~ . e school.
91
WAFFEN_SS POTENTIAL OFFICERS AND OFFICER CADETS. BADGES OF RANK (DIENSTGRADABZEICHEN). ACTIVE. 1940-1945.
1940-1944

ss "n'....,'" If 01
SS Stl'", .... w.w ('0'

SS S""".,.,.,,,.. [fill
SS 5,,,,,,,.,,,,,,,,,,,
lSS,Sc"'l

55-5''''''' ,'''...,'''''.
(SS I"c )
Feb. 1944Mey 1945
SS Se""". " ,w IfS)

SS 5'""" ... "",,,,,.,
(SSS'I "
SS 5' "<,,, .,.'......e'
(SS ~ . , J
92
See nOlI! at 1001 Of page 86
ss "'<lW,,," IRrs)
SS St_""." ",w. (RFRI

lID ffiJ
I
, -
SS u.,", ..".,M".,
d.R., lRfAI
SS O_XNo',,",.,
R... (RrAI
SS I.."',"..,... " .....,
d R ~ , (RI"')
Feb. 19411.M.V 1945
WAFFENSS POTENTIAL OffiCERS AND OffICER CADETS. BADGES OF RANI( (DIENSTGRADABZEICHEN). RESERVE. 19401945.
1940-1944

SS-St"""." ,.w (RrD)

~
LW

ss s,"'"....."" (RrD) SS Jun, d. ReL SSSto.u.,_"",,,,",,

d.ReL

93

SSSlUrmmann and
ss- Unlerfuhre,anwarter
(12 V's servIce)
94
SSSlu,mmann and
SS Unle,fur"eranwa,ter
(less than \2 y,s servIce)
UNTERFUHRER-ANWARTER-ABZEICHEN
Potential N.C.O.s badges
78. Potential N.C.O.s badges."
I! has been established that the badge for potel1lial N.C.O.s who have
Signed on 101 twelve years. IS oo.ng worn by other ranks not entitled 10 it.
The potential N,C.O:s badge IS:
(a) For potential N.C,O.s who hOle signed on lor twelve years.
a 0.9 cm Wide. regulation aluminium lace bar across the bollom of
the shoulder strap.
(b) For potentIal N.C.O,s who have signed on ior less than twelve years:
a 0.4 cm thick tWisted cotton cord In Waffenfarbe across the bottom
of tIle shoulder strap.
Only olher ranks who have successfully completed a potential N.C.O:s
course (Unwrfuhreranwar!erlehrgang) are entitled to wear thiS badge.
or If. because of their conduct In the ranks. they have been recommended
for appointment to a potential N C.O. by llleir company or battalion
commander.
If a year nlter their attendance at the course a potential N.C.D. has not
become a section commander (Gruppenfuhrer). he must remove the badge.
Kdo.d.W.SS lib
Kragenspiegel
Collar patches
In February 1938 the introduction of army badges of rank rendered the SS
collar patches. which denoted both the rank and formation of the wearer.
superfluous. In the Waffen-SS. badges of rank. branch of serVice, and
formation insignia (Cyphers. numerals. and leners) could all appear on the
shoulder strap. In addition. the formation name or deSignation already appeared
on the cuffband.
An order of 10 May 1940 concerning the field-grey uniform of the WaffenSS
(issued on day Germany Invaded western Europe) rendered obsolete. for
secunty reasons. all the prewar SSVT and SS TV collar patches With the SS
runes or deaths head With numerals and letters. From that date on. the SS
Notes:
1. SSBetehlsBlatt.. Nl.lO. 15 October 1934. Nr.5.
2. Ibid.. N1.3. 25 March 1935, Nr.16.
3 V Bl.d.......... -SS.. Nr.12. 1 November 1940. Zlff.297.
4. IbId.. Nr.23. 15 December 1941. ZifI.487.
5 lb,d" Nr.4.15 February 1944.Ziff.86.
6. !bld.. Nr.24. 15 December 1941. Zilf.78.
~
sa
Development 01 the SS ,,,,,es and death's head colla, palches, L-R 1sr partern
hand embroidered SS runes arld death's head fOI othcels. Th,. panem was worn on
both collar patches. 2nd panern hand embrOlde.ed death's head 101 ollrce's. also worn
in pelfS. F,nal panem fOI offIcers. woven ,n alummlum thread.
ht panem mechlrle emb.oidered SS runes end death's head I(lr OIller r.nks. The death's
head was worn on both collar patche,. t 940 partern machIne emb,o.de,ed de.,II''
head whIch was also worn on pa"s. F,nal machme woven pallern fo' other ranks.
runes and the death's head became the standard collar patches of the Wallen-
55.
1
The change-over from the old paltern 10 the new could not take place
ovor night. and as an interim measure units selvlng In the front-line with
old collar patches removed them. Since one collar patch could hardly be
worn on Its own. they removed b01h. To complicate maners even further,
othel units. mainly those in the Totenkopf DIVision. were stili wearing the
double death's head.
Allgemeine.55 badges of rank. as warn in the Waffen-55. remained un-
changed unTil AprIl 1942. when The Fuhrer approved the introduction of a
new rank - SS-ObersT-GruppenfCihrer - and corresponding badges of rank.
ThIS, however. entailed the alTerallon of the deSign of the eXisting collar
patches for the ranks SS-STaL - SSOgruf. There were no further changes
TO the deSign of SS collar patches for the rest of the war.
Manufacture
55 collar patches were made In the shape of a parallelogram (60 x 40 mm)
consisting of a piece of buckram (or metal for the removable ones). covered In
black badge cloth or felt for all ranks up to and including SSOberSlUrmbann-
fCihrel and black velvet for all rankS from 5S-5Tandanenfuhrer to 5S-0OOrst-
GruppenlUhrer. The collar paTch was usually sewn to the collar of the tunic.
fletd blouse. or greatcoat. unless It was the removable pallern With metal
base and a screw fllting at each corner. in which case It was screwed TO the
collar.
Before the war and unTil August 1940 the collar patch for oTher lanks was
edged in 1t mm black and alUminIUm twisted COld.' Olllcers' collar patches
were edged In 1t mm aluminrum twisted cord. although during the war thiS
was ohen omitted flom the collar patches on the field unlfOlm. All ranks from
S5-UnterscharfCihrer up to and includIng SSObersturmbannfuhrer were
Identified by 12 mm aluminium stars (maximum 4): inTermediary ranks had in
addition 6 mm wide aluminium lace with a black Slripe (maximum 2).
Oak leaves for the ranks SS-StandanenfUhrer up to and including SS-
OberstGruppenfuhrer were hand-embrOidered In aluminium wire. as were
the 1 cm sq. Slars. Metal stars were never wom on collar patches by general
olllcers.
Notes:
1 V.BI.d.W.-SS., Nf,23. 15 December 41. llff.482.
2. See photographs in Waffen-SS Im Westen.
3 Der Relchsfuhrer-SS, Tgb.N.RFjV.Betr. Dlenstgradabzelchen der 55
und Polizel. FLihrer-Hauptquartler. 7 April 1942.
4 V Bl.dW.-SS. Nr.18. 15 August 1940. lif!. 155,
95
._a
unllS In addItiOn. army Waffenlarbe piping was 10 be worn between lhe braid
and lhe black underlay General off,cers were 10 have general's paltern
braiding {IWO gill and one alumlntum) on a light Silver orev underlay onl,.
Company and !leld officers were 10 have 20 mm bronzed and general offlcets
26 mm stars In silvered metal.'
InlrodUCllon of army shoulder straps was lhe most radical depal1ule from the
predominantly politIcal traditIon 01 the SS uniform No sooner had Ihe'"
been IntJOduced than the queshon Immediately arose as 10 whICh SS office,s
(partICularly those In the SS Hauptamt) were to considel tl'lemselves merT1-
bers of (he Waffen-SS. and thus ehglble to wear them On 14 May 1939.
SS-Oberf frank. chief of the Verwaltungsamt-SS. was Informed Ihal 'u e
Relchsfuhrer -SS does not want. apart from the I nspector of the SS-Verlugung- _
truppe. SS- Bflgaf. Hausser. olher SS general officers In the SSvr and SS-TV.
to wear army shoulder Slraps The weallng of army shoulder straps by office's
up 10 the rank 01 SS-Sta! In lhe SSVT and SS-TV IS permitted bv the Relchs-
luhrer-SS t
TOpl-R 51,ndard RZM v l ! r ~ l o n of Ihe 00111942 handembroldered eQUal patch for
SSOl>etgruppen/uhrer and SSObe,fUhrer. Collal Pllch far SSOberSlUrmh,tll",r Wllh
rogull"an 'lars and Intermed,ary rank lat".
60tlllm LR Standard RZM vemOn of Ihl! p,. 1942 hillld ambrQ,de,ed colla' palch lor
SSB""adelutl, "cl SSSlandanen!uhfe,. Collar palch for SSUntelSlurmfutlfe, WIlh
000"8';IUI8Iion stars.
5chult.rstucke (Flihrer)
Shoulder sl/aps (CommISSiOned ranks)
In July 1935 officers 'of the SS.Verfugungs!tuppe were ordered to weal
AllgemelfleSS shoulder cords on both shouldets (see Vat 3. pp. 48-50) of
then earrh.grev. aod later fleld-grev lunlCS. blouses and greatcoats. They
were worn until Match 1938. when the army pattern was Inlloduced. Alllfst.
SS officers purchased a'mv offlce(s shoulder sllaps with ellhe1 mall or !lfloht
aluminium braid on a while underlay. Wllh 0111 melal Slars.
The December 1939 order slaled thal the army pattern shoulder SlrapS were
10 be In mall aluminium braid (brlghl aluminium was forbidden). and Ihal the
underlay was to be In lhe baSIC colour of the SS (black) for all offIcers In all
96
-AlIer the war Hlmmler was In favour 01 reintrodUCing the pre-war blatk
service uniform complete with ItS Single shoulder cord. but real!sed Ihalthls
might not be very popular wllh an oUlcer of the W<ltfenSS. who was only
eligible la receive the 'commdely salute' from members of the armed forces
when wearing army badges of rank To allow WaffenSS personnel 10
wear army shoulder slraps on lhe black uniform would have meanl diViding
lhe Waffen-SS hom lhe AlIgememe-SS. which was. aller all. the 10undJ-
tlon of lhe SS order. ThiS solution also created other problems A retlled
Wallen-SS officer would automallcally become a member of the All-
gemelne-SS and would only be enlltled to wear Allgemelne-SS Uniform
and badges of rank The proposed Solullon 10 Ih,s problem was lhe Intro
ductlon of Slandard shoulder straps With Ihe nallonal emblem embroidered
In aluminium wire for offIcers and white Silk lor men These shoulder straps
would not denote the wearer's rank. bUl would Idenllfy h,m as an ex-
member of the Walfen-SS H,s rank would con\lnoe to appeilf on lhe collar
patcn
Three of these shoulder straps have surVIved lhe war. and until now delted
Idenl!licatlon There are IWO dlsllncl types_ The fllSllS 41 cm Wide with 0111
embrOidery and a gilt metal bunon bearing lhe SS runes The second rs
shghlly narrower (31 cm) wnh Silver emb4'oldery and a while metal
death's head builon The wIder gilt pallern may have been Intended fOI
general officers. while the death's head bullOfl may have denoted ele-
members 01 the SS-TOlenkopfverbande.
\11
lOp 'ow. LA Oetachable shoulde' strap tOI SSDg,ul. U. GCIl. d. W -SS. Sew''''
panern to' SSSrU'mb"llnfuh'"r alld SSHauPISlwmfumer alld derachable panern for
SS Un!eISlu,",fuhrel.
BOl1o", row. L-A Pre1939 SSV! and WalfenSS palleln shouldc. snap rOt SS
HauPlsehalluhrer Ind orher ranks (MannsehaI15dltm51{l.ade). POS! 1939 WaUenSS
pallem for SSScharriil""r and orher ranh.
Notes:
Sec Appendrx I.
2 Der Chel des SSHauptamtes. SSGruf Helssmeyer an SSObed
Frank. Chc! des VerwaltungsamtSS. und SSFUhrungsaml. Inspekteul
der SSVerlUgungslruppe und F0hrer der SSTotenkopfverbande.
Berlin. den 14 May 1939.
3 Ocr Relchsf0hrer-SS. Ober das SS-Hauplamt zur Veltellung an ane
Hauptamter. Berlin. den' 3 December 1939.
4 Sec AppendiX 11.
5 Undated draft report With penCilled amendments. possibly by Berger.
on suggested development ot the SS uniform. from 1he files of the
AdJutantur des SS-Hauptamles.
On 13 December 1939 Hlmmler sent the following directive to aJl his MalO
Office Chiefs:"
'1 refer to my order concerning the IntrodUCllon ef Reserve Waffen-SS
officers. and request that Main Office Chiefs ensure, With all powers at
thelf disposal. thal no SS leader under their command wears Walfen-SS
shoulder straps on his servlCC dress unless entrtled 10 do so The followrng
are so enlltled:
(1) WaffenSS oUrcers
(2) Reserve Waflen-SS ollrcers
(3) Securrty Polrce and SO leaders on active duly. regardrng those people
who are to be rncluded rn Ihrs calegory. please ,"qurre la the ChIef of
the SO Hauptamt
(4) Cena," of your Marn Offrce Chiefs. as proposed by the SSPersonal
hauptaml. and With my personal approval.
On 10 May 1940 Himmler amended hiS December 1939 order as follows.
Offrcers' shOulder straps were to remain the same wrlh black underlay
and army Wallenfarbe prplng. but the metal inSignia was to be rn bronzed
mlllal for all company and freld offICers. and silvered metal for general
oUlcers wnh the rank: of SSBlrgaf. and above. The old gIlt rnsrgnra could
be worn unlll 31 December 1940 al the latest. I In filct rt was worn until
the end of the war.
97
P,ototype SS shoulde, boa,ds for wea' on black unlfo,m 10 dlst,ngUlsh exmembe.s
01 the WatfenSS.
9B
Schulterklappen
Shoulde, SlrapS (Olhe, ,anks)
In July 1935 all members 01 lhe SS-VT we,e ordered 10 replace lheu
AllgemeincSS shoulde, cord by a,my patte.n shoulder slraps (measuring
11! x 4.1 cm) on bOlh shoulders of the earth-grey field tunic I AII,rst these
we,e made 01 eanhglcy. and later black cloth With rounded ends. edged In
2 mm black and white or 1.5mm black and aluminium tWisted cord: they
did not however idenllfy lhe wearer"s rank.
In March 1938 N.C.O.s began to wear aluminium lace and 20 mm white
metal stars on their shoulder snaps. which by thiS dale eXisted in lwO distlnCI
patterns. The lirst was made 01 black cloth With rounded ends and black and
alUminiUm lWlsled cord piping, The second was made 01 a coarser quality
black. ClOth Wllh pOlnled ends and no PiPing. ThiS pattern was Intended for
wear with the lield blouse. and had a tongue which passed through a loop
on the blouse or glcatcoat and lastened With a bUllon.
In December 1939 new black cloth shoulder straps wllh rounded ends and
piping In a'my Walfenfarben were Introduced,' During the ensuing change
over a Iimlled number 01 shoulder straps With pomted ends and piping were
manufactured and Issued.
J
In May 1940 It was announced that as soon as
field units had been Issued with the new shoulder slJaps. replacement Units
wcrc to receive them.' Also in 1940 lace began to be manufaclUred In mouse
g,ey or flcld-g,ey alllf,clal silk
Notes:
1. Oer Chef des SS-Hauptamles an SS-Obe'abschnltte und SS-
Verfugungstruppen, Berlin. 27 July 1935. Beu.; E'dgraue Rocke.
2 See Appendix I.
3. See WaHen-SS Im Westen, one from last page. With Illustrallon.
4 V.Bl.lnsp.(E) .. Nr.3_ 1 May 1940
Dienstgradabzeichen fur Mannschaftendienstgrade
Badges of rank for other ranks
Army badges of rank for lhe lowesl SS ranks are believed 10 have been
Introduced In March 1938. at the same lime as the army paltern shoulder
slraps.' They wele worn on lhe upper left sleeve 1" cm under the na\lonal
emblem on all but camouflage uniforms.' In February t943 the weal 109 01
these badges on camouflage umform was offiCially permllled. J
Manufacture
SS-Mann{SSOberschutze U,S.W. Machine-embroidered 2 cmsq Slal In
Silver grey artlf'clal silk lhread on a circular black cloth ground,
SS-Sturmmanll. One 9 mm Wide lace chevron on a triangular black cloth
SSRottenfijhrer. Two 9 mm Wide lace chevlons on a lflangular black cloth.
Top 'OW. L-R. Sleee sta, 10' SSOberschune eIC. and ehe/ons.n
311+"e.ol1<11<.. reglllal.on paue'n. lace IQ< SS Rouenliih,er.
aadges ot lank lor w,thOlll sholllder straps. LR SSGIlI!. wllh oak leaes
machIne embroIdered In YOllow arlll,elal Silk lhread. lInd yelrow celloph.line lace bars.
SSUnrersru.mlllh'et ,n g,een anol",al s,lk thread and g,een cellophane b.rs. Bonom
rOw: Pflllled panem ,n black on bf",hl green .11,1",.1 s,lk ground for SSSlulmb.nn.
fuh'er and SSObe'scharlllhrer.
-+
Notes:
1. The exact date of rntroductlon has denied confirmatiOn 10 date.
h was certainly earlier than 1940 (see Taylor/Bender. Vol 1. p. 110)
srnce a photo of the Lerbstandarte rn the market place at Eger rn
October 1938 shows an SSSturmmann wearrng the Single chevron.
It seems logical that once it had been agreed to adopt army badges 01
rank the SS would have adopted them all. and not In stages as hlthello
generally accepted. FMZeltschrllt . Folge 11. Berlrn 1 November 1938.
2. ThiS conllicted with the wearrng 01 the national shield (Landesschlld)
and so rn April 1944. the regulation was amended. so th,lI the shield
should be worn under the national emblem. and the rank badge under
the shield. V_BLd.W.SS.. Nf.8. 15 April 1944. Zill.164.
3 Ibid. Nr.4. 15 February 1944. Zlll,63.
an Bekleidungsstucken ohne Schulterstucke
Schulterklappen.
Badges of lank on c10lhrng without shoulder s\faps
No sooner had camouflage uniform been generally adopted than difficulty
In identifyrng rank was soon encountered In tt,e field. As early as May 1940
the use of strips of lace or cloth on the sleeve. already In use In the air-force
was advocated.
l
At the begrnnmg of It,e RUSSian campaign officers of the
SSAufkl.Abl. (and pOSSibly other units) Identified their rank group by strips
of white tape or aluminium lace on the upper sleeves of their camouflage
smock.
1
Thrs system IS believed to have been that Oflglnally rntroduced In
1936 for motoflsed units of the SSvr fOI wear 011 overalls and
It conSisted of stripS of aluminium braid for overalls. and whde rubber for the
rubberised motor-cyclists coat Each stripe was 1 cm Wide by 8 cm long and
the distance between each s\fipe was 0.3 cm. In September 1937 the original
order was amended. so that the StripeS went right round the arm.
SS-Unterfuhrer N C.O.s One Stflpe
SS Fi.ihrer Company officers Two stripes
SS-Stabsfuhrer Field officers Three stripes
The German army was faced with a Similar ploblem. and designed and
Introduced a completely new syStem 01 badges of lank in August 1942.
In February 1943 Ihese same badges (wilh mlllor differences) wele introduced
In lhe Wallen-SS.
The 9 mm lace was at first woven in aluminium Wire, but from 1940 onwards
I1 was also manufactured in either mouse grey or field-grey artifiCial silk
thread for wear on the field uniform. or sand colouled thread for tropical
ulllform. The two chevrons for SSRollenfuhrel were also woven rn one piece.
99
01 Ihe SSAulkl.Abt onte"O{jale a captu,ed Sov,et ofhcer du"ng the openmll
of Ihe ,nvas,on 01 AUSS"I. The SSHauplsturmluh,er on Ihe "ghl 's Identified l)y
two bB" on borh sleeves 01 htS camouflage smock.
100
63. Badges of rank for clothing without shoulder straps.
1. To Idenuly the lank of officers and N.C.O.s ollhe WaffenSS on lhe
Snow and fur anorak
Sheepskin
Winter comblnallon lor P,JOzer hOOPS
Drill uniform. black and reed green
Camouflilge Jacket
Camouflaged combinatIOn for Panzer troops
Doll Jackel
Troprcal Shlll
Trallllng costume (SPOilS). and working dress
Specral mach,neembro'dered badges on an oblong black. ground
Illustrated in Appendrx 11) are Introduced. and are for:
(a) Gene'als of the WaflenSS. rn golden yellow
(b) Offrcers, IIlcludlng SSOber!.. III bright g'cen
(c) N.C.O.s. rn bright gleen.
2. POSitiOn of the badges Upper left sleeve - top of the badge 10 cm
from tile shoulder seam. On cJOthlng without shouldel seams the badge
IS 10 be worn at the same height as on clothing Wilt, the se<Jms.
3. The wearing of other badges of rank on those Items of clothing listed
under para. 1 rs not permrtted.
4. Othel ranks wear the same badges 01 rank on those Items 01 clothing
listed under para. 1 as on the fleldgfOy and doll uniforms.
5, Units and offices are to Indent for their requ,rements as follows:
(a) Officers In a collective order Irom the SSClothlng Counter, Berlin
Wllmersdorl. Karserallee 42:
(b) Other tanks vra the normal clothrng supply channels.
SS-FHA./Amt 11/1..1
Long after the IntrodUChon of these badges of rank shoulder straps and otM!
InSignia continued to be wom on camouflage Clothing.
381. Badges of rank on camouflage clothing.-
Shoulder straps are not to be worn on Uniforms made from camouflage
dJlII mateJlal. Only thOSe badges of rank published on VB.d.W.SS
Nr.4. 15 February 1943. ZIIl.63 are to be worn.
SS-FHA /1;0
Manufacture
The 9 cm-tong oak leaves were machoneembrOldered rn euher golden yelio....
Of brrght green afllfrclal silk thread on a rectangular black badge cloth ground.-
The 9 cmlong bars were made Of a 1 cm wrde golden yellow or blight
green cellophane lace. The badge lor SSOberstGfuppenfiihrer was unique
In thal II had a sIngle 2 cm-wide golden yellow lace bar. on which was
machine-embrOidered In sil ....er grey SIlk, three 20 mm stars A cheaper
versIon for all ranks up to and mcludlng SS-Obelfuhrer were screen pllnled
In black on bllghl green artifICIal SIlk. Although hitherto thiS pallem was
presumed to have been made smce the war, those In the author's collection
came from a huge stock found In Paris, and tholr orlgmality can be confnmed
by compaflson with that shown In the IllustratIon opposIte
Notes:
1. Undaled draft report wl1h penCIlled amendments on suggested Im-
pro....ements to SS unIform from the f,les of Ihe AdJutantur des 55-
Hauptamtes. May 1940.
2 See IllustratIon on p. 100, and DIe Deutsche Wehrmacht, Heft 12. wIth
an i1lustraJlon which In fact shows ,In SS off,cel (With two whIte bars,
on IllS camouflage combination) and nOt an SS-Oberschaduh,or as
stated.
3. SS-Befehls-Blatt. NrA. 25 June 1936. Nr.2,
4. Ibld.. Nr,9. 25 August 1937, Nr 2.
5 V Bl.d.W -SS.. NrA. 15 February 1943. ZIff63
6. Ibld.. Nr.14, 15 July 1944. Z,ff.381.
7 See IllustratIon on p. 102 which shows the special pattern for working
o.... eralls,
WAFfENFARBEN
Branch of ser .... ,ce cOlours
Unlll the Introduction of army shoulder straps, the question of Walfenfarbe
had nOt aflsen In the SS-Verfugungstruppe. All piping on SS uniform (peaked
cap and long trousers) was while, irrespective of t I ~ e wearer's branch of
ser .... ,ce Wllh the adoption of army shoulder straps With underlay In Watlen-
fa rile. officers began to equip themsel ....es Wllh peaked caps and long trouselS
Wlttl coloured plpmg. The attached amendments 10 lhe flrSl SS order con-
cernIng the field-grey unlfo!m of the Waffen-SS, dated 12 December 1939.
clearly state, hOW(!VOf, thut tho piping on peuked caps and trousers was to
((I maIn wh,te,' The next order dated 10 May 1940. states thal the trousers
<ire to be uniformly piped In a grey colour and the peaked cap III Wal!cnfarbe.
11 concluded by orderrng lhat HIe cOllect Waffenfarbe be adopted Immediately.
and that Items not conforming to this order may only be worn until
31 December 1940.'
On 5 November 1940 Hlmmler changed hiS mind once agarn amending his
May 1940 order as follows;
SSHauptsturmluhrel Joseph Krimer commandam at BergenBelsen concen-
tralion camp alle! hIS capture by Br'lLsh troops, He wears an Issue shin wnh loop
lor shoulder SHaps and Ihe primed panern 01 badge 01 rank for wear on clOlh,ng
w,thoul shoulder straps.
'01
An (Iefl) and all SSObe'Slu""fuhrer ollhe In.!arld-
sellungsstaflol des H. SS-Panze,ko,ps nea, Cha,koll, Spring 1943. TIIflV
bo1h wear Ih" special versIOn or badges of rank 10, wO'k"'lI overalls.
102
1. The piping on the SS peaked cap fOr officerS, N.C.O.s and men is
white. Officers With the rank of SSOberflihrer and above are to have
silver (aluminium) piping. Watlenfarbe is to appear only on lhe
shoulder straps and field cap.
2. The aluminium piping on the officer's field cap is in future to be worn
only SS-OberfUhrer and above, All other oHlcers are to wear white
piping.
3. On the long grey trouselS the piping is to be white. *
4. Items rendered obsolete by thIS order may be worn until 31 December
1940."
Paragraph 2 appears to have been ignored. and there IS no eVidence or
survllllng examples of olllcers' field caps piped In white.
As the end of 1940 drew to a close. SS officers. who by this time must have
been In some doubt as to what exactly they were supposed to wear, were
reminded that:
439. Application of Waffenfarbe I
The RFSS has ordered. that all officers of the Waffen-SS, must In accord-
ance With flW order of tIle 10.5.1940, halle the sllOulder straps with the
conect piping of their unl!. by the 1 January 1941. (See In this respect the
order of the RFSS Hauptamt fUr Haushalt und Bauten - 1/3 1501 of
the 19.6.40).
The continued wearing of non regulation shoulder straps, or those With
the Incorrect Walfenfarbe beyond the 31,12.1940 IS hereby forbidden.
This equally applies to the field equipment for N.C.O.s and men.
With regards to the wearing of white piping on the peaked cap and long
trousers, see the order of the RFSS of the 5 Nov, 1940. according to
which the wearing of those of a different manufacture also terminates
on the 31.12.1940.
Kdo.der W,-SS/IVa
*Although permission to wear piping in Wallenfarbe on the peaked cap
(and long trousers) had only been offiCially permitted for a matter of seven
months, a large number of officers and men continued to wear It until the
cnd of the war.
Notes:
1. See Appendix I,
2. See AppendiX 11.
3, Ocr RF-SS u, ChdOtPol. SS-Befehl (Abschrrh) Betr,: Feldgraue
Uniform der Walfen-SS. Sipo. und des SO.SeW9.: Meln Befeh! lIom
10 May 1940, Berlin. den 5 November 1940.
4. V.Bl.d.W.-SS., Nr.15. 15 December 1940.Zill.439.
WaHenSS adJutanfs eords.
'06
Explanatory guide to the Waffenfarben listing
The listmg is compiled chronologically by lhe date of Introduction of eilch
colour. The original listings have nOI been altered or corrected In anV Way
despite known omissions. The final listing has been compiled fron a
number of different SOUfces including Dich rult die SS. p. 92. and the 1943
edition of Oer Soldatenfreund (Ausgabe D:WalfenSS). Tafel17.
Notes:
1. Appendix 1to the amendments to the RFSS-Befehlvom \ 2 December
1939, HHB 1/3009. Betr.: Feldgraue Uniform der WaffenSS.
2. Appendix 1 to the RF-SS-Befehl (Abschrlft) vom 10 May 19-)0.
Beu. Feldgraue Unlfolm der Waffen-SS. Sichcrhcnspolizcl (me!
des SO.
3. SS-Fuhrungshauptamt Abt.la.Betr.: Waflenlarben der Wallcn SS
(Abschoh). BCllrnWilmersdorl. 30 May 1942, and supplement ddted
19 June 1942.
4. Officefs retained the Waffenfarbll oltheu former unit. V.Bl.d.W.SS.
Nr.17, 1 September 1943.ZIIf.322.
5. Ibid.. Nr.17. 1 September 1943. Zlff.307.
6. Ibid.. Nr.13. 1 July 1944. llff.368.
7. Ibld.. Nr.3. 1 February t 943, Zlff.37. Pleviously lemon yellow was w- m.
8. Until the intfoduction of orange. staff retained the Walfenlarb<' of
their former unn. Der Chef des 55- Hauptamtes SS-Ogruf. HeISSfT1C' er.
Betr.: Abzeichen lur die Angehorigen der SS-Standort-Kommandar tur
Prag. Bellin. den 7 March 1940.
9. Pilar to the mtroductlon of led and gley twisted cord plpmg tOI
Fachfuhrer In June 1942. oUlcers and N.C.O.s in special sor",ce
(Fuhrcr und Unterfuhref Im Sonderdlenst) wOle dark green Waif, n
larbe. RF-SS-FGhrungshauplaml. IIb/(l) Az.64: B 16 h Nr.221111.
1941 vom 6 November 1941.
10. SS-Fuhfungshauplamt Kdo.W-SS. Abt. la. gel. JUlIner. SS_GlUT u.
Gen.Ll.d.W.-SS. Bell.: Waflenfarben der Waffen-SS. Belug.: SS
FHA. Abt_la, vom 30 May 1942_ Berlin-Wllmersdod. den 3 July 19-12.
11. V,BI.dW.-SS.. Nr.18. 15 September 1943. ZI1I.334.
12. Ibid.. NI.16. 15 August 1944. Zilf,482.
13. Since 1 July 1942. members of the Kraftfahrtechnische lehranstalt
also wore orange. Ibid.. Nr.13. 1 July 1942. Zllf.232.
,AUSROSTUNG
EQulprnent
For the purpose of this book. pefsonal cQUlpmenl has been defined as
swndard equipment rssued to a soldrer on enterrng tile Walfen-SS. and kept
on charge by hrm throughout hiS service. To avord unnecessary repetrtton
the following descriptiOns generally apply to materials used ,n the manufacture
of standard German Issue personal eqUipment.
leattler, Normally black. bUI brown was also used for small fll1rngs. straps,
relnforCUlg and hnrngs.
Webbrng: Erther freld-grey. olive green. or !rgtl[ khakr (sand colour) In
v"rlous Widths Towards the end of the war many dltlerelll kmds of non-
standard webbrng were used.
Canvas Usually olive green or f,eldg,ey, but the old prewar black and
gllly canvases contrnued to be used throughoutttle war. Durrng the last
1'.... 0 ye<lr$ of the war any avarlable canvas was used. and It IS qUlle common
to lrnd one piece of eQurpment made-up from two or more different lypeS
an,J colours of canvas
Stltchrng. ThiS was a very distinCtive leatUle 01 Second World War German
equipment and was usually white. No attempt was made at manufacturmg
stdge to stain It to match the colour of the materials sewn. smce thiS wO\lld
have Impaired ItS durability: In any Cilse. repeated cleanmg and pollshmg
by the wearer soon stamed it
MFtal flllmgs Buckles, clips. flvets. and studs were usually made of a
!lglll mOlnl alloy or steel. mostly pall1ted freld-grey_ The colour of the frnlsh
conSiderably from IIght1Q dark grey. Towaros Ihe end of the war
Illcre was an allempt to Inlroouce a standard colour for Ihe Watlen-SS
and armed forces (previously the air-force had bluegrcv fl\tmgs). ThiS
steel-grey colour WilS used on all metal "ttmgs mcludmg metal
buttons. but was mtroduced too late 10 become standard.
Mess tins and metal cups were at fllst made 01 all,lminlum witll ;) malt
black finish. which usually chipped oil, exposing the aluminium: they
""ere later made 01 steel With an olive green enamelled finish.
G<rs mask containers were painted field-grey throughout ttle war.
General note
In!llally all wooden and metal contamers as well as ordnance and vehicles
were painted field-grey. by 1943 the colour had proved impractical when used
On lronts With dlllerlng terram and dark yellow was adopted as standard baSIC
COlOur I Contrary 10 popular belief items painted in thiS colour were not
necessa"ly Intended for North Ahlca. but for all war theatres. both temperate
and tropical. Since it was much easier 10 apply a darker camouflage pattern
Duty N.C.O. (Unter/uhrer vom D,ensl) was d,slonguised by weallng an cord
lanyard on the righT shoulder. ThiS practise which was nOl common In lhe SS.
107
Top 10 bQllom 11'132 mootl SS othC&<$ bell bul:Ue 1932 model SS Olher ,,/nU belt
Prototype olher rankl Dell buckle made Auman & Sohoeilnd l\I!'Ver
p<oduced ,n quanlOllU
108
(to surt the tilfrilln) to a Ilght glound than vIce versa After thiS date
eqUIpment left the factory finished In the Slandald colour
Feldeusrustung
Field equipment
Koppel
Waist belt
The waiST bell was ISSUed to all othe' ranks and was worn With all 0ld9rs l'
dress Since II conSlllUted a degradation to have the belt laken away
under arreSl those serving In penal un,ts were rssued With a strap for lho!
bread bag rt lhey drd nOl alreadv have one The Onl'l soldrers alioNed 0'"
wrthout a bell were those rn m,lolary hosprlals 01 convalesCing It was USUdl
practrce lor lumOI offlcels to eqUIp them5CtVCS wrth belts of other ranks Irom
!hell U01t"S stocks 101 wear rn the held bUI thiS was drscontlnued In Jul ..
1943 because 01 shollages $
The leathet belt was 4";' cm wrde With a melal hook at one end and a leathf'1
longue wrth two lOWS of holes on Ii'll.' reverse of lhe other Cfld. to whch Ue
buckle was attached and adlusted Belts wl\h a lacquered Irorsh were m t
ofltClallyallowed Webbrng belts do not appe,lllo have been genelally ISSlK'J
to Walfen-SS personnel
Koppelschloss
Bell buckle
The standard rOClangulal SS bell buckle .... as or,g,nally rnlreduced In 1932
Before the wal the blIckle was usually made of n el Dhlled steet, and later
In an alloy wllh iI m.iI1 srTVCI" (alumrnrum) fmlsh Dunng the wal the rssue
belt buckle .....as painted lteld-gley
Seitengewehr
Bayonet
DurIng the Second World Wal the frnal pallorn of 84/98 bayonet wa
standard rssue 11 had wooden gllps and had Ollgrnally been ISSued to mounted
troops In 191!i JUSt befole the war baketne grrps began 10 replace the wood
ones. but rn 1944.4!i W en grrps began 10 be used agarn. Durrng the wal
onlV those rssued wrth a flUe lecelved a bayonet. and when Gefman bayonet'
wale nOl avartable foreIgn ones were rssued When no bayonet was avallabt.
the frog was worn empty
Seitengewehrtasche
Bayonet frog
The bayonet was carrred rn a black lealher frog (20 x !i cm) worn on
the left hrp suspended from the waist belt The standa,d frog was produced
In twO palternS - the cavalry versron. as opposed 10 the rnfantry one. had a
narrow leather sl,ap whIch held the grrp of the bayonet!O prevenllt swrnglng
l-R 84198 twyoner due<! 1939 Wllh {lf1PS WIth Ilog 101 mounted
penonnel SUoo..rd Irog 101 unmounted 84/98 beyonel dlled 11144 WIth
wooOan Of'PS.nd ,nolltl,n<shed shnth lod frog Ill< use .. eonJO..ll\CtlOl> WI1h lne folding
eflllenchong 1001. F,n.1 Panern frog 1o, mounted personnel.

\lIolentlv_ With the introduction of Ihe folding entrenching 1001. a new

bayonet Irog (19 II 3 cm) was Introduced In November 1942 leslrlChClnS
were Imposed on the wearing 01 bayonets and Ir s by employed
.n olflces 01 El5atz units on Re'ch telfltory
patronentaschen
Ammunl\lon pouches
98K. These ammunlllOn pouches wele made 01 Ieathel (9i II 19 x 3 cm)
and were des,gned to lake 30 fOunds In SIX chps (IWO clips 10 a comparlment)
Most pelsonnel In held units were ISsued with two pouches. but Ihose w.th a
small ammun'tlon requuemcnl. such as alullelymen. received one ThiS
pouch panem had 1llS0 been ISSUed to mounted pelsonnelln 1915. rema.nlng
v.rtUlllly unchanged unt.1 the end 01 the Second Wodd War, altl10u911 .n
(leasing use was made 01 flvets to replace Stitch109. In June 1942 llOOPS
wele adVIsed 10 modllv thet! pouches by addlO\J a small strrp ollcalher ID Ihe
tOP to prevent clips trom tailing out when 11 was le!t open.'
MP 28. Those eqUipped With Ihls sub machine-gun were .ssued With a
black leather pouch lor Ihree magazlIles. whICh had a large Ilap covellng lhe
f,ont
MP 38 &: 40. ThiS was a canvas pouch (23 x 15 cm) designed to take
three magazines. and was nOlmal1y ISSUed .n pailS The left pouch was fltled
With a small pocket at the base of the leh magazme conlalnel. whICh was
designed to hold the loading tool
G41. 641 (W) &: G43. Thts pouch with twO compartments was deSigned
10 lake two magazines ollhe 1"51 Gelman aUlOrnallc 'IUe which was ISSUed In
limIted quanttlles. The pouch was made 01 a synthellc lubbellsed labllc with
leathel and metalll\lIngs.;
MP43. MP43/1. MP44 &: StG44. New pouches wele deSigned 10 take the
long slighlly curved magazine of the aulomatlc assault rllle. The canvas
pouch (25 II 20 II 3; cm) held three magazines. and were made and Issued
In pairs. which were JOined together by a narrow webbing strap 10 prevent
heaVily laden pouches !lom failing forwards, Both pouches had small pockels
for SlllPPlllg tools and accessolles. These pouches were manufaClUred Irom
Ihe poorest mateflals. canvas. odd bits 01 rubber. and other synthetic fabllcs.
Gasmaske und Trallbuchse
Gas mask and container
The standard Gelman almy gas mask was call1ed In a 250 mm-long cylrndflcal
metal COntalnel whICh was canted as follows: I
Unmounted personnel wore It suspended Irom the light hip from a strap over
the left shouldel. When th,s was not practIcal. lor Instance by hght machine
gunners 01 by complete unllS. then It could be worn on lhe left hip WIth the
Wap over the light shoulder.
109
Waflen-SS man ca,rymg the 1st W",ld Wa' long-barrelled Mause' ,n 'IS bull
holster .lId [,cid glasses ,n th'M ClIse. Th" he1me!s have been daubed With mud lor
camouUage, F'ance 1940.
110
Mounted personnel, as above, but more to the Iront with the waist belt ove!
the container cally,ng straps to p,event ,t flapping Violently.
Drivers 01 motor veh'cles Includ'ng motor-cyclists wore It on the breast at
elhow level. With the lId towards the flghl
In 1939 the container dimenSions were slightly altered The length was
Increased to 275 mm. and the diameter reduced irom 120t-120 mm, Field
units wele unlfOlmly eQuipped With lhe new pallern. Those ,ssued WIth a gas
maSk were expecled to carrl' It al all tunes when being posted. translerred.
0' when travellmg
Gasplana
Gas cape
The anti-gas cape was carried In a canvas !louch (17 le 23 cm), and was elthel
to the gas contalnc, strap and worn on the chest. or strapped
to the contamer Itseli, Late, In the war the cape was ra'ely worn.
Kleines Schanzzeug
[nt,enchlng tool
The entrenchu\g tool conSisted 01 a 15 cm-wide flal or pOinted steel blade
on,1 straight wooder, handle (overall length 55 cm) It was carried In a leather
0' call1l,,s case (Taschel suspended from rhe waist belt on tl1e left hip. The
shovel was kept In place by Il strap which encompassed both handle and
bayonet Sheath when wOln together
In 1942 a folding entrenching tool Schanzzeug)
measuJlng 69 cm-long extended and 49 cm folded, was rntroduced. By means
of a Bakelite nut the pOinted steel blade could be locked In anyone of three
posItions - In line With the handle as a Sllovel. at r,gtll angles 10 the handle
as a pIck. or folded against the handle for carrying. A specral leather and
metal case With Single bell loop (and one for bayonet sheath) was Issued
w'th It TtllS new case made It necessary to re-deSign the bayonet frog: It
also prOVided a useful means of carrYing thl:! stick g,enade.
Zeltbahn und Zubahor
Groundsheet and acceSSOfles
At the beginning of the war there were four types of groundsheet used by the
WalfcnSS'" These were the square grey 1931 model, the grey army_
and camouflaged triangular army and SS pallerns. 81' the 27 January 1939
8.400 triangular SS camouflage oncs had been Issued. The triangular ground-
sheet mcasured 203 x 203 x 203 cm. and apart from 'IS prlmalY purpose as a
portable shelter could also be worn as a cape or poncho In wet weather.
The,c were three different methods of wearing It - for those on foot or mounted
on horseback. motor-cycle, or b,cycle. Normally four groundsheets could be
buttoned together to form a four man tent. altllOugh any number from one
upwards could bl:! used, In addition to the groundsheet, each soldier carried
rolled InSide the sheet. three 26 cm-long metal pegs. three cm long poles
..... hlCh Imed together. and a length 01 cord
The groundsheet was wom m a numbel 01 dltlerent ways
1 Rolled and tied wIth two 54)( l) cm-long Ieathel or webbing sllaps
suspended from the .....alst belt at the back
2. Rolled Iength.....ays and placed on top of the blanket and/of gleatcoat.
and sllapped to the pack bV three straps
3 Rolled length.....ays and strapped around the mess-un to tOlm an assault

4 Rolled and strapped on lOP 01 the canvas pouch of the assault pack
With the lWO slfaps provIded.
5 Rolled and strapped 10 the twO D-rlngs on the back of the SUpportUlg
straps.
In December 1943 1\ was decided not to Issue groundsheet and accessory
replacements to the eastern Iront for economy reasons. agalll III Seplember
1944 were no replacements 10 supply troops and crews (excepl to
medical companies). Mounted units were eqUiPped With only 25% 0' those
requuoo by supply troops and clews. n
Brotbeutel
Haversack
The 1934 model bread bag (22)( 26" 9 cm) was made 01 canvas w,th e.tOcl
Ieathel or webbing and met.l IllIlogs. The !lap was fastened by Sll.ps and
buttons. on later models straps were dispensed With and the Ilap provided
wrth twO button-holes. It could be worn on lhe fight h,p suspended lrom the
waist belt. 01 OVef the shoulder from a 3 cm-wide detachable and adjustable
canvas sllap. The haversack was supposed to contain washing kit. ea\lng
Implements. field cap and "lie cleaning kit.
Feldflasche (Labe-flaacha) und Trinkbecher
Waler-bQttle and drinking cup
The water-bollle was camed on the right hip. suspended by a sprlllgloaded
clip from 1I D-flng on the haversack. Its capaclly was 1 hue. and was at fllSl
made 01 alumllllum With screw cap. then plasllc Impregnated wood. and
fln.lly enamelled sleel. With a cover 01 grey lelt. The cup was IIlltlal1y made of
aluminIum. pillnted black. then fieldglev enamelled steel. black plasllc cups
wa,e also Issued. The cup IlIled over the top 01 the screw cap. held In place
by a lealher Slrap. The I litre bottle measure<! 25)( 16)( 8 cm. but mountam
lloopS and medical orde,hes were ISSued w,'h a la'ger capilClIy bailie whICh
was 'moo With a special strap so thalli could be c."led over the shoulder
kOChghChirr
Mess-hn
like the wate,-bottle 11 was first made 01 aluminIum. and towards the end of
W,f1enSS man wuh tile I.,'thel pOUCh 101' MP 28 fTIa08l'lWS.
111
SS glenad,e,s w'lh the nsaull rifle wea""G the sPlIc,al pOuches del'gned
to carry Ihe long magazine. France December 1944,
112
Havtll'MCl< (81olbeulel) wlh 5(1 OI'IS lVPtUI OOflle<llS 'n<:lud,nglteld C41t>. la1 conl'f'1'II'
die dea... ""l 101. sewln'l kt. 10; ' 1Q<l<.. woon and lbl cooQf.
tile wal enamelled steel. It conSisted 01 a shallow lid with handle. which
when Inverted could be used as a plate Of cup The pot was deep and Illted
with a wile handle. Tile meSlHln measured 15 x 16 x 9 cm.
it could be carned In a number of different ways'
1 InSide the pael::
2 Strapped to the flap of the 1934 model pacl::
3 Strapped to the assault pacl:: Irame
11 Inside the flap of the engineer's assault pacl::
5 Suspended by a leather SHap and spring loaded clip horn the lelt
D-nng on the haversacl::. alongside the water bOltle.
6 In 01 on the left saddle-bag.
Koppeltraggestell
supporting
The slfaps supporting wcro designed to suppon both the welgln of the W1l,st
belt ammUnition pouches. etc.. i1nd C<lrry the PilCI::. ;Jnd on the M.34 pacl::
the straps were an Integral par! 01 It ThiS had obVIOUS dlS<ldVimtages since
the pacl:: was never caflled III action. and III 1939 a new pacl:: was intrOduced
which was designed to clip onto separate straps supporting. The new pallern
consisted 01 two 59 cm-long Side straps (4 cm Wide reducing to cm at
their narrowest). and one 39 cm-long back strap (2t-2 cm wide). AI the
bacl:: there were two Drlngs on the shoulders, trom which VilflOUS kinds 01
pacl:: or rucksack could be suspended.
The SS were the fllst to experiment wull lightweight webbing equipment.
ilnd as early as 1939 had a separate webbing strap suppOrlmg. At the begin-
ning of the war the Allgemeine-SS strap suppOrting for mounted personnel
was Issued to field units 01 the WaflenSS.
Tornister
Pack
The 1934 model pack had Integlal CafrYlng straps. and was made of canvas
Wllh leathe! and melal fittings. and cow skin flap. It was issued With three
greatCOat straps (54 xli cm).
Irl 1939 a MW pack was introduced. which was baSically the same as the
\934 model. but Instead of carrying straps had IWO Dclips. which were
designed to clip onto the D-rings on the new straps SUPPOltlng. During
the War some packs were produced in plain canvas. Without Iur COVEred flaps.
The tlap 01 the pack was normally used lor canying washing and sewing kit.
underwear. and a handkerchiel. in the pack Ilself were mess-tin. ankle boots.
terltlrne. !fon fallons. and rrlle cleaning kit. The groundsheet. and sometimes
the blanket. were folded and placed between the pack and flap. the greatcoat
was rolled and strapped to the top and two Sides of the pack. The groundsheet
was also rolled and placed on top ot the greatcoat'"
EstonIan volunteers wailing lush g,een dllll uniforms. webbing suPpofllnll. The
usoo 10 hold camourlage maumal os made f,om a haversack suap_
113
Thll usault pack wllh foiled blanket. messt,n and g,oundshOOl snapped to the "on
'at,on bag. whIch wu one 01 lhe many ways on which 'I was used In the "eld.
July 1944.
114
Sturmgepick
Assault pack
The assault pack was made of 4 cm-wide webb,ng and measured 28 )( 26 cm
Attached to it were TWO 35 cm-long stlaps designed TO hold Ihe groundsheet
Detachable from the frame was a canvas bag (13)( 28 )( 8, cm) des,gned 10
hold the rille cleaning kll In the flap. and a tent line. pullover, and reduced
lion ration (tinned meat and ZWleback) In the bag The rolled groundsheet
was strapped on top.'"
Bekleidungssack
Clolhlng bag
ThIS canvas saTchel WIth leaTher and metal fIttIngs was Issued to both mountel'
and unmounTed troops on addItIon to the M 39 pack. so that each ma,
receIved one pack Of rucksack and clothIng bag Those unots who a c c o r d l n ~
to the KAN were Issued Wilt, two cloth,ng bags dId not rece,ve a pack 0'
rucksack, t I It camed drill Uniform. underpants, pan of socks. colla' Imer. a n ~
other miscellaneous reQunements Mounted personnel carried In addItIon"
pan of ankle boots. ,awr. cleaning and sewing kll. and a pan 01 bathing trunks I
In 1944 the whole QuestIon of packs was revIewed and sImplIfied as follOWS
662. The equipping of officers. N.C.O.s and men with packs.
1. In vIew of previous expellence. ofl,eels N.C.O.s and men WIll be Issuec
woth packs as follows'
(a) SS offIcers up to and includIng SS-Stal
large rucksack (standard rucksack) Art No 10151
With carrying straps for unmounted
personnet A,t. No.l0131
(b) SS N.C.O.s and men
Battle rucksack Wllh Art. No, 10152
carrying straps for unmounted
personnel Art No.l0131
(c) Members of mountain UnitS eQuIpped With
speCIal mountain clothing
Rucksack for mountain troops. small Art No. 10155
Rucksack for mountain troops. large Art No. 10156
In any case It IS not permITted to take ot!ler artIcles 01 luggage. such as
trunks. SUIt-cases. clothing bags. packs. etc.. other than the packs mentioned
under a. b. and c above.
2, The following are rendered obsolete by this new regulation:
Pack M.39 Art. No, 10132
and assaulT pack to pack M.39 Art. No. 10133
AssaulT pack bag Art. No. 101311
AI! No 10137
Ar1.NO.10138
Aft No. 10159
Arl No. 10160
Assault pack for engineers
Side pouches 101 engllleers
Rucksack la. arullery
Clolhlng bag
Saddle-bags for mounled personnel
These Ilems are la be worn OUl
Flut special attention IS to be paid to the facllhallhese Ilems of equipment
da not romaln Wllh the men as addnlonal luggage _(See llf!.1. 1.Abs.).
3 The qlJan\lty and type 01 lIems rendered obsolelC. and surplus are to
be lepotted al once 10 Ihe SS-\rVVHA-Aml BII-(Feldelllhellen) 01
SS-FHA - Ami VI-(Ers-Ernhenen) and offices In Relch leflllory.
saddle bags to SS-FHA.Ab Ib
J Regarding the cancellahon 01 saddle bags lor mounted lroops. special
allel11!0n IS drawn la the order rl1 Ihe HeereSlechnlsches Verordl1ungs
blClIl. 2.Jahr 14 Ausgabe of 15 July 1944. Zlff413. which where
applk:able 's relevant 10 the Waffen-SS.
SS-FHA la-IVa
Mannschaftsdacke
Blal1kel
The Issue blankel was gley Wllh IWO Wide and s,x nallow stripes "I both ends_
It was nmmally carrred eHher rnsrde lhe pack or rolled and strapped on lhe
o U l ~ l d e . sometrmes rolted and calrled over lhe shoulder_In November 1944
It was ordered Ihal between 15 November 1944 and 15 Malch 1945 all SS
membelS posled 10 field units ,n the eaSl should be Issued WIth a second
blanket. 111 addillon 10 lhe blankel rncluded In tho Issue schedule(1<) of the
Watlen-SS.
Meldekartentasche
Map 01 dlspalch case
Made ollealhel (27 x 19 cm) Jl was Issued to aboul 50% ollhe complete
SllMgth of a unit as laid down 111 Ihe KAN.
I
' 11 was m'llnly wOln suspended
by IWO adlustable snaps from the walSI bell by dlSpalCh-liders and secllon
and 1.00p leaders. Bener quallly privately pUlchased map cases In black or
brown lealhel were used by slall and ar\lllery officers,
Dienstfernglas
SerYlce binoculars
Binoculars (6 x 30 01 10 x 50) were Issued 10 oil1C6rS and N.C.O.s. and
ahhough supplied w,th either a leather or Bak.ellte case. they were usually
.....orll exposed found Ihe neck.. and the lenses plotected by a cover_The case
.....as deSigned 10 be worn horn eIther lhe belt 01 callYlng strap. Large numbers
of more powerful pllvate or booly binoculars wele also used.
NOfWeg,an voluntoo's WeBlInll IlIe pack W,lh foiled blanket ana ground.heet and empty
Dayonet 'fog Th" Sold,er On tile "ghr ha. aclOlllln9 bag.
115
Tvp.cal Watle... SS me'" dUll"''' a pause ,... t"e bal1le tpr Fra...ce. 1940 Th.. dellrlv shOWS
lhe giS cape pO<JCh a...d ,uue "eld IIlasses. as well as an ,n1ereSllng select'on ot necke'
eh'et,.
MG-Werkzeugtasche
Machinegun tool and accessory case
Call1ed by machine-gunners Instead of Ihe "ghl ;Jmmunitlon pouch. (lhe
left pouch was replaced by a pistol holster) It measured 19 X 16 x 16 cm and
contained tools. cleaning kit spare boil. length of ammUnition bell. and an
anti-aifCla" sight. Anached to Ihe front of the pouch was a p,ece of heat
fesistant cloth for use when chang,ng a hot ballel.
MG-Laufbehiilter
MG barrel container
A 65 cm-long cylindr,cal metal container fOf carrying a spare banel for the
MG 42. Two velsions existed - for single Of twin ballels. The strap was
adjustable and made of webbing w,th met<ll fillings.
116
Handgranatensack
Hand-grenade bag
Introduced m 1939 for ;Jssauh troop and based on Ihe type used In Ihe
Flfsl World War. l\ 01 !wo b<igs (38 x 18 cm) jomed al Ihe top
and bOllom corners by webbing straps. The bags hung round the neck 0'1
ellher Side of the body. and were held In place by an adjustable strap around
Ihe wearers back Each bag held 3 stick grenades (Slielhangranate 24) and
was fzstened at the top With a z,p-fastener
Schleppriemen
Sling
A w,de black leather Of canvas adjUst3blc sHap which was worn ovef the left
shoulder At the end 01 the sling was a large melal spllng-Ioaded clip whl(h
was lastened to .11'1 Infantry Of antHank gun tor manhandling.
Notes:
Kraftfahncchn,scher Anhang zu den V.BI.d.W.SS. 1943. Blat! 23.
Z,ff 42 Anstllcl1 des HeeresgeralCs.
2 AHM 1943. Nr 591
3 Ib'd. Nr.630
4. V.Bl.d.OSAF. Nr.6. 26 January 1932. Z,ff 22
5 V.Bt.d.W.-SS. Nr .21. 1 November 1942. Z,lf.380.
6 H.V.BI.Tell B. 61al1 12. Zilt.505 vom 27 June 1942. V.Bl.d.W.SS.
Nr, 16. 16 August 1942. liff.285
7. M,litalla. Vol. 1, No. 1. p. 14 w,th ,llustratlons.
8 Oer D,enstunterricht Im He-crc (Ausg. f. den Nachr.-Soldaten)
pp. 135 7.
9. AHM. 1942. Nr,414.
10. V.Bt.d.W.-SS Nr.14. 1 December 1940. Z,ff.420.
11. IbId. N1.18. 15 September 1944. Zllf.530
12. Ocr Olcnstunterr,Cht im Heere. pp. 73-5 With 11Iustr,uion.
13, lbld
14. V.Bl.dW.-SS Nr .16. 15 August 1942. Z,ff.284.
15. Oer Dienstuntcrrichl im Hee/e. pp_ 73-5 With Illustration.
16. V.BldW.SS Nr.21.1 November 1944.Ziff.660.
17. Ib'd. Nr.16. 15 August 1944. lif1.286.
pistolentaschen
pIstol holsters
Holsters were usually purchased or Issued wl\h the pistol, and as such they
come under the category of weapons and theIr accessolles. They have been
II1cluded !1ere because tt,ey contrlbuled 10 the external appearance of the SS
soldle]
The service pIstols of the Waflen-SS were the 9 mm Parabellum (P,Stale 08)
and the Walther (P,stole 38), although at the begll1nlng of the war large
numbers 01 obsolete pIstols suct, as the long barrelled Mauser With bUll-
hO!Slel and captured Czech and Polish seT vIce pIstols were stili In use. TIle
plslOls were usually camed on the left hiP, barrel lacing to the back, rn a black
lepther holster. The P,08 and early P 38 holsters were made of blocked leather,
but the later P.38 was of unblocked deSign
Issue holst"rswere usually marked as follows P.38 Jhg 1944 In thIS case P.38
stood 'or the type of pIstol. Jhg was the rnanufacturer"s code. and 1944 the
year of manufacture.
OffIcers were expected to purchase lhelr own pIstols (Elgentumswaffe) tram
the SS Clothing Counter against presentatIon of a voucher. Details of Ihe
prstol were Ihen to be entered In the owner's pay book (Soldbuch) 55-
StandaTlenoberJunker. who had to kll themselves. were to get pIstols from
then school, wh,ch was to 'ndent on Ihe SS-FHA. Ib 'or the reqUired number
N.C.O.s were not allowed 10 buy pistols later In Ihe war because of shortages
The slandard offICer's pistol was the Walther 7.65 mm auloma\lC,'
1. Methods of wearing the pistot."
The AelchsluhrerSS has ordered that:
1 On home lcmtory the pIstol WIll be worn on the rIght, facrng to the back,
2. In Ihe operational zone. With the exceptIon 01 I above. on manoeuvres
on home territory, the pistol IS to be worn according 10 army regulatIons
If these are not obtainable then tl,e most practICal method must be
adopted SS-FHA./Ia
In Octobef 1944 offIcers were oldefed to carry loaded pIstols In public. but
remInded not to leave them In cloakrooms and be careful that Ihey were not
slolen when frequenting crowded places (slallons, dance halls. elc.) or when
USll1g publIC transport?
Notes:
1. V.BI.d,W.SS.. Nr.13, 1 July 1944.ZIIf.351
2 IbId. Nr, 1. 1 January 1943, Zill.1.
3. Ibid. Nr.19, 1 October 1944, ZIU.577.
SS grenadleT with grenade bags.
117

Sl<todara " r ~ i l n S l!(Iu'p.....n\ ill O&g,nr',,"9 (Iehl 1Inc1 Pfld of 11,. WiN
118
Fii hrer- Leibriemen
Officer's belt
A 4; cm-wide black leathel belt Wllh a white metal ~ e alone end and a
leather IOngue on the revOfH 01 the Olher. Wllh tWO rows of holes 10 allow
101 adlUstmefll 01 the buckle The cllcular buckle was 01 white metal alloy with
either a mill1sJlver (atumlrllUm). or mall gley finish. and on ellher side was a
black leather shde Beller quality bellS wele usually Imed on lhe Ins!de wllh
clOth, a lacquered f,n,sh was not pelmmed Allhough the offlcel's bett wllh
crfcutal buckle conhnued to be worn unlllthe end 01 the war 11 was found 10
be Impractical. In aclton the bell buckle tended 10 come undone. SO many
officers adopted the belt and buckle (or cell With rectangular twO j)l'onged
buckle) as worn byothel ranks
Schutterriemen
Cross strap
A 2* cm-wide black leathor adlustable cross strap w,th wh,te melal rec-
langulal stide buckte and two spring-loaded while metal clips. one at each end
It was worn clipped to a Drmg shde on the lelt tront 01 the wa!st belt. passed
over the fight shoulder (undel the shoulder strap) and allached to a 0 ling
on the reverse oflhe bell althe back The Mav 1940 Ofdel' concerning the
!leld-grey uniform abohshed the W8aung 01 Ihe CIOSS Stlap by membe,S 01 the
Walfen-SS WIth the fteld grey urulOlm '
Feldbinde
Full-dless belt
In 1938 a tull-dress belt (see Vol 3, p 7901 thiS selles) was ,ntroduced 10' SS
ofl,cels\o wear With parade dless (Pilrildeanzug) It conlmued to be worn 101
Ihe I,rstthree yeals of the war, ,ts use was then res{r.cted at i1boutthe same
lime as the SS sword
VARIATIONS ON STANDARD EQUIPMENT
,. Cavalry.
Koppeltraggestell fur Berittana
Straps supPOflmg 10' mounted personnel
Mounted personnel did nOt carry a pack, and 50 needed d,lIefent Slraps
sUPoolI,ng 10 calry Ihe weight of the waist belt With ,tS heavy load They
fhlS buckle and the verSIOn worn bv Other ,anks was Introdoced In 1932,
In January 1937. ,n leply 10 a proposal to mlfoduce a new palletn. Hlmmlel
WTOte. 'thallhe questIon 01 the altelallon oflhe SS buckle desIgned by lhe
Fuhre, hrmsell and made from hiS own sketcnes, has never allsen' I
Notes:
1 See AppendiX 11
2 Del RF-SS Tgb,Nr A/44/H/37 Bell Neue Entwurfe IUI SS,Fuhre,
Le'bnemenschlossel, Bellln, den 3 January 1937
119
120
therefore were Issued with a Simple thlee-ple<:e adjustable straps SuPPOfl'no
which was clipped 10 the pouches ,n front and IQ the WillS! belt at the back
The pIe-war RZM pallern Allqemelne-SS cavalry pattern was also Issued at
the beginning 01 Ihe war
Packtasehe 34'
Saddle-bags. model 1934
The marching pack 101 mounted pelsonnel (IncludIng mounted drivelS)
con$ISled 01 a blown leather cavalryman and horse pack. which togethi!r
made up the saddle-bag 34 The Ilghl pack (Rel1ergepack) contamed a pa'r
01 shoes. cleamng brush, shll1 and socks. ZWleback In bag. tin of meat. sewIng
bag. cleaning krl wash.ng Ihlngs. and rifle cleamng kIt The left pack (Plerdegc
pack) contaIned grooming blush, mess-tIn. curry comb and 5urClflgle
Allached to the hOlse pack was a pocket 101 two horse-shoes, 16 nellls. stud
spanner and 8 studs. and a tetnellng ring.
In addlllon there was a baggage case (Hlntergepack) anached to the back
of the saddle containing groundsheet. cam sack vmh cords. canvas bucket.
hOlse gas mask. and a greatcoat for winter The fight saddlebag was sa
designed that It could also be wom on the back as a pack. to whICh lhe great-
coat could be slfapped Saddlebags were also used on the easte," Iront by
motor-cyclists who altached them to the IronllOlk 0lthe11 machines and used
them as addltlonal (and very ne<;essarvl stowage space In November 19'14
th8 saddlebags 'h'eIe rendered obsolete but were to be worn QUI.
2. Artillery
Members 01 horse drawn alltllery banallons wore the person<ll eQulpmentla1d
down for mounled personnel.
Rucksack fur Artillerie
AfIIllery lucksack
In January 1943 a new canvas rucksack (36 x 26 x 1\ cm) was Introduced
for artillerymen. destgned to be wom both as <I pack and assault pack Many
variations olth's lucksack e)usted. The top 01 the rucksack was fastened by a
dlaw-Slrlng and buckled flap On the front were two 54 cm-long straps lor the
rolled groundsheet. Some rucksacks had integral adjustable cafrylng Straps.
others had separate sllaps. According to the army introduction order the
Inlantry straps suppolllng was not to be used With thiS r u c k s a c k . ~
3. Engln......
Engineers wore the same standard eQuipment as other loot personnel.
but because 01 their special tasks carlied additional items 01 equipment. such
as demolrtlon charges and detonators. shovels. and matchetes. tn 1941 the
army Introduced the engineer's assault pack. ~ which was Immediately adopted
by the WalfenSS.lt consisted ollhe following:
Straps supporting for unmounted personnel. Alt. No. 121
(Heeres-Modell)
(SS-Model! 34)
Zahnarztlasche
Apothekertasehe,
Dentists
Chllmlsts
Pack M.39 Arl No 302
Back pack for engineers. Art. No, 331
2 side pouches for engrneers Art No 332
The back pack and side pouches were Issued to every filth assault engineer
The back pack was suspended from lhe standard strap supporting. and con
talned at the bottom a 3 Kg demolition charge. and above. two smoke pots,
In tne Ilap there was a special pouch for the messtrn The Side pouches were
worn In place 01 the ammunrtron pouches and came rn DiIllS. left and rrglll
Both pouches I,eld egg shaped grenades, but the fight pouch had a specral
pocket 10f the gas mask Without contamer. R,fle ammunItion rn clips was held
In IndiVIdual pouches'
4. Mountain troops.
FOllrsl of standard equipment for mounlilln troops. see IiSl1n section dealrng
With mountain troop uniform The baSIC difference between mountain troOps
and othellnlantry unrts was Ihat they were ISSUed wlrh a fucksack Instead of a
and a larger capacity water-bailie. With carrYing suap.
ClimbIng equipment conSisted of Manila fope rn lOO-foot lengths. Ice axe.
Clampons. snaplrnks. steeledged mountain skiS. and small oval
snow-shoes Additional speCialised eqUipment was Issued as and when
requllOO for rescue work. I
5. Bicycle squadrons.
Personnel in bicycle squadrons (Radfatnschwadronen) were Imually issued
With the Infantry Slraps supporting. assault pack.. and clothing bag, but rn
JanUilry 1943 the Wallen-SS followed the army lead and Issued them WIth
the arllllery rucksaCk and a clothing bag
6. Medical personnel.'
Unlnounted medical orderlies carried two 17 x 10 x 8 cm black leather
POuches (Sanltatstaschen) instead 01 ammunition pouches. They carried
varIOUS first-aid eqUipment. field dreSSings. etc. Mounted orderlies carried a
poUch which could be al1ached 10 the saddle. but during the war they also
Wale the pouches for unmounted orderlieS. A larger 2 litre water-bottle
(Labellasche) and callying strap was used by bOlh orderlies and stretcher-
bealers Larger Quantities of urgently needed dressrngs. etc.. could also be
earlled In the medical pack. (SanIHitstornISter). which was baSically the
same as the standard pack. but had a while Circle With red cross on the Ilap.
Doctors. dentists. and chemIsts carlled speCial eqUipment In a black. leather
case With carrYing strap'
Doctors Arzttascne
121
SS-Ooe,sr\lrmiuhrer Hempel. lsr Company SS-Wach8ala,lIon Bohmen-Mat"en
splfng 1941. wearmIJ the old pal1em SS sab'e with ol!lce"s knot.
122
Notes:
1 Del Drenstumerrrcht rm Heere. pp, 735 with illustrations
2. V 81 d W -SS NI.2, 15 Janua'y 1943, lrll 28.
H,V.BI.16. Ausgabe. Bellln den 7 July 1942. llll 1000
3 V.BI.d,W-SS Nr.20,1 November 1941.ll11 446
4 Himdbook. on German MIIIl<!ry Forces. 15 March 1945, p, IX-25.
5. IbId.
6 V Bl.d,W -SS Nr.2. 15 January 1943. Zill.29
7 Sannats-Vorschrlh lur die AllgemelOe-SS (SS San -V ) (SS-Dv Nr 8}
Tegernsee. den 16 Augusl 1935
SS-SElTENWAFFEN
SS Side arms
At the begmntng of the war Walfen-SS officers wore ellhe, the SS swurd
(Degen) 0' the armv pallern sabre wltl, white metalllltmgs, which although
obsolete contmued to be worn (For details 01 the Inlloductlon and award 01
the SS sword. and method of wearmg, see Vol 3, pp 70-4)
On 1B December 1939 the wearong olll,e SS sword by membels 01 the SS
was fo,bldden for the duratIon of the war, l but on 1 Ap,,1 1940 thiS order was
rescinded and the sword was allowed 10 be worn by those officers entItled
to It. when not on field or trilmlng dulY' In Augus! 1940 It was announcpd
t!lilt swords would no longer be available to N.C,O.s on promotion to SS-
Oberschaduhr(!f. but those With swords could contmue to wea, them."
In Augus11942 the wea"ng 01 the sword was again restricted.
280. Wesring of the sword forbidden.'
The Relchsfuhrer-SS has, lor the duration 01 the war, tor bIdden 11'1e
wearing of the sword by ortlcers and N.C.Os. on or off duty
Colour escorts. gua,ds of honour. gua,d mounllng detachments. as well
as Ihose taklrtg part In oath taking ceremonies are e;<cepted.
The RelchsluhrerSS Will authorise certalrt exceptions f,om time 10 time
Kdo.d W.-SSiI!
In Feb'uary 1943 the AelchsfuhrerSS authorised the wearlrtg of the SS Service
Oilgger 36 (Modell 1936) by Watlen-SS officers With long trousers ..
On 16 September 1941 SSGrul, Pohl submtlled a prototype dagger.
With hanger. portepee. and case. together wllh a further three deSigns fOI
an SS dagger tor the Waflen-SS, The,e is no record of any wrl1ten reaction
horn Hlmmlel, although the accompanYing letter bears a note Irt pencil
'alter the war'.' In reply to a plOlotype submllted by SS.OgruL Weltzel,
Himmler postponed any deCISiOn until after Ihe war.'
64. Wearing of the SS Service Dagger 36 with portepee. ~
The Reichsluhrer-SS has. lor the duration ot the war. authorised lhe
wearing of the SS Service Dagger 36 Wllh the army portepee by Waflen-SS
officers.
The dagger may be worn with all ordors 01 dress nOlreQUlring a waist bell.
SS-FHA /Amlll/la
Kampfmesser
Fighting knife
The personal knIfe has always been an essential Ilem of a soldler's equipment.
nOt only lor IlghtlOg. but lor the more mundane activities 01 hfe In the lieId.
DUring Ihe First World War vanous semlofflclal pallerns 01 knlle were manu
laclured m lalge quanlltleS and Issued 10 troops IlghtlOg al lhe IIont. Ourmg
lhe laller slages 01 the Second World War. lIghting knives. based on those
used In the Fust World War. were again Issued 10 !font-hne personnel fOI
close-quarter lighting. Although many Issue and pllvale tvpcs coexlsted.
the Issue pallern p,edomlnated.
The knjle was made 01 sleel (overall length 30 cm. blade 17 cm) wnh
beech wood gnp and stamped metal scabbard wl1h black enamel Ilnlsh.
On the reverse 01 the scabbard was a spring steel clip. The kmle could be
worn in a number 01 dillerenl ways. bUl In action the most typical was InSide
the bOOl or chpped to the IrOnl 01 lhe field blouse 01 camouflage smock al
chest level.
Notes:
1. Der RFSS (LV. SS-Dglu!. HelssmeVill) SSBetehl. Berhn den 18
December 1939.
2. V.B Insp (E) SSVT. Ne1 .. 1 April 1940.
3. V.Bld.W.-SS. Nr. 6. 15 Augus11940.
4. Ibid. NI.16. \ 5 August 1943. ZI1l.280.
5. Ibid.. NI.4. 15 FebrualY 1943. ZIII.64 and NI.1 O. 15 May 1943. ZlfI.182
With IlIustrallon shOWing correCt melhod 01 3uachlng lhe knot.
6. Der Chel des Hauplamtes Haushall u.Baulcn. SS-GlUt. Pohll/3 1751
Ri/Gu. Betr.: SSOolch fur dIe Waflen'SS, Anlg.: 1 SS-Dolch mit
Gehange und POllepee In Etm. 1 SS-Oolch neue AusfUhrung. 3
Entwurle (Zeichnungen). Berlin LichterleldeWest. den 16 Seplember
1941
7. RF-SS (Ru/GI.) an HSSPF Nord SS-Ogrul. Weilzel. June 1940.
Olllce, In walklnp om d'e$5 w,lh rhe 1936 Model SS S<lfVOCe ~ p g .. Wllh knor.
123
-
SS Il'emdle' du",'9 !he Alaennes OffensIVe a<l'Jlo!d WIth a f'llhn"ll bllf, ..nd captured
PISIOI. Dec<l_, 1944.
124
Oneo! the mot common p'll"nt. olth, ltFlbal1u\lfe. showong b(:lh nd
._seolth
SS CAMOUFlAGE PAnERNS
1y ~ l I t a l summer alld aUlumn p,allerns lound On watelptoo! COllon d u t ~
'\ulumn palle,n 'ounll on lM w"'18, comt>.l "n'!lI,m anti f.n'l Colle,n p"nlell on 0,,11
mate".!