Rank insignia
security officers (SD) of Germany
(Sicherheitsdienst des RfSS, SD) 1939-1945

Preface.
Before describing the insignia of security officers (SD) in Germany during the Second World War, it is necessary to give some clarifications, which, however, will further confuse readers. And the point is not so much in these signs and uniforms themselves, which were repeatedly changed (which further confuses the picture), but in the complexity and intricacies of the entire structure of state administration in Germany at that time, which, moreover, was closely intertwined with the party organs of the Nazi Party , in which, in turn, the SS organization and its structures, often beyond the control of party bodies, played a huge role.

First of all, as if within the framework of the NSDAP (National Socialist German Workers' Party) and as if being the fighting wing of the party, but at the same time not subordinate to the party bodies, there was a certain public organization Schutzstaffel (SS), which initially represented groups of activists who were engaged in the physical protection of rallies and meetings of the party, the protection of its top leaders. This public, I emphasize - a public organization after numerous reforms in 1923-1939. transformed and began to consist of the actual public organization CC (Algemeine SS), SS troops (Waffen SS) and guard units concentration camps(SS-Totenkopfrerbaende).

The entire organization of the SS (and the general SS, and the SS troops and parts of the camp guards) was subordinate to the Reichsführer SS Heinrich Himmler, who, in addition, was the chief of police for all of Germany. Those. in addition to one of the highest party posts, he also held a public position.

In the autumn of 1939, the General Directorate of State Security (Reichssicherheitshauptamt (RSHA)) was created to manage all the structures involved in ensuring the security of the state and the ruling regime, law enforcement (police agencies), intelligence and counterintelligence.

From the author. Usually in our literature it is written "Main Directorate of Imperial Security" (RSHA). However, german word Reich is translated as "state", and by no means as "empire". The German word for empire is Kaiserreich. Literally - "the state of the emperor." There is another word for the concept of "empire" - Imperium.
Therefore, I use words translated from German as they mean, and not as generally accepted. By the way, people who are not very knowledgeable in history and linguistics, but inquisitive minds, often ask: "Why was Hitler's Germany called an empire, and why was there no emperor in it even nominally, as, say, in England?"

Thus, the RSHA is a state institution, and by no means a party one and not part of the SS. It can be compared to some extent with our NKVD.
Another question is that this state institution is subordinate to the Reichsführer SS G. Himmler, and he, of course, first of all recruited members of the public organization CC (Algemeine SS) as employees of this institution.
However, note that not all employees of the RSHA were members of the SS, and not all departments of the RSHA consisted of members of the SS. For example, the criminal police (5th department of the RSHA). Most of its leaders and employees were not members of the SS. Even in the Gestapo there were quite a few people in the leadership who were not members of the SS. Yes, the famous Müller himself became a member of the SS only in the summer of 1941, although he had been in charge of the Gestapo since 1939.

Let's move on to SD.

Initially in 1931 (that is, even before the Nazis came to power) the SD was created (from among the members of the general SS) as an internal security structure of the SS organization to deal with various violations of order and rules, to identify government agents and hostile among the members of the SS political parties, provocateurs, renegades, etc.
in 1934 (this was already after the Nazis came to power), the SD extended its functions to the entire NSDAP, and actually left the subordination of the SS, but was still subordinate to the Reichsführer SS G. Himmler.

In 1939, with the creation of the Main Directorate of State Security (Reichssicherheitshauptamt (RSHA)) the SD became part of its structure.

The SD in the structure of the RSHA was represented by two departments (Amt):

Amt III (Inland SD) who dealt with the issues state building, immigration, race and public health, science and culture, industry and commerce.

Amt VI (Ausland-SD), who was engaged in intelligence work in the Northern, Western and Eastern Europe, USSR, USA, Great Britain and in the countries of South America. It was this department that was headed by Walter Schellenberg.

And also many of the SD employees were not SS men. And even the head of subdivision VI A 1 was not a member of the SS.

So ss and sd is different organizations, although subordinate to the same leader.

From the author. In general, there is nothing strange here. This is a fairly common practice. For example, in today's Russia there is the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD), which has two quite different structures subordinate to it - the police and the Internal Troops. And in Soviet times, the structure of the Ministry of Internal Affairs also included a fire brigade and structures for managing places of deprivation of liberty.

Thus, in summary, it can be argued that the SS is one thing, and the SD is something else, although there are a lot of SS members among the employees of the SD.

Now you can move on to the uniform and insignia of SD employees.

End of preface.

In the picture on the left: A soldier and an SD officer in service uniform.

First of all, the SD officers wore a light gray open jacket with a white shirt and a black tie, similar to the uniform of the general SS mod. 1934 (the replacement of the black SS uniform by gray continued from 1934 to 1938), but with its own insignia.
The piping on the caps of officers is made of a silver flagellum, and the piping of soldiers and non-commissioned officers is green. Only green and no other.

The main difference in the uniform of the SD employees is that there are no signs in the right buttonhole(runes, skulls, etc.). All SD ranks up to and including the Obersturmannführer have a pure black buttonhole.
Soldiers and non-commissioned officers have buttonholes without edging (until May 1942, the edging still had a black and white striped one), officers' buttonholes were edged with a silver flagellum.

Above the cuff of the left sleeve is a black rhombus with white letters SD inside. For officers, the rhombus is edged with a silver flagellum.

In the photo on the left: sleeve patch of an SD officer and buttonholes with insignia of an SD Untersturmfuehrer (Untersturmfuehrer des SD).

On the left sleeve above the cuff of the SD officers serving in the headquarters and departments, it is obligatory a black ribbon with silver stripes along the edges, on which the place of service is indicated in silver letters.

In the picture on the left: a sleeve tape with an inscription indicating that the owner is serving in the SD Service Directorate.

In addition to the service uniform, which was used for all occasions (service, festive, weekend, etc.), SD officers could wear field uniforms similar to the field uniforms of the Wehrmacht and the SS troops with their own insignia.

In the picture on the right: the field uniform (feldgrau) of the Untersharfuehrer des SD (Untersharfuehrer des SD) model 1943. This uniform has already been simplified - the collar is not black, but the same color as the uniform itself, the pockets and their flaps are of a simpler design, there are no cuffs. The right clean buttonhole and the only asterisk in the left, denoting the rank, are clearly visible. Sleeve emblem in the form of an SS eagle, and at the bottom of the sleeve a patch with the letters SD.
pay attention to characteristic appearance epaulettes and a green edging of a police-style epaulette.

The rank system in the SD deserves special attention. SD employees were named after their SS ranks, but instead of the prefix SS- before the name of the rank, they had the letters SD behind the name. For example, not "SS-Untersharfuehrer", but "Untersharfuehrer des SD". If the employee was not a member of the SS, then he wore a police rank (and obviously a police uniform).

Shoulder straps of soldiers and non-commissioned officers of the SD, not of the army, but of the police sample, but not brown, but black. Please pay attention to the titles of the employees of the SD. They differed both from the ranks of the general SS and from the ranks of the SS troops.

In the picture on the left: SD Unterscharführer's epaulette. The lining of the shoulder strap is grass green, on which two rows of doubled soutache cord are superimposed. The inner cord is black, the outer cord is silver with black stripes. They go around the button at the top of the shoulder strap. Those. in its structure, this is an shoulder strap of the chief officer type, but with cords of other colors.

SS-Mann (SS-Mann). Shoulder strap black police sample without piping. Before May 1942 buttonholes were edged with black and white lace.

From the author. Why the two very first ranks in the SD are SS, and the ranks of the general SS, is not clear. It is possible that SD employees were recruited for the lowest positions from among the rank and file members of the general SS, who were assigned police-style insignia, but were not given the status of SD employees.
These are my conjectures, since Boehler does not explain this misunderstanding in any way, and there is no primary source at my disposal.

It is very bad to use secondary sources, because errors inevitably occur. This is natural, since the secondary source is a retelling, an interpretation by the author of the original source. But for lack of it, you have to use what you have. It's still better than nothing.

SS-Sturmmann (SS-Sturmmann) Black police shoulder strap. The outer row of the doubled soutache cord is black with silver streaks. Please note that in the SS troops and in the general SS, the shoulder straps of SS-Mann and SS-Sturmmann are exactly the same, but here there is already a difference.
On the left buttonhole there is one row of double silver soutache lace.

Rottenfuehrer des SD (Rottenfuehrer SD) The epaulette is the same, but the usual German is sewn on the bottom 9mm aluminum galloon. On the left buttonhole are two rows of doubled silver soutache lace.

From the author. Curious moment. In the Wehrmacht and in the SS troops, such a patch indicated that the owner was a candidate for the non-commissioned officer rank.

Unterscharfuehrer des SD (Unterscharfuehrer SD) Black police shoulder strap. The outer row of the doubled soutache cord is silver or light gray (depending on what it is made of, aluminum or silk thread) with black piping. The shoulder strap lining, forming, as it were, an edging, grassy green. This color is generally characteristic of the German police.
There is one silver star on the left buttonhole.

Scharfuehrer des SD (Scharfuehrer SD) Black police shoulder strap. outer row double soutache cord silver with black prosnovki. the lining of the shoulder strap forming, as it were, a grass-green edging. The lower edge of the epaulette closes with the same silver cord with black stitching.
On the left buttonhole, in addition to the asterisk, there is one row of double silver soutache lace.

Oberscharfuehrer des SD (Oberscharführer SD) Shoulder strap black police pattern. The outer row of the double soutache cord is silver with black streaks. shoulder strap lining forming, as it were, an edging, grassy green. The lower edge of the epaulette closes with the same silver cord with black stitching. In addition, there is one silver star on the chase.
There are two silver stars on the left buttonhole.

Hauptscharfuehrer des SD (Hauptscharfuehrer SD) Shoulder strap black police pattern. The outer row of the double soutache cord is silver with black streaks. The lining of the shoulder strap forming, as it were, a grass-green edging. The lower edge of the epaulette closes with the same silver cord with black stitching. In addition, there are two silver stars on the chase.
On the left buttonhole are two silver stars and one row of double silver soutache lace.

Sturmscharfuehrer des SD (Sturmscharfuehrer SD) Shoulder strap black police pattern. The outer row of the double soutache cord is silver with black streaks. In the middle part of the epaulette weaving from the same silver with black laces and black soutache laces. The lining of the shoulder strap forming, as it were, a grass-green edging. On the left buttonhole are two silver stars and two rows of double silver soutache lace.

It remains unclear whether this rank has existed since the creation of the SD, or whether it was introduced simultaneously with the introduction of the rank of SS-Staffscharführer in the SS troops in May 1942.

From the author. One gets the impression that the title in the SS-Sturmscharführer mentioned in almost all Russian-language sources (including my works) is erroneous. In fact, it is obvious that in May 1942 the rank of SS-Staffscharführer was introduced in the SS troops, and Sturmscharfuhrer in the SD. But these are my conjectures.

The insignia of SD officers are described below. Let me remind you that their epaulets were of the type of officer epaulettes of the Wehrmacht and the SS troops.

In the picture on the left: the epaulette of an SD chief officer. The lining of the shoulder strap is black, the piping is grass green and two rows of doubled soutache cord wrap around the button. In general, this soutache double cord should be of aluminum thread and have a dull silver color. At worst, from light gray shiny silk yarn. But this shoulder strap pattern belongs to the final period of the war and the cord is made of simple, harsh, undyed cotton yarn.

The buttonholes were edged with an aluminum silver flagellum.

All SD officers, starting with the Untershurmführer and ending with the Obersturmbannführer, have the right buttonhole empty, and the insignia on the left. From Standartenführer and above, rank insignia in both buttonholes.

The stars in the buttonholes are silver, on the shoulder straps are golden. Note that in the general SS and in the SS troops, the stars on shoulder straps were silver.

1. Untersturmfuehrer des SD (Untersturmführer SD).
2.Obersturmfuehrer des SD (Obersturmführer SD).
3.Hauptrsturmfuehrer des SD (Hauptsturmführer SD).

From the author. If you start to look through the list of the leadership of the SD, then the question arises, what position did “Comrade Stirlitz” hold there. In Amt VI (Ausland-SD), where, judging by the book and the film, he served, all senior positions (excluding chief V. Schelenberg, who had the rank of general) by 1945 were occupied by officers with a rank no higher than Obersturmbannführer (that is, lieutenant colonel). There was only one Standarteführer, who held a very high position as head of subdivision VI B. A certain Eugen Steimle. And Muller's secretary, according to Böchler, Scholz could not have a rank higher than Unterscharführer at all.
And judging by what Stirlitz did in the film, that is. ordinary operational work, then he could not have a rank higher than that of an unther.
For example, open the Internet and see that in 1941 the commandant of the huge Auschwitz concentration camp (Oschwitz, as the Poles call it) was an SS officer in the rank of Obersturmührer (Senior Lieutenant) named Karl Fritzsch. And none of the other commandants was above the captain's level.
Of course, both the film and the book are purely artistic, but still, as Stanislavsky used to say, "the truth of life must be in everything." The Germans did not scatter ranks and appropriated them sparingly.
And even then, the rank in the military and police structures is a reflection of the officer's skill level, his ability to occupy the appropriate positions. According to the position held, the title is awarded. And even then, not immediately. But it is by no means some kind of honorary title or award for military or service successes. For this there are orders and medals.

The shoulder straps of senior officers of the SD were similar in structure to the shoulder straps of senior officers of the SS and Wehrmacht troops. The lining of the shoulder strap had a grassy green color.

In the picture on the left shoulder straps and buttonholes:

4.Sturmbannfuehrer des SD (Sturmbannfuehrer SD).

5.Obersturmbannfuehrer des SD (Obersturmbannfuehrer SD).

From the author. I deliberately do not give here information about the correspondence between the ranks of the SD, SS and Wehrmacht. And even more so, I do not compare these ranks with the ranks in the Red Army. Any comparisons, especially those based on the coincidence of insignia or the consonance of names, always carry a certain cunning. Even the comparison of titles that I once proposed, based on positions, cannot be considered 100% correct either. For example, our division commander could not have a rank higher than major general, while in the Wehrmacht the division commander was, as they say in the army, a "fork position", i.e. the division commander could be a major general or a lieutenant general.

Starting with the rank of SD Standartenführer, rank insignia were placed in both buttonholes. Moreover, there were differences in lapel pins before May 1942 and after.

It is curious that shoulder straps
Standarteführer and Oberführer were the same (with two stars, but the lapel pins were different. And please note that the leaves are curved before May 1942, and straight after. This is important when dating the pictures.

6.Standartenfuehrer des SD (Standartenfuehrer SD).

7.Oberfuehrer des SD (Oberfuehrer SD).

From the author. And again, if the Standartenführer can somehow be equated with an oberst (colonel), based on the fact that there are two stars on shoulder straps like an oberst in the Wehrmacht, then to whom should the oberführer be equated? Colonel's shoulder straps, and two leaves in buttonholes. "Colonel"? Or "Undergeneral", since until May 1942 the Brigadeführer also wore two leaves in his buttonholes, but with the addition of an asterisk. But the brigadefuhrer's shoulder straps are general's.
To equate to the brigade commander in the Red Army? So our brigade commander clearly belonged to the highest command staff and wore the insignia of the highest, and not the senior command staff, in his buttonholes.
Or maybe it's better not to compare and not equate? Just proceed from the scale of ranks and insignia existing for this department.

Well, and then go the ranks and insignia, which can definitely be considered generals. Weaving on shoulder straps is not from a double silver soutache cord, but from a triple one, with the two extreme cords being golden and the middle one being silver. The stars on the shoulder straps are silver.

8. Brigadefuehrer des SD (Brigadefuhrer SD).

9. Gruppenfuehrer des SD (Gruppenführer SD).

The highest rank in the SD was the title of SD Obergruppenführer.

This title was awarded to the first chief of the RSHA, Reinhard Heydrich, who was killed by agents of the British secret services on May 27, 1942, and to Ernst Kaltenbrunner, who held this post after the death of Heydrich and until the end of the Third Reich.

However, it should be noted that the vast majority of the leadership of the SD were members of the SS organization (Algemeibe SS) and had the right to wear SS uniforms with SS insignia.

It is also worth noting that if members of the Algemeine SS of a general rank who did not hold positions in the SS, police, SD troops simply had the corresponding rank, for example, SS-Brigadefuehrer, then "... and general of the SS troops" were added to the SS rank in the SS troops " . For example, SS-Gruppenfuehrer und General-leutnant der Waffen SS. And those who served in the police, SD, etc. "..and a police general" was added. For example, SS-Brigadefuehrer und General-major der Polizei.

This is a general rule, but there were many exceptions. For example, SD chief Walter Schelenberg was referred to as SS-Brigadefuehrer und General-major der Waffen SS. Those. SS Brigadeführer and major general of the SS troops, although he did not serve a single day in the SS troops.

From the author. Along the way. Shelenberg received the rank of general only in June 1944. And before that, he led the "most important secret service of the Third Reich" in the rank of only oberführer. And nothing, coped. Apparently, the SD was not so important and all-encompassing special service in Germany. So, like our today's SVR (service foreign intelligence). Yes, and even then the rank is thinner. The SVR is still an independent department, and the SD was just one of the departments of the RSHA.
Apparently, the Gestapo was more important if, since 1939, it was not a member of the SS and not a member of the NSDAP, the district criminal director G. Müller, who was admitted to the NSDAP only in 1939, was admitted to the SS in 1941 and immediately received the rank of SS-Gruppenfuehrer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, that is, the SS Gruppenführer und der Police Generalleutnant.

Anticipating questions and requests, although this is somewhat off topic, we note that the Reichsführer SS wore slightly different insignia. On the gray general SS uniform introduced in 1934, he wore his former epaulettes from the former black uniform. Only epaulets were now two.

In the picture on the left: shoulder strap and buttonhole of Reichsführer SS G. Himmler.

A few words in defense of filmmakers and their "bloopers". The fact is that the uniform discipline in the SS (and in the general SS and in the SS troops) and in the SD was very low, unlike the Wehrmacht. Therefore, it was possible in reality to meet significant deviations from the rules. For example, a member of the SS somewhere in a freelance town, and not only, and in 45 he could join the ranks of the defenders of the city in his black preserved uniform of the thirties.
Here's what I found online when looking for illustrations for my article. This is a group of SD officials sitting in a car. The driver in front in the rank of Rottenführer SD, although he is dressed in a gray tunic arr. 1938, however, his shoulder straps are from the old black uniform (on which one shoulder strap was worn on the right shoulder). Cap, although gray arr. 38g., but the eagle on it is a Wehrmacht uniform (on a dark cloth valve and sewn on the side, not in front. Behind him sits an SD oberscharführer with buttonholes of the sample until May 1942 (striped edging), but the collar is trimmed with a galloon according to the Wehrmacht type. And epaulette not a police sample, but the SS troops.Perhaps, there are no complaints only to the Untersturmführer sitting on the right.And even then, the shirt is brown, not white.

Literature and sources.

1.P. Lipatov. Uniform of the Red Army and the Wehrmacht. Publishing house "Technology-youth". Moscow. 1996
2. Magazine "Sergeant". Series "Chevron". No. 1.
3. Nimmergut J. Das Eiserne Kreuz. Bonn. 1976.
4.Littlejohn D. Foreign legions of the III Reich. Volume 4. San Jose. 1994.
5. Buchner A. Das Handbuch der Waffen SS 1938-1945. Friedeberg. 1996
6. Brian L. Davis. German Army Uniforms and Insignia 1933-1945. London 1973
7.SA soldiers. Assault detachments of the NSDAP 1921-45. Ed. "Tornado". 1997
8. Encyclopedia of the Third Reich. Ed. "Lockheed Myth". Moscow. 1996
9. Brian Lee Davis. Uniform of the Third Reich. AST. Moscow 2000
10. Website "Wehrmacht Rank Insignia" (http://www.kneler.com/Wehrmacht/).
11. Site "Arsenal" (http://www.ipclub.ru/arsenal/platz).
12. V. Shunkov. Soldiers of destruction. Moscow. Minsk, AST Harvest. 2001
13. A.A. Kurylev. Army of Germany 1933-1945. Astrel. AST. Moscow. 2009
14. W. Boehler. Uniform-Effekten 1939-1945. Motorbuch Verlag. Karlsruhe. 2009

The system of military ranks in the German army was based on a hierarchical system of military ranks, established on December 6, 1920. Officers were divided into four groups: generals, staff officers, captains and junior officers. By tradition, the rank from lieutenant to general assumed an indication of the initial type of troops, but in combat units there was no diversity in officer insignia.

France, June 1940. Hauptfeldwebel in everyday uniform. The double galloon on the cuff of his sleeve and the magazine of orders, which he is entitled to according to his position, are clearly visible. Shoulder straps are turned inside out to hide the insignia of its part. The ribbon for long service in the Wehrmacht attracts attention. The peaceful, relaxed look and lack of equipment suggest that the picture was taken when the battle for France was already over. (Friedrich Hermann)

On March 31, 1936, military musicians in officer ranks - conductors, senior and junior bandmasters - were allocated to a special group of military ranks. Although they had no authority (since they did not command anyone), they not only wore officer uniforms and officer badges differences, but also enjoyed all the advantages of an officer position, equivalent to that of officers in the armies of Great Britain and the United States. The conductors under the High Command of the Army were considered staff officers, while the bandmasters directed the activities of the regimental bands of the infantry, light infantry, cavalry, artillery and battalion bands in engineering troops Oh.

The junior command staff was divided into three groups. The technical junior command staff, approved on September 23, 1937, included senior instructors of the engineering fortress troops, and later non-commissioned officers of the veterinary service. The highest junior command staff (that is, senior non-commissioned officers) were called "non-commissioned officers with a lanyard", and junior or lower ranks of junior command personnel were called "non-commissioned officers without a lanyard". The rank of the staff sergeant major (Stabsfeldwebel), approved on September 14, 1938, was assigned in the order of recertification to non-commissioned officers with 12 years of service. Initially, this military rank was assigned only to veterans of the First World War. Haupt sergeant major (Hauptfeldwebel) is not a title, but military post, established on September 28, 1938. He was the senior commander of the junior command staff of the company, was listed at the company headquarters, and he was usually called (in any case, behind his back) "peak" (der Spieb). In other words, it was a company foreman, usually in the rank of chief sergeant major. (Oberfeldwebel). In terms of seniority, this rank was considered higher than the rank of staff sergeant major. (Stabsfeldwebel), who could also be promoted to the position of company foreman. Other military personnel from the junior command staff, who could also be appointed to this position, were called "acting company foremen" (Hauptfeldwebeldiensttuer). However, usually such junior commanders were quickly promoted to the rank of chief sergeant major.

France, May 1940. Motorcyclists of the military police (Felgendarmerie) from the traffic control battalion lead a convoy of trucks. Both motorcyclists are dressed in rubberized field overcoats of the 1934 model, but they have very little equipment. The driver has a 98k carbine on his back and a 1938 gas mask canister on his chest. His wheelchair passenger is holding a traffic officer's baton. The emblem of the division is applied to the side of the stroller, and under the headlight on the wing of the front wheel is fixed the number of the motorcycle, starting with the letters WH (short for Wehrmacht-Heer - Wehrmacht ground forces). (Brian Davis)

Class of military ranks "ordinary" (Mannschaften) united all the actual privates, as well as corporals. The corporals, the most experienced privates, made up a much more prominent proportion of the privates than in the armies of other countries.

Most military ranks existed in several equivalent versions: in different kinds similar ranks of troops could be called differently. Thus, in the medical units, ranks were assigned in order to mark the level of a specialist officer, although the rank itself did not provide any authority or the right to command on the battlefield. Other military ranks, such as captain (Rittmeister) or chief huntsman (Oberjäger) kept by tradition.

Officers of almost all military ranks could occupy positions corresponding not to their own rank, but to the next in seniority, thereby becoming candidates for promotion or acting. Therefore, German officers and junior commanders often held higher command posts than their British counterparts of equivalent military ranks. The lieutenant who commanded the company - in the German army this did not surprise anyone. And if the first platoon of a rifle company was commanded by a lieutenant (as it should be), then a chief sergeant major, or even a sergeant major, often turned out to be at the head of the second and third platoons. Promotion to the infantry military ranks of non-commissioned officer, sergeant major and chief sergeant major depended on the staffing of the unit and occurred among capable non-commissioned officers, in a natural way - people moved up the career ladder in the order of successive career growth. All other ranks of junior officers and lower ranks could count on promotion in the order of encouragement for service. Even if it was impossible for a soldier to be made at least a corporal (due to the lack of the necessary abilities or qualities), there was still an opportunity to encourage his diligence or reward him for long service - for this, the Germans invented the title of senior soldier (Obersoldat). An old campaigner who was not fit to be a non-commissioned officer became, in a similar way and for similar reasons, a staff corporal.

Military rank insignia

The insignia indicating the rank of a soldier was issued, as a rule, in two versions: weekend - for the full dress uniform, output overcoat and field uniform with edging, and field - for the field uniform and field overcoat.

generals with a uniform of any kind, wicker shoulder straps of the output sample were worn. Two gold cast cords 4 mm thick (or, from July 15, 1938, two golden yellow "celluloid" threads) were intertwined with a central cord of shiny flat aluminum braid 4 mm wide on a bright red background of finishing fabric. On the shoulder straps of the general field marshal, two stylized crossed marshal's batons of silver color were depicted, generals of other ranks wore shoulder straps with "asterisks". There could be up to three such "stars" of a square shape with a square width of 2.8 to 3.8 cm, and they were made of "German silver" (that is, an alloy of zinc, copper and nickel - the one from which dental fillings are made ) or white aluminium. The insignia of the branch of service was made of silver-plated aluminum. From April 3, 1941, all three cords on the shoulder straps of the Field Marshal began to be made from artificial "celluloid" fiber of bright gold or golden yellow color, placing miniature silver marshal's batons over the weaving.

Issued for staff officers wicker shoulder straps of the output sample consisted of two shiny flat galloons 5 mm wide on the lining of the finishing fabric in the color of the military service, on top of which “stars” of copper-plated aluminum were fixed. From November 7, 1935, gold-plated aluminum was used. There could be up to two square "stars", and the width of the square was 1.5 cm, 2 cm or 2.4 cm. war time the material for the stars was the same aluminum, but gilded by the galvanic method, or gray lacquered aluminum. The epaulettes of the field sample were distinguished by the fact that the galloon was not shiny, but matte (subsequently the color of "feldgrau"). The insignia of the military branch, approved on September 10, 1935, from November 7, 1935, was made of copper-plated with metallization or gilded aluminum, and in wartime, gold-colored aluminum or zinc alloy, obtained by electroplating, began to be used for the same purpose, or gray - in the latter case, aluminum was varnished.

Captain and Lieutenant shoulder straps of the output sample consisted of two galloons 7-8 mm wide made of shiny flat aluminum, which were laid side by side on the finishing fabric of the color of the military branch, and up to two “stars” of gilded aluminum were attached on top, and insignia of the military branch, relying on the headquarters -officers. On the shoulder straps of the field sample, a galloon of brushed aluminum was laid, and later - a galloon of the "feldgrau" color.

France, June 1940. A detachment of the Grossdeutchland Regiment in the guard uniform of the 1935 model. Those who served in this elite unit wore an armband with the name of the regiment on the cuff of the sleeve and a monogram on shoulder straps with any kind of uniform, even field uniform. Attention is drawn to the "cords of a sharpshooter" and the warlike ceremonial appearance of a soldier's system. (ESRA)

Kapellmeisters wore officer epaulettes with two galloons 4 mm wide each of a flat strip of shiny aluminum. A bright red middle cord 3 mm thick was laid between the galloons. The whole structure was placed on a bright red lining made of finishing fabric (from February 18, 1943, bright red was approved as the color of the military branch of the musicians) and was decorated with a gilded aluminum lyre and an aluminum "asterisk". Senior and junior Kapellmeisters had striped epaulettes: five 7 mm wide bands of flat shiny aluminum galloon interspersed with four 5 mm wide bands of bright red silk, all of which were located on the lining of the color of the military branch (finishing fabric of white, light green, bright red, golden yellow or black) and decorated with a gilded aluminum lyre and the same design "stars". The galloon on the shoulder straps of the field sample was made of dull aluminum, later - of feldgrau-colored fabric.

Technical specialists in the ranks of junior commanders they wore wicker shoulder straps with symbols and “stars” made of white aluminum that were very prominent in their appearance; in wartime, gray aluminum or zinc alloy went to the "stars". From January 9, 1937, horse shoeing instructors (as military veterinarians of the lowest ranks were called) wore shoulder straps with three interlaced golden-yellow woolen cords, framed around the perimeter with the same, but double cord, with crimson, the color of the military branch, lining, horseshoe with or without an asterisk. From January 9, 1939, the inspectors of the engineering-fortress troops wore similar epaulettes, but with cords of artificial black silk inside the shoulder strap and a white cord of artificial silk around the perimeter, and all this on a black - the color of the type of troops - lining; an image of a lantern wheel (“gear”) was attached to the chase, and from June 9, 1939, the letters “Fp” (letters of the Gothic alphabet), there could also be one “asterisk”. On May 7, 1942, the shoulder straps of both veterinarians-blacksmiths and instructors of the engineer-fortress troops changed their colors to red: intertwined shiny aluminum and red braided cords were placed in the shoulder strap field, and a double red cord ran around the perimeter. The lining of horse shoeing instructors was crimson, and a small horseshoe was preserved on the new pursuit; for instructors of the engineering-fortress troops, the lining was black and “asterisks”, one or two, and the letters “Fp” were placed on the pursuit, as on the previous pursuit.

Output quality insignia for senior ranks of junior command staff were “stars”, from three to one (a square with a side of 1.8 cm, 2 cm and 2.4 cm, respectively), made of bright aluminum, placed on fabric dark green and blue shoulder straps of the 1934 sample with a finish according to perimeter with a galloon 9 mm wide of shiny aluminum yarn of the "ordinary rhombus" pattern, which was approved on September 1, 1935. The field quality marks were the same, but were located on unedged field shoulder straps model 1933, 1934 or 1935 or on field shoulder straps with piping of the 1938 or 1940 model. In wartime, a 9 mm wide galloon was also made of silver-gray rayon, and stars were made of gray aluminum and zinc alloy, and from April 25, 1940, shoulder straps began to be trimmed with a galloon of matte feldgrau-colored artificial silk or wool with cellulose wire. The same metal was used for the insignia as for the "asterisks". The company foreman and the acting company foreman (Hauptfeldwebel or Hauptfeldwebeldinsttuer) wore another 1.5 cm wide galloon of shiny aluminum yarn of the “double rhombus” pattern on the cuff of the sleeve of the dress uniform, and on the cuffs of the sleeves of uniforms of other forms - two galloons 9 mm wide each .

At lower ranks of junior command staff shoulder straps and the galloons were the same as those of the senior non-commissioned officers, for the non-commissioned sergeant major the perimeter of the shoulder strap was sheathed with a galloon, and the non-commissioned officer did not have a galloon at the base of the shoulder strap. The insignia of the output quality on the pursuit were embroidered with a thread of the color of the type of troops, while the field quality insignia, not differing from the output colors, were made of woolen or cotton thread, and from March 19, 1937, the "tambour stitch" pattern was also used, embroidered with a thread of artificial silks. Black insignia of units of the engineering troops and dark blue insignia of units medical service they were bordered with a white tambour line, which made them more noticeable against the dark green and blue background of the shoulder strap. In wartime, these embroideries were often completely replaced by a flat thin thread.

Norway, June 1940. Mountain shooters, dressed in field uniforms of 1935 and equipped with general-purpose goggles with round glasses, cross the Norwegian fjord in boats designed for eight people. The participants of the crossing do not notice any tension, and they have no equipment, so the picture was probably taken after the end of hostilities. (Brian Davis)

Other ranks wore the same shoulder straps as junior non-commissioned officers, with insignia in the colors of the military branch, but without galloon. The insignia of the military rank of the 1936 model included triangular chevrons, with their apex down, from a non-commissioned officer galloon 9 mm wide, in combination with “asterisks” embroidered with silver-gray or aluminum thread (if the uniform was sewn to order, the “asterisk” could be a bright aluminum button, like an ingot, made using the technique of hand sewing). The insignia was sewn onto a triangle (for a senior soldier - a circle) from a dark green and blue finishing fabric. In May 1940, the fabric of the triangle (circle) was changed to a fieldgrau fabric, and for tankers - to black fabric. These rank insignia, adopted on September 25, 1936 (the order came into effect on October 1, 1936), continued the tradition of the Reichswehr insignia system that was adopted on December 22, 1920.

Since November 26, 1938 on white and straw green pique working uniform it was supposed to wear insignia of 1 cm wide feldgrau galloon with an “ordinary rhombus” pattern and two thin black piping inside the galloon strip. The staff sergeant wore a galloon ring under two galloon chevrons, pointing up, on both sleeves, below the elbow. The hauptfeldwebel (foreman of the company) wore two rings, the chief sergeant-major wore a ring and a chevron, the sergeant-major had only a ring. Unterfeld-febel and non-commissioned officer were limited only to galloon along the edge of the collar. All insignia of junior command personnel on August 22, 1942 were replaced by a new system of sleeve insignia. The rank and file wore chevrons of the same galloon and the same feldgrau fabric, with galloon "stars" sewn on a white or straw green background.

Insignia of military branches and military units

The branch of service to which the military unit of a serviceman belonged was designated by the color of the branch of service (instrument color), in which the piping was painted on the collar, shoulder straps, headgear, uniform and trousers. The system of colors of military branches (continuing and developing the traditions of the system of regimental decoration colors of the imperial army) was approved on December 22, 1920 and remained, changing relatively little, until May 9, 1945.

In addition, the type of troops was designated by a symbol or a letter - a letter of the Gothic alphabet. This symbol denoted some special units within a certain kind of troops. The symbol of the branch of service was placed above the insignia of the military unit - usually the unit number, which was written in Arabic or Roman numerals, but military schools were designated in Gothic letters. This designation system was diverse, and in this work only a limited selection of insignia of the most important combat units is given.

The insignia, accurately informing about the unit, was supposed to strengthen the morale of the fighters and officers and contribute to the cohesion of the military unit, but in combat conditions they violated conspiracy, and therefore, from September 1, 1939, units of the field troops were ordered to remove or hide too detailed and therefore too eloquent insignia. In many troops, the unit numbers indicated on shoulder straps were hidden by putting on detachable feldgrau-colored sleeves (black in tank troops) on the shoulder strap, or, for the same purpose, they turned shoulder straps over. The insignia of the branch of service did not have such a revealing meaning as the insignia of the units, and therefore they were usually not hidden. In the Reserve Army and in field units left in Germany or temporarily located at home, the insignia of the units continued to be worn as it was in peacetime. In fact, even in a combat situation, they often continued to wear these insignia, neglecting the orders of their superiors. On January 24, 1940, for junior officers and lower ranks, detachable sleeves for shoulder straps 3 cm wide were introduced from feldgrau-colored fabric, on which insignia were embroidered with a thread of the color of the military branch with a tambour line, indicating the military branch and unit, but senior non-commissioned it was not uncommon for officers to continue to wear their former white aluminum rank insignia.

France, May 1940. An infantry colonel in a field uniform of the 1935 model. The “saddle shape” of his officer's cap is noticeable. Characteristic officer buttonholes, in contrast to the buttonholes of the lower ranks, retained the piping of the color of the military branch throughout the Second World War. This officer was awarded the Knight's Cross, and the number of his regiment on the shoulder strap is deliberately covered with a detachable feldgrau-colored muff. (Brian Davis)

The pre-war system, which required the buttons of the lower ranks to be placed on the buttons of the shoulder straps of the lower ranks in the regiments of the figure (empty buttons for the regimental headquarters, I -111 for the battalion headquarters, 1-14 for the companies included in the regiment), was canceled in wartime, and all buttons became empty.

Separate specialized or elite formations or individual units included in larger military formations, distinguished by the fact that they claimed continuity with parts of the imperial army and sought to preserve the traditions of the old regiments, had special insignia. Usually these were badges on headdresses, fixed between an eagle with a swastika and a cockade. Another manifestation of the same special fidelity to tradition, which has grown stronger over time, is the armbands with honorary names borrowed from the CA stormtroopers.

Table 4 provides a list of the most important military units that existed from September 1, 1939 to June 25, 1940, and data on the colors of the military branches, the insignia of the military branches, units and special insignia. The existence of the units listed in the list is not necessarily limited to the specified time frame, and not all of these units participated in the battles.

From May 2, 1939, all ranks of the mountain rifle divisions were required to wear insignia depicting the alpine edelweiss flower - this emblem was borrowed from the mountain units of the German and Austro-Hungarian armies during the First World War. A white aluminum edelweiss with gilded stamens was worn on a cap over a cockade. A white aluminum edelweiss with a gilded stem, two leaves and gilded stamens (grey aluminum was used in wartime, and the stamens were made yellow) was worn on the mountain cap on the left. The Austrians who served in the Wehrmacht often added a lining of dark green and blue from the finishing fabric. Loom-woven white edelweiss with yellow stamens and light green leaves on a light green stem inside a loop of mouse gray rope on an oval of dark green finishing fabric (feldgrau after May 1940) was worn on the right sleeve uniforms and overcoats above the elbow.

The six infantry battalions retained the light green color of the chasseur troops - in a sign of fidelity to the traditions of light infantry, although the battalions themselves remained ordinary infantry battalions - at least until June 28, 1942, when special chasseur units were created.

Some regiments also wore special badges. Two icons of this kind are known. In such a regiment, they were worn by military personnel of all ranks on a combat headdress between an eagle and a cockade and, unofficially, on a field headdress. Since February 25, 1938 in the 17th Infantry Regiment, in memory of the imperial 92nd infantry regiment, wore the emblem with the Braunschweig skull and crossbones. On June 21, 1937, the 3rd reconnaissance battalion of motorcyclists received the right to wear the emblem with the dragoon eagle (Schwedter Adler), in memory of the imperial 2nd dragoon regiment, and from August 26, 1939, the 179th dragoon eagle could also be worn. th cavalry, and 33rd, 34th and 36th divisional reconnaissance battalions.

The captain in full dress uniform with his bride on his wedding day in July 1940. He was awarded the Iron Crosses of the 1st and 2nd classes, medals for long service, "Flower Wars" and the badge "For the attack." (Brian Davis)

Infantry Regiment "Grossdeutschland" (grobdeutschland) was created on June 12, 1939 by transforming the Berlin Security Regiment (Wachregiment Berlin). In complete disregard for field security, the insignia in this elite regiment flaunted the entire war. Shoulder straps were decorated with the monogram "GD" (approved on June 20, 1939), and on a dark green with a blue bandage on the cuff, the inscription was embroidered with aluminum thread Grobdeutschland between two lines along the edges of the bandage, embroidered with the same thread. Instead of this inscription on a short time was introduced another - inf. Rgt Grobdeutschland, with Gothic letters embroidered with a silver-gray thread - it was worn on the cuff of the right sleeve of a uniform or overcoat of any kind of shape. One battalion of the Grossdeutschland regiment was assigned to Hitler's field headquarters - this "Führer escort battalion" (Fuhrerbegleitbataillon) distinguished by a black wool armband with the inscription "Fuhrer-Hauptquartier"(Führer's headquarters). The inscription in Gothic letters was embroidered with golden-yellow (sometimes silver-gray) thread by hand or by machine; two lines were also embroidered along the edges of the bandage with the same thread.

On June 21, 1939, the Tank Training Battalion and the Communications Training Battalion received the right to wear a maroon-red armband with a machine-embroidered gold inscription on the cuff of the left sleeve "1936Spanien1939" in memory of the service of these units in Spain - during the Spanish Civil War, both battalions were part of the Imker group (Gruppe Imker). On August 16, 1938, the military personnel of the newly formed propaganda companies were given the right to wear a black armband with an inscription in Gothic letters, hand-embroidered or machine-made with aluminum thread, on the cuff of the right sleeve "Propaganda company".

Germany, July 1940. Unther is an officer of the 17th Infantry Regiment in dress uniform with a commemorative Braunschweig skull and crossbones badge on his cap, a privilege of his regiment. One can see the "marksman's cord", the ribbon of the Iron Cross 2nd class in the lapel buttonhole and the typical pre-war style of numbers on shoulder straps. (Brian Davis)

When mobilized on August 26, 1939, the eight thousandth German gendarmerie was transformed into the Field Gendarmerie. Motorized battalions, three companies each, were assigned to field armies so that an infantry division had a command (Trupp) from 33 people, for a tank or motorized division - from 47 people, and for a part of the military district - a team of 32 people. Initially, field gendarmerie servicemen wore the uniform of the civilian gendarmerie of the 1936 model, adding only army shoulder straps and a soft green armband with an orange-yellow machine-embroidered inscription "Feldgendarmerie". At the beginning of 1940, the gendarmes received army uniform with the addition of the imperial badge for the police - worn on the left sleeve above the elbow above the elbow of a woven or machine-embroidered orange eagle with a black swastika in an orange wreath (the officer's badge was embroidered with aluminum thread) against the background of "feldgrau". A brown armband with a machine-embroidered aluminum thread inscription was put on the cuff of the left sleeve "Feldgendarmerie"; the edges of the bandage were trimmed with aluminum thread, later with machine embroidery on a silver-gray background. In the course of their duties, military police officers wore brushed aluminum Chest sign with an eagle and an inscription "Feldgendarmerie" in aluminum letters on a stylized dark gray ribbon. Those military gendarmes who ruled road traffic, wore the uniform of the Feljandarmerie without the three above-mentioned insignia, managing with a salmon-colored armband on the left sleeve above the elbow and with an inscription woven with black cotton thread "Verkehrs-Aufsicht"(road supervision). The Army Patrol Service, equivalent to the British Regimental Police, wore the obsolete dull aluminum "marksman's cords" (small aiguillettes) of the 1920 pattern on field uniforms and field overcoats.

Conductors wore buttonholes and stripes with staff bright gold or matte gold patterns. Kolben, and from April 12, 1938, all musicians in officer ranks were required to wear special aiguillettes made of shiny aluminum and bright red silk with their official uniforms. The musicians of the regimental bands wore on their weekend and field uniforms shoulder pads of the "swallow's nest" type of bright aluminum non-commissioned officer galloon and bright red trim fabric. This decoration was introduced on September 10, 1935, with aluminum fringe added to the shoulder pads for drum majors. Badges of other specialists are supposed to be considered in the 2nd volume of this work.

Luxembourg, September 18, 1940. A sergeant-major of the cavalry in dress uniform without the usual belt, but with a steel helmet in his hand, which he took off in favor of a 1938 model cap, is trying to make friends with a local girl. Usually such scenes look fake, but this one does not give the impression of insincere theatricality. The sergeant-major was awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class and seems to have recently received the Iron Cross 2nd Class as well. It is noticeable that his high cavalry boots are diligently polished. (Joseph Charita)

Allgemeine SS officer's cap

Although the SS was the most complex of all the structures that made up the NSDAP, the rank system changed little throughout the history of this organization. In 1942, the rank system took its final form and lasted until the end of the war.

Mannschaften (lower ranks):
SS-Bewerber - SS candidate
SS-Anwaerter - cadet
SS-Mann (SS-Schuetze in the Waffen-SS) - Private
SS-Oberschuetze (Waffen-SS) - private after six months of service
SS-Strummann - junior corporal
SS-Rollenfuehrer - Corporal
Unterfuehrer (non-commissioned officers)
SS-Unterscharfuehrer - Corporal
SS-Scharfuehrer - junior sergeant
SS-Oberscharfuehrer - sergeant
SS-Hauptscharfuehrer - senior sergeant
SS-Sturmscharfuerer (Waffen-SS) - company senior sergeant

Left buttonhole with insignia of an SS Obergruppenführer, front and back view

SS Sturmbannführer's buttonholes

Patch eagle ss

On Labor Day, 1935, the Fuehrer watched a parade of members of the Hitler Youth. To Hitler's left is SS Grupnenführer Philipp Bowler, head of the Führer's personal office. A dagger hangs from Bowler's belt. Bowler and Goebbels (behind the Fuhrer) wear a badge on their chests, issued specifically for Tag der Arbeit 1935, while Hitler, who avoided wearing jewelry on his clothes, limited himself to only one Iron Cross. The Fuhrer did not even put on the Golden Party badge.

Samples of SS insignia

From left - from top to bottom: buttonhole of the Oberstgruppenführer, buttonhole of the Obergruppenführer, buttonhole of the Gruppenführer (until 1942)

In the middle - from top to bottom: Gruppenfuhrer's shoulder strap, Gruppenfuhrer's buttonhole, Brigadeführer's buttonhole. Bottom left: Oberführer's buttonhole, Standartenführer's buttonhole.

Bottom right: Obersturmbannführer's buttonhole, Hauptsturmführer's collar with buttonhole, Hauptscharführer's buttonhole.

Lower middle: epaulettes of an infantry obersturmbannfuehrer, epaulettes of an untersturmfuhrer of the communications units of the division "Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler", epaulettes of an oberscharführer of anti-tank self-propelled artillery.

From top to bottom: Oberscharführer collar, Scharführer collar, Rottenführer buttonhole.

Top right: officer's all-SS buttonhole, soldier's buttonhole of the Totenkopf (Dead Head) division, buttonhole of the 20th Estonian SS Grenadier Division, buttonhole of the 19th Latvian SS Grenadier Division

Reverse side of buttonhole

In the Waffen-SS, non-commissioned officers could receive the position of SS-Stabscharfuerer'a (non-commissioned officer on duty). The duties of the non-commissioned officer on duty included various administrative, disciplinary and reporting functions, the SS Staffscharführers had the unofficial nickname "tier Spiess" and wore a tunic, the cuffs of which were decorated with a double piping of aluminum galloon (Tresse).

Untere Fuehrer (junior officers):
SS-Untersturmfuehrer - lieutenant
SS-Obcrstrumfuehrer - Oberleutnant
SS-Hauptsturmfuehrer - Captain

Mittlere Fuehrer (senior officers):
SS-Sturmbannfuehrer - Major
SS-Obersturmbannfuehrer - lieutenant colonel
SS“Standar£enfuehrer - Colonel
SS-Oberfuehrer - Senior Colonel
Hoehere Fuehrer (higher officers)
SS-Brigadefuehrer - brigadier general
SS-Gruppenl "uchrer - major general
SS-Obergruppertfuehrer - lieutenant general
SS-Oberstgruppenfuehrer - Colonel General
In 1940, all SS generals also received the corresponding army ranks, for example
SS-Obergruppcnfuehrer und General der Waffen-SS. In 1943, the ranks of generals were supplemented by a police rank, since by this time the police had already been practically absorbed by the SS. The same general in 1943 was called SS-Obergruppenfuehrer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei. In 1944, some of Himmler's deputies in charge of the Allgemeine-SS. Waffen-SS and police, received the rank of Hoehere SS- und Polizei fuehrer (HSSPI).
Himmler retained his title of Reichsführer-SS. Hitler, who by his position headed the SA. NSKK, Hitler Youth and other formations of the NSDAP. He was Commander-in-Chief of the SS and held the title of Der Oberste Fuehrer der Schutzstaffel.
Allgemeine-SS ranks usually took precedence over the corresponding Waffen-SS and police ranks, so members of the Allgemeine-SS were transferred to the Waffen-SS and police while maintaining their ranks and if they received a promotion, this was automatically taken into account in their rank in the Allgemeine-SS.

Cap officer waffen ss (SS troops)

Candidate officers of the Waffen-SS (Fuehrerbewerber) served in non-commissioned officer positions until they received the officer rank. For 18 months SS- Fuhreranwarter(cadet) received the ranks of SS-Junker, SS-Standartenjunker and SS-Standartenoberjunker, which corresponded to the ranks of SS Unterscharführer, SS Scharführer and SS Haupgscharführer. Officers and candidate officers of the SS enrolled in the reserve received a appendage der Reserve to their rank. . A similar scheme was applied to candidates for non-commissioned officers. Civilian specialists (translators, doctors, etc.) who served in the ranks of the SS received the addition of Sonderfuehrer or Fach fuehrer to their rank.

Cap patch CC (trapezoid)

Skull cockade ss

In addition to the insignia presented here, many others were used in the army, but this section lists the most important of them.

Commemorative signs

They should have been reminded military units the traditions of the old Prussian army, which ended its existence in 1918. The newly formed military units of the Reichswehr were awarded such signs (since April 1922). and later, parts of the Wehrmacht. These signs were on caps, they were worn below the insignia (an eagle with a swastika). The presence of other signs is proved by photographs of that time. They were worn according to the charter on field caps.

In memory of the former famous Prussian regiments of life hussars No. 1 and 2. In the Reichswehr, this badge of honor was awarded to the 1st and 2nd squadrons of the 5th (Prussian) cavalry regiment. On February 25, 1938, according to the order of the OG, the traditions and powers of this badge were transferred to the headquarters with the corps of trumpeters and the 1st division of the 5th cavalry regiment. In accordance with the requirements of modern warfare, with the outbreak of hostilities, this cavalry regiment was first disbanded, and then a reconnaissance unit of an infantry division was formed on its basis. Not to be confused with the cavalry regiments of the 1st Cavalry Division, which is still preserved. Thus, the 12th and 32nd reconnaissance battalions, as well as parts of the 175th reconnaissance battalion, were formed from the 5th cavalry regiment. The servicemen of this unit continued to wear the "Dead Head" sign even further.

According to the order of June 3, 1944, the Sever Cavalry Regiment, formed earlier in the year, was renamed Cavalry Regiment No. 5. The regiment's employees were secretly allowed to wear the traditional Dead Head badge again, but without official approval. After a short time, they again received official permission to wear their former insignia.

Braunschweig sign "Dead Head"

This sign "Dead Head" dates back to 1809 from the "Black Detachment" of Duke Friedrich Wilhelm of Brauishweig-Ohls. The skull was longer than on the Prussian model and rested with the upper jaw on the crossbones. The sign was supposed to remind of the glorious military deeds of the former Braunschweig military units: Infantry Regiment No. 92 and Hussar Regiment No. 17, which during the years of the 1st World War were part of the 10th Army Corps. This badge of honor was awarded in the Reichswehr to the 1st and 4th companies of the 1st Brunswick Battalion of the 13th Infantry Regiment and the 4th Squadron of the 13th Prussian Cavalry Regiment.

By order of February 25, 1938, this badge was awarded to: the headquarters, the 1st and 2nd battalions and the 13th and 14th companies of the 17th infantry regiment. By the same order, the 2nd division of the 13th cavalry regiment received the right to wear this badge.

The corresponding order of February 10, 1939 was to replace the Brunswick "Death's Head" sign with a Prussian model, but this order, like other similar ones, was hardly executed. Most of the soldiers of these units continued to wear the Brunswick pattern.

On the eve of September 1, 1939, the 13th cavalry regiment was disbanded and the 22nd, 30th were created on its basis. 152nd and 158th reconnaissance battalions, whose servicemen continued to wear the same commemorative badges.

On May 25, 1944, the cavalry regiment "South" formed the same year was renamed the 41st cavalry regiment, which retained the tradition - the right to wear the Brunswick sign "Dead Head". A little later, this right extended to all military personnel of the 4th Cavalry Brigade, which included this regiment. Only the 5th Cavalry Regiment of the same brigade continued to wear the Prussian Death's Head design.

Dragoon Eagle

In memory of the glorious victory of the 2nd Brandenburg Dragoon Regiment in the battle of Schwedt on the Oder in 1764, the Swedish Dragoon badge was established, later the name was changed to the Swedish Eagle.

In the Reichswehr, the sign "Swedish Dragoon" was first awarded to the 4th squadron of the 6th (Prussian) cavalry regiment. By 1930, the 2nd squadron also received this commemorative badge. Meanwhile, during the period of the Weimar Republic, the eagle lost its crown and ribbon with the motto: "With God for the Kaiser and the Fatherland." With the coming to power of Hitler in 1933, all this was returned. In the Wehrmacht, this badge was awarded to headquarters. 2nd and 4th squadrons of the 6th cavalry regiment. On October 1, 1937, the Swedish Eagle badge was received by the 3rd battalion of motorcyclists. When the 6th Cavalry Regiment was disbanded in August 1939, the Swedish Eagle badge began to be worn by the 33rd, 34th and 36th reconnaissance battalions created on its basis, as well as parts of the 179th reconnaissance battalion.

At the end of 1944, the 3rd Cavalry Brigade was awarded this badge, before only the Center Cavalry Regiment had been awarded it.

Buckles, The coat of arms of the 3rd Reich was also located on the buckle of the waist belt and field belt: the front army belt for generals with a gilded buckle.	Ceremonial army belt for officers with an aluminum buckle.
A stamped steel plate belt buckle produced after 1941.	Aluminum alloy belt buckle with grained outer surface

Badge of jaeger and mountain rifle units

For military personnel of mountain rifle units and divisions of rangers, as well as the 1st division of ski rangers, special signs were introduced. 11rn this, stamped metal signs were worn on headdresses, and embroidered sleeve patches on a tunic, uniform, etc.

Mountain Rifle Units (Mountain Rangers)

Since May 1939, an oval cloth badge was worn on the right shoulder of all types of uniforms. It was an edelweiss flower embroidered on fabric with white petals and yellow stamens, with a pale green stem and leaves. The flower was framed by a twisted climbing rope, embroidered with gray matte thread, with a silver-white crutch with a ring. The basis was an oval of dark blue-green cloth. There were two versions of this badge: the highest quality - silk, machine embroidery, and the lower quality, made of felt. There are references to badges embroidered entirely in pale green thread and copper-brown, also silk, machine-embroidered badges destined for the Afrika Korps.

On the cap, between an eagle with a swastika and a cockade, an edelweiss flower without a stem, made of white metal, leaned. On the left side of the mountain cap, and later on the military cap, there was a sign depicting an edelweiss with a stem and two leaves, made of matte white metal. There were also samples. made by hand embroidery.

Jaeger divisions

By order of October 2, 1942, a special Jaeger badge was introduced. Like the sleeve insignia of the mountain rangers, the huntsman badge with oak leaves was introduced to be worn on the upper part of the right sleeve of a zero tunic, uniform tunic or overcoat by all personnel of the chasseur divisions and chasseur battalions. It showed three green oak leaves and one green acorn on a small brown branch, all embroidered on an oval piece of dark green cloth, framed with pale green cord. This emblem is also available in two versions: a higher quality, machine embroidered with silk thread, and a lower quality, made of felt. Made of white metal, it was attached to the left side of the cap. This sign was worn like the edelweiss of the mountain rifle units.

The servicemen of the 1st Jaeger Regiment of the Brandenburg Division wore the badge of the Jaeger units. and the soldiers of the 2nd Chasseur Regiment of the same division received the sign of the mountain rifle units.

Ski Chasseur Troops

A special sign was introduced for the military personnel of the 1st Division of Ski Jaegers, which was formed in September 1943, first under the name of the 1st Brigade of Ski Jaegers, in August 1944. It had the same pattern and colors as the Jaeger sign, but in the center it contains two crossed copper-brown skis intertwined with green oak leaves. It was also worn on the right sleeve of the uniform by all the personnel of the rifle units who served in the ski units.

Non-commissioned officer and officer candidate of the 17th Grenadier Regiment. On his right sleeve, a special badge of mountain rangers is sewn, not according to the charter.	Mountain huntsman in dress uniform. An edelweiss flower without a stem is fixed on his cap.

Insignia of military branches

Enlisted and non-commissioned officers special education wore an embroidered sign on the right forearm of the tunic, uniform and overcoat. It was usually depicted with a symbol and a letter embroidered from zologisto-yellow wool on a round base of dark blue-green or gray fabric. See table 2.

Table 2. Insignia on the army chase
Special formation	Symbol or letter
pigeon mail specialist	Gothic "B"
Fortification builder, sergeant major	Gothic "Fb" (until 1936)
Fortification engineer, sergeant major	Gothic "Fp" (1936-1939)
Craftsman or mechanic in production	gear wheel (since 1938)
Pyrotechnician, artillery technician	Gothic "F"
radio operator	a bunch of three crossed lightning bolts
Gas protection non-commissioned officer	Gothic "Gu" (since 1943)
Supply non-commissioned officer	Gothic "C" (since 1943)
Blacksmith Mentor	horseshoe and star inside
Signaller, communications mechanic	Gothic "M"
Regimental saddle master	Gothic "Rs" (since 1935)
Medical personnel	serpent and wand of Aesculapius
Saddler	Gothic "S"
Army saddler, saddle master	Gothic "Ts"
Non-commissioned officer of the ammunition supply service	two crossed rifles
Technician for the construction of fortifications, sergeant major	Gothic "W" (since 1943)
Assistant Treasurer	Gothic "V"
Communication service personnel	zipper in oval
Helmsman (landing craft)	anchor and helm on top of it

Soldiers who completed combat training, but did not receive a referral to the corresponding unit, wore horizontal galloons and an insignia from 1935. They filmed after receiving the appointment.

The initial sleeve guard of the standard-bearer was established high command German army on June 15, 1898, but after 1919 this emblem was not used. On August 4, 1936, a new version of the original flag bearer and standard bearer sleeve shield was introduced. At first, it was intended to be worn on the right sleeve, in its upper part, only on service, field and uniform tunics, but not on the overcoat.

The last restriction, however, was then removed, and the overcoat was included in the list of uniforms that this shield could be sewn on. The sleeve shield served as a sign that distinguished the one who wore it as a linden, who occupied a special position in his military unit, namely as a standard bearer. The predominant color of the sleeve shield was the color of the branch of service of the standard bearer who wore it. It was sewn onto a dark blue-green fabric base.

Along with the insignia of specialists intended to be worn on the right sleeve, there was also a series of insignia that were supposed to be worn on the left sleeve. These were signs of signalmen, gunners of artillery guns and multi-barrel launchers of rocket artillery, as well as signs of steering boats. On the left sleeve of the tunic, uniform and overcoat, special signs were worn by the helmsmen of landing craft and communications personnel. Initially, they presented aluminum-colored embroidery or babbitt stamping on dark green fabric. oval shape. In December 1936, the insignia of artillery gunners began to be made of golden yellow matte rayon. It was a vertically standing yellow projectile with a flame at the top, in a wreath of oak leaves yellow on an oval of dark green fabric. The badge was worn on the bottom of the sleeve. In February 1937, a special sign was introduced for smoke screen gunners. It was a white mine standing upright in a wreath of white oak leaves on an oval of dark green fabric. The badge was worn on the lower part of the right sleeve.

The output tunic of the chief sergeant major of the 7th battalion of the communications service with the sign of the standard bearer and the bearer of the standard on the right sleeve	Colonel Joachim von Stoltzmann of the 17th Infantry Regiment. He wore on his cap the Brunswick "Dead Head" badge, the traditional badge of his military unit.
It is noticeable that the soldier in the foreground of the picture has a double stripe on the sleeve of his field jacket corresponding to the rank of Haupt Sergeant Major.	Since 1939, non-commissioned officers who have undergone special training and occupy a full-time position have worn an aluminum-colored cord ring like that of this training. On the right in the picture is a saddler. It is noticeable that the gothic "S" in yellow on a mug of dark green fabric is in a ring of aluminum-colored cord. The badge was worn on the lower part of the right sleeve.
Detailed view of the "piston ring"

Technician for the construction of fortifications, sergeant major, non-commissioned officer of gas protection (since 1944), pyrotechnician, artillery technician, gunner.
Medical officer, with a silver flagellum edging (since 1939 for soldiers since 1944), medical service personnel without edging (since 1939), radio operator, smoke screen gunner.

Haupt sergeant major (company foreman) or cavalry guard, etc. was the non-commissioned officer who was responsible for the internal order in the company or headquarters. His rank reflected his position in the service and official function. His distinctive sign- a double stripe on both sleeves of the tunic at the bottom (on the cuffs of the sleeves). This band was informally called the "piston ring". The output tunic of the haupt sergeant of the 30th anti-tank division.	Parade tunic of a sergeant-major from the trumpeter detachment of the 8th Cavalry Rifle Regiment.	"Swallow's Nest" of a cavalry trumpeter, fringe trim of 64 elements is noticeable.

Swallow's Nest (shoulder badge of musicians)

Brass band musicians, drummers and buglers wore a special sign (the so-called "swallow's nest") on their uniform and uniform tunic, but not on their overcoat. These were special semicircular linings with galloons sewn on them, located symmetrically on the shoulders of the uniform tunic. On the uniform, this sign in the form of a crescent was sewn on the seam of the sleeve, on the uniform - it was fastened on hooks. Each such nest was attached to the shoulder of the jacket with five long metal hooks, located at an equal distance from each other on the inner curved surface of the "swallow's nest".

They were inserted into five loops corresponding to them, sewn at regular intervals into the shoulder seam of the tunic. It consisted of a cloth base in the color of the military branches with a piping or galloon on the edge. From September 1935, this sign began to consist of 7 vertical and horizontal galloons, while the new galloons became thinner than the previous ones. The following variants of swallow nests were distinguished: drummers - a gray border; musicians and trumpeters - a light scarlet galloon of u-mini color; battalion buglers - a light aluminum galloon with a fringe 7 cm long.

Parade and everyday cords-aglets

There were three types of different dress cords (also called aiguillettes) in the army: aiguillettes for officers, adyotait insignia, and riflemen's cords.

The adjutant's aiguillette was woven from brushed aluminum cords.	Generals and officials of the same rank wore gold-colored aiguillettes, otherwise their aiguillette did not differ from the officer's.
Aglets introduced for army officers in 1935 they replaced the Reichswehr ones. The new aiguillettes were distinguished by the presence of a second cord and a second curly tip. For officers, the aiguillette was made of a light-aluminum thread, for generals - from yellow-gold threads of rayon. Metal curly tips were of the appropriate color. The adjutant's aiguillettes looked the same and were worn by officers only while on duty as adjutant.	Uniform tunic of Lieutenant General Max Denerlein with a large sash block

Officer aiguillettes

They were introduced in the Reichswehr on July 22, 1922 and at first were worn only on ceremonial uniforms. The tourniquet and both loops were made of light silver or aluminum thread. The generals wore aiguillettes made of gold thread. It was attached to the officer's epaulette on one side and on the other to the 2nd and 3rd buttons of the uniform.

By order of June 29, 1935, a second cord was added and both bundles ended in a metal figured tip. Introduced on June 29, 1935, the officer's aiguillette is nothing more than an adornment of the dress and dress uniforms. There were silver and gold aiguillettes, shoulder straps, weaving, and those. What did Kapellmeisters wear when conducting? distinguished by red stitching in silvery cords. A long braided aiguillette and a double-folded underarm cord passed sospis through the right side to the chest. A wattle loop was thrown over the third button from the top of the uniform, and a bent cord encircled a pair of chest cords with figured tips that hung freely along the side. A short wattle hung below the chest cords, and was fastened to the second button. Under the epaulette there was a button or button for fastening a leather strap sewn to the junction of the cords and braided.

From July 9, 1937, officers began to wear an aiguillette for the dress uniform in the event that Hitler himself was present at the parade - supreme commander Wehrmacht. It was also supposed to be worn at parades dedicated to the Fuhrer's birthday. He was worn on ceremonial uniforms and on a specific occasion, for example, at ceremonial events, ceremonial marches, etc. However, aiguillettes were never worn on overcoats.

Adjutants' Axelbant

We are talking about insignia directly related to the official duties of the adjutant, who belonged to the command (staff) composition of the troops. For example, the adjutant of the headquarters of the regiment, battalion or company. Since 1935, a wide plait of two thin cords has been made from matte aluminum thread.

Axelbant assigned to adjutant generals. staff officers, worn in the line of duty. It consisted only of a breast wattle, covered in the middle by a loop of a sleeve cord, the ends of which came out from under the right shoulder strap on the chest with two tips hanging along the line of the armhole. The end of the aiguillette was fastened to the second button from the top of the uniform (or everyday tunic, field jacket, overcoat). He leaned to the right shoulder strap on one side and to the fringe button of his tunic on the other side. However, the aiguillette was worn only while the officer served as adyotant.

Axelbants for excellent shooting

In the Reichswehr, there were 10 initial stages of awards to shooters for excellent shooting. By order of January 27, 1928, there were 24 such steps. These awards were given to soldiers and non-commissioned officers for success in shooting from a carbine, rifle, light and heavy machine guns. as well as success in the development of mortar and artillery weapons (servicemen of mortar and artillery companies. These were matte galloons that were worn on the sleeve in the region of the left forearm.

By order of June 29, 1936, instead of these signs, an aiguillette was introduced for excellent shooting. When creating its sample, traditions were used old army. The cord was made of threads of matte aluminum color, the matte sign with a pattern was stamped from aluminum alloy. There were 12 steps. for each of the 4 steps there corresponded a certain sign.

Another difference was the presence of acorns at the lower end of the cord. They were woven from threads of gold or aluminum color, the number of acorns corresponded to a row from 10 to 12 steps.

Signs for excellent shooting were worn on dress, uniform, weekend and guard uniforms, but not on overcoats. The end of the cord with the sign was fastened under the right epaulette with a button, the other end of the cord was fastened to the second button of the tunic or uniform.

Along with the factory ones, there were handmade aiguillettes, which differed from the standard in execution. Most of them were made of aluminum-colored threads. Over time, these deviations were approved, for example, aiguillettes for excellent shooting of artillerymen from December 16, 1936 received metal shells instead of acorns.

On October 17, 1938, a special badge for tankers was introduced. From the 1st to the 4th stage, the Pz.Kpfw.I tank was depicted on it under the Wehrmacht eagle. At the same time, the sign was framed by an oval of stylized caterpillar tracks. For steps from 5 to 8, the crown was made of oak leaves. The sign of steps 9 to 12 was the same. but it was made of gold-colored metal. To the lower end of the aglet of the tankers, shells made of aluminum or gold metal were hung for excellent shooting.

Finally, in January 1939, a new badge appeared for the first three steps for excellent shooting. It was the same as for steps 5-8, but had a narrower wreath.

The signs for the distinction of individual steps were in the form of shells for artillerymen, for the rest of the military branches - in the form of acorns. For steps 9-12 they were golden.	Axelbant "For excellent shooting" 1st degree. The top is heeled so-forged aluminum alloy. Pictured is a 1939 sample.	1. Three different sign for tank troops "For excellent shooting." From right to left: steps 1-4,5-8 and 9-12. 2. Three different signs for shooters "For excellent shooting" (January 1939 sample), which were attached to the aiguillette. From right to left: steps 1-4.5-8 and 9-12.

She was worn on a dress uniform and a uniform tunic, but only by order. This insignia was sewn onto the fabric of the uniform in the form of a block of zinc tin 4 cm wide. It was strengthened so that the block covered the patch.

The sequence of orders and insignia on the order block
The attached list shows the sequence in which various orders and insignia were worn on the order block. The attached instruction from 1943 differs from those issued in 1935 and 1937 primarily by the appearance of 6 new awards (these are numbers 2 and 38 in the list). This list concerns primarily the awards of all Wehrmacht soldiers, there may be some changes made at a later time. 1. Iron Cross sample 1914 and 1939 2. Military merit cross with swords (for military distinctions) and without swords. 3. Insignia "For taking care of German people» with swords on the ribbon. 4. Medal "For the care of the German people" with swords on the ribbon. 5. Medal "FOR THE WINTER CAMPAIGN IN THE EAST 1941-42" 6. Medal of Military Merit. 7. Royal Order of the House of Hohenzollern (Prussia) 8. Prussian Order Red Eagle 3rd or 4th class with swords. 9. Order of the Crown of Prussia, 3rd or 4th class. 10. Austrian Military Order of Maria Theresa. 11. Austrian Imperial Order of Leopold with military distinction. 12. Bavarian Military Order of Maskimilian Joseph. 13. Bavarian Military Order of the Red Cross. 14. Saxon Military Order of St. Henry. 15. Württemberg Order of Military Merit. 16. Baden Military Order of Merit Karl Friedrich. 17. Prussian Gold Cross of Military Merit. 18. Prussian military medal 1 and 2 classes. 19. Austrian Golden medal"For Courage" 20. Bavarian gold and silver medals "For Bravery" 21. Saxon Gold Medal of the Order of St. Henry. 22. Wurttember Gold Medal of Military Merit. 23. Baden Military Merit Medal of Karl Friedrich. 24. Other orders and insignia for service in the 1st World War in a row of their kiass and within the same class a day after the award. 25. Honorary Cross of the 1st World War. 26. Austrian commemorative medal dedicated to the 1st World War. 27a. Commemorative coin of the war of 1864 276. Commemorative Cross 1866 27s. Commemorative coin of the war of 1870-71	28. Austrian military medal. 29th century South West Africa Commemorative Coin (colonial award) 296. Colonial commemorative coin. 29s. Commemorative coin of China (colonial award). 30. Silesian Badge of Merit (Silesian Eagle) 31. Medal "For Salvation" on a ribbon. 32a. Service badge of the Wehrmacht. 326. Austrian military service badge. 33 Other state awards and awards of the NSDAP according to their degree of significance and within the same level one day after the award. 34. Olympic merit award. 35. Commemorative medal March 13, 1938 36. Commemorative medal October 1, 1938 37. Medal in memory of the return of Memel. 38. Medal of Honor of the Western Wall. 39. German commemorative Olympic medal. 40. Badge of honor of the German Red Cross. 41. Order and badge of honor of the former German sovereign states in the row of their class and within the same class one day after the award. 42. Foreign orders and medals were arranged in a row as they were awarded.

On this order block, which was worn on all other types of uniforms. there were only sashes. They were located next to each other on a block 12-18 mm wide. It was made of aluminum sheet or plastic, sometimes even leather. As well as traditional method The Bavarian method was also used to attach order ribbons, when the ribbons were stacked in twos and arranged one after the other, due to which the entire block looked wider.

Lieutenant Colonel in a ceremonial tunic - a large order block on the left chest	Cavalier of the Knight's Cross, Major General Georg-Wilhelm Postel wore a small order block on a leather lining
Small order block of the participant of the 1st World War.	This splendidly decorated Major General wore two small sashes stacked on top of each other.
	Small sash with the Bavarian method of sashes

Brigadeführer (German: Brigadefuhrer)- rank in the SS and SA, corresponded to the rank of major general.

On May 19, 1933, he was introduced into the structure of the SS as the title of head of the main territorial divisions of the SS Oberabschnit (SS-Oberabschnitte). This is the highest structural unit of the SS organization. There were 17 of them. It can be equated to an army district, especially since the territorial boundaries of each oberabshnit coincided with the boundaries of the army districts. Oberabshnit did not include a clearly defined number of Abshnits. This depended on the size of the territory, the number of SS formations stationed on it, and the population. Most often, there were three abshnits and several special formations in the oberabshnit: one communications battalion (SS Nachrichtensturmbann), one engineer battalion (SS Pioniersturmbann), one sanitary company (SS Sanitaetssturm), an auxiliary reserve squad of members over 45 years old, or a women's auxiliary squad ( SS Helferinnen). Since 1936, in the Waffen-SS, it corresponded to the rank of major general and the position of division commander.

The change in insignia of the highest Fuhrers (generals) of the SS in April 1942 was caused by the introduction of the rank of Oberstgruppenfuehrer and the desire to unify the number of stars on the buttonholes and shoulder straps that were worn on all other types of uniforms, except for the party uniform, since with an increase in the number of Waffen-SS units, more and more often there were problems with the correct recognition of SS ranks by ordinary Wehrmacht soldiers.

Starting from this SS rank, if its holder was appointed to a military (since 1936) or police (since 1933) service, he received a duplicate rank in accordance with the nature of the service:

SS Brigadeführer and Police Major General - German. SS Brigadefuehrer und der Generalmaior der Polizei
SS Brigadeführer and Major General of the Waffen-SS - German. SS Brigadefuehrer und der Generalmaior der Waffen SS