Military uniform of the second world war. Army uniform of the second world

There is a lot of information on the Soviet uniform and equipment on the Internet, but it is scattered and unsystematic. A few years ago, I started to be interested in Soviet uniforms and equipment, then it grew into an article. Of course, I am far from being the ultimate truth, so I will be glad if more knowledgeable people correct and supplement the article. Also, I did not consider emblems and insignia.

A little history first. Even before the First World War, a uniform appeared in the Russian army, consisting of a protective color of trousers, a shirt-tunic, an overcoat and boots. We have seen her more than once in films about the Civil and Great Patriotic Wars.

Soviet uniform from World War II.

Since then, several uniform reforms have been carried out, but they mainly affected only the dress uniform. “In uniforms, edgings, epaulettes, buttonholes” changed, and the field uniform remained practically unchanged.

In 1969, the field uniform was finally replaced. The cut of trousers has changed, they have become less baggy. The tunic was replaced with a fully unbuttoned tunic. According to one version, the replacement of a tunic with a tunic was caused by the need to decontaminate clothing in the event of a nuclear war. It is dangerous for health to remove a radioactive tunic over the head, so it was recommended to tear it apart, rendering it unusable, which was an unjustified waste of property. The tunic could be unbuttoned and removed without loss.

The tunic of the 1943 model and the closed tunic of the 1969 model.

The form was sewn from dense cotton fabric. The trousers had two regular slit pockets on the side, the tunic had two slit pockets at the bottom. Compared to modern types of uniforms, and even by Western standards of that time, this is very small. Shiny buttons and cockades, as well as colored epaulettes, were to be replaced with green ones in wartime.

Soviet uniform and equipment of the 1969 model. Live illustration of the Rules for wearing military uniforms. Trousers, tunic, cap, boots. Equipment: Leatherette shoulder strap. On the belt there is a pouch for magazines (under the right hand of a fighter) and grenades (under the left hand), a bayonet-knife. On the shoulders - the straps of a duffel bag with a chest jumper (form the letter H). Diagonally across the chest is the strap of a gas mask bag.

Soviet uniform and equipment of the 1969 model. On the back is a duffel bag. A large bag on the side is a gas mask.

Tarpaulin boots

A guide to shoe care.

The main footwear was tarpaulin boots with footcloths. Kirza is, roughly speaking, a rubberized tarpaulin. This material was developed before the Great Patriotic War to save leather. The top of the boot is sewn from tarpaulin. The lower part, a kind of "galosh", is sewn from leather, because. when walking, significant loads fall on it, which the tarpaulin will not withstand.

Underwear was in the form of a shirt with long sleeves and long underpants made of white fabric, the so-called. "beluga". In summer it was made of thin cotton, in winter it was made of flannel. Such underwear is still found in the army.

The headdress is a cap.

The cap appeared at the beginning of the 20th century, when military aviation began to emerge. Initially, it was called the "folding pilot's hat." A soldier cannot be without a headdress. Caps were the main headgear then. But the pilots in flight put on a leather flight helmet, and the cap had to be put somewhere. The cap could easily be folded up and slipped into a pocket. Subsequently, the cap became a massive soldier's headdress due to its simplicity and cheapness.

In winter - an overcoat and a hat with earflaps.

Work uniform

There was also a work uniform. It was intended for dirty work such as construction, loading and unloading, or repair of equipment. The winter version - a wadded jacket and trousers, reminiscent of a collective farm sweatshirt - could also be worn as a field

Winter work jacket

There were also more advanced pieces of clothing.

World War II, characterized by posterity as a war of motors. Despite the large number of mechanized units, cavalry units were also very widely used in the German army. A huge share of supplies for the needs of the army was transported by horse units. Cavalry units were used in almost all divisions. During the war, the importance of the cavalry increased greatly. The cavalry was widely used in the courier service, reconnaissance, artillery, food service, and even in infantry units. On the Eastern Front, “yes, no one can conquer our vast expanses and almost complete impassability” without a horse, there is nowhere, and then there are partisans, horse units were also often used to fight them. The uniform for the mounted troops was the same as for the rest of the army with the addition of several elements of clothing: the soldiers of the mounted troops received breeches and riding boots, and not M 40 boots. Tunic model 1940, collar painted in the same color as and a tunic. There is a white eagle on the chest, later gray cotton was used, field gray shoulder straps with dark green piping were used until the end of the war.

The breeches remained unchanged throughout the war, the leather inserts in the seat area were painted dark gray or native natural brown. Riding breeches were the same regardless of rank. Sometimes, instead of a leather insert in the seat area, double material was used. Riding boots used a longer shaft, and such a necessary attribute as spurs M31 spurs (Anschnallsporen).

The standard saddle during the war was the M25 (Armcesattel 25), a wooden frame covered in leather. Various harnesses were used on the saddle for transporting something, bags were attached to the front, the left for the horse (food, service), the right for a personal kit.

Cavalry officer of the Wehrmacht, uniform, Russia 1941-44

After the outbreak of the war with Russia, it became clear that the wear and tear of military uniforms would be higher than in other companies. An order dated October 1939 states that clothing should be standard in a war zone. Officers ordering uniforms individually have changed uniforms only by adding the officer's insignia. The officer's uniform had a difference on the tunic sleeve of the cuff, and a dark green color of the collar, such as on pre-war samples. Silver finish shoulder straps and collar tabs. has a more muted color.

The photo shows that the tunic is remade from a soldier's one, there are holes on the belt for the hooks of the ammunition kit.

German uniform, tunic converted from a soldier's

There were two types of standard army model signal pistol (Leuchtpistole - Heeres Modell - also known as Signalpistole) adopted in 1928, was one of two types used throughout the war: a long-barreled one was adopted from 1935. Cartridge, 2.7cm notched for identification in the dark.

Germany invaded Russia on June 22, 1941, the campaign plan stipulated that before the onset of winter the Red Army should be destroyed. Despite the achievements and victories, by the beginning of winter, German troops were stuck near Moscow. At the end of November, the Red Army launched a counteroffensive, crushing and repelling the Germans. Slowly, the counteroffensive weakens and the armies move on to positional battles. The winter of 1941 was very severe and frosty. For such a winter, the German troops were completely unprepared.

In peaceful stock of winter kits was limited. Yes, and those were adequate only for winter in a temperate climate, and not the icy horror of the winter of 1941 in Russia. Losses from frostbite very soon exceeded losses from battle wounds. And some tasks for the army are very specific, for example, a sentry or a reconnaissance outpost - they were especially dangerous, the soldiers were exposed to frost for a long time, especially the limbs suffered. The troops improvised to survive, using captured Russian uniforms. They put paper and straw in shoes and boots, tried to wear as many layers of clothing as they could find.

to save from the frost did and so

In Germany, events were organized to collect warm and fur winter clothes to be sent to the front for freezing soldiers.

The watchcoat (Ubermantel) was introduced in November 1934 for vehicle drivers and sentries. It was available as one of the few anti-freeze agents available, and was widely used during the first winter in Russia. The overcoat had increased dimensions, and increased length. The collar of the pre-war model had a dark green color, which was later changed to gray in the color of the overcoat.

Fur jackets were worn under the overcoat, either locally produced, taken from the population, or donated by civilians from Germany. rabbit fur jacket with wooden buttons.

Winter boots for soldiers performing static duties such as sentries. Sewn from felt and reinforced with leather strips, for insulation on wooden soles up to 5 cm.

Knitted gloves had a standard pattern and were made of gray wool. Gloves were made in four sizes, small, medium, large and extra large. Size is indicated by white rings around the wrists, ranging from one (small) to four (extra large). The scarf hood was universal, tucked into the collar, served to protect the neck and ears, adjusted at will, worn as a balaclava.

Field uniform of a soldier of the Wehrmacht army police, a motorcyclist, in the south of Russia, 1942-44

The Army Field Police (Feldgendarmerie des Heeres) were formed during the German mobilization in 1939. Experienced officers from the civilian gendarmerie police were recruited for work, and this formed the backbone of the cadre, along with non-commissioned officers from the army. The Feldgendarmerie battalion was subordinate to the army, consisting of three officers, 41 non-commissioned officers and 20 soldiers. The unit was motorized and equipped with motorcycles, light and heavy vehicles, they carried small arms and machine guns. Their duties were as broad as their powers. They supervised all movements, checked documents of troops en route, collected documents and information about prisoners, conducted anti-guerrilla operations, detained deserters, and generally maintained order and discipline. The Feldgendarmerie was in full power to pass undividedly through guard posts and safe zones, as well as to demand the documents of any soldier, regardless of rank.
They wore the same uniform as the rest of the army, differing only in orange trim and a special badge on the left sleeve. Their decoration gorget of the field gendarmerie "Feldgendarmerie, this showing that the owner is on duty and empowered to investigate. Because of this chain, they were given the nickname "Ketienhund" or "chained dog".

The motorcyclist raincoat (Kradmantel) was more often made in a waterproof design, made of rubberized fabric, gray or field green fabric. The photo shows an olive color used in Africa, Southern Europe and southern Russia. There were two loops at the top, which made it possible to fasten the collar and close the neck like an overcoat.

With the help of buttons at the bottom of the raincoat, the floors could be tucked up and fastened to the belt, convenient while riding a motorcycle. Feldgendarmerie field gendarmerie gorget the sign was designed to be clearly visible even at night in the light of car headlights. The crescent plate was made from stamped steel.

The pendant chain was about 24 cm long and made of light metal. On a standard army belt, soldiers wore two triplets of 32-round magazines for a 9mm MP40 submachine gun, sometimes unknowingly called Schmeiser.

The first months of 1943 were a turning point for the German Wehrmacht. The disaster at Stalingrad cost Germany about 200,000 killed and captured, for reference, about 90% of the prisoners died within a few weeks after being captured. And four months later, about 240,000 soldiers surrendered in Tunisia. German troops fought in frost and heat, in winter and summer, units were increasingly transferred between distant fronts to deal with emergencies. Various items of military uniforms were simplified and cheaper, quality suffered as a result, but the constant desire for research and development of new elements reflects the concern that troops should have the best uniforms and equipment possible.

The use of cane led to the introduction of a special green uniform. This lightweight and durable outfit was especially popular as a replacement for field grey, woolen uniforms on the hot southern fronts in Russia and the Mediterranean countries. The uniform was introduced in early 1943. The form will occur in a variety of shades from aquamarine to light gray.

The M42 Steel Helmet (Steel Helmet-Modell 1942) was introduced in April 1942 as a forced cost-saving measure; the dimensions and shapes of the M35 have been retained. The helmet is made by stamping, the edge is not folded and rolled, but simply curved outward and cut off. The quality of steel is also not up to par, some alloying additives have been removed, the economy begins to feel a shortage of some elements. To protect the gun, gunners are issued a personal P08 pistol.

Gunner's badge on the left forearm, in the photo of the tunic.

Although half boots (Schnurschuhe) began to be introduced in August 1940 to conserve leather supplies, the troops zealously kept boots, trying to avoid the use of half boots and spats for as long as possible. In no film about the war you will see a German soldier, in boots and leggings, which is a discrepancy with reality.

Wehrmacht uniforms, boots and leggings

So the German troops in the second half of the war had a very motley appearance,

not much different from our encirclement of the first half of the war.

The spats resembled the English "bracelets" and were almost certainly a direct copy, they were extremely unpopular.

At the start of the war, Germany was able to field three full divisions of mountain riflemen (Gebirgstruppen). The troops are trained and equipped to carry out operations in mountainous areas. To perform combat missions, you must be in good shape, well trained and self-sufficient. Therefore, most of the recruits were taken from the mountainous regions of southern Germany and Austria. Mountain shooters fought in Poland and Norway, landed from the air in Crete, fought in Lapland in the Arctic Circle, in the Balkans, in the Caucasus, and in Italy. An integral part of mountain shooters are artillery, reconnaissance, engineering, anti-tank and other auxiliary units, nominally having mountain qualifications. The Model 1943 (Dienstanzug Modell 1943) was introduced for all branches of the ground forces this year to replace all previous models. The new form carries a number of measures, the economy. Patch pockets without folds, while early models had a placket on the pocket.

Trousers pattern 1943 have a more practical design. But due to the difficult economic situation in the country, materials of lower and lower quality are used for military clothing. Although many soldiers retained the boat-shaped M34 cap for various periods, the 1943 single cap model (Einheitsfeldmiitze M43), which was introduced in 1943, proved to be very popular and was used until the end of the war. The cotton lining will soon be replaced by faux satin. The cap flaps can be folded back and fastened under the chin in bad weather. Something like our everyday life.

Due to the poor quality of the material, six buttons are used instead of the previous five. The tunic could be worn with an open or closed collar. Edelweiss on the right sleeve, the badge of mountain shooters of all ranks and categories, was introduced in May 1939.

Wehrmacht uniform, tunic, Russia 1943-44 full degradation of materials

Standard mountain boots are worn with short windings for ankle support and protection from snow and mud.

Wehrmacht infantry soldier, double combat uniform for winter, Russia 1942-44.

After a disastrous first winter in Russia. It was ordered to develop uniform combat clothing for the next season of the winter campaign. A single combat uniform was tested in Finland. In April 1942, it was given to Hitler for his approval, which was immediately granted. The textile industry received an order to produce one million sets in time for next winter.

In the winter of 1942, some elements were added to the winter combat uniform. Mittens, a woolen scarf, gloves (woolen and fur-lined), additional socks, a pullover, a hood, etc. were added to the new flannel-lined jacket and trousers. While most of the troops received their basic uniforms on time. Double-sided winter uniforms were sorely lacking, infantry had priority for obtaining double-sided uniforms. So the new double-sided padded uniform was not enough for everyone. This is clear from the photographs of the 6th Army, which was defeated near Stalingrad in the winter of 1942-43.

captured soldiers of the Wehrmacht 1942 Bode

The new padded, reversible winter pattern was originally produced in mouse grey, white when turned inside out.

This was soon replaced (during the end of 1942, and certainly by the beginning of 1943) the gray color was replaced by camouflage. During 1943 the winter camouflage uniform (Wintertarnanzug) began to appear in the troops. Camouflage changed from swamp to green-beige. The angular pattern of spots became more blurred. The mittens and hood were painted in the same way as the uniform. This uniform was very popular with the troops and continued to be used until the end of the war.

Wehrmacht winter camouflage uniform jacket (Wintertarnanzug) Russia 1942-44

Wintertarnanzug was first made of cotton with rayon. Lined with layers of wool and cellulose for insulation. All elements and buttons are made on both sides. The hood was also double-breasted and fastened with six buttons on the jacket. The trousers were made from the same material as the jacket and had drawstrings for adjustment.

All trouser buttons were made of resin or plastic, although metal buttons are also found.

The military uniform of the Wehrmacht soldiers changed rapidly during the war, new solutions were found, but the photographs show that every year the quality of the materials used is getting lower and lower, reflecting the economic situation in the Third Reich.

And, it would seem, multitasking, Soviet military clothing still remained more practical and comfortable to wear during hostilities. The military uniform of the Red Army was distinguished by high wear resistance and unpretentiousness in use. At the same time, officers and soldiers of the Red Army were necessarily given everyday, combat and full dress uniforms, which were in summer and winter versions.

Tankers wore a special helmet made of leather or canvas. In summer, a lighter version was used, in winter - with a fur lining.
At the beginning of the war, field packs were used, but they were quickly supplanted by the canvas duffel bag of the 1938 model.

Not everyone had real duffel bags, so after the start of the war, many soldiers threw away gas masks and used gas mask bags instead.

Duffel bag and chest watch.

Duffel bag and watch.

One of the options for equipping a Soviet soldier.

According to the charter, each soldier armed with a rifle had to have two leather cartridge bags. The bag could store four clips for the Mosin rifle - 20 rounds. Cartridge bags were worn on the waist belt, one on the side. The officers used a small bag, which was made of either leather or canvas. There were several types of such bags, some of them were worn over the shoulder, some were hung from the waist belt. On top of the bag was a small tablet.

In 1943, she radically changed the army uniform and the system of sign distinctions.
The new tunic looked like a shirt, had a stand-up collar fastened with two buttons.

Shoulder straps appeared: field and everyday. Field shoulder straps were made from khaki fabric. On shoulder straps near the buttons they wore a small gold or silver badge, indicating the type of troops. Officers wore a cap with a black leather chinstrap. The color of the band at the cap depended on the type of troops. In winter, generals and colonels were required to wear hats, and the rest of the officers received ordinary earflaps. The rank of sergeants and foremen was determined by the number and width of the stripes on shoulder straps. The edging of shoulder straps had the colors of the military branch.

You can also admire more than a dozen authentic vintage cars restored from scratch.

Restored cars from the Second World War. Photo: Pavel Veselkov

Original taken from hhhhhhhhl in About men's style. Army uniform of World War II.

No style - no person. Stylelessness is a terrible Russian scourge. I don't know who designed the American military uniform during World War II, but it was a cool uniform. In it, every soldier looked like a winner.
When they landed in Normandy, they were pleasant to look at. You look at the chronicle: you yourself want to be an American soldier. A simple round helmet with a dangling clasp, comfortable trousers with flashy pockets, a tunic that looks like a spacious blouse, a beautiful machine gun, and boots - what boots! In these boots, and die is not scary.
The Americans then scored everyone in style: the too decorative British, and the prim French, and the Nazis in overly aggressive uniforms, and our soldiers with medals on their chests. Americans and cowboys were stylish, in their cowboy headscarves and hats, and the soldiers turned out to be almost haute couture.
More than half a century has passed since the Second World War, and nothing has changed in the sense of state style in our country. You watch the Chechen chronicle of the 1990s and understand: the Russians could not win there, if only because they did not look convincing. The Chechens knew how to properly tie their Muslim bandage on their foreheads, and they carried weapons in their hands beautifully. And the Russian army is one stylistic misunderstanding. Especially command. Bulky, clumsy. Some kind of crooked. If someone is wearing glasses, then the glasses are unthinkable, ugly.
I'm not talking about the policemen. Guards with corroded faces. God marks the rogue. From them only caricatures to write.
And the government elite! They put on costumes, but they didn’t change their eyes - they flaunt with thieving eyes. We have all the corruption-derived from these eyes. Theft is a sign of stylelessness. Or the intelligentsia: they talk about Joyce-Borges, but they themselves are dressed, combed ... The gap between form and content? But I don't believe in formless content. Not enough money? Yes, it's all about the money! The American cowboy was also a poor man. And everyone is also surprised why the Russians in the West “do not pass”, why, after a brief fashion for Russia, everyone turned their backs on us. Yes, because we look unattractive. Both Russian politicians and Russian tourists are laughable. Who is underdressed, who is dressed up, but the essence is the same - stylelessness.
Lack of style breeds self-doubt and aggressiveness. There is no Russian style now, and this is a disaster. Neither Zaitsev with all his "cranberries", nor patriots in kosovorotkas, nor domestic cinematography saved us from it. We are not Romanians and not even Ukrainians: we have lost all our folklore rituals. To return to them - there is no strength, and it is not necessary. Pre-revolutionary great-grandfathers and great-grandmothers left us nothing as a legacy, except for one or two silver spoons.
Inventing a style out of thin air is impossible. A Russian man - with rare exceptions - does not know how to "sell" himself. There is always "not that" in it.
At the beginning of the 21st century, it was time for a stylistic break. The new generation has already felt the taste and power of style, and it comes off. The first generation of stylistically preoccupied Russians. Getting high on style. included in the style. This is the way of the Russian man to himself.

Viktor Erofeev "Men"

I read this book several years ago, in 2005 to be exact. Erofeev wrote a lot about it, from morning erections to Schnittke, but this little chapter stuck in my mind. How accurate, especially about the cops and politicians, that every day before my eyes - some on the road, others on the TV screen.

You can’t look at a modern military uniform without tears. Only sailors stand apart. New technologies and materials - the generals explained to Putin during a demonstration of uniforms for the army, developed by ours, and I don’t know how to call it, okay, let it be a couturier. The stand-up collar on the jackets is huge, in which the recruit’s neck is like a pencil in a glass, these caps are cylindrical, whoever came up with it first would have to be tied to his head forever, let him walk around Moscow like that, crazy-sized caps, the military themselves call them airfields, and what love for camouflage. Spotted conscripts roam the city, as if they had just come from a forest belt, everything on them is shapeless, some kind of asexual creatures. And although the soldiers of the Soviet army during the Second World War had meager uniforms: a tunic, riding breeches, an overcoat, and a padded jacket, if you were lucky, they looked courageous. And what a silhouette it was, especially for officers after the reform of 1943, even on the chronicle in black and white, not to mention the reconstruction of the uniform of the Great Patriotic War for modern parades.

So I wanted to delve into the topic of the military uniform of the Second World War. In addition, I personally am not so familiar with the chronicle of the allies. Other military operations Even another war, for example, in the colonies, which I know only from the film "The Thin Red Line" by Terrence Malick.
But the main thing for us is the East European Front.

US Army.

The uniform of the US Army is the most thoughtful and comfortable during the Second World War. It was she who set the army fashion for the entire post-war uniform. Even in our famous Afghanka - the uniform of the 1988 model, the features of American uniforms from the Second World War can be traced.

This junior commander of the US Army is dressed in standard field uniform and equipped with a full kit. He wears a light field jacket over a khaki wool shirt; on his feet he wears khaki trousers with linen spats of the same color and low brown boots. Initially, the infantry field uniform was a light-colored khaki twill overall, but soon the overalls were replaced by a woolen shirt and trousers. The sand-colored waterproof jacket had a zip fastening, as well as six or seven (depending on length) buttons on the front and diagonally cut pockets on the sides.

On the right sleeve, stripes indicating the rank are visible, and on the left - the American flag (the Americans, given the tense relations between England and France, took measures to ensure that the French living in North Africa did not mistake their soldiers for the British).
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1 2 3 4

1. Private infantry division of the 1st Army June 6, 1944
2. Private 3rd Infantry Division January 1944 Post prepared hhhhhhhhl
3. Sergeant 4th class, 101st airborne division June 1944
4. Private 101st Airborne Division November 1944

5 6 7 8

5. Private 1st Infantry Division April 1945
6. Lieutenant of the Air Force 1945
7. Air Force Captain 1944 Post prepared hhhhhhhhl
8. Technician Sergeant 2nd Class Air Force 1945

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Army of Great Britain.

The first commando unit of the Royal Marines was formed on February 14, 1942, when the headquarters of amphibious operations decided to recruit volunteers from the divisions of the Royal Marines to create a special task strike group. This soldier of the 40th Detachment of the 2nd Commando Brigade of the Royal Marines is dressed in a khaki twill field uniform with a belt and pouches of the 1937 model; on his feet he has boots with gaiters. Camouflage net on the helmet. Post prepared hhhhhhhhl

The Royal Marines originally wore the khaki uniform of the army, but after the outbreak of war they began to wear the standard field uniform. The only distinguishing mark was a straight red and blue shoulder patch with the inscription "Royal Marine" (Royal Marine Corps). The Royal Commandos wore field uniforms with straight woven blue shoulder patches inscribed with "Royal Marines", squad number and "Commando" written in red. Post prepared hhhhhhhhl
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1 2 3 4 5

1. Private East Yorkshire Regiment January 1940, this is a camouflage suit, it is supposed to look like this in the snows of Norway;
2. Corporal Hampshire Regiment June 1940
3. Sergeant Welsh Regiment Guards Division September 1940
4. Sergeant, 1st Commando Detachment, USS Campbeltown March 28, 1942
5. Sergeant of the Air Force 1943
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6 7 8 9 10 Post prepared hhhhhhhhl

6. Captain of the Guards Grenadier Regiment May 1940
7. Air Force Squadron Leader, Volunteer Reserve 1945
8. Lieutenant Infantry 1944 This is an officer of a special reconnaissance unit (Far Desert Intelligence Group), so his uniform is very free, atypical for an ordinary infantryman.
9. Senior Air Force Officer, Observer Corps 1944
10. Lance Corporal 4th Infantry Division May 1940 Post prepared hhhhhhhhl

For additional comments thanks partisan_1812

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[In my opinion, their helmets were kind of ridiculous.]

Army of France.

This private 1st class is dressed in parade uniform with a blue and black cap. He is wearing a khaki tunic, although the summer army uniform provided for a gabardine tunic. By 1938, all military personnel, except for cavalrymen, received new-style breeches. On the upper part of the soldier's left sleeve there is a patch - a sign of a specialist, indicating that we have a weapons master in front of us.
There were three types of headgear in the French army: kepi, which was worn by all military personnel, regardless of rank (they were sewn from blue or khaki cloth); field cap - bonnet de police - made of khaki cloth; steel helmet. The type of troops was designated by the color of the cap and buttonholes.

Sadly, it should be noted that the French army in 1940 was completely infected with defeatist sentiments. They became widespread due to the "strange war", as well as the harsh winter of 1939-1940. Therefore, when the German troops broke through the Ardennes, the French did not have the determination to resist them.

Since 1945, the soldier of the Free French troops had a different uniform. It was almost entirely American.

1 2 3 4 5

1. Private Army "Free French" 1940
2. Sergeant Armored Forces 1940
3. Major 46th Infantry Regiment 1940
4. Senior Sergeant of the 502nd Air Reconnaissance Group, 1940
5. Private infantry regiment 1945 (An example of American uniforms.)

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Red Army, which turned out to be the strongest.

I will not give a description of ours. Everyone has an idea. But I want to recommend a documentary film - "Military Uniform of the Red and Soviet Army". 4 episodes of 40 minutes. The film tells in detail the history of the creation of military uniforms in the period from 1917 to 1991: a chronicle, comments, interesting facts from the non-combat life of the army, projects of the country's leadership and the reality that prevented the fulfillment of the plan. I was struck by the fact that even after the reduction of the army in the post-war years, those who remained in the service could not be dressed according to the established norms. They could only improve the clothing supply. The rules for wearing military clothing, approved in 1943, provided for, in addition to everyday wear, the presence of dress uniforms for soldiers and officers. But in fact, the officers were provided with this uniform only by 1948. Unfortunately, it was not possible to achieve the same with regard to sergeants, soldiers and cadets.
Download from rutracker.

The film is the third. 1940-1953

Until now, teenagers in cinemas (or during a more thorough study of the topic from photographs on the net) catch an aesthetic buzz from the type of uniforms of war criminals, from the uniform of the SS. And adults are not far behind: in the albums of many older people, the famous artists Tikhonov and Armor show off in the appropriate attire.

Such a strong aesthetic impact is due to the fact that for the SS troops (die Waffen-SS) the form and emblem were developed by a talented artist, a graduate of the Hannover Art School and the Berlin Academy, the author of the cult painting "Mother" Karl Diebitsch (Karl Diebitsch). He collaborated with SS uniform designer and fashion designer Walter Heck on the final design. And they sewed uniforms at the factories of the then little-known fashion designer Hugo Boss (Hugo Ferdinand Boss), and now his brand is famous all over the world.

History of the SS uniform

Initially, the SS guards of the party leaders of the NSDAP (Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei - National Socialist German Workers' Party), like the stormtroopers of Rem (the leader of the SA - assault squads - Sturmabteilung), went in a light brown shirt plus breeches and boots.

Even before the final decision on the expediency of the existence of two parallel “advanced guard detachments of the party” at the same time and before the cleansing of the SA, the “imperial leader of the SS” Himmler continued to wear a black edging on the shoulder of a brown tunic to the members of his detachment.

The black uniform was introduced personally by Himmler in 1930. A black tunic of a sample of a military Wehrmacht jacket was worn over a light brown shirt.

At first, this tunic had either three or four buttons, the general appearance of the dress and field uniforms was constantly being refined.

When the black uniform designed by Diebitsch-Heck was introduced in 1934, only a red armband with a swastika remained from the time of the first SS detachments.

At first, there were two sets of uniforms for SS soldiers:

front door;
everyday.

Later, without the participation of famous designers, field and camouflage (about eight variants of summer, winter, desert and forest camouflage) uniforms were developed.

The distinctive features of the military units of the SS in appearance for a long time were:

red armbands with a black edging and a swastika inscribed in a white circle ─ on the sleeve of the tunic of a uniform, jacket or overcoat;
emblems on caps or caps ─ first in the form of a skull, then in the form of an eagle;
exclusively for the Aryans ─ signs of belonging to the organization in the form of two runes on the right buttonhole, signs of military seniority on the right.

In those divisions (for example, "Viking") and individual units where foreigners served, the runes were replaced by the emblem of the division or legion.

The changes affected the appearance of the SS in connection with their participation in hostilities, and the renaming of "Allgemeine (general) SS" to "Waffen (armed) SS".

Changes by 1939

It was in 1939 that the famous "dead head" (a skull, made first of bronze, then of aluminum or brass) was transformed into the famous eagle on the cockade of a cap or cap.

The skull itself, along with other new distinctive features, remained part of the SS Panzer Corps. In the same year, the SS men also received a white dress uniform (white tunic, black breeches).

During the reconstruction of the Allgemein SS into the Waffen SS (a purely "party army" was reorganized into combat troops under the nominal command of the Wehrmacht General Staff), the following changes occurred with the uniform of the SS men, under which they were introduced:

field uniform of gray (the famous "feldgrau") color;
full dress white uniform for officers;
black or gray overcoats, also with armbands.

At the same time, the charter allowed the overcoat to be worn unbuttoned on the top buttons, so that it would be easier to navigate in the insignia.

After the decrees and innovations of Hitler, Himmler and (under their leadership) Theodor Eicke and Paul Hausser, the division of the SS into police officers (primarily units of the "Dead Head" type) and combat units finally took shape.

Interestingly, the "police" units could only be ordered personally by the Reichsführer, but the combat units, which were considered the reserve of the military command, could be used by Wehrmacht generals. Service in the Waffen SS was equated with military service, and the police and security forces were not considered military units.

However, parts of the SS remained under the scrutiny of the supreme party leadership, as a "model of political strength." Hence the constant changes, even during the course of the war, in their uniforms.

SS uniform in wartime

Participation in military companies, the expansion of SS detachments to full-blooded divisions and corps gave rise to a system of ranks (not too different from the general army) and insignia:

private (schutzman, colloquially just "man", "SS man") wore simple black shoulder straps and buttonholes with two runes on the right (left - empty, black);
an ordinary “verified”, after six months of service (obershutze) received a “knob” (“asterisk”) of silver color on the shoulder strap of a field (“camouflage”) uniform. The rest of the insignia were identical to Schutzmann;
the corporal (navigator) received a thin double silver stripe on the left buttonhole;
the junior sergeant (Rottenführer) already had four stripes of the same color on the left buttonhole, and on the field uniform the “knob” was replaced with a triangular patch.

The non-commissioned officers of the SS troops (belonging to it is easiest to determine by the “ball” particle) received no longer empty black shoulder straps, but with a silver edging and included ranks from sergeant to senior sergeant major (headquarters sergeant major).

Triangles on the field uniform were replaced by rectangles of various thicknesses (the thinnest for the Unterscharführer, the thickest, almost square, for the Sturmscharführer).

These SS men had the following insignia:

sergeant (Unterscharführer) ─ black shoulder straps with a silver edging and a small “asterisk” (“square”, “knob”) on the right buttonhole. The same insignia were in the "junker SS";
senior sergeant (sharführer) ─ the same shoulder straps and silver stripes on the side of the “square” on the buttonhole;
foreman (oberscharführer) ─ shoulder straps are the same, two stars without stripes on the buttonhole;
warrant officer (hauptscharführer) ─ buttonhole, like a foreman, but with stripes, there are already two knobs on shoulder straps;
senior warrant officer or sergeant major (Sturmscharführer) - shoulder straps with three squares, on the buttonhole the same two "squares" as the ensign, but with four thin stripes.

The last title remained quite rare: it was awarded only after 15 years of impeccable service. On the field uniform, the silver edging of the epaulette was replaced by green with the corresponding number of black stripes.

SS officer uniform

The uniform of the junior officers differed already in the shoulder straps of the camouflage (field) uniform: black with green stripes (thickness and number depending on the rank) closer to the shoulder and intertwined oak leaves above them.

lieutenant (untersturmführer) ─ silver "empty" shoulder straps, three squares on the buttonhole;
senior lieutenant (Obersturführer) ─ a square on shoulder straps, a silver stripe was added to the insignia on the buttonhole, two lines on the sleeve patch under the “leaves”;
captain (hauptsturmführer) ─ additional lines on the patch and on the buttonhole, epaulette with two "knobs";
major (Sturmbannführer) ─ silver "wicker" shoulder straps, three squares on the buttonhole;
lieutenant colonel (oberbannshturmführer) ─ one square on a twisted pursuit. Two thin stripes under the four squares on the buttonhole.

Beginning with the rank of major, the insignia underwent minor changes in 1942. The color of the backing of the twisted epaulets corresponded to the type of troops, on the epaulet itself there was sometimes a symbol of a military specialty (a sign of a tank unit or, for example, a veterinary service). "Knobs" on shoulder straps after 1942 turned from silver into golden signs.

Upon reaching the rank above the colonel, the right buttonhole also changed: instead of the SS runes, stylized silver oak leaves were placed on it (single for the colonel, triple for the colonel general).

The remaining insignia of senior officers looked like this:

colonel (Standartenführer) ─ three stripes under double leaves on a patch, two stars on shoulder straps, an oak leaf on both buttonholes;
the unparalleled rank of oberführer (something like "senior colonel") ─ four thick stripes on the patch, a double oak leaf on the buttonholes.

Characteristically, these officers also had black and green "camouflage" shoulder straps for "field", combat uniforms. For commanders of higher ranks, the colors were no longer so “protective”.

SS general uniform

On the uniforms of the SS at the highest command staff (generals) there are already golden-colored epaulettes on a blood-red backing, with symbols of silver color.

The shoulder straps of the “field” uniform are also changing, since there is no need for special disguise: instead of green on a black field for officers, generals wear thin gold signs. Shoulder straps become gold on a light background, with silver insignia (with the exception of the Reichsführer uniform with a modest thin black shoulder strap).

The insignia of the high command on shoulder straps and buttonholes, respectively:

major general of the SS troops (brigadeführer in the Waffen SS) ─ gold embroidery without symbols, double oak leaf (until 1942) with a square, triple leaf after 1942 without an additional symbol;
lieutenant general (gruppenfuehrer) ─ one square, triple oak leaf;
full general (Obergruppenführer) ─ two “bumps” and an oak leaf shamrock (until 1942, the bottom sheet was thinner on the buttonhole, but there were two squares);
Colonel General (Oberstgruppenführer) ─ three squares and a triple oak leaf with a symbol below (until 1942, the Colonel General also had a thin sheet at the bottom of the buttonhole, but with three squares).
The Reichsführer (the closest, but not exact analogue ─ "NKVD People's Commissar" or "Field Marshal General") wore a thin silver epaulette with a silver trefoil on his uniform, and oak leaves surrounded by a bay leaf on a black background in his buttonhole.

As you can see, the SS generals neglected (with the exception of the Reich Minister) the protective color, however, in battles, with the exception of Sepp Dietrich, they had to participate less often.

Insignia of the Gestapo

In the SD security service, the Gestapo also wore SS uniforms, the ranks and insignia practically coincided with the ranks in the Waffen or the Allgemein SS.

The employees of the Gestapo (later also the RSHA) were distinguished by the absence of runes on their buttonholes, as well as the obligatory badge of the security service.

An interesting fact: in the great TV movie Lioznova, the viewer almost always sees Stirlitz in, although at the time of the spring of 1945, the black uniform almost everywhere in the SS was replaced by a dark green "parade" more convenient for front-line conditions.

Muller could walk in an exceptionally black tunic ─ both as a general and as an advanced high-ranking leader who rarely goes to the regions.

Camouflage

After the transformation of security detachments into combat units by decrees of 1937, samples of camouflage uniforms began to enter the elite combat units of the SS by 1938. It included:

helmet cover;
jacket
face mask.

Camouflage capes (Zelltbahn) appeared later. Trousers (breeches) before the appearance of reversible overalls in the region of 1942-43 were from the usual field uniform.

The pattern itself on camouflage overalls could use many "small-spotted" forms:

dotted;
under oak (eichenlaub);
palm (palmenmuster);
plane leaves (platanen).

At the same time, camouflage jackets (and then reversible overalls) had almost the entire required range of colors:

autumn;
summer (spring);
smoky (black-gray polka dots);
winter;
"desert" and others.

Initially, uniforms made of camouflage waterproof fabrics were supplied to the Verfugungstruppe (disposition troops). Later, camouflage became an integral part of the uniform of the SS "target" groups (Einsatzgruppen) of reconnaissance and sabotage detachments and units.

The German leadership during the war years was creative in creating camouflage uniforms: the finds of the Italians (the first creators of camouflage) and the developments of the Americans and the British, which were among the trophies, were successfully borrowed.

Nevertheless, one should not underestimate the contribution of German scientists themselves and scientists collaborating with the Hitler regime to the development of such famous camouflage brands as

ss beringt eichenlaubmuster;
sseichplatanenmuster;
ssleibermuster;
sseichenlaubmuster.

Professors of physics (optics) who studied the effects of the passage of light rays through rain or foliage worked on the creation of these types of colors.
Soviet intelligence knew less about the SS-Leibermuster camouflage overalls than allied intelligence: it was used on the Western Front.

At the same time (according to American intelligence), yellow-green and black lines were applied to the tunic and crest with a special "light-absorbing" paint, which also reduced the level of radiation in the infrared spectrum.

The existence of such paint in 1944-1945 is still relatively little known, it is suggested that it was a “light-absorbing” (of course, partially) black fabric, on which drawings were later applied.

In the 1956 Soviet film "In the 45th Square" you can see saboteurs in costumes most reminiscent of the SS-Leibermuster.

In a single copy, a sample of this military uniform is in the military museum in Prague. So, there can be no question of any mass tailoring of the uniform of this sample; such camouflage patterns were produced so little that now they are one of the most interesting and expensive rarities of the Second World War.

It is believed that it was these camouflages that gave impetus to American military thought to develop camouflage clothing for modern commandos and other special forces.

Camouflage "SS-Eich-Platanenmuster" was much more common on all fronts. Actually "Platanenmuster" ("woody") is found in pre-war photos. By 1942, “reverse” or “reversible” jackets of the “Eich-Platanenmuster” coloring were massively supplied to the SS troops ─ autumn camouflage on the front, spring colors on the back of the fabric.

Actually, this tricolor, with broken lines of "rain" or "branches" combat uniforms are most often found in films about the Second World War and the Great Patriotic War.

The "eichenlaubmuster" and "beringteichenlaubmuster" camouflage patterns (respectively "oakleaf type "A", oakleaf type "B") were widely popular in the Waffen SS in 1942-44.

However, for the most part, capes and raincoats were mainly made from them. And the soldiers of the special forces already independently (in many cases) sewed jackets and helmets from capes.

SS form today

Favorably aesthetically solved black form of the SS is still popular today. Unfortunately, most often not where it is really necessary to recreate authentic uniforms: not in Russian cinema.

A small “blunder” of Soviet cinema was mentioned above, but with Lioznova, the almost constant wearing of black uniforms by Stirlitz and other characters could be justified by the general concept of the “black and white” series. By the way, in the colorized version, Stirlitz appears a couple of times in the "green" "parade".

But in modern Russian films on the theme of the Great Patriotic War, horror drives with horror in terms of reliability:

the infamous 2012 film, "I Serve the Soviet Union" (about how the army fled, but political prisoners on the western border defeated SS sabotage units) ─ we watch SS men in 1941 dressed in something between "Beringtes Eichenlaubmuster" and even more modern digital camouflage;
the sad picture “In June 1941” (2008) allows you to see SS men in full dress black uniform on the battlefield.

There are many similar examples, even the “anti-Soviet” joint Russian-German film of 2011 with Guskov “4 Days in May”, where the Nazis, in the 45th, are mostly dressed in camouflage from the first years of the war, is not spared from mistakes.

But the SS parade uniform enjoys well-deserved respect from reenactors. Of course, various extremist groups are also striving to pay tribute to the aesthetics of Nazism, and even those not recognized as such, such as relatively peaceful “Goths”.

Probably, the fact is that thanks to history, as well as the classic films "The Night Porter" by Cavani or "The Death of the Gods" by Visconti, the public has developed a "protest" perception of the aesthetics of the forces of evil. No wonder the leader of the "Sex Pistols" Sid Wishers often appeared in a T-shirt with a swastika, in the collection of fashion designer Jean-Louis Shearer in 1995, almost all toilets were ornamented with either imperial eagles or oak leaves.

The horrors of war are forgotten, but the feeling of protest against the bourgeois society remains almost the same ─ such a sad conclusion can be drawn from these facts. Another thing is the "camouflage" colors of fabrics created in Nazi Germany. They are aesthetic and comfortable. And therefore they are widely used not only for games of reenactors or work on personal plots, but also by modern fashion couturiers in the world of big fashion.