One of the most cruel and merciless organizations of the 20th century is the SS. Ranks, distinctive insignia, functions - all this was different from those in other types and branches of troops in Nazi Germany. Reich Minister Himmler completely brought together all the scattered security detachments (SS) into a single army - the Waffen SS. In the article we will take a closer look at the military ranks and insignia of the SS troops. And first, a little about the history of the creation of this organization.

Prerequisites for the formation of the SS

In March 1923, Hitler was concerned that the leaders of the assault troops (SA) were beginning to feel their power and importance in the NSDAP party. This was due to the fact that both the party and the SA had the same sponsors, for whom the goal of the National Socialists was important - to carry out a coup, and they did not have much sympathy for the leaders themselves. Sometimes it even came to an open confrontation between the leader of the SA, Ernst Röhm, and Adolf Hitler. It was at this time, apparently, that the future Fuhrer decided to strengthen his personal power by creating a detachment of bodyguards - the headquarters guard. He was the first prototype of the future SS. They had no ranks, but insignia had already appeared. The abbreviation for the Staff Guard was also SS, but it came from the German word Stawsbache. In every hundred of the SA, Hitler allocated 10-20 people, supposedly to protect high-ranking party leaders. They personally had to take an oath to Hitler, and their selection was carried out carefully.

A few months later, Hitler renamed the organization Stosstruppe - this was the name of the shock units of the Kaiser's army during the First World War. The abbreviation SS nevertheless remained the same, despite the fundamentally new name. It is worth noting that the entire Nazi ideology was associated with an aura of mystery, historical continuity, allegorical symbols, pictograms, runes, etc. Even the symbol of the NSDAP - the swastika - Hitler took from ancient Indian mythology.

Stosstrup Adolf Hitler - strike force"Adolf Hitler" - acquired the final features of the future SS. They did not yet have their own ranks, but insignia appeared that Himmler would later retain - a skull on their headdress, a black distinctive color of the uniform, etc. The “Death's Head” on the uniform symbolized the readiness of the detachment to defend Hitler himself at the cost of their lives. The basis for future usurpation of power was prepared.

Appearance of Strumstaffel - SS

After the Beer Hall Putsch, Hitler went to prison, where he remained until December 1924. The circumstances that allowed the future Fuhrer to be released after an attempted armed seizure of power are still unclear.

Upon his release, Hitler first of all banned the SA from carrying weapons and positioning itself as an alternative to the German army. The fact is that the Weimar Republic could only have a limited contingent of troops under the terms of the Versailles Peace Treaty after the First World War. It seemed to many that armed SA units were a legitimate way to avoid restrictions.

At the beginning of 1925, the NSDAP was restored again, and in November the “shock detachment” was restored. At first it was called Strumstaffen, and on November 9, 1925 it received its final name - Schutzstaffel - “cover squadron”. The organization had nothing to do with aviation. This name was invented by Hermann Goering, a famous fighter pilot of the First World War. He loved to apply aviation terms to everyday life. Over time, the “aviation term” was forgotten, and the abbreviation was always translated as “security detachments.” It was headed by Hitler's favorites - Schreck and Schaub.

Selection for the SS

The SS gradually became an elite unit with good salaries in foreign currency, which was considered a luxury for the Weimar Republic with its hyperinflation and unemployment. All Germans of working age were eager to join the SS detachments. Hitler himself carefully selected his personal guard. The following requirements were imposed on candidates:

1. Age from 25 to 35 years.
2. Having two recommendations from current members of the CC.
3. Permanent residence in one place for five years.
4. Availability of such positive qualities like sobriety, strength, health, discipline.

New development under Heinrich Himmler

The SS, despite the fact that it was personally subordinate to Hitler and the Reichsführer SS - from November 1926, this position was held by Josef Berthold, was still part of the SA structures. The attitude towards the “elite” in the assault detachments was contradictory: the commanders did not want to have SS members in their units, so they shouldered various responsibilities, for example, distributing leaflets, subscribing to Nazi propaganda, etc.

In 1929, Heinrich Himmler became the leader of the SS. Under him, the size of the organization began to grow rapidly. The SS turns into an elite closed organization with its own charter, a mystical ritual of entry, imitating the traditions of medieval knightly Orders. A real SS man had to marry a “model woman.” Heinrich Himmler introduced a new mandatory requirement for joining the renewed organization: the candidate had to prove evidence of purity of descent in three generations. However, that was not all: the new Reichsführer SS ordered all members of the organization to look for brides only with a “pure” genealogy. Himmler managed to nullify the subordination of his organization to the SA, and then completely leave it after he helped Hitler get rid of the leader of the SA, Ernst Röhm, who sought to turn his organization into a mass people's army.

The bodyguard detachment was transformed first into the Fuhrer's personal guard regiment, and then into the personal SS army. Ranks, insignia, uniforms - everything indicated that the unit was independent. Next, we’ll talk in more detail about insignia. Let's start with the rank of the SS in the Third Reich.

Reichsführer SS

At its head was the Reichsführer SS - Heinrich Himmler. Many historians claim that he intended to usurp power in the future. In the hands of this man was control not only over the SS, but also over the Gestapo - the secret police, the political police and the security service (SD). Despite the fact that many of the above organizations were subordinate to one person, they were completely different structures, which sometimes even were at odds with each other. Himmler well understood the importance of a branched structure of different services concentrated in the same hands, so he was not afraid of Germany’s defeat in the war, believing that such a person would be useful to the Western allies. However, his plans were not destined to come true, and he died in May 1945, biting into an ampoule of poison in his mouth.

Let's look at the highest ranks of the SS among the Germans and their correspondence with the German army.

Hierarchy of the SS High Command

The insignia of the SS high command consisted of Nordic ritual symbols and oak leaves on both sides of the lapels. The exceptions - SS Standartenführer and SS Oberführer - wore oak leaf, but belonged to senior officers. The more of them there were on the buttonholes, the higher the rank of their owner.

The highest ranks of the SS among the Germans and their correspondence with the ground army:

SS officers

Let's consider the features of the officer corps. The SS Hauptsturmführer and lower ranks no longer had oak leaves on their buttonholes. Also on their right buttonhole was the SS coat of arms - a Nordic symbol of two lightning bolts.

Hierarchy of SS officers:

SS rank	Lapels	Compliance in the military
SS Oberführer	Double oak leaf	No match
Standartenführer SS	Single sheet	Colonel
SS Obersturmbannführer	4 stars and two rows of aluminum thread	Lieutenant colonel
SS Sturmbannführer	4 stars
SS Hauptsturmführer	3 stars and 4 rows of thread	Hauptmann
SS Obersturmführer	3 stars and 2 rows	Chief Lieutenant
SS Untersturmführer	3 stars	Lieutenant

I would like to immediately note that the German stars did not resemble the five-pointed Soviet ones - they were four-pointed, rather reminiscent of squares or rhombuses. Next in the hierarchy are the SS non-commissioned officer ranks in the Third Reich. More details about them in the next paragraph.

Non-commissioned officers

Hierarchy of non-commissioned officers:

SS rank	Lapels	Compliance in the military
SS Sturmscharführer	2 stars, 4 rows of thread	Staff sergeant major
Standartenoberunker SS	2 stars, 2 rows of thread, silver edging	Chief Sergeant Major
SS Hauptscharführer	2 stars, 2 rows of thread	Oberfenrich
SS Oberscharführer	2 stars	Sergeant Major
Standartenjunker SS	1 star and 2 rows of thread (differing in shoulder straps)	Fanenjunker-sergeant-major
Scharführer SS		Non-commissioned sergeant major
SS Unterscharführer	2 threads at the bottom	Non-commissioned officer

Buttonholes are the main, but not the only insignia of ranks. Also, the hierarchy could be determined by shoulder straps and stripes. SS military ranks were sometimes subject to change. However, above we presented the hierarchy and the main differences at the end of World War II.

The system of military ranks in the German army was based on the hierarchical system of military ranks established on December 6, 1920. Officers were divided into four groups: generals, staff officers, captains and junior officers. According to tradition, the rank from lieutenant to general implied an indication of the original branch of the army, but in combat units there was no variety in officer insignia.

France, June 1940. Hauptfeldwebel in everyday uniform. The double braid on the cuff of his sleeve and the journal of orders due to his position are clearly visible. The shoulder straps are turned inside out to hide the insignia of his unit. Noteworthy is the ribbon behind long service in the Wehrmacht. The peaceful, relaxed look and lack of equipment suggest that the photo was taken when the Battle of France was already over. (Friedrich Hermann)

From 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 the officer's uniform and insignia, but also enjoyed all the benefits of an officer position equivalent to that of officers in the armies of Great Britain and the United States. Conductors under the Supreme Command of the Ground Forces were considered staff officers, while bandmasters supervised the activities of regimental bands of infantry, light infantry, cavalry, artillery and battalion bands in the engineering troops.

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 serf troops, and later non-commissioned officers of the veterinary service. The highest junior command staff (that is, senior non-commissioned officer ranks) were called "non-commissioned officers with a lanyard", and the junior or lower ranks of the junior command staff were called "non-commissioned officers without a lanyard". Rank of staff sergeant (Stabsfeldwebel), approved on September 14, 1938, was assigned by recertification to non-commissioned officers with 12 years of service. At first, this military rank was awarded only to veterans of the First World War. Haupt-sergeant major (Hauptfeldwebel) is not a rank, but a military position established on September 28, 1938. He was the senior commander of the junior command staff of the company, was listed at company headquarters, and he was usually called (at least behind his back) “pike” (der Spieb). In other words, this was a company sergeant major, usually with the rank of chief sergeant major (Oberfeldwebel). In terms of seniority, this rank was considered higher than the rank of staff sergeant. (Stabsfeldwebel), who could also be promoted to the position of company sergeant major. Other military personnel from the junior command staff, who could also be appointed to this position, were called “acting company sergeant majors.” (Hauptfeldwebeldiensttuer). However, usually such junior commanders were quickly promoted to the rank of chief sergeant major.

France, May 1940. Motorcyclists of the military police (Feldgendarmerie) from the traffic control battalion conduct 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 model gas mask canister on his chest. His passenger in the stroller holds a traffic controller's baton. The division emblem is applied to the side of the sidecar, and under the headlight on the front wheel fender there is a motorcycle number, starting with the letters WH (short for Wehrmacht-Heer- ground troops Wehrmacht). (Brian Davis)

Military rank class "private" (Mannschaften) united all the privates themselves, as well as corporals. Corporals, the most experienced privates, made up a much more significant proportion of the rank and file than in the armies of other countries.

Most military ranks existed in several equivalent versions: in different branches of the military, similar ranks could be called differently. Thus, in 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, for example captain (Rittmeister) or chief huntsman (Oberjäger) preserved according to tradition.

Officers of almost all military ranks could occupy positions corresponding not to their rank, but to the next in seniority, thereby becoming candidates for promotion or acting duties. Therefore, German officers and junior commanders often occupied higher command posts compared to their British colleagues of equivalent military ranks. The lieutenant who commanded the company - this did not surprise anyone in the German army. And if the first platoon of a rifle company was commanded by a lieutenant (as it should be), then the second and third platoons were often headed by a chief sergeant major, or even a sergeant major. Promotion to the infantry military ranks of non-commissioned officer, sergeant major and chief sergeant major depended on the unit's staffing table and occurred among capable non-commissioned officers, naturally - people moved up the career ladder in order of successive career growth. All other ranks of junior command staff and lower ranks could count on promotion as a reward for service. Even if a soldier could not be promoted to at least a corporal (due to the lack of 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 rank of senior soldier (Obersoldat). An old soldier who was not fit to be a non-commissioned officer became, in the same way and for similar reasons, a staff corporal.

Military rank insignia

Rank insignia indicating the rank of a serviceman were issued, as a rule, in two versions: weekend - for a dress uniform, a dress overcoat and a field uniform with piping, and field - for a field uniform and field overcoat.

Generals With a uniform of any kind, woven shoulder straps of the output type were worn. Two 4mm thick gold cast cords (or, from 15 July 1938, two golden yellow "celluloid" strands) were interwoven with a central cord of shiny flat aluminum braid, the same 4mm wide, on a bright red background of finishing fabric. On the field marshal's shoulder straps there were depicted two stylized crossed marshal's batons of silver color; generals of other ranks wore shoulder straps with “stars”. There could be up to three such “stars” of a square shape with a square width from 2.8 to 3.8 cm, and they were made from “German silver” (that is, an alloy of zinc, copper and nickel - the one from which dental fillings are made ) or white aluminum. The insignia of the military branches were made of silver-plated aluminum. From April 3, 1941, all three cords on the field marshal’s shoulder straps began to be made from artificial “celluloid” fiber of bright gold or golden yellow color, placing miniature silver marshal’s batons on top of the weaving.

Produced for staff officers The woven shoulder straps of the output sample consisted of two shiny flat braids 5 mm wide on a lining made of finishing fabric in the color of the military branch, on top of which “stars” made of galvanically copper-plated aluminum were attached. 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. In wartime, the material for the stars was the same aluminum, but gilded using the galvanic method, or gray lacquered aluminum. The shoulder straps of the field sample differed in that the braid was not shiny, but matte (later “feldgrau” color). The insignia of the military branches, approved on September 10, 1935, from November 7, 1935, were made of copper-plated or gold-plated aluminum, and in wartime, aluminum or a gold-colored zinc alloy obtained by electroplating began to be used for the same purpose. or gray- in the latter case, the aluminum was varnished.

Captain's and lieutenant's The 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 finishing fabric in the color of the branch of service, and up to two “stars” made of gold-plated aluminum were attached on top, and the insignia of the branch of service, relying on the headquarters -officers. The shoulder straps of the field sample were covered with matte aluminum braid, and later with feldgrau braid.

France, June 1940. A squad of the Grossdeutschland regiment in a 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 the shoulder straps with any type of uniform, even field. The “cords of a marksman” and the warlike ceremonial appearance of the soldiers’ formation are noteworthy. (ECPA)

Bandmasters wore officer's shoulder straps with two braids, each 4 mm wide, made of a flat strip of shiny aluminum. A bright red middle cord 3 mm thick was laid between the braids. This entire structure was placed on a bright red lining made of finishing fabric (since February 18, 1943, bright red was approved as the color of the musicians’ branch of the armed forces) and was decorated with a gilded aluminum lyre and an aluminum “star”. The senior and junior bandmasters had striped shoulder straps: five 7 mm wide stripes of flat shiny aluminum braid interspersed with four 5 mm wide stripes of bright red silk, all of this was located on a lining in the color of the branch of service (trimming fabric of white, light green, bright red, golden yellow or black) and was decorated with a gilded aluminum lyre and the same design with “stars”. The braid on the shoulder straps of the field sample was made of dull aluminum, and later from feldgrau-colored fabric.

Technical specialists in the ranks of junior command staff they wore wicker shoulder straps with symbols and “stars” made of white aluminum that stood out in their appearance; in wartime, the sprockets were made of gray aluminum or zinc alloy. Since January 9, 1937, horse shoeing instructors (as military veterinarians of the lowest ranks were called) wore shoulder straps with three intertwined golden-yellow woolen cords, framed around the perimeter by the same, but double cord, with a crimson, the color of the military branch, lining, horseshoe and with or without an asterisk. Since January 9, 1939, inspectors of the engineer-serf troops wore similar shoulder straps, but with cords made of artificial black silk inside the shoulder strap and a white cord made of artificial silk around the perimeter, and all this on a black lining - the color of the branch of service; on the shoulder strap there was an image of a lantern wheel (“gear”) and from June 9, 1939, the letter “Fp” (letters of the Gothic alphabet), there could also be one “star”. On May 7, 1942, the shoulder straps of both veterinary blacksmiths and instructors of the engineering serf troops changed their colors to red: intertwined shiny aluminum and red braided cords were placed in the field of the shoulder strap, and a double red cord ran along the perimeter. The horse shoeing instructors' lining was purple, and the new shoulder strap still had a small horseshoe; the instructors of the engineering-serf troops had a black lining and “stars”, one or two, and the letters “Fp” were placed on the shoulder strap, as on the previous shoulder strap.

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 dark green fabric with blue shoulder straps of the 1934 model, trimmed according to perimeter with a 9 mm wide braid made of shiny aluminum yarn in the “ordinary diamond” pattern, which was approved on September 1, 1935. Field quality marks were the same, but were located on unedged field shoulder straps of the 1933, 1934 or 1935 model. or on field shoulder straps with piping, model 1938 or 1940. In wartime, braid 9 mm wide was also made from silver-gray rayon, and stars were made from gray aluminum and zinc alloy, and from April 25, 1940, shoulder straps began to be trimmed with braid from matte rayon in feldgrau color or from wool with cellulose. wire. The insignia used the same metal as the stars. The company sergeant major and the acting company sergeant major (Hauptfeldwebel or Hauptfeldwebeldinstuer) wore another 1.5 cm wide braid made of shiny aluminum yarn of the “double diamond” pattern on the cuff of the sleeves of the ceremonial uniform, and on the cuffs of the sleeves of uniforms of other shapes - two braids, each 9 mm wide .

U lower ranks of junior command staff shoulder straps And the galloons were the same as those of senior non-commissioned officers; the non-commissioned sergeant's shoulder strap was trimmed with galloon perimeter, and the non-commissioned officer did not have galloon at the base of the shoulder strap. Output quality insignia on shoulder straps were embroidered with thread in the color of the branch of service, while field quality insignia, no different from output colors, were made from wool or cotton thread, and from March 19, 1937, a “chain stitch” pattern was also used, embroidered with artificial thread. silks. The black insignia of engineering troops and the dark blue insignia of medical service units were edged with white chain stitching, which made them more visible against the dark green and blue background of the shoulder straps. In wartime, these embroideries were often completely replaced by a flat, thin thread.

Norway, June 1940. Mountain riflemen, dressed in the field uniform of the 1935 model and equipped with general purpose safety glasses with round lenses, cross the Norwegian fjord in boats designed for eight people. The participants in the crossing do not appear to be in any tension, and they do not have any equipment, so the photo 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 branch of service, but without braid. Military rank insignia of the 1936 model included triangular chevrons, pointing downwards, made of non-commissioned officer braid 9 mm wide, combined with “stars” embroidered with silver-gray or aluminum thread (if the uniform was sewn to order, the “star” could represent a bright aluminum button, like an ingot, made using hand sewing technique). Rank insignia was sewn onto a triangle (for a senior soldier - a circle) from finishing dark green and blue fabric. In May 1940, the fabric of the triangle (circle) was changed to feldgrau-colored 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 system of Reichswehr insignia that was adopted on December 22, 1920.

Since November 26, 1938 on white and straw green pique work uniform it was necessary to wear rank insignia made of feldgrau-colored braid, 1 cm wide, with a “single diamond” pattern and two thin black edgings inside a stripe of braid. The staff sergeant-major wore a braided ring under two braided chevrons, pointing upward, on both sleeves, below the elbow. The Hauptfeldwebel (company sergeant major) wore two rings, the chief sergeant major wore a ring and a chevron, the sergeant major had only a ring. The non-commissioned officer and non-commissioned officer were limited to only the braid along the edge of the collar. All insignia of junior command personnel were replaced on August 22, 1942 new system sleeve insignia. The rank and file wore chevrons made of the same braid and the same feldgrau fabric, with “stars” of braid sewn onto a white or straw-green background.

Insignia of military branches and military units

The branch of the army to which it belonged Military Unit serviceman, was designated by the color of the branch of service (instrument color), in which the piping on the collar, shoulder straps, headdress, uniform and trousers was painted. The system of colors for the military branches (which continued and developed the traditions of the regimental color system of the imperial army) was approved on December 22, 1920 and remained, changing relatively little, until May 9, 1945.

In addition, the branch of the army was designated by a symbol or letter - a letter of the Gothic alphabet. This symbol denoted some special units within a certain branch of the military. 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 distinguished by its diversity, and this work presents only a limited selection of insignia of the most important combat units.

Insignia, accurately informing about the unit, were supposed to strengthen the fortitude of soldiers and officers and contribute to the unity of the military unit, but in combat conditions they violated secrecy, 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 the shoulder straps were hidden by putting removable feldgrau-colored muffs (black in tank troops) on the shoulder straps, or, for the same purpose, the shoulder straps were turned over. The insignia of the military branch did not have such a revealing value 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 in their homeland, unit insignia continued to be worn as it was in peacetime. In fact, even in a combat situation, they often continued to wear these insignia, disregarding the orders of their superiors. On January 24, 1940, for junior command personnel and lower ranks, removable muffs for shoulder straps, 3 cm wide, made of feldgrau-colored fabric were introduced, on which insignia were embroidered with a thread in the color of the branch of the military in chain stitch, indicating the branch of the military and the unit, but senior non-commissioned officers officers often continued to wear their previous white aluminum 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. The distinctive officers' buttonholes, unlike those of lower ranks, retained the branch-colored piping throughout World War II. This officer was awarded the Knight's Cross, and the number of his regiment on the shoulder strap is deliberately hidden by a removable muff in feldgrau color. (Brian Davis)

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

Individual specialized or elite formations or individual units included in larger military formations, distinguished by the fact that they claimed continuity with units of the imperial army and sought to preserve the traditions of the old regiments, had special insignia. Usually these were badges on headdresses, attached between an eagle with a swastika and a cockade. Another manifestation of the same special fidelity to tradition, which has become increasingly stronger over time, is the armbands with honorary names borrowed from 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 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 mountain rifle divisions were required to wear insignia with the image of the Alpine edelweiss flower - this emblem was borrowed from the mountain units of the German and Austro-Hungarian armies during the First World War. White aluminum edelweiss with gilded stamens was worn on the cap above the cockade. A white aluminum edelweiss with a gilded stem, two leaves and gilded stamens (in wartime gray aluminum was used and the stamens were made yellow) was worn on the mountain cap on the left. Austrians who served in the Wehrmacht often added a dark green and blue lining from the finishing fabric. A 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 (after May 1940 in feldgrau color) was worn on the right sleeve uniforms and greatcoats above the elbow.

The six infantry battalions retained the light green color of the Jaeger branch - as 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 Jaeger units were created.

Some regiments also wore special badges. There are two known icons of this kind. 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. From 25 February 1938, the 17th Infantry Regiment, in memory of the Imperial 92nd Infantry Regiment, wore an emblem with the Brunswick skull and crossbones. From June 21, 1937, the 3rd Motorcycle Reconnaissance Battalion 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 179- th cavalry, and the 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 Cross 1st and 2nd class, long service medal, Flower Wars medal and Attack Badge. (Brian Davis)

Infantry Regiment "Grossdeutschland" (Grobdeutschland) was created on June 12, 1939 by transforming the Berlin Security Regiment (Wachregiment Berlin). In complete disregard of safety considerations in field conditions the insignia of this selected regiment was on full display throughout the war. The shoulder straps were decorated with the monogram “GD” (approved on June 20, 1939), and the inscription embroidered with aluminum thread was worn on the dark green and blue bandage on the cuff "Grobdeutschland" between two lines along the edges of the bandage, embroidered with the same thread. Instead of this inscription, another one was introduced for a short time - Inf. Rgt Grobdeutschland, with Gothic letters embroidered with silver-gray thread - it was worn on the cuff of the right sleeve of a uniform or overcoat of any kind. One battalion of the Grossdeutschland regiment was assigned to Hitler's field headquarters - this "Fuhrer escort battalion" (Fuhrerbegleitbataillon) stood out with a black wool armband with the inscription "Fuhrer-Hauptquartier"(Fuhrer's headquarters). The inscription in Gothic letters was embroidered with golden-yellow (sometimes silver-gray) thread, either manually or by machine; two lines were also embroidered along the edges of the headband with the same thread.

From June 21, 1939, the Tank Training Battalion and the Signal Training Battalion received the right to wear a maroon-red bandage 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). From August 16, 1938, military personnel of the newly formed propaganda companies were given the right to wear a black bandage with an inscription in Gothic letters on the cuff of the right sleeve with an inscription in Gothic letters embroidered by hand or machine with aluminum thread "Propagandakompanie".

Germany, July 1940. Non-commissioned officer of the 17th Infantry Regiment in his dress uniform with a commemorative Brunswick skull and crossbones badge on his cap, a privilege of his regiment. The "sharpshooter's cord", the Iron Cross 2nd class ribbon in the lapel buttonhole and the typical pre-war style of the epaulet numerals are visible. (Brian Davis)

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

Conductors wore buttonholes and patches with a staff bright gold or matte gold pattern "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 made of bright aluminum non-commissioned officer braid and bright red finishing fabric. This decoration was introduced on September 10, 1935, with drum majors adding aluminum fringe to the bottom of the shoulder pad. Badges of other specialists are expected to be considered in Volume 2 of this work.

Luxembourg, September 18, 1940. A cavalry sergeant 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 come across as insincerely theatrical. The sergeant was awarded the Iron Cross, 1st class, and, it seems, just recently received the Iron Cross, 2nd class. It is noticeable that his high cavalry boots are carefully polished. (Joseph Charita)

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

Such a strong aesthetic impact is due to the fact that the uniform and emblem for the SS troops (die Waffen-SS) were designed by a talented artist, a graduate of the Hannover Art School and the Berlin Academy, the author of the cult painting “Mother” Karl Diebitsch. SS uniform designer and fashion designer Walter Heck collaborated with him to create the final version. And the uniforms were sewn at the factories of the then little-known fashion designer Hugo Ferdinand Boss, and now his brand is famous throughout 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 Rehm (the head of the SA - assault troops - Sturmabteilung), wore a light brown shirt plus breeches and boots.

Even before the final decision on the advisability of the existence of two parallel “advanced party security detachments” at the same time and before the purge of the SA, the “Imperial SS leader” Himmler continued to wear black piping on the shoulder of a brown jacket for the members of his squad.

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

At first, this jacket 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 the red swastika armband with black piping remained from the days of the first SS units.

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

• front;
• everyday.

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

The distinctive features of military personnel of SS units in appearance for a long time became:

• red armbands with black edging and a swastika inscribed in a white circle ─ on the sleeve 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 Aryans ─ signs of membership in 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 appearance SS men in connection with their participation in hostilities, and the renaming of the “Allgemeine (general) SS” to the “Waffen (armed) SS”.

Changes by 1939

It was in 1939 that the famous “death’s head” (a skull made first of bronze, then of aluminum or brass) was transformed into the eagle famous from the TV series on the cap or cap badge.

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 jacket, 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 High Command of the Wehrmacht General Staff) the following changes occurred with the SS uniform, which introduced:

• field uniform in gray (the famous “feldgrau”) color;
• ceremonial white uniform for officers;
• overcoats in black or gray, also with armbands.

At the same time, the regulations allowed the overcoat to be worn unbuttoned at the top buttons, so that it would be easier to navigate 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 units (primarily “Totenkopf” units) and combat units was finally formed.

It is interesting that the “police” units could be ordered exclusively by the Reichsführer personally, but the combat units, which were considered a reserve of the military command, could be used by Wehrmacht generals. Service in the Waffen SS was equivalent to military service, and police and security forces were not considered military units.

However, the SS units remained under the close attention of the supreme party leadership, as “a model of political force.” Hence the constant changes, even during the war, in their uniforms.

SS uniform in wartime

Participation in military campaigns, 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:

• a private (Schützmann, colloquially simply “man”, “SS man”) wore simple black shoulder straps and buttonholes with two runes on the right (the left ─ empty, black);
• a “tested” private, after six months of service (oberschutze), received a silver “bump” (“star”) for the shoulder strap of his field (“camouflage”) uniform. The remaining insignia were identical to the 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 “bump” was replaced by a triangular patch.

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

The triangles on the field uniform were replaced with rectangles of varying thickness (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 silver edging and a small “star” (“square”, “bump”) on the right buttonhole. The “SS Junker” also had the same insignia;
• senior sergeant (scharführer) ─ the same shoulder straps and silver stripes on the side of the “square” on the buttonhole;
• foreman (Oberscharführer) ─ the same shoulder straps, two stars without stripes on the buttonhole;
• ensign (Hauptscharführer) ─ buttonhole, like that of a sergeant major, but with stripes, there are already two bumps on the shoulder straps;
• senior warrant officer or sergeant major (Sturmscharführer) ─ shoulder straps with three squares, on the buttonhole the same two “squares” as the warrant officer, but with four thin stripes.

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

SS officer uniform

The uniform of junior officers differed already in the shoulder straps of the camouflage (field) uniform: black with green stripes (thickness and number depending on 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) ─ 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, shoulder straps with two “knobs”;
• major (Sturmbannführer) ─ silver “braided” shoulder straps, three squares on the buttonhole;
• Lieutenant Colonel (Oberbannsturmführer) ─ one square on a twisted shoulder strap. Two thin stripes under the four squares on the buttonhole.

Starting with the rank of major, the insignia underwent minor differences in 1942. The color of the backing on the twisted shoulder straps corresponded to the branch of the military; on the shoulder strap itself there was sometimes a symbol of a military specialty (the badge of a tank unit or, for example, a veterinary service). After 1942, the “bumps” on the shoulder straps turned from silver to golden-colored badges.

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

The remaining insignia of senior officers looked like this:

• Colonel (Standartenführer) ─ three stripes under double leaves on the patch, two stars on the shoulder straps, oak leaf on both buttonholes;
• the unparalleled rank of Oberführer (something like “senior colonel”) ─ four thick stripes on the patch, double oak leaf on the buttonholes.

It is characteristic that these officers also had black and green “camouflage” shoulder straps for “field” combat uniforms. For commanders of higher ranks, the colors became less “protective.”

SS general uniform

On the SS uniforms of the senior command staff (generals), golden-colored shoulder straps appear on a blood-red background, with silver-colored symbols.

The shoulder straps of the “field” uniform also change, since there is no need for special camouflage: instead of green on a black field for officers, generals wear thin gold badges. The 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).

High command insignia on shoulder straps and buttonholes, respectively:

• major general of the SS troops (in the Waffen SS ─ brigadenführer) ─ gold embroidery without symbols, double oak leaf (before 1942) with a square, triple leaf after 1942 without an additional symbol;
• Lieutenant General (Gruppenführer) ─ one square, triple oak leaf;
• full general (Obergruppenführer) ─ two “cones” and an oak trefoil leaf (until 1942, the lower leaf on the buttonhole was thinner, 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 leaf at the bottom of the buttonhole, but with three squares).
• The Reichsführer (the closest, but not exact analogue ─ “People's Commissar of the NKVD” or “Field Marshal”) wore on his uniform a thin silver shoulder strap with a silver trefoil, 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, they had to participate in battles less often, with the exception of Sepp Dietrich.

Gestapo insignia

The Gestapo SD security service also wore SS uniforms, and the ranks and insignia were almost identical to those in the Waffen or Allgemeine SS.

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

An interesting fact: in Lioznova’s great television film, the viewer almost always sees Stirlitz in the uniform, although in the spring of 1945, the black uniform almost everywhere in the SS was replaced by a dark green “parade,” which was more convenient for front-line conditions.

Muller could wear an exclusively black jacket, both as a general and as an advanced high-ranking leader who rarely ventures into the regions.

Camouflage

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

• helmet cover;
• jacket;
• face mask.

Later, camouflage capes (Zelltbahn) appeared. Before the appearance of double-sided overalls around 1942-43, trousers (breeches) were from the usual field uniform.

The pattern itself on camouflage overalls could use a variety of “fine-spotted” shapes:

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

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

• autumn;
• summer (spring);
• smoky (black and gray polka dots);
• winter;
• “desert” and others.

Initially, uniforms made from camouflage waterproof fabrics were supplied to the Verfugungstruppe (dispositional troops). Later, camouflage became an integral part of the uniform of SS “task” groups (Einsatzgruppen) of reconnaissance and sabotage detachments and units.

During the war, the German leadership took a creative approach to the creation of camouflage uniforms: they successfully borrowed the findings of the Italians (the first creators of camouflage) and the developments of the Americans and the British, which were obtained as trophies.

However, one cannot underestimate the contribution of German scientists and those who collaborated with the Hitler regime in the development of such famous camouflage brands as

• ss beringt eichenlaubmuster;
• sseichplatanenmuster;
• ssleibermuster;
• sseichenlaubmuster.

Professors of physics (optics) worked on the creation of these types of colors, studying the effects of light rays passing through rain or foliage.
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 jacket and crest with a special “light-absorbing” paint, which also reduced the level of radiation in the infrared spectrum.

There is still relatively little known about the existence of such paint in 1944-1945; it has been suggested that it was a “light-absorbing” (of course, partially) black fabric, onto which drawings were later applied.

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

A single example 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; so few similar camouflages were produced 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 for the development of camouflage clothing for modern commandos and other special forces.

The “SS-Eich-Platanenmuster” camouflage was much more common on all fronts. Actually, “Platanenmuster” (“woody”) is found in pre-war photos. By 1942, “reversible” or “reversible” jackets in the “Eich-Platanenmuster” color scheme began to be supplied to the SS troops en masse - autumn camouflage on the front, spring colors on the reverse side of the fabric.

Actually, this is three-color, with broken lines“rain” or “branches” are combat uniforms and are most often found in films about the Second World War and the Great Patriotic War.

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

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

SS uniform today

The aesthetically pleasing black SS uniform is still popular today. Unfortunately, most often it is not where it is really necessary to recreate authentic uniforms: not in Russian cinema.

A minor “blunder” of Soviet cinema was mentioned above, but in 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 painted version, Stirlitz appears a couple of times in a “green” “parade”.

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

• the infamous 2012 film, I Serve Soviet Union“(about how the army fled, but political prisoners on the western border defeated the SS sabotage detachments) ─ we see the SS men in 1941, dressed in something between “Beringtes Eichenlaubmuster” and even more modern digital camouflages;
• the sad picture “In June 41st” (2008) allows you to see SS men on the battlefield in full ceremonial black uniform.

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 1945, are mostly dressed in camouflage from the first years of the war, is not spared from mistakes.

But the SS ceremonial uniform enjoys well-deserved respect among reenactors. Of course, various extremist groups, including those not recognized as such, such as the relatively peaceful “Goths,” also strive to pay tribute to the aesthetics of Nazism.

Probably the fact is that thanks to history, as well as the classic films “The Night Porter” by Cavani or “Twilight of the Gods” by Visconti, the public has developed a “protest” perception of the aesthetics of the forces of evil. It is not for nothing that the leader of the Sex Pistols, Sid Vishers, often appeared in a T-shirt with a swastika; in the collection of fashion designer Jean-Louis Shearer in 1995, almost all toilets were decorated with either imperial eagles or oak leaves.

The horrors of war are forgotten, but the feeling of protest against 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 reenactor games or work on personal plots, but also modern fashionable couturiers in the world of big fashion.

Video

OFFICER RANKS IN FASCIST GERMANY

OFFICER RANKS IN FASCIST GERMANY, Reichsführer SS corresponded to the rank of Field Marshal of the Wehrmacht;
Oberstgruppenführer - Colonel General;
Obergruppenführer - general;
Gruppenführer - Lieutenant General;
brigadenführer - major general;
Standartenführer - colonel;
Obersturmbannführer - lieutenant colonel;
Sturmbannführer - major;
Hauptsturmführer - captain;
Obersturmführer - Oberleutnant;
Untersturmführer - Lieutenant.

encyclopedic Dictionary. 2009 .

See what "OFFICER RANKS IN FASCIST GERMANY" are in other dictionaries:

Officer ranks troops of the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition and the Axis countries during the Second World War. Not marked: China (Anti-Hitler Coalition) Finland (Axis countries) Designations: Infantry Naval Forces Air Force Waffen... ... Wikipedia

SS BRIGADENFUHRER, see Officer ranks in Nazi Germany (see OFFICER RANKS IN FASCIST GERMANY) ... encyclopedic Dictionary

HAUPTSTURMFUHRER SS, see Officer ranks in Nazi Germany (see OFFICER RANKS IN FASCIST GERMANY) ... encyclopedic Dictionary

SS GRUPPENFUHRER, see Officer ranks in Nazi Germany (see OFFICER RANKS IN FASCIST GERMANY) ... encyclopedic Dictionary

OBERGRUPPENFUHRER SS, see Officer ranks in Nazi Germany (see OFFICER RANKS IN FASCIST GERMANY) ... encyclopedic Dictionary

OBERSTGRUPPENFUHRER SS, see Officer ranks in Nazi Germany (see OFFICER RANKS IN FASCIST GERMANY) ... encyclopedic Dictionary

OBERSTURMBANNFUHRER SS, see Officer ranks in Nazi Germany (see OFFICER RANKS IN FASCIST GERMANY) ... encyclopedic Dictionary

The SS troops belonged to the SS organization; service in them was not considered state service, even if it was legally equivalent to such. The military uniform of SS soldiers is quite recognizable all over the world; most often this black uniform is associated with the organization itself. It is known that the uniforms for SS employees during the Holocaust were sewn by prisoners of the Buchenwald concentration camp.

History of the SS military uniform

Initially, soldiers of the SS troops (also “Waffen SS”) wore gray uniforms, very similar to the uniform of stormtroopers of the regular German army. In 1930, the same, well-known, black uniform was introduced, which was supposed to emphasize the difference between the troops and the rest and determine the elitism of the unit. By 1939, SS officers received a white dress uniform, and from 1934, a gray one was introduced, intended for field battles. The gray military uniform differed from the black one only in color.

Additionally, SS soldiers were entitled to a black overcoat, which, with the introduction of the gray uniform, was replaced by a double-breasted, respectively, gray overcoat. High-ranking officers were allowed to wear their overcoat unbuttoned by the top three buttons so that the colored distinctive stripes were visible. Subsequently, holders of the Knight's Cross received the same right (in 1941), who were allowed to display the award.

The Waffen SS women's uniform consisted of a gray jacket and skirt, as well as a black cap with the SS eagle.

A black ceremonial club jacket with the symbols of the organization for officers was also developed.

It should be noted that in fact the black uniform was the uniform of the SS organization specifically, and not the troops: only SS members had the right to wear this uniform; transferred Wehrmacht soldiers were not allowed to use it. By 1944, the wearing of this black uniform was officially abolished, although in fact by 1939 it was used only on special occasions.

Distinctive features of the Nazi uniform

The SS uniform had a number of distinctive features, which are easily remembered even now, after the dissolution of the organization:

• The SS emblem of two German "Sig" runes was used on uniform insignia. Only ethnic Germans - Aryans - were allowed to wear runes on their uniforms; foreign members of the Waffen SS did not have the right to use this symbolism.
• “Death's Head” - at first, a metal round cockade with the image of a skull was used on the cap of SS soldiers. Later it was used on the buttonholes of soldiers of the 3rd Tank Division.
• The red armband with a black swastika on a white background was worn by members of the SS and stood out significantly against the background of the black dress uniform.
• The image of an eagle with outstretched wings and a swastika (formerly the coat of arms of Nazi Germany) eventually replaced skulls on cap badges and began to be embroidered on the sleeves of uniforms.

The Waffen SS camouflage pattern differed from the Wehrmacht camouflage. Instead of the conventional pattern design with parallel lines applied, creating the so-called “rain effect,” woody and plant patterns were used. Since 1938, the following camouflage elements of the SS uniform have been adopted: camouflage jackets, reversible covers for helmets and face masks. On camouflage clothing it was necessary to wear green stripes indicating rank on both sleeves, however, for the most part this requirement was not observed by officers. During campaigns, a set of stripes was also used, each of which denoted one or another military qualification.

Rank insignia on SS uniform

The ranks of Waffen SS soldiers did not differ from the ranks of Wehrmacht employees: the differences were only in form. The uniform used the same distinctive signs, such as shoulder straps and embroidered buttonholes. SS officers wore insignia with the symbols of the organization both on shoulder straps and in buttonholes.

The shoulder straps of SS officers had a double backing, the upper one differing in color depending on the type of troops. The backing was edged with a silver cord. On the shoulder straps there were signs of belonging to one or another unit, metal or embroidered with silk threads. The shoulder straps themselves were made of gray braid, while their lining was invariably black. The bumps (or “stars”) on the shoulder straps, designed to indicate the officer’s rank, were bronze or gilded.

The buttonholes featured runic “zigs” on one, and rank insignia on the other. The employees of the 3rd Panzer Division, which was nicknamed "Death's Head" instead of "zig", had an image of a skull, which was previously worn as a cockade on the cap of SS men. The edges of the buttonholes were edged with twisted silk cords, and for generals they were covered with black velvet. They also used it to line the general's caps.

Video: SS form

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