German Military

[cyberia]

Hauptmann Barry Stiener

In the above photo our CGI model "Barry" is wearing the early version of the Wehrmacht uniform. On his right sleeve is the early Grossdeutschland cuff title and he has gold GD ciphers on his epaulets.

His leather Y-strap is the early war model. Later in the war a canvas mesh variation, originally designed for tropical use, was issued widely because of its lower cost.

From the right of his brown officer's belt hangs a holstered 9mm Luger P-08 sidearm.

His decorations include the Iron Cross 2nd Class, General Assault badge, Iron Cross First Class which is one of the variations made with a brass core, not iron, and so it shows up as a golden colour. This manufacturing practice was not allowed to continue and his is a rare item.
He also wears the Ritterkreuz (Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross), along with ribbons for the War Merit Cross First Class with swords and a 4 year Wehrmacht Long Service medal.

In this second photo Bary is wearing The later war "feldbluse" 4-pocket service tunic made of material inferior to earlier issues, and for that reason required an additional button to keep from "gapping" at the closures.

Note that the M40 stahlhelm lacks the tri-color and Heer eagle decals of earlier helmets, and is coated with "zimmerit," a cement-like paste used to thwart the placement of magnetic mines on armored vehicles.
Many infantry soldiers borrowed zimmerit from panzer units and used it to reduce their steel helmets' characteristic gloss finish.

His decorations now include the Eastern Front Campaign ribbon on his ribbon bar.

Note too that he is now wearing the German Cross in Gold, in an embroidered cloth version for field wear. He also wears the Wound Badge in Gold. Not surprising considering his record of combat.

He carries the 9-mm MP-40 sub-machine gun with folding metal stock. Allied soldiers mistakenly referred to this weapon as the "Schmeisser," and that misnomer still persists even though designer Hugo Schmeisser, famous for the Bergmann MP-18 submachine gun of World War I, actually had nothing to do with the MP-40.

The simplified Grossdeutschland cuff title is of post-1940 design. He has covered the gleaming gold officer rank pips with wool felt wraps matching his tunic, to make himself a less attractive target.

[cyberia]

Hauptmann Barry Stiener, DAK
(Afrika Korps)

Our WWII Zone uniform model Barry is wearing M40 field cap & scarf.
Many Afrika Korps soldiers wore the M40 field cap whenever possible, as an alternative to the heavy steel helmet which became a "cooking pot" in the desert heat. Locally-purchased scarves were also more practical for everyday wear than the regulation shirt and tie.

Soldiers who participated in the joint Italian & German effort were entitled to wear the Italo-German Campaign award either as a ribbon or, as seen here, a full-sized medal. Above his 3 service ribbons is the Close Combat Clasp in gold, and below them the Iron Cross First Class and the Infantry Assault badge in bronze as well as the Iron Cross 2nd class ribbon.

[Tom Houlihan]

For those interested in the actual material, fabrication and wear of uniforms:

Rayon Article
http://www.atthefront.com/Fieldgrey.jpg
German Feldbluse Fitting
Lost Battalions M43 Field Blouse Details

[vitara]

i will haft to say i like all the diffren't german clothing
no where as drab as other countrys .. very eye catching
cheers krieg