German Military

[cyberia]

A full marching order uniform of a Waffen SS Rottenfuher (corporal) of the 2nd SS Panzer Div. The Red piping denotes artillery. Note the camo quarter shelter on the pack showing spring camouflage.

[cyberia]

Kriegsmarine Kapitanleutnant Barry Steiner

Our WWII Zone CGI model "Barry" wears a ten-button double-breasted navy blue tunic and a white-crowned cap, with the single row of gold braid on the visor appropriate to his rank. His gold-and-silver Surface Fleet badge, Das Flottenkriegsabzeichen, denotes surface service.

The gold-colored metal national-emblem eagles on his chest and cap are optional alternatives to the gold bullion standard-issue versions.The gold stars in place of staff corps sleeve insignia identify this Kaptitanleutnant as a command officer, possibly a junior exec. The gold braid below the stars communicates his rank.

Decorations include all 3 versions of the Iron Cross, 2nd Class, 1st Class and Knights Cross. His Iron Cross 1st Class is a brass cored version. There is unproven speculation that brass cores for the Iron Cross were first introduced for the Kriegsmarine to protect the medal against salt water induced rust.

[Geek44]

This is a very cool thread Paul. Bazza looks good in almost everything.

[Jim O]

I agree. These are great images.

[lufttiger]

I have a request, as these are a big help for me when painting figs.
Would like to see a late war German tank commander in his garb with
the colors of the shoulder pads & hat. thanks

[cyberia]

Hauptsturmführer Barry Wittmann
Waffen SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Götz von Berlichingen

Our CGI uniform model "Barry" is wearing the distinctive and purpose designed black panzer "wrap" tunic. Misconceptions about this tankers uniform abound.

First off, the tailored look of the German panzer uniform had little to do with vanity or style. It was streamlined to eliminate buttons and flaps that would otherwise catch on objects in the tight confines of a tank and made crawling in and out of narrow hatches easier.

As for the idea that black was chosen as a "sinister" color, the selection was actually practical. Black was the logical choice for a job where engine grease and soot are part of the daily grind. It also helped for individual crewmen to stand out to each other in the low light, whitish interior of a "buttoned up" tank.

Note the cap piping and shoulder board underlay in the rose-pink "Waffenfarbe" (fighting colors) of the Panzer elite. His hat has the Totenkopf deaths death symbol. Panzermen of Wehrmacht units also used the deaths head, minus the lower jaw.

This officer has a "tank destruction badge" on his upper right sleeve, indicating that he has destroyed at least one enemy tank using hand held explosives. His gold-and-silver Panzer Assault badge announces that he has taken part in at least 75 Panzer missions in various units, some in Poland, Holland & France in the early war but mostly on the Russian Front.
His "Götz von Berlichingen" cuff title was authorized for this unit in October 1943.

His awards and decorations include the Iron Cross 2nd Class (worn as a ribbon tucked into his button-hole), Iron Cross 1st Class. It shows a bit of wear and tear as can be expected from a medal that is worn in the field. He also wears the Wound Badge in black.

SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Götz von Berlichingen was raised in Oct 1943 from replacement units and conscripts and stiffened with some experienced men. It saw action against the US forces in Normandy from 10 June 1944 and fought in Lorraine in 1945 during the Nordwind offensive.

[lufttiger]

Oh yeah, thats it, this will really help out, any idea what those ribbons are?
Its not that important, just wondering. So this would be for most tank
commanders? right?. Thanks so much.

[PanzerBob]

Bravo Zulu, good info, well presented.

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by lufttiger

Oh yeah, thats it, this will really help out, any idea what those ribbons are?
Its not that important, just wondering. So this would be for most tank
commanders? right?. Thanks so much.

OK, starting on his right: The Iron Cross First Class from the First World War, the Cross of Honor 1914-1918, the War Merit Cross, the SS Long Service Award with 12 year clasp, and the last one has me stumped.

And yes, the basic tankers tunic.

[cyberia]

Hauptsturmführer SS Barry Stiener

By request our CGI uniform model, Barry, is wearing the Waffen-SS "blurred edge" pattern Type 2 camouflage smock. The smock is topped off by a field gray M40 SS helmet, that has been camouflaged with daubs of black and sand paint.
This camouflage application to helmets was sometimes done en masse for an entire unit in the field with a paint rig borrowed from the motor pool.
In addition to paint, camouflage-pattern cloth helmet covers were used.

Helmet could also be further camouflaged by adding chicken type wire to hold branches, leaves and grass. If you look closley you might notes that the smock has a variety of loops for tying on foliage.

Shoulder rank was not worn with the smock. Instead we see on his left sleeve the green embroidered Waffen-SS sleeve rank for a Hauptmann (Captain).

The leather belt is clasped with the Waffen SS belt buckel.

Barry is seen here with the late war issue "Sturmgewehr" 44 assault rifle.