ny books have been published on any subject of the Waffen-SS; but to authors’ knowledge no previous work thesthown the variation in colour and a pr aniforms by means of colour pho sare phs of clothing and equipment being fograpijy worn. Most of the uniforms illus- wed in this book come from a single travcwte collection; we cannot hope to ever all known variations, but believe Shut all major differences have been illus trated. Where possible the uniforms have focn photographed worn by models in a jer to show how they natural setting, in 3 vould actually have appeared in service ef thee uniforms are very dif t to obtain today. Their rarity has led, in some cases, to the wide availability of very good reproductions intended to deceive the purchaser. The colour illust- s published here should help the collector to identify the genuine from the fake. Atthe end of the Second World War here were over a million men in the Waffen-SS; many little-known variations appeared which may be taken for repro- ductions due to their non-conformity to the norm. Alll items photographed in this book are, as far as has been possible to confirm, genuine originals; though some ‘originals’ are easier to identify than others, and everyone has his own opinion arding the authenticity of specific ms. Having been a collector for some years I have learned not to prejudge an item simply on the basis of whether or not it is documented in the reference litera- ture—so many producers were involved in the manufacture of uniforms that many quite genuine minor variations are not adequately documented. ‘The Waffen-SS were the first troops in the world to be issued camouflage cloth- ing on a large scale. The designer of the original items was Sturmbannfuhrer Wim Brant, and the artwork was prepared by Professor Schick. The outcome of their work proved so successful that almost every army in the world today wears camouflage uniforms following Schick's original principles. The camouflage. Printed uniform became as much the hall- mark of the Waffen-SS as the runes on their collars. The patterns employed 4 were, however, quite varied, and many $S-Standarte 1 ‘Deutschland’ was the first to be equipped with camouflage smocks and helmet covers, as early as 1937. It is often forgotten that the smock was. designed to be worn over the field equipment; the first-pattern smock had side chest vents for access to the ammunition pouches, and the elasticated waist was set low to pull tightly under the belt equipment. This reconstruction shows the smock as it would have appeared on pre-war exercises. The idea proved impractical, and Smocks were soon being ‘worn over the uniform but under the equipment, in which arrangement the Tength and low waist were less than convenient. This is a fine example of a first-type smock in a richly coloured ‘plane tree camouflage.This MG34 team camout and p: the ss of the je when static ly concealed field items were manufactured in short and experimental runs, resulting in small numbers of unusual but quite genuine items, This does complicate the problem of authenticating particular garments or items today. There are a few such items in this book, of whose authenticity Tam personally convinced. Helmet covers are particularly popular among those engaged in making reproductions, and can be very difficult to judge; it does not help that during the war old Zeltbahn shelter-quarters were quite often cut up to make covers. The commonest clue is pro- vided by the fixing clips, which should be fastened to the cloth by a steel pin. I have also seen in wartime photographs covers fastened with a bent clip on a spring Early pattern covers had four clips, later examples only three. Pre-war Waffen-SS tunics were manu- factured by both Army and SS suppliers. During the war years tunics were stan- dardised, and produced for the Waffen-SS in the factories run by the SS-WVHA economic administration. Rivalry oe wy between the Army and SS made army supplicrs unwilling to service the SS. The great wartime expansion of the armed forces coincided with ever more acute shortages of raw materials; and the SS manufacturers, having apart from other advantages a direct link with the Waffen- SS units fighting in newly captured terri- tories, were better able to obtain mater- s. and to provide supplies of uniforms and other equipment, than their Army equivalents. This facility was much envied by the Army General Staff. This petty rivalry was very wasteful: while the Allies were producing a limited range of stan- dardised uniforms throughout the war, the Germans took until the fourth year of the conflict to even approach some form of standardisation, mainly through the efforts of armaments minister Albert Speer. A\ll Waffen-SS uniforms were processed through distribution centres whose co- location with major concentration camps lends their names a sinister ring toda The most commonly found is *SS.BW (Buchenwald), but Ravensbruck,S$-Schiitze (private) ing the collar patch (of 3.S$-Panzer-Division Totenkopf’ on his all prey M43 tunic. His first type smock, of early ‘manufacture, has the ‘autumn’ side outwards, Dachau, and many others were also used. Ostindustrie GmBH - Osti - (Eastern Industries Ltd.) was formed in the occu- pied Eastern territories under the direc- tion of Obergruppenfithrer Pohl, for the manufacture of insignia and uniforms Both free and camp labour was used; and much of the raw material originated in the confiscated personal property of camp inmates, which was distributed to manu- facturers servicing the Many of the uniforms and badges were made in the East and, in the later stages of, the war, the quality was extremely va able. Western European countries pro- duced many of the known unusual variants, using different materials but the same basic patterns as German manufac- turers. These items were often intended for their own ‘National Socialist’ organi- sations, including foreign Waffen-SS for- mations. Examples include Belgian-made metal eagle and death’s-head cap badges, which are of standard appearance but have wire rather than flat pin fasteners; Dutch-made officers’ service caps, which often have peaks of leather rather than the more usual “Vulkan Fibre’ composi- 6 tion; and the famous Dutch-made *Adolf Hitler’ cuff title, made of thinner cloth than normal and with the lettering ‘mir- rored’ on the reverse Officers’ tunics seem usually to have been made by private tailors; these would normally have been kept for ‘best’ wear. while standard issue tunics were available for operational use, but the former were sometimes worn in combat. Those tunics which survive today are almost all — logi- cally enough ~ the high-quality examples which were not taken into combat zones. While often of fashionable cut and exquisitely made, they may not conform exactly to the regulation tunics seen in the literature. T hope that this book will provide ser~ ious collectors, and other readers who may have an interest in the subject, with an idea of what can be achieved with some determination Andrew Steven $5-Unterschacthrer {Gonior corporal) wearing SSceond-ype smock in ak leaf camouflage Simmer side out. His M1350 heimet bears the Nae right decal: he has Standard MSI eld Sguipment, and is armed enfin MAO and stick Jromades, Just visible i ic ackground san arly Panzeeaust 30FIELD GREY UNIFORMS$$-Sturmann, 7.8S- Freiwilligen-Gebirgs between the steel grey of the tunic and the field grey of the M37 trousers As Volksd the person olunteer division, inthe of the ‘Austro-Hungarian empire, were considered ‘ot entitled to the SS- division wore instead this ‘Odalrune’ right collar patch. The shoulder Straps are piped in the Tight preen of the mountain infantry. The rank chevron is worn on the left sleeve only below the national emblem: this chevron is {in a dull tan coloured braid some insignia were produced in this 8 colour from 1940, anticipating the issu orms for SS service in thereafter. The RZM pattern divisional cuff tile has the name woven but feldmitze became the Standard issue field cap in the Waffen SS from ain troops trousers, made in stretch ‘material for maximu freedom of movement, held down by an elastic loop round the foot: this pai have had zips fitted Edelweiss and a the left side of the cap, obscured here. The Ma3 cap illustrated bears ‘machine-c ddeath’s-head insignia to the pockets, They are itlustrated worn with standard issue socks in place of gaiters, and Mountain boots with characteristic square tocs and metal fitings.$S-Sturmann of 16.88- the double stripe on his Panzer-Grenadier left collar patch, The Division “Reichsfubrer- divisional cu tite is of SS" in 1943 barracks BeVo manufacture. His dress. He still wears the plain black shoulder Feldmiitze cap, officially Straps are piped with replaced by the visored pink Waffenfarbe, and he ap late in 1943; it bears Wears a bronze a soutache of pink Armoured Troops’ Battle Waffenfarbe and Badge. The runes on his machine-woven insignia. right collar patch are His M43 tunic, in rather unusual: embroidered in coarse material, bears an grey thread and sloping aluminium machine- forwards, they are of 2 wen eagle above the type believed to have chevron of his rank been manufactured in the which is also indicated by Netherlands. The Md field blouse was issued late in the war as and resembles a British battledress blouse. The reduction from four to ‘wo pockets w unimportant, since the blouse was aimost invariably worn beneath camoutlage smocks or jackets whi ‘ the steel grey colour of this example, which also thas plastic buttons ia place of the more usual ‘metal ones. Note pink piped shoulder straps ‘with slip-on “LAH. cyphers worn in the by members of LSS Panzer-Divisi Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler’; and BeVo SS runes and “Adolt Hitler ctl ttle 9This MGM machine shelter quarter inner, using tl suspended from his belt Fightweight Dreifuss 34 and Y-straps, This type anti-aircraft mount, a50- of water bottle, with a ound Gurtrommei 34 white-speckled Bakelite “basket magazine and a cup, is unusual. He wears fing sight, wearsan M43. on'the right front of his tunic with white infantry belt the MG34 gunner's shoulder strap piping. pouch (Werkzeugtasche The double braid round 54), and slipped under its the base of the straps Strap a green tin holding Indicates an officer special AA gunner’s dark tandidate. The machine- glasses with additional embroidered death's Teather glate shields. Just hhead right collar patch visible next to the box is. identifies 38S-PzDw. the rare combinatio Totenkopt Patronenheber He wears M31 field 14) with fold-out gun equipment, with a rolled tools in a Bakelite Zelibahn camouflaged handle SHIRTS AND TROUSERS Opposite, top left suspended round th The type of woollen shirt issued to most soldiers zine; 1 during the war; had a the centre allowed itt high wood fibre content, be snapped in two the was very coarse, and did information it bore was duplicate in many other photographs in this book) were made of a waistband, belt loops, higher quality wool buttoned pockers, and mixture. They had no d belt loops, being adjusted at the rear waist use with s by'a strap and fitted with ankle bo buttons for braces; the latter were field grey with cord and leather attachments and fittings, wearing a cotton shit and an elasticated rear with pleated breast Strap. Later models pockets, the collar attached inside the ‘buttoned down” om this twousers, The M3 example. Iti ited with trousers were not attachments for uniform intended to be worn with shoulder straps. The shirtsleeve order, but trousers are the M4 always with ajacket or pattern, designed to be tunic ‘worn with the short M4 Feldbluse and therefore Bottom let & right fitted with buttoned, The issue vest was of flapped pockets and cotton ‘aertex’, natural in several belt loops, a5 we colour. The identity disc as ankle lacingOFFICERS’ UNIFORMS | Abo Ln cord, like allofcers aluminium buckle. The Anwther SS Officer ofthe Seid ant olla patches) hand. service dress cap Unersturmfuhre, his Shera nt of embrolderedsleeve (Diewsimuaceot tight colar p | Standart ale, and oficers Schmutz) is also of ening hm as an | Deutschland’ displaying qualiyeximental cull, the highest quays the Army Flak Badge ile of BeVo weave. The bears ofice’ aluminium beside hs lon Crom Ist sewninshoulderstaps, cords, White capri Chass His Army-syle” “ke theleftcolar”—wasstandardned eral unico Am Mooltunicina privately patch feniying the branches by an order of detachable shoulder talloeditemoffigh tank ofSS-Ustertumm- Desember 1939 though aualiy; note darkreen- fuer or second Bringin the Wepenues | faced iand-and‘al lieutenant have double otter arms of ers toll omed by two unded continued wo be worn in Hooks); deeply walloped Waffen recta broegheu porket flaps hand Se ee | Embroideted SSrune Back He wear the SS Gomi Tight collar patch (edged ofhcr' siverIntaney 12 ‘wihwoven'iumistus — \cuiperbai end Badge. The srGENERAL’S UNIFORM The uniform illustrated was owned and worn by SS-Obergrappentuhrer Oswald Pohl. After his death in 1951 it was sold by his family to Breyer of Munich, from whom it was obtained by the uniform historian Andrew Mollo in the late 1950s, Resold in 1980 to the collector Michael Pollock, it was subsequently purchased by the dealer Ulric of England in 1988, The fine-quality erey gabardine open-collar tunic bears black velvet rank patches with hand. embroidered insignia; the patches are attached through the collar by four small bolts. The sewn-in shoulder straps are secured by screw-on buttons; they feature the interwoven aluminium and gilt cords, extra large pips, and light grey single underlay characteristic of general officers’ straps. The generals’ cuff band is plain aluminium with black edge stripes. The sleeve eagle is hand. ‘embroidered and of the finest quality The dress belt is of ‘aluminium wire, with a woven-in repeat motif of ‘oakleaves and SS-runes, mounted on black velvet it has the RZM pattern round aluminium SS officer's buckle, The cap is also of fine grey gabardine, with a black Velvet band; general officer's aluminium wire piping at the crown seam ‘and both edges of the band; aluminium chin cords; and silver eagle and death's head badges (Photos: Philip Hawks) 14 (Oswald Pohl, b.18 served as a member of the Kriegsmarine administration in the First World War. He joined the NSDAP in 1929 ~ membership number 30-842 — and was active in the SA,1929.34 In that year he joined SS — number 147-614. He rose to become head of the economic administration of the SS the WVHA ~ and thus held departmental responsibility for the forced labour scheme and the concentration ‘camps in their economic aspect. His department twas responsible for thi items for the SS. He was a holder of the SS ring and honour sword; an Cf the Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross with Swords, awarded on 16 November 1944. He was hanged for war crimes at Landsherg prison in June 1951.) ‘ XGREATCOATS AND SURCOATSNote the buttoning collar tab of the later Ubermantel; the square ut pocket flaps; and indicated here by the soldier's hands, but hard to see under his equipment ~ two vertical slash pockets, without flaps, set in the side panels, MOTORCYCLIST’S COAT (Schutzmantel fur Krafiradfahrer, or later simply Kradmantel) were efficient and popular. A good waterproof coat ‘was much sought-after, and this pattern could be found in many types of unit; but itis probably with the Feldgendarmerie that itis most widely associated, and the ‘chain dog’ with his gorget and “Halt Polize? baton was a common sight at any road junction in the Reich or the war zone. Made of cotton twill ‘coated with rubber, with watertight seams, the coat was worn over the service tunic. Early ‘examples had green- faced collars, but the coat illustrated is the later pattern with field grey collar. When riding the motoreycle the skirts fof the coat could be 20 buttoned round the lees; and the gasmask canister slung acros the chest officially worn on the oat, but on active service NCOs and Officers often attached their uniform shoulder straps. In the absence of shoulder straps the only feature identifying the Feldgendarmere traffic policeman ilustrated as Belonging to the SS is his helmet cover. He armed with an MP3 ~ distinguished by the Tongtudinal ribs on the receiver and the at Sided magazine housing Tafantrymen who managed to acquire this Coat often eut # short 10 the knee, and removed the wrist straps for ease of movement bu facked the durability fr rolonged use by Tootsoies.CAMOUFLAGE SMOCKS Although the German dye industry had been world leaders for decade before the Second World War, the production Huge aunbers ofa wide variety of camouflage printed garments was still 2 challenging under taking, Fabric printing of such complenity. and on such a scale, had never before been attempted Dyes, and printing and fining techniques, were in many cases develop specifically for this task and the advances they presented played a part inthe revival ofthe industry post-war The smock wa a fully reversible garment designed to camoutag the infantryman inthe fields it was effective when troops were not moving an partially concealed, less so when they were in movement The material vsed was a closely woven spun rayonicotton mixture known as ‘duck’; when wet the fibres expand. Closing the weave further fnd thus giving some protection agains rin "The colour of the original material was Top left Fine example of an early, first-type smock, screen. printed, showing the autumn side out Characteristics of the firs-type smock are larg. size; low waist; vertical ‘openings covered by flaps in each side of the chest; elasticated cuffs, waist and neck openin the cuffs were ofte ‘turned up under the elasticated band inside to avoid snagging, and the skirt turned oF tucked up (or even occasionally cut off) to give access to the lower tunic pockets; the breast pockets could not be reached through the vents when ‘equipment Y-straps were — smock material we printed ty process with ‘dyes, Later printing and printing was Indanthren dyes — being applied first and th screen print Pure screen prin the complex pattern: used required as m: five or six s lengthy process combination machine and screen prin normally invo colours whil ater flexibili patterns that could be changed casily. Both methods, howe invol any one bs complet The processes were successful on duck cloth Tess so on the pore: quality drill and herringbone twil materials used for worn, This spot tree’ pattern was used for many different garments, including tank crew overalls, field caps, et Occasionally dashes in the patterns; these ar thought to be register marks for use when ccltting Zelrbahns out of the material Lower left First-type smock in “p tree’ pattern, summer side out. This material appears only to have been made up into smocks by the manufacturers, being printed specifically 0 fit the smocks ~ thus smocks Of this type are seem withmouflage uniforms late which two men are ‘war wearing smocks with The actual patterns exactly the same pattern were, on one Side, in printed Summer greens and Printing faults wns of ight, medium occurred often, with dyes fark shades Teaching through from 92 0 ligh cone surface to the next, ‘medium and dark but this tendency seems umn brown shades. to have been allowed for There were als eliberately in some experimental colour camouflage patterns: So- mixtures including pink, called ‘palm tree’ smocks llow, orange and hhave this seepage to the Avery wide range reverse; and in the of pattern and colour burred edge’ pattern ombinations was prints leaching is red, and some obviously anticipated as a nations seem to feature of the design. we been randomly In this book we follow introduced during the _the current terms used by process. N. many collectors and sistently satisfactory uniform historians to explanation has be describe the main ered for the varieties of camouflage umbers found pattern prints: the printed spotted so-called ‘plane materials the mumbers tee" pattern; the ‘ala the prints do not tree’ with its are aa waysmatch, and even bamboortike stake and ne pee Of material occasional fortes; the erse, printed in “oak leaf. patterns; and he same manner, often the simple spotted “pea’ ows the use Pattern machine-printed ely differen oon late war deill and This random herringbone twill items. was, of course, These terms have no c desirable, The Wartime history and are uthors have only ever _used purely for ie Photograph in convenience. he same configuration side chest openings The ‘palm tree’ material onthe reverse in side ofthis smock has a se withthe surface with major expansion of the superior water-tepellent “ 194 qualities, but the printing although ithad existed On this surface has, suffered and the colours eee re very pale. The lower Terie sleeves and pocket flaps achine-printedin an grade of duck, with clea’ pattern yellower green colour Characteristic of th Lower right ath Be oak leaf pattern Material) in autumn sie out ‘Th C base fabri colour ie dition of loops for usual, and Eni at shoulders and bly dar fogs a have a noticeably dark$S-Untersturmfuhrer ‘This second lieutenant ing a sccond-type wears (or sa’ pat ffchen’— "litle out. The the shoulder; 3 gnoredont left a P3® pisAbove rig The M38 NCOs (F Unuerfahrer re). It difered ffcer’s ol field cap! most loth-covered peak instead of soft eather. It was piped whit seen in contemporary phot ofc promoted NCOs, pethaps olficers who favoured this style but kd not obtain the infantry Untersturm- fahrer Right The same type of cap worn by an officer of 3.5S-P2_Div.“TotenP ‘autumn combat the last 0 wars th cold w ue, “retreat d hobnailed ankle are all standard his fieldZELTBAHN His main weapons the StG44 assault il Magazines for tate Carried in tt pouches; these ea {ina blueish ereyeanes wih black eathe Leibstandarte’is one: he fittings, fe 14 ear ie ser quarter the onus meas clibahn ~as & Straps with qua camoulage poncho" by attachment iSite buttoning it together at of ‘D-rings Tusa the night and let front his beltisa pain land between his legs, and ‘Austin’ entSRSals tucking the sides under at the shoulders. This particular Zeltbahn is ‘active’ ant demolition chat camoutlage1944-STYLE CAMOUFLAGE BLOUSE Yugoslavia; many polic and other second-line SS. This waist bears no insig roughly resembles the from a regulation range Mad Fel British bat in cut, thou patch pock: rade from Zeltbakn material with autumn colours on the outside, and is not reversible. The tailor has in fact cut the eloth so that the numeral °6 Oppasit Tee popular oldie f oficers field ca (Ofrterfeldmatze der Art) ~ known Collectors asthe cap was the halla the veteran, This example has obvious n hard use. Note ‘le leather vs lack of cords: am pink Waffenfarbe a Panzer and Pat troops.ARMOURED CREW UNIFORMSUpper li turn-ups. Kricesm LuttwatARMOURED CREW OVERALLS These camouflage ‘The buttons down the ° front and on the thigh manufactured from 1943 pockets can be seen here. for the crews of truly reversible -the Note the elasticated Tmoured vehicles, for pockets appear on the cuffs; the elasticated rear Concealment when away only. There waist; and the from the vehicle, and are four, the breast permanently attached proved popular. The pockets fastening with hood of this example: farment illustrated is press studs and the thigh The field cap made out Tunusual in that ithas an pockets with simple of captured Itai sttached hood. While Zelibahn buttons. camouflage material ~ used in huge quantities by Germany after the 1943 Italian armistice ~ was not uncommon among SS armoured crews. This example has fa single front badge ‘machine-woven head in silver-grey thread ee on blackARMOURED CREW CAMOUFLAGE UNIFORMS In January 1948 it was decided to replace the reed green two-piece protective clothing previously issued to SS. armoured crews with a camouflage-printed version. Three slightly differing models of this ‘uniform are illustrated on these pages and page 45, Opposite tet The crewman wearing the black Panzer version of the Md3 field cap displays the virtually unlined, course, herringbone twill version ‘of the jacket, cut in Panzer shape, and machine-pringed with pes’ pattern camouflage which is given a subdued appearance by the coarse material. Note that his radio headset has a rubber head strap allowing it to be worn under headgear if needed. He has a pair of 6x30 binoculars. His trousers are the infantry issue (see page 50), a ‘common replacement for tank uniform differing largely in lacking the forward-butioning pocket flaps. Left top Rear View of the coarse herringbone version, showing lack of rear Opposite This S5-Oberscharfuhrer of ‘LAH has a rather superior uniform; the herringbone material is of better quality, giving the camouflage pattern a sharper appearance, and the cut more closely resembles the Arm black jack Only insignia are applied Shoulder straps with LAH slip-on cyphers, Above All three uniforms are ‘worn in this group, allowing some comparison betw them. The smooth herringbone jacket with pointed collars and subdued sleeve eagle is now at right foreground, Left centre Rear view of the superior cotton-lined jacket, showing central seam, and sharper camouflage clfect Left bottor A smooth herringbone twill jacket witha rather pointed collar shape, and 4 drab tan BeVo sleeve ‘eagle; late-war shoulder straps have been applied complete with ‘LAH! cypher slip-ons. Note ‘efails of black Panzer Schiffehen 45ASSAULT GUN UNIFORMMISCELLANEOUS CREW CLOTHING Below the turn-up flap sec lanketlined clothing was extremely popularwith the dary dark greens and browns contributing cloth was used i trouser pocket serts, and the ‘pink alto line jacket, but photograph show that NCOs ‘ometimes applied they Uniform shoulder S05) The helmet ¢ 4 shown is an ‘oak lal with standard soldier's field equipment is standard 1944 The ‘Austtiall e hangs1944 HERRINGBONE CAMOUFLAGE UNIFORM This SS-Rottenfuhrer no warmth. In cut. represents the efechtsgepacl appearance of the bett c Infanterie equipped infantryman in M43 grey se1 Kompanien (the webbing the last year of the war. gathered to lace ankle inside the sd stripe in though indi feontent, It also lacked have improvised. T of qualities “oak leaf ‘metal ring; note the small, integral t001 pouch,drill and 1944 herringbone twill camouflage uniforms, as here - note the colour difference between the predominately ochre Yellow 1943 jacket and the pinkish brown hue of the 1944 trousers His Ma2 steel helmet with out-turned, ‘uncrimped edge, has no decal insignia and is painted sand ‘oversprayed with greet camouflage st common enough practice late in the war, when cloth covers were not always available This soldier is armed with the Gemehr 43 semi-automatic rifle developed after the Germans encountered Russian semi-automatis on the Eastern Front Not widely available ‘and inclined to be temperamental in were equipped wit = The GS set on iss clips from whic reload the ma clipped to the 1 {¥-straps are attafield grey pattern used by the SS-VT. and duc to the moutiage id above it the or small personal kit and rations, and hsm tin. Strapped round this load is a blanket issued from captured Soviet mps includ ek of late ina first ff carrier note loop for the bayonet scabbard. He has two M29 hand grenades thrust into his belt; and in the close-up he also carries a Panzerfaust 100 paintes ‘ordnance green. No canvas gaiters with leather straps, and ankle boots fully shod with hobnails and horseshoe1937-STYLE CAMOUFLAGE TUNIC ithas pleated pockets, the flaps lined with artificial silk. The rey aluminium buttons are removable, fiting by means of split rings, Which are covered by an internal flap. The lo pockets are unpleated ‘This is probably an eaily ‘model produced before the design was finalised The left sleeve bears, in place of an SS eagle, ‘an example of the system of green-on-black sereen- printed rank symbols all clothing on which were officially forbidden to attach protective, (Needle: shoulder st to be widel ‘ne to three This first lieutenant of an armoured or anti-tank ‘unit wears standard officer’ riding breeches and boots, and light field equipment; note extra leather reinforcement added to the kneesREVERSIBLE PADDED WINTER UNIFORMS GREY/ WHITE UNIFORM‘These suits were and popular, and seen in 194-45. gral hood jcted peripheral ofcer’ or ‘parade’. Straps, I compass one sect MPa0 ma except in the worst conditions.for adjustment‘This Panzer-Grenadier, 1944, wears a complete suit— hood, jacket, trousers, and a matching helmet cover in the ‘most commonly found ‘oak leaf’ pattern of autumnal browns. His “tropical” Y-straps support the commonest colour of StG44 magazine pouches. Into his belt are thrust an M24 stick grenade; and next, to it an M43 grenade, the igniter pull assembly in the head rather than the handle.jacket: in the rear view his Ma2 helmet, finished in “phosphate’ dark is thed t0 the M31 mountain troops Above right A member of 20. Watfen: Grenadier-Division of the SS, an Estonian formation, wearing green ‘oak leat” padded jacket reversible t white; in this view the reversible waist draw cord, the pockets and the m flaps can be seen, more clearly. In the neck can be seen the colla his M43 tunic, beari the early, applied metal version of the divisional collar emblem of an armoured arm gripping a sword and an *E'. (These were made in Estonia, and issued in February loth and rabbit fur cap is dated 1943. The pistol is the Mid, a rare Norwegian-made Colt 45 manufactured during ihe German occupation Right Mosquito nets were issued to troops (such as 6.88-Geb. Div.-Nord’) who ‘operated in the swampy areas of the Eastern Front. These nets were in the form of bags, in green or brown, and closed round the neck with a draw cord,ITALIAN CAMOUFLAGE OVER-JACKET This soldier is armed with a 98k rifle with the discharger cup, the sight case, and the sightMISCELLANEA: PRISONERS AND PARATROOPERS employed inl Britain dur‘lothing and equipment: this lider trooper. reconstructed after photos taken at Drvar, wears the Luftwaffe Fallschirmjager helmet with string net, field prey trousers with seam pocket for gravity knife, [Essmask chest bag, ide" Y-straps and long leather gloves. Rifle pouches, and mountain boots, are from Army or SS stocks. The M&3 hhas BeVo runes, and note SS belt Photographs make it clear that men of the unit retained the unit sistinctions, if any, of their previous units, i.e any special collar patches or cuff titles. he existence of specifically $S paratroop jump smacks has been & ples exis, and are believed to have been found in the Dachau othing stores at the end he war. Some were USA, Europe; the Bavarian [Examples are made in het ‘wl tater printed with enter aiune vouflage. Stamped markings give Stvco and the date 1943 Some have no insignia; Some, embroidered grey- omblack 8 eagles on the Tel sleves and some, the tagle applied tothe ight breast, Luftwatfe style. ‘All are mint and Anise, and mote that, there sno known Sartime photograph Suthemtcating there use (An Allied aitborne Yeteran ofthe Ardennes Slaims to have een ‘wrapped in one to kee fim warm; but this is tn ipolated, though intngving ancedote) Christa Hook's schematic “ravings show the design, which wan identical to late Laftwaffe socks "An interesting, unpublished item was texamined a this Book set to press. This pa or tousers is made to Lultwate paratroo design, butin herringbone material printed with SS ‘pea Exmouflage, Leading collectors and dealers have examined and athentcated this unigue item, which had become associated with a Panzet Eamoufiage jacket some Yeats ago the lapped pockets giv Supericialresemblance