Alg. SS uniforms in WW2 movies & TV

[BrianK]

This really puzzles me. You constantly see black uniformed SS soldiers, with the matching black visor cap, in WW2 movies - even late in the war. My understanding was that the SS phased out the black Alg. SS uniform after the war began. Yet you constantly see black suited SS men questioning prisoners, or operating as Gestapo agents. Am I wrong here? Were these ubiquitous SS men around during the war? Or are they a "fiction" thrown in for color?

[praubal]

Due mainly to 1940's Hollywood nasty Nazi's could only be recognised in black....with the armband.
A fiction that no one cares to correct

[BrianK]

What's funny to see is a "Gestapo" agent in full Alg. SS regalia. Not many secrets he'd be able ferret out in that kind of uniform.

[Seigfried]

This really puzzles me. You constantly see black uniformed SS soldiers, with the matching black visor cap, in WW2 movies - even late in the war. My understanding was that the SS phased out the black Alg. SS uniform after the war began. Yet you constantly see black suited SS men questioning prisoners, or operating as Gestapo agents. Am I wrong here? Were these ubiquitous SS men around during the war? Or are they a "fiction" thrown in for color?

What puzzles me is that you actually give any credence to Hollywood when it comes to war films!

[Richard T]

You will excuse me fraulein while I change into my proper grey/green uniform

[eubank]

Ha, or the chap in Inglorious Basterds who gets shot in the bar, surely based on a true story, no ?

[BrianK]

What puzzles me is that you actually give any credence to Hollywood when it comes to war films!

Actually, later war films are much better on uniforms.

[BrianK]

You will excuse me fraulein while I change into my proper grey/green uniform

That's from "Where Eagles Dare" a great Clint Eastwood/ Richard Burton film. Totally preposterous, but pure action and a lot of fun.

[Sevrin]

What's funny to see is a "Gestapo" agent in full Alg. SS regalia. Not many secrets he'd be able ferret out in that kind of uniform.

Not to mention, usually pictured in that pre-war black, but with a million combat decorations.

The regs as far as uniforms for police/ss are confusing to me, kinda given up on deciphering that; but just strange that "gestapo in black" took off and became a staple in Hollywood for so long. Was under the impression just some in occupied territories and in admin wore the grey, otherwise only identified by the disk they carried.

Anyway, kinda think of it like a modern police detective showing up for work in a highway patrol uniform.

[stonemint]

Still my favorite:

[BrianK]

At least Star Trek knew enough to sneak in a Waffen SS gray uniform. I don't recall seeing one on Hogan's Heroes.

[N.C. Wyeth]

There were quite a few . . . even if not very good!

At least Star Trek knew enough to sneak in a Waffen SS gray uniform. I don't recall seeing one on Hogan's Heroes.

Naughty, Naughty - maybe some "binge-watching" of HH is order for you?

[BrianK]

The Waffen SS are so few I forgot - it must be 100 Alg. SS uniforms for every 1 Waffen SS uniform. The Gestapo agents are usually full Alg. SS regalia.

[Sevrin]

[BrianK]

Those Alg. SS men really like to molest pretty blonde frauleins.