Verbandsabzeichen des Heeres – Bw Army Unit Insignia

[Proud Kraut]

Today I want to start a little thread about Verbandsabzeichen des Heeres (Army unit insignia) Of course Luftwaffe and Marine have their own unit insignia history but I would like to focus on the German Heer in this thread.
Until 1962 only Gebirgsjäger- (Mountain) and Luftlandeeinheiten (Airborne) were alowed to wear an oval arm badge on their right sleeve showing their affiliation to these branches.
In 1962 color Verbandsabzeichen were approved for higher commands, schools, demonstration units, divisions and brigades. These SSI are for wear on the left sleeve of the Dienstanzug (Class A) Jacke and Mantel (only the silver button variation, NOT on the variation with covered buttons).

Except Gebirgsjäger SSI all SSI are shield shaped. Until 1990 (Heeresstruktur 5) the German Feldheer had 12 Divisions with 36 Brigades. The SSI for division HQs and divisional troops has a silver/black border. SSI of the first brigade of the division has a white, the second a red and the third brigade a yellow border. The „Prussian color sequence“ starts with white, red and yellow:
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preu%C3%9Fische_Farbfolge

For example SSI of the 12. Panzerdivision with Panzerbrigade 34, Panzergrenadierbrigade 35 and Panzerbrigade 36.
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3264326431.jpg

Until today about 150 different SSI were approved by MOD. Most of the units were already disbanded.
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3464346433.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...6532326636.jpg

Although most of the Verbandsabzeichen are still available and easy to find. Six of them are rare and much sought after: Raketenschule, Raketenartillerielehrbatterie, Panzerlehrbrigade 9 (1st pattern) and Panzerregimenter 100, 200 and 300.

Verbandsabzeichen were machine embroidered by various manufacturers. Offiziere und Unteroffiziere can wear hand embroidered variants offered by the LHD shops (former Kleiderkasse). Some examples:
top row l.t.r: 2. Panzergrenadierdivision, 6. Panzergrenadierdivision
bottom row l.t.r: Raketenschule, Kommando Operative Führung Eingreifkräfte.
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3363373133.jpg

The Verbandsabzeichen of the Deutsch-Französische Brigade is the only color one, that is worn officially on the Feldanzug as well.
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3636646434.jpg

Collectors should be aware. You'll find the first reproductions of Verbandsabzeichen out there. A prove for the fact, that this stuff is getting rarer. Original SSI o top, repros depicted below:
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3838303139.jpg

In the late 1970's troops called for a possibility to display their affiliation to units below brigade level similar to the U.S. DUIs or the French pocket hangers. In 1981 units were alowed to create an „Internes Verbandsabzeichen“ in the style of a Brustanhänger (pocket hanger). Within a short period thousends of BA were approved by commanders (up from two stars level). For example some Artillery units f.l.t.r:
RakArtBtl 122, RakArtBtl 12, FeldArtBtl 545, FArtBtl 101, FArtBtl 655
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3631306437.jpg

Beside the officially approved Battalion pocket hangers countless pieces for companies, batteries, platoons and even single persons were designed. Kunstwadl mentiones in his book, that about 10.000 different BA do exist. Frank Hummel's first book (1996) dealing with BA depicts about 3.700 pieces. I have heard that the next edition will be extended to more than 6.000 BA. Nobody knows exactly.
Brustanhänger are worn with the Dienstanzug and with the Feldanzug, especially with the moleskin one. The missing button in the center of the Flecktarn Feldbluse forces the soldiers to either sew on a button or switch over to cloth insignia.

In fact the introduction of the new Flecktarn uniform saw the rise of the cloth insignia (and the slow death of the BA). Not to be missunderstood. Cloth unit insignia were worn in the Army since the 1970's, especially from members of Heeresfliegertruppe (Aviation). I depict 3 examples of unit cloth insignia I aquired in the 1980's
top row, l.t.r.: Begleitbatterie 6, I. Und II. Staffel; bottom: Sicherungszug 11. PzGrenDiv
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3637616637.jpg

In the 1990's most of the units designed patches to wear with the combat clothing. Even higher commands did so: l.t.r: Heeresamt, Heeresführungskommando, Panzerbrigade 30
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3564623965.jpg

In many cases the patch's design was the same as the BA design:
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...6237343065.jpg

In some cases subunits choose their own design: The 4 batteries of the PzArtBtl 355 and the Battalion's BA:
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...6339396531.jpg

Beside the BA many units designed patches in color and in subdued for their units. For example insignia of Panzerartilleriebataillon 2:
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3464306665.jpg

In many cases units changed their patch's design from time to time making it more funny (and difficult) to collect all these variants.
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3234653732.jpg

After more than a decade, it was decided to save much money by issuing the Feldblusen already prepared for using a velcro back patch. The new „Felbluse mit Flausch“ has already a sewn on piece of cloth that fits exaxctly to the officially issued Einsatzabzeichen (mission patches):
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...6535353465.jpg

Much more left to say about Einsatzabzeichen, Ärmelbänder (cuff titles) etc. but I think that's enough from my side today. Let's see, what you have in your collection!

Lars

[Marc Sherriff]

Hallo Lars,

I very interesting post, thank you.

I would be interested in any spare "Artillerie" badges you may wish to part with.

MfG
Marc

[Gordon Craig]

Lars,

Well done and very informative.

Regards,

Gordon

[Proud Kraut]

Thank you Gordon and Marc for your kind feedback!

I have to stand correct regarding the color patches on Flecktarn uniform. Thanks to Marc; those patches are worn on the fiel uniform as well:
EUFOR blue-yellow version.
KFOR the old pattern till 2007/08.
ISAF the round one till 2007/08 then the shields.

@ Marc: Yes, I have much of the stuff extra, an email is on the way.

[Guardian 5]

Lars,

I too would like to add my thanks for a very informative thread. Thanks for taking the time to put it together.

All the best,
TJ

[chiffonnier]

I think this is an older one and it is the first I have that doesn't have that typical gray backing.
It has a "floppy" feel to it,just like old US patches.
First production run ?
All the best,
Kees

[Proud Kraut]

Kees, that's really a rather uncommon variant. Today Verbandsabzeicehn are either woven or hand embroidered. Early machine embroidered pieces were usually embroidered on felt. This one seems to be fully machine embroidered with the mandatory cloth back missing. Really similar to US patches. Just for fun: would be nice to know, if it glows when exposed to black light?

Lars

[chiffonnier]

Lars it does glow under blacklight.
What does that say to you ?
All the best,
Kees

[Proud Kraut]

Lars it does glow under blacklight.
What does that say to you ?
All the best,
Kees

Thank you, nothing special. Synthetics were in use long before the first Verbandsabzeichen were produced in the 1960's. I just was curious.

But...I collected US Army patches for more than 30 years. This particular patch looks to me rather newer made, can't prove it, just a feeling...;-)

[chiffonnier]

OK Lars.
I don't have such an impressive patch collection as you but I'm glad at least I have a uncommon variant.
A child's hand is easily filled they say.
I'll post some patches more in the near future in this thread.
All the best,
Kees

[Proud Kraut]

OK Lars.
I don't have such an impressive patch collection as you but I'm glad at least I have a uncommon variant.
A child's hand is easily filled they say.
I'll post some patches more in the near future in this thread.
All the best,
Kees

No my friend. I quit collecting US patches 1 year ago and gave away the mass of my collection. Not so much left now. I'm looking forward to see more of your Bw insignia here.
Best regards

Lars

[chiffonnier]

Those that have a lot of these patches must be able to find a lot of variations.
Here are two from the first Korps;one with an broad orange edge,and one with a more narrow yellow one.
It came of the tunic with the price tag still attached.

[chiffonnier]

Embroidered ones from first and second korps.
One still attached to a tunic and the other one is marked;KKBW 25-10 on the back.
Both have a gold threaded border but one lost almost all its finish.

[chiffonnier]

I think it is more difficult to find two the same embroidered ones then variations.
The proud German eagle looks like a parrot on these.
The middle one is the only one with three toes that I could find.
from left to right;(correct me if I'm wrong);
Wehrbereichskommando II,Kommando der Territorialen Verteidigung and Zentrale Militärische Bundeswehrdienststellen.

[chiffonnier]

Seems like the regular patches in this colour configuration exist with a broad and narrow black band as part of the flag colours.
Here Wehrbereichskommandos IV and for Schleswig Holstein (SH)
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wehrbereichskommando