Hauptfeldwebel

[jkeegen]

I know the topic regarding the position of hauptfeldwebel was just recently discussed in another thread but I was looking through my Handbuch Militarisches Grundwissen (1985, 14 Auflage) and on the color, "dienstgradabzeichen" plate it shows a horizontal piece of tress that is labelled "Armelstreifen fur Hauptfeldwebel (getragen auf beiden unterarmein)"

Does anyone on the forum have a photo of the Armelsteifen fur Hauptfeldwebel being worn?

[ehrentitle]

Yes, Photo below is from the NVA Newspaper Volksarmee (45-88), you can see the tress on his right arm:

[iannima]

I might add that the Tresse worn on the sleeve is in construction similar to the one that goes round the collar or trims the shoulder boards of NCOs, but it is a touch WIDER. I believe it was only ever used for the sleeves of the Hauptfeldwebel.

[eastgermansks]

Any chance it would be placed on an overcoat as well?? -Luke

[Mike G.]

I'm fairly certain the cuff band worn by the NVA NCO Hauptfeldwebel was actually initially first worn by the Warrant Officer branch and was transitioned over the NVA NCO Corps to designate the Hauptfeldwebel position.

Both wore the same cuff band.

[ehrentitle]

I'm fairly certain the cuff band worn by the NVA NCO Hauptfeldwebel was actually initially first worn by the Warrant Officer branch and was transitioned over the NVA NCO Corps to designate the Hauptfeldwebel position.

Both wore the same cuff band.

Michael - I believe It's the other way around. It was worn by NCOs before 1974 when the Fähnrich ranks were established.

[iannima]

Any chance it would be placed on an overcoat as well?? -Luke

I think that is indeed the case.

[ehrentitle]

Here is a photo of a Hauptfeldwebel from Ich Schwöre a NVA coffee table book published in 1971:

[ehrentitle]

Here is one from Schützen, Kanoniere, Kommandanten published in 1978, this time it's a Fähnrich:

[jkeegen]

Here is a photo of a Hauptfeldwebel from Ich Schwöre a NVA coffee table book published in 1971:

I knew I should have bought Ich Schwöre. I had an opportunity to do so at the same time I bought Getrau dem Fahneneid
and Soldaten des Volkes but had already spent WAY more than I had budgeted that month for DDR collectibles (that was when I imposed on myself a six month long DDR ban-no forum, no ebay, no research, nothing at all related to DDR).

Thank you all for your responses.

[tony james]

the tress was worn on overcoats .i've only seen about four since the wall fell.one was a NVA wachregiment mantel.


tony

[ehrentitle]

The Volksmarine also had the Hauptfeldwebel position from 1956-90 according to Walther. But I've not seen one in photos. Would anyone here happen to have a photo of one?

[Mike G.]

Hi Kevin,

Spot on. Yes, I got it backasswords.
What I was meaning to say was that there was another rank that wore the cuff band besides the NCO Der Spiess, which was the warrant officer equivalent of the same position. Anyway, I think it is all sorted out now.


I don't think the VM actually ever wore the cuff band.

Neither did the Grenztruppen. All photos of Grenztruppen Hauptfeldwebel I have show them with Officer cockade on their visor, NCO chin strap, white shirt, officer quality gabardine tunic and trousers, and officer brown belt. But no "Der Spiess" cuff band, only the Grenztruppen cuff band.

If someone out there has a photo that shows otherwise, please post it to this thread.

[Mike G.]

By the way, someone correct me if I'm wrong please; but for the Faehnrich to be wearing a Schuetzenschnur, doesn't he have to still be in Faehnrich-Offiziersschueler?

Otherwise, were they not just like RLOs (Real Live Officers) and not authorized the wear of the Schuetzenschnur?

[Kartofelpreußer]

Hi Kevin,

Spot on. Yes, I got it backasswords.
What I was meaning to say was that there was another rank that wore the cuff band besides the NCO Der Spiess, which was the warrant officer equivalent of the same position. Anyway, I think it is all sorted out now.


I don't think the VM actually ever wore the cuff band.

Neither did the Grenztruppen. All photos of Grenztruppen Hauptfeldwebel I have show them with Officer cockade on their visor, NCO chin strap, white shirt, officer quality gabardine tunic and trousers, and officer brown belt. But no "Der Spiess" cuff band, only the Grenztruppen cuff band.

If someone out there has a photo that shows otherwise, please post it to this thread.

Oh Michael, Michael, Michael... are you simply toying with us? I know of at least one member here on this forum who definitively has a photo of a GT Fähnrich who is "Der Spieß" showing both the GT cuff title and the Hauptfeldwebel Tresse. Please consult the thread below, post #8 on the first page:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=211817

Your post here must be the trick, since that photo is quite the treat. Happy Halloween!