Luftwaffe Field Division Uniforms And Insignia

[Homer Hodge]

Alex, Great photo and close-ups. The faces certainly show the strain or maybe the apprehension of battle. Thanks.

[John Hodgin]

Bringing this thread active again. Here is the reverse of an early HBT splinter strap. Unlike the later pairs that Martin and Willi posted which are backed with the same HBT as the front, the reverse of these is an olive duck. This olive is not as light as the green duck on the reverse of the gr******252;nmeliert pair.

[Willi Z.]

Very interesting and rare John. From the same source?

[FS154]

Very interesting Thread!

What about some nice photos showing green tabs piped in branch collors?

[NormandieCamo]

Is it true every splinter pattern field division smock was issued with matching camouflage shoulderboards? Did the marsh 43 smocks also have camouflage shoulderboards?

[John Hodgin]

Is it true every splinter pattern field division smock was issued with matching camouflage shoulderboards? Did the marsh 43 smocks also have camouflage shoulderboards?

I doubt very much that all the jackets had splinter straps on them. In fact, I believe most did not. Splinter straps are FAR more rare than the field division jackets.

IMHO sumpf straps were never made, but who knows for sure? After all, Fg 42 bandoleers were made in splinter and in sumpf.
John

[John Hodgin]

Guess I should put this here as well.

[John Hodgin]

Eagle detail.

[NormandieCamo]

John:

Was it common for soldiers to throw away the camouflage shoulderboards and replace them with (color) rank shoulderboards? Partially explaining why so few exist today.



Great smock!

[John Hodgin]

John:

Was it common for soldiers to throw away the camouflage shoulderboards and replace them with (color) rank shoulderboards? Partially explaining why so few exist today
Great smock!

Thanks! I cannot imagine that Luftwaffe soldiers would discard the camo straps. The straps were very practical. I believe that as some time their production ceased and that is why so many jackets were worn with blue-grey straps. But, I really do not know, this is something we need to discover.

[Mike Davis]

Thanks! I cannot imagine that Luftwaffe soldiers would discard the camo straps. The straps were very practical. I believe that as some time their production ceased and that is why so many jackets were worn with blue-grey straps. But, I really do not know, this is something we need to discover.

I wonder if soldiers with 'rank' might have preferred straps that showed their status? The fact that standard blue gray straps were commonly worn on these smocks is amply supported by period photographic evidence. Here's another example.

[NormandieCamo]

Camouflage shoulderboards are very practical, but there are other things to consider.

Whenever you add color rank insignia (i.e. collar insignia and shoulderboards) and medal badges to a camouflage uniform, you then defeat it's purpose. German soldiers were well known for doing this and there are many photographs showing it. As Mike points out some soldiers wanted to show their rank status. Some soldiers probably modified the camouflage shoulderboards to show their rank status. Some soldiers didn't like wearing shoulderboards and removed them, and as John points out many smocks were probably never issued with camouflage straps. Many officers wanted to show their rank status on uniforms and it was a matter of pride (esprit de corps) to wear one's decorations.



Does anyone else own a smock with camo straps? How about posting pcitures of it.

[John Hodgin]

I wonder if soldiers with 'rank' might have preferred straps that showed their status?.

This one works for me.

[NormandieCamo]

A very nice modified camo shoulder board. A set of them would go nicely with a camo smock.

[Luft 76]

Hi normandy comrade.
I have already posted my items, but I can show you my own camo soulders straps , found on one of my two Felddiv. Tarnjacke.




I am not completion agree with John : I think that all first series (1942, at least) of Felddiv. smocks have recieved camo soulders straps, but these items were fragiles and many soldiers removed them on field. So they are rare, now.
I you look on original photos, specialy those of Normandy theatre, you can seen most smocks with soulders straps.
But most of non commissioned officers seem to have put their blue-grey soulders straps on their smocks.