Black band above Kreta cufftitle?

[Chris]

Does anyone know definitively what the black band of material around the left sleeve in this photo is, above this paratrooper's Kreta cufftitle? (I'm not looking for guesses or speculation, which I can come up with myself, but hard knowledge of what this is, and why he's wearing it.)

Can anyone identify this DKiG winner with reasonable certainty?

[Sammler]

mourning band

Chris,

Looks like a Mourning band to me. Given the date probaby worn against regs?

Best
Rob

[Gran Sasso]

Looks like a [FONT=Times New Roman]Mourning band to me.

Yes it is - I have somewhere a foto of Wehrmacht-soldiers wearing a simular one, will post it once I have dug it out...

[Uncle Kurt]

Jep, it is.

[Gerd W.]

[

So called Trauerband were common practise after a relative passed away.

Only have the regulations for Prussian Police before 1933, but I'm sure it's the same for Wehrmacht.

However, some sort of Trauerbaender are still in use by todays Bundeswehr.

ZDv 37/10 (Anzugsordnung fuer Soldaten der Bundeswehr)

324. Leidtragende in Uniform
Dienstanzug gemäß Nr. 323.
Im Dienst dürfen Leidtragende bis zum Tage der Beisetzung des/ der Verstorbenen,
außer Dienst über eine Zeitdauer nach eigenem Ermessen
- bei Heer und Luftwaffe
einen schwarzen Langbinder und im Knopfloch der linken
Brusttaschenklappe der Dienstjacke ein 2 cm breites, schwar
zes Band 165),
- bei der Marine
ein 6 cm breites schwarzes Band 165) auf dem linken Oberärmel
der Dienstjacke
tragen.

[Gene]

If the armband is green, it would denote he's responsible for acquiring land suitable for Luftwaffe installations

[Thomas Durante]

Hi guys,

The black band looks like it is permanently attached to the uniform, sewed on perfectly. I would think it is more what Gene is thinking rather than some type of mourning band that would be removed after a week or so of wearing IMO.

Tom

[Chris]

I considered the mourning band explanation when I first saw the photo, but I thought it was too wide, too well-affixed, and too late in the war to be one. The cloth almost seems to be an integral part of the garment.

[Ostmark]

Collar tabs are missing .. very interesting pic

[Gran Sasso]

Yes it is - I have somewhere a foto of Wehrmacht-soldiers wearing a simular one, will post it once I have dug it out...

Here it is:

[Gehlert]

Can anyone identify this DKiG winner with reasonable certainty?

Yes, it is Fritz Walther from former 8./LL-Sturm-Regt.
Thomas

[Chris]

Danke, Thomas, und danke auch für die Scans!