Heer Sonder Fuhrer

[ErichK]

Can anyone explain or direct me to info on what exactly a "Sonder Fuhrer" was? For example this visor cap, who would have worn this? I haven't been able to locate any real information on this topic. Help!!

[Lignemaginot]

What you have there is actually a Beamte auf Kriegsdauer cap (a type of Sonderfuhrer); this indicates a specialist (in this instance, administration)who was brought into the military for the duration of the war and given an officer rank with associated privileges. He had no real authority over soldiers. That's my understanding, anyway.

Here's a photo of an Erel Beamte auf Kriegsdauer cap that I used to own - when I received it, it had a removeable green band over the purple band, indicating that the wearer had at some point been incorporated into the army proper.

[SNIPER7]

Erel Admin :

[stonemint]

The easy way to think of a sonderfuhrer is that of a civilian in uniform. Some were granted the title by way of a college and/or advanced degree, others because of some specialized training or technical knowledge. They didn't really have to go thru basic training or work their way up thru the ranks.

[Dave Kane]

Here is a beautiful example...Erel

[Lignemaginot]

OK then, here's another one that passed through my hands at some point... notice the different piping - not Beamte....

[Lignemaginot]

And the maker - anyone know who it is?

[LuftMike]

Maybe I'm missing something about these caps, but what exactly is it that they posess to make them "Sonder fuhrer's" caps? Is it the waffenfarbe?

[Lignemaginot]

It's the purple band (as opposed to the usual bottle green, as seen in the one posted by sniper7).

[ErichK]

Thanks for your input gentleman! Are these to be considered rare? lignemaginot, would the grey piping on your 2nd photo be for a Propaganda Beampte? Beautiful examples shown.

[Lignemaginot]

Thanks for your input gentleman! Are these to be considered rare? lignemaginot, would the grey piping on your 2nd photo be for a Propaganda Beampte? Beautiful examples shown.

In all honesty, I don't know; would love to hear someone else's ideas on it.

[sturmbannfuhrer]

The proper waffenfarbe colour for a sonderfuhrer is grey capband and mouse grey piping. The green cap band and grey piping are the propaganda.

Clive's grey piped cap is very nice the real deal for sonderfuhrer.

The green piped with grey cap band type are often refered to as Sonderfuhrer caps but are not, they are as clive stated, admin officer for the duration of the war.

The Brian L Davis book on the Heer explains this in detail it is worth a look.

[ErichK]

Thanks for the clarifacation Sturm. Which of B.L. Davis' books are you referring to? German Army Uniforms and Insignia 1933-1945 ?

[sturmbannfuhrer]

Thanks for the clarifacation Sturm. Which of B.L. Davis' books are you referring to? German Army Uniforms and Insignia 1933-1945 ?

I think that is the one, there is a pic in it of a sonderfuhrer after being captured.

I have a cap of the green piped, grey cap band variety. I missed out on an erel grey piped grey band from the relichunter site a few years back. That one was fantastic.

[WWIIBuff]

Sonderfuhrer

This is great information, thanks for sharing guys.

For reference, here is a scan of a color slide in my collection. It shows Guderian's Kriegberichter wearing his example of the cap discussed above. Naturally with collar tabs to match.

Did these guys also have different ranks even though they were considered as civilians?