Gebirgsjäger and Jäger Cap Insignia

[SSDasReich]

So I've doing research for a friend on the Gebirgsjäger, and now I'm curious about the difference in cap badges, can someone explain who wore which one and why? From what I've been able to find online i cant find a difference...pardon my ignorance

[Fred Green]

Hello,

Gebirgsjaeger are mountain infantry and Jaeger are light infantry.

Fred

[Gebirgsjgr]

To add to Fred's explanation.

In 1939, the German Army instituted the Edelweiß cap insignia for the mountain troops (at that time 3 divisions + some extras). In 1942, they instituted an Oakleaf cap insignia for the Jäger troops. The Jäger were actually an older arm, from which the Gebirgsjäger were formed, but up until WWII, their only distinquising insignia was a different "arm" color, light-green (Hellgrün), instead of the standard white used by the infantry. The term Jäger and the use of the insignia were more of a morale effort in 1942, when they renamed all of the infantry into something more traditional (e.g. Fusiliers and Grenadiers).

I hope this addresses your question.

-Matt

[pauke]

pre-WW 2

And to add more historical perspective, Jaeger units existed in Imperial times and wore the hunting horn insignia on their shoulder straps as well as uniforms in a distinct green color. The "light green" piping was worn on the first pre-WW 1 field grey uniforms (though the color is more a medium green compared to later uses of green piping). During WW 1 there were some mountain and "snow shoe" units established (Rommel gained his fame in one) which used the "light green" piping, an early Bergmuetze and special clothing and the Edelweiss without a stem. During the Weimar Republic some army infantry units carried the traditions of some old Jaeger units and wore the light green piping to show this.