Did LW officers wear the EM M43 caps as much as the officer M43 cap?

[Harry]

mine.......

another with EM trapezoid insignia........

I think some commonse sense would tell us that many officers may have been promoted from the ranks in the field, where access to uniform accoutrments, other than insignia, may have been limited (thinking of Afrika and the eastern front in particular). So some may have simply continued to ear their EM M43

[NickG]

I agree that LW officers in the field (and even pilots) often wore enlisted grade LW M43 caps. On this one the crown piping area (or lack thereof)
is not clearly visible but I bet this is another EM example, a LW Feld Division officer !
I've seen plenty period image examples provong that it was a pretty common occurance (unlike Heer/Wehrmacht)
Note non bullion eagle and non shiny buttons)

[billbert]

I also think regarding officers tress that including supply difficulties and a hat is a hat factors IN FRONT LINE SERVICE one may also have a SNIPER factor involved in choice.. Billbert

[Jos L C]

Nice caps !

Here's a pic of Oberst Hermann with EM cap ..

Jos.

[Jos L C]

Leutnant Krupinski ..

Jos.

[Jos L C]

Twisted cord added ..


Jos.

[Jos L C]

Hard to say this one, looks like off.eagle ..

Jos.

[Jos L C]

One like the caps in this thread ..

Jos.

[Jos L C]

Typical one ..

Jos.

[Jos L C]

Garbardine ..

Jos.

[Jos L C]

And a cropped pic of a photo I've showing a unusual cap up-grade ..


Jos.

[Mike Davis]

Excellent photos that well depict the many variations!

[NickG]

That winter cap reminds me of General Meindl!
General Meindl's customized Luftwaffe M43 is one of my favorites with golden Generals visor cap cords added with golden cap cord side buttons and a large tunic size single golden flap button added! I don't see any crown piping....
The eagle is golden bullion no doubt! Here's a front view and a side view!

[NickG]

What it would look like in color! but here illustrated with appropriate General's crown piping....(artist's rendition)
but in the period images its NOT apparent that there was one....See next period image!
So even General's lacked crown piping!

[WWIIBuff]

Now this thread is really rolling. Great cap examples and great pictures too.

I wonder where all those officer M43's went? Being a later war item, I should think more would be around still.