A Nice Wallonie Image

[werner]

Thanks MJC.

Your pictures are really great.
On the last, the officer on the left is in fact Lucien Lippert.

[NickG]

Awesome badge Werner.

Here is another image. I think this was the 'first day of work' for some of these guys. They arrive at camp in civvies, get a haricut, admire each other in uniform, training exercies, etc.

I hope you find them interesting.

M.

Not raw recruits...These are all seasoned NCO's, some with combat medals, many retaining their mountain boots, GJ legging wraps and mountain pants
(with crease!) and honorary Heer edelweiss M43 cap insignia, earned while serving in the Wehrmacht alongside a real GJ unit.
So prior to their transfer/incorporation into the Waffen SS...more likely first day at work in the Waffen SS! Note officer's BeVo Heer pattern sleeve edelweis another Walloon practice.

This begs the question; would new Walloon SS recruits also have been allowed to wear such Heer insignia or was that only allowed as a "Badge of honor" for the ex-Heer Walloon Legion veterans of the earlier (1942) Caucasus Mountain campaign?

[werner]

Yes,

These guys are " old soldiers ".
The were transferred to the Waffen-SS in June 1943.
In 1942, the fought with the 97th Jäger division, 68th Infantry division and 100th Jäger division.

[MJC]

Thanks for the comments. I should have been more precise. These images are part of roughly 30 that I'll post over the next week or so, if anyone is interested.

Of the remaining images that I have not posted, many of the are clearly new recruits as opposed to the seasoned vets in the images I have posted. Although young, the faces and uniforms show their experience.

[MJC]

Too determined looking to be a newbie.

[NickG]

Thanks for the comments. I should have been more precise. These images are part of roughly 30 that I'll post over the next week or so, if anyone is interested.

Of the remaining images that I have not posted, many of the are clearly new recruits as opposed to the seasoned vets in the images I have posted. Although young, the faces and uniforms show their experience.

Thanks for clarifying!
Can't wait to see the rest! THANKS FOR SHARING!!!!!!!!

[90th Light]

These photos are amazing, thank you very much for posting them .

A part from the other rare items being talked about such as the MP pouch, the badge and the sleeve eagle. There is one very important item which so far has not been mentioned.

This is the M43 caps being worn. I say M43's because the visors appears far too long to be a true mountain Bergmutze. What I see is an M43 with an M43 length visor and clearly a metal grommet on each side.

Very interesting indeed to say the least because it clearly proves that there is a transistion model between the Bergmutze and the M43 which means that we have to be careful not to just dismiss such an SS M43 because it has grommets. One could in fact be missing out on a real and rare period SS cap.

As always I would be interested to know what others think about this,

Chris

[JWL]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing..! I believe the soldier in the first post is also featured in Angolia's SS insignia book.

[Vinland]

great photos, love the pics of the 'walloon blood order' and the rexist badge over it in the first photo.

thanks for posting, very neat.

d

[viva_giulio]

Too determined looking to be a newbie.

IN THE THIRD REICH... MEDALS WEREN'T FOR FREE... look ek II and 41/42

[MJC]

IN THE THIRD REICH... MEDALS WEREN'T FOR FREE... look ek II and 41/42

Thanks for your comment. Perhaps my attempt at humor did not translate well as I am fully aware of the medals and the requirements necessary to earn them.

Mike

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