SS Polizei Division..question

[Scott A. Hess]

Hello, one often sees pictures of SS Polizei Division with the Saharina tunics, in what capacity were they worn, that is, Italy, southern Russia? Also, re all such Saharina tunics in general, I know its common to see full collar insignia, was its wear authorized per regulation, or supposed to be left unadorned, as in the Luft tropical jackets? I think they look best with no insignia other than boards and the eagle, but just wondering what was more or less authorized per regulation. Thanks.

[Scott A. Hess]

Anyone? I did find this from another forum :

Even thou the use of ss collar patches were not authorized with the tropical uniform many photos shows theses items and rank insigina to be worn. Taken from the book uniforms organization and history leicstandarte SS volume one. by Stan Cook and RJ Bender.

Anyone with any info regarding tropical tunic and SS polizei division?

[Zauberflöte]

Hello, one often sees pictures of SS Polizei Division with the Saharina tunics, in what capacity were they worn, that is, Italy, southern Russia? Also, re all such Saharina tunics in general, I know its common to see full collar insignia, was its wear authorized per regulation, or supposed to be left unadorned, as in the Luft tropical jackets? I think they look best with no insignia other than boards and the eagle, but just wondering what was more or less authorized per regulation. Thanks.

Indeed it is most with members of the SS Polizei Division that it appears the collar tabs in combination with ct are worn, but not always. I believe it was not per regulation and tunics were issued without them, but interesting question.

I have only seen photos of the Saharina in wear in the mediterranean theatre by W-SS and Polizei personnel (and in N-Africa by SD); not in southern Russia.

[Scott A. Hess]

Thank you Zauberfloete, it was very very kind of you to share your thoughts, I do sincerely appreciate it, wish others may have been so willing to help.

[Zauberflöte]

Also of interest may be which other SS units than the 4. SS Pol. Div. were issued with the Sahariana tunic. So far as I know those only at a larger scale were the 16. SS Div. 'RFSS' and to some extend 22. SS Kav. Div. 'Maria Theresa'. But I'm sure the tunic can be witnessed on occasion by members of other SS Divisions as well.

[wehl]

a month or so ago i have seen here on estand Handschar division photos with Sahariana tunics and shirts in use

[viva_giulio]

In Italian front pictures it's very very common to find sahariana tunics full badged also by Polizei. Moreover in my front SS divisions were also often equipped with field made - or local made tunics. More than we could suppose.

[chrischa]

Just to add to this thread, the Polizei division were in Greece the Balkans for a year which is where I thought the photos of the Saharian tunics being worn are from.

The South of Russia gets very hot in the summer months so it makes sense they were worn by SS troops here if they were taken along by the quartermasters.

[Scott A. Hess]

Thanks much for your help all, Viva, I thought as you suggested the polizei were in service in Italy, thanks for conformation, I'm searching through forum posted pictures still, and other references.

[Zauberflöte]

Most well-known and often published images of the Sahariana uniform in wear are actually from 16. RFSS on Corsica in the summer of 1943. I always find it interesting to see indeed other units so as SS GJ units deployed in the Balkans to wear the Sahariana tunic (such as Karstjager, Kama or Handschar). But this seems to be more incidental than within the 4th and 16th SS Div.

To my recollection, I never saw an Saharian image that was taken in Southern Russia, although of course many custom made tropical tunics have been worn there.