Which SS Pz.Rgt?

[Michael73]

Hello

I own 2 studio photos from this group, all from one SS panzer soldier.

Is there any way to tell from these photos which regiment/division he belonged?
Photos taken on July-September 1943 in France

Thanks for any help
Michael

[Michael73]

..........

[Michael73]

.*.*

[Ludwig]

12. SS Hitlerjugend

[istra63]

Hohenstaufen and Frundsberg divisions
were working up at this time in France.

[Ludwig]

Yes, also good candidates. Honestly I was more thinking of the obvious youth of some of the soldiers in the photos

[istra63]

Good point Ludwig.
Hitlerjugend was building up in Belgium, then went to France
April to June 1944, then became engaged in the Invasion.
No Hitlerjugend badges!
Hohenstaufen and Frundsberg would have been drafting
youthful soldiers also.

[Ludwig]

Good point Ludwig.
Hitlerjugend was building up in Belgium, then went to France
April to June 1944, then became engaged in the Invasion.
No Hitlerjugend badges!
Hohenstaufen and Frundsberg would have been drafting
youthful soldiers also.

Yes, of course! Thanks! Under all circumstances very nice photos

[Ian Hulley]

Hohenstaufen and Frundsberg divisions
were working up at this time in France.

That's very true ... but weren't those Division issued their cufftitles straight off ? The 'HJ' had to 'earn' theirs.

Against the 'HJ' argument though is the fact there are no visible HJ awards, many photographs show young HJ troopers with at least the enamel HJ pin badge if not the Proficiency Rune.

Ian

[Michael73]

What about the panzer? It has some kind of number on it...
Is it possible to ID unit by vehicle number?

[greg.p]

by june 1943 12th. hitlerjugend is in bitche!

[Lloyd I.]

Ah so you won them. Very nice. I was thinking HJ as well and the numbering on the panzer is for training.

"May 1st, 1943, the first group of 8.000 HJ volunteers reported to the WEL camps. Of note is that of the 8.000 HJ boys, 6.000 were sent to the WEL camps and 2.000 were directed to attend advanced or special military training camps."

Panzer troops would qualify as they needed to attend gunnery, driving school etc.

They are all entry level SS men with no awards. I highley doubt Hohenstaufen or Frundsberg.

I lean heavily towards HJ Division as well which is for you a fantastic score.

[Lloyd I.]

That's very true ... but weren't those Division issued their cufftitles straight off ? The 'HJ' had to 'earn' theirs.

Against the 'HJ' argument though is the fact there are no visible HJ awards, many photographs show young HJ troopers with at least the enamel HJ pin badge if not the Proficiency Rune.

Ian

Ian these members of 12th SS are also devoid of HJ awards. The SS-Oberschütze also wears LAH slip ons but these are definitively 12th SS men.

Not a determining factor in other words.

[Michael73]

So, 12SS then...
Yes, group studio photo is stunning, I was surprised - price was a bit low, I put 200€ bid just not to miss this one..

[Lloyd I.]

So, 12SS then...
Yes, group studio photo is stunning, I was surprised - price was a bit low, I put 200€ bid just not to miss this one..

Congratulations Michael! There have been a number of very nice W-SS Frankreich photos as of late. This one is indeed superb.