Uniforms and Insignia Of the German High Command of WW2
INTRODUCTION The main focus of this book is to explore the military regalia ,uniforms and insignia of high ranking individuals within the Nazi Party and German armed forces between the years of 1933-1945. However, the Germans during WWII made an art out of bestowing rank and issuing uniforms for almost every pursuit in the country, including both the political and civil professions. That said, there are some very unique and high profile ranks, some of which also had very unique uniforms and insignia, which were of extremely high quality and they are certainly worth examining. Also in future volumes on this subject we will examine uniforms, headgear, insignia and combat badges of the officers and men of the German armed forces and the taking of war souvenirs by allied troops after the surrender of the German armed forces in 1945.
Political High Ranking Personalities
Martin Bormann Martin Bormann (1900–1945) became the chief of staff for Rudolf Hess. Virtually unknown to the German public, Bormann was a close assistant to Hitler a powerful force behind the scenes in internal politics. Following Hess' flight to Great Britain, Bormann became head of the Party Chancellery (1941) and, officially in 1943, Secretary to the Fuehrer. Bormann died in an effort to flee Berlin in the last days of World War II, but was long thought to be at large. He was tried in absentia at Nuremberg, where he was sentenced to death. West German authorities officially declared him dead in 1973 after his remains were discovered and positively identified. Political High Ranking Personalities
Bormann initially worked in the party's insurance service, and transferred in July 1933 to the office of Deputy Rudolf Hess, where he served as chief of staff. Bormann used his position to create an extensive bureaucracy and involve himself as much as possible in the decision making. He gained acceptance into Hitler's inner circle, and accompanied him everywhere, providing briefings and summaries of events and requests. He began acting as Hitler's personal secretary in 1935, a post to which he was officially appointed in 1943. After Hess' solo flight to Britain on 10 May 1941 to seek peace negotiations with the British government, Bormann assumed Hess' former duties, with the title of Head of the Parteikanzlei. He had final approval over civil service appointments, reviewed and approved legislation, and by 1943 had de facto control over all domestic matters. Bormann was one of the leading proponents of the ongoing persecution of the Christian churches and favoured harsh treatment of Jews and Slavs in the areas conquered by Germany during World War II. Bormann returned with Hitler to the Führerbunker in Berlin on 16 January 1945 as the Red Army approached the city. After Hitler committed suicide, Bormann and others attempted to flee Berlin on 2 May to avoid capture by the Soviets. Bormann probably committed suicide on a bridge near Lehrter Station. The body was buried nearby on 8 May 1945, but was not found and confirmed as genuine until 1972. Bormann was tried in absentia by the International Military Tribunal in the Nuremberg trials of 1945 and 1946. He was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity and sentenced to death by hanging. Reichsleiter Martin Bormann Summer Uniform.
Reichsleiter Martin Bormann’s White Tunic This White Summer Tunic Of Martin Bormann's Was Retrieved From The Basement Of The Berghof By Warrant Officer Robert G. Eiland, 3rd Infantry Division, U. S. Army. Political High Ranking Personalities
Political High Ranking Personalities Reichsleiter Martin Bormann’s White Summer Tunic
Reichsleiter Martin Bormann Summer Uniform.
Political High Ranking Personalities Walter Buch Reichsleiter Walter Buch’s collar tabs These tabs belonged to NSDAP Reichsleiter and SS Obergruppenfuhrer Walter Buch and were veteran acquired.
This rare grouping was acquired by Joe Stepnick (pictured Left) when he removed them from Walter Buch’s cabin on Lake Amersee, while with the Third Army in the Spring of 1945. Stepnick picked up this insignia, a photo album and Buch’s SS insignia as well.
Reichsjugendfuhrer Artur Axmann A pair of matching collar tabs for the rank of Reichsjugendfuhrer, a position held by Artur Axmann. The collector who owns these tabs has two letters from Axmann stating that these were the very tabs that he wore while in the position of Reichsjugendfuhrer. These are the only known surviving set of collar insignia for this position. (private collection)
SA-Stabschef Viktor Lutze A single collar tab for the rank of SA-Stabschef, a position held by Viktor Lutze, who held this position from 1934 until his death in 1943. Stabschef was basically the leader of the SA and the highest rank within that organization. (private collection)
SA Brigadefuhrer Uniform SA Brigadefuhrer Uniform Brown wool, four pocket open collar tunic for a pre-1944 Brigadefuhrer in the SA. Tunic is excellent throughout, with no damage or mothing. There are a series of loops for a long ribbon bar and two sets of award loops on the left breast pocket. Insignia consists of early pattern silver handembroidered oakleaf collar tabs on a red backing with a single pip and a pair of matching General rank shoulderboards in white/yellow/white rayon cords on a red backing. The collar is edge piped in white rayon twist cord and a party armband is sewn to the left sleeve. The grouping includes brown wool breeches, a brown shirt and brown tie.
SA Brigadefuhrer Uniform
Dress Tunic of a Gau area leader Tunic in Brown gabardine with golden eagle buttons, and brown inside lining. Wine red collar cord, red collar patches with golden yellow Eagles and Oak leaves worked in celleon thread. trim and wine red piping, sewn shoulderboards of brown and silver-plated mesh with a star pip. armband for a Gau Leader. On the right upper arm is a Old Fighters Chevron
Dress Tunic of a Gau area leader
SA service tunic for a Standartenführer
A Third Reich period time 4-pocket service tunic which looks to be for an SA-Standartenführer of Gruppe Niederrhein which had black colour for insignia. SA service tunic for a Standartenführer
Reichskanzler Adolf Hitler The top of the Third Reich pyramid from 1934 - 1945 was of course the Fuhrer and Riechschancellor of Germany, Adolf Hitler. So much has been written of Hitler over the last 80 years that nothing needs to be added here with the exception of some notes on his uniforms and regalia. For the most part, Hitler was very Spartan in his choice of uniforms and accoutrements, unlike the rest of the military, civilian and political branches of his Reich. He preferred understated and simple uniforms and headgear and for decorations often wore nothing more than his WWI Iron Cross and Wound badge….unlike many of the other German political hack’s who were often bestowed many prestigious awards from both Germany and other nations. In the pre-war years, Hitler wore the brown uniform, switching to field grey once the war began, both reflecting and reinforcing his role as commander in chief of all the German forces.
Adolf Hitler’s Brown Political Leaders shirt, Visor and Awards Hitler was, of course, the highest ranking individual in the Third Reich, being not only the Chancellor and President of Germany, but also self appointed Supreme Commander of all the German Armed Forces. This uniform and personality grouping was found in Hitler’s Munich residence and brought back by US Army veteran Philip Benjamin Lieber, in 1945. Originally sold to Mohawk Arms in the 1970s, the uniform and grouping has since transitioned to Wolfe and Hardin in the 1990s and now resides in the Gottlieb collection. (Courtesy Craig Gottlieb)
An assortment of different tunics that belonged to Hitler, all of which now reside in a Russian museum and were captured from Hitler’s bunker by Soviet forces. The brown stains are fire damage from an attempt by the SS guards to burn the bunker prior to its capture.
The personal standard of Adolf Hitler was designed after Reichspräsident Paul von Hindenburg died on 2 August 1934. Adolf Hitler abolished the title "Reichspräsident" and in its place instituted the title of "Führer" which henceforth could only be used when referring to him personally. Hindenburg used a personal standard consisting of a black eagle on a square gold background edged by a border of black, white and red bands [1] . Hitler decided on 19 August 1934 to adopt a personal standard for himself, which was called "Personal standard for Adolf Hitler as Leader and Chancellor of the German Nation". As he was also Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces it was somewhat later known as "The personal standard for Adolf Hitler as Leader and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces" (German: Standarte des Führers und Obersten Befehlshabers der Wehrmacht).The standard was used for all purposes and consisted of a square of red material in a variety of regulated sizes. In the centre of the square was a white disk, containing a garland of gold-coloured oak-leaves. Set on the white disk was a black upright swastika. In each corner of the red field was a gold-coloured eagle emblem: In the upper left and lower right corner it was a "Party-eagle", whereas it was a "Wehrmacht-eagle" in the upper right and lower left corner. The entire standard was edged on all four sides with a border of black and white bands.The flag was designed by Hitler personally. It was made in two forms: a normal cloth flag (which flew at the Reichs Chancellery when he was present), and a 'solid' type which was used on his car, at rallies, and other political events. Both types were also used at his residence at the Obersalzberg.
Above and Left. A Fuhrer Standard Car Pennant for use when the Fuhrer was travelling in his car.
Reichsmarschall Hermann Goring Hermann Goring was one of the more interesting and flamboyant characters of the Third Reich, traits reflected in his personal direction of the design of both his rank insignia and unique uniforms. His appointment in 1940 as Reichsmarschall of the Greater German Reich made Goring the highest ranking military officer of World War Two, with the rank equivalent of a six-star General. Goring chose a soft, pearl grey as the colour for his uniform, departing from the blue-grey uniform scheme of the Luftwaffe. He had endless variations of his uniforms, with numerous different styles and minor alterations and was known to change them multiple times within the same day. Goring also had a preference for wearing white uniforms, a habit ridiculed by the German people while watching newsreels in the theatre as they wondered how he kept his uniforms so white when many of them could not even obtain soap to launder their own clothes. On the left is what many consider the ‘typical’ Reichsmarschall uniform of the Imperial style Flyers Blouse in a soft pearl grey with a closed collar. At Goring’s neck hang the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (he was the only recipient), the Knights Cross and the Pour le Merite (commonly known as the Blue Max), an award Goring earned while flying with the Richthofen squadron during World War I. Reichsmarschall Hermann Goring
Reichsmarschall Insignia Hermann Goring’s left and right shoulder board insignia for the rank of Reichsmarschall. Notice how the eagles face different directions on each board, so that during wear the eagle would always face forward.
Reichsmarschall shoulder board for the right shoulder. 1941 pattern Reichsmarschall collar tab for the right collar showing the crossed marshals batons surrounded by laurel leaves. The left collar tab was also a mirror image of this design .
A pair of 1941 pattern Reichsmarschall collar tabs. Notice the very distinct brocade background fabric that all of the Goring tabs exhibit. Goring also had his own special breast eagle designed, which had longer more pointed wings than what was typically found on a Luftwaffe General officer’s breast eagle. Most of the period photos show that the breast eagle always had a white backing, regardless of the colour of uniform that he was wearing.
Reichsmarschall Uniforms The Undress White Kleiner Rock Tunic for Reichsmarschall An example of the RM Goring white tunic in the double breasted, open neck, Kleiner Rock style. Goring also wore this style of tunic in dove grey with and without white lapel facings. (Wolfe-Hardin collection)
Left and right shoulderboards. Note how the eagles face forward on each board so that they are always looking toward the front of the tunic.
Right and left collar tabs. The embroidered detail on these are unmatched and of the finest quality ever seen. There have been many attempts to replicate Reichsmarschall tabs, but none of them have even come close, when compared to an original. It is probably safe to say that nobody will ever be able to reproduce the quality of embroidery and material that the artisans of the era used.
The gold, summer tunic pin-on eagle, in exquisite detail. Note the early droop tail design. Goring’s original personal Pilots Badge.
An original example of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, captured by the 101st Airborne in the Berchtesgaden area. Goring was the only WWII recipient of this award. As most collectors and students of Third Reich awards know, Hermann Goring was the only recipient of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross 1939. He was awarded the Großkreuz on 19.7.1940 and promoted from Generalfeldmarschall to Reichsmarschall as a reward for his leadership during the May and June 1940 campaigns. The Reichsgesetzblatt of 1.9.1939 specified a gold-plated outer rim with matt silver frosting to the frame beading but this idea was quickly dropped when Adolf Hitler saw the results. Although there are period postcards dating from 1940 with hand illustrations of Goring wearing a gold-rimmed Großkreuz, the GK as awarded was made of iron with traditional silver frames.
The Undress White Kleiner Rock Tunic for Reichsmarschall Yet another example of a RM Goring white tunic in the double breasted, open neck, Kleiner Rock style. Goring’s favoured uniform colour was white.
1941 pattern Reichsmarschall collar tab from the white undress Kleiner Rock. Reichsmarschall shoulder board from the white undress Kleiner Rock.
Closed Collar White Flyer’s Blouse for Reichsmarschall This summer white tunic of RM Goring resides in the Imperial War Museum of London. It is typical of his favoured style of tunic and is the design most often associated with the Reichsmarschall. A close up of Goring’s Reichsmarschall shoulder board on the flyers blouse tunic. It appears as though the board may have been restored to the tunic at some point due to the poor sewing job on the seam and the fact the retaining button is silver (it should be gold).