
88. German Army: Generalfeldmarschall Gerd von Rundstedt, 1945.
Commandrr-in-Chief of the German Forces in the West and 'Chief of Infantry Regiment 18, von Rundstedt is shown here wearing a slightly modified version of the Officers Piped Field Service Tunic. In place of the collar patches that were normally worn by an Army Field Marshal (see No. 91) von Rundstedt favoured wearing Parade Uniform style collar patches that were normally worn by infantry officers below the rank of General. This practice, together with the use of shoulder strap numerals 18, emphasised his honorary appointment as a 'Regimental Chief. He carries his Field Marshals 'interim-stab', the everyday version of his Field Marshals batton.
89. German Army: Generalleutnant Seifert.
1939 First brought into use on 29th June 1935, the Uniform Tunic or Waffenrock, together with trousers or breeches of a special shade of grey were worn by all Army personnel with only rank insignia and colour of buttons to distinguish between Men and Officers. As its name indicates this was the parade style uniform and up to the outbreak of war it was worn as a matter of course on all ceremonial occasions, on important military parades and as a Walking-out Uniform. After September 1939 its use was curtailed and no new issues were made to Men and NCO's. The colour of the Generals cap insignia was changed from silver (No. 89) to gold (No. 88) on 1st January 1943.
90. German Army: Hauptmann, Infantry Regiment 'Grossdeutschland', 1939
A specially designed uniform jacket was proposed for use by Soldiers, NCO's and Officers of the German Army's elite Infantry Regiment 'Grossdeutschland'. Introduced in March 1')39 it was intended to be worn throughout the Regiment from 15 September 1939. The tunic had two notable features that were unique in German military sartorial art of this period. The cuffs displayed 'French Cuffs', a feature of the uniforms of the former Imperial Garde Schutzen Bataillon and the 2. Garde-Maschinengeweh r-Abteilung. The collar insignia were of a special elongated design similar to the 'doppellitzen' worn by the elite regiments of the old Imperial German States. Worked in flat aluminium wire with dark green silk for troops and in embroidered aluminium wire for officers these collar 'Litzen' were sewn on to, or worked directly into, the dark blue-green of the collar without the usual underlay of WaTfenfarbe cloth. Due to the outbreak of war the universal issue of these Jackets to members of the Regiment was suspended for the duration and only those items that had been manufactured and issued before September 1939 were actually brought into use.
91. German Army: Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitei, 1942.
The greatcoat was a garment worn throughout the German Army by all ranks from Private up to and including Field Marshal. Its basic colouring, design and cut were the same for all ranks with only slight variations appearing in those garments worn by Officers and Generals who normally purchased their own, individually tailored, greatcoats usually made from fine quality materials. The greatcoat was correctly worn buttoned at the neck but exceptions were permitted, notably those persons who had received the Knight's Cross or who were officers of the rank oiceneral or above and administration Officials of a corresponding status. In the case of the Knight's Cross holder the collar of his greatcoat was worn open at the neck to display its neck decoration and for Generals and Field Marshals (No. 91), Administrative Officials and Army Clergy the lapels were turned back to reveal their red, dark green or violet facings respectively.
92. German Army: Generalstab Major, 1940.
The Army officers 'New Style Summer Jacket' shown here was first introduced by an order dated 9July 1937 and was intended to replace the earlier 'Old Style Keichsheer' white tunic. Both models however continued to be worn for a number of years after this date. The new jacket, worn without white trousers- these did not exist- was prescribed for wear, weather permitting, from 1 April to 30 September each year and could be worn on the following occasions:
1) as a Walking-out Uniform
2) as an ordinary Dress Uniform when worn in the officers mess or officers club, or for social family gatherings or garden parties
3) at gymnastic, running and sports meetings within Germany and abroad, both for participating in the events and as a spectator
Rank was only indicated on these jackets by the use of detachable shoulder straps. Collar patches were not used. The detachable buttons and the pin-on national emblem were in silver-white metal for officers and gilt metal for Generals and above including Administrative Officials of a similar status. The buttons, breast emblem and straps were removable to allow for washing the jacket.
93. German Army: Tank Crew Member, Gefreiter, 1940.
A specially designed uniform was introduced into the German Army to be worn by all those personnel serving in armoured fighting vehicles. It was unique in that nothing quite like it had been used before. It was intended as both a Dress Uniform (No. 93) and for field service use as a Service Uniform. It was well suited for use within the confined space of an armoured vehicle. Being made of strong black material it tended not to show grease and oil stains; a common occurrence with crews of armoured vehicles. The jacket was short which gave ease of movement and was double breasted which afforded extra protection to the wearer when on the move during cold weather. It had no cuffs, no external buttons and the shoulder straps were usually stitched flat on to the shoulders of the jacket. This all meant that it was less likely to get caught up on any projections within the vehicle. Initially a black, cloth beret which covered a lightweight crash helmet was issued to these Panzer troops to be worn with this uniform but this was soon withdrawn in favour of a black side cap. Armoured personnel wore the standard pattern field-grey steel helmet.