160. Armed SS: SS-Scharf�hrer 1942, Snow camouflage cotton smock.
161. Armed SS: SS-Oberscharf�hrer, 1941, Greatcoat.
162. Armed SS: SS-Sch�tze, 1943, Fur-lined Anorak.
'General Winter' proved to be as formidable an enemy to the German troops as did the Red Army itself German units fighting in Russia and on the Eastern Front during the first winter of 1941-42 suffered very badly in the appalling sub-zero temperatures. Frost bite and death by freezing (hypothermia) added heavily to the losses inflicted on them by the Russians. Warm winter clothing was absolutely essential if German troops were to fight aIlother winter campaign. The Special Winter Uniform, already described in No. 103 (Army) and No. 157 (Waffen-SS) was hurriedly maIluiactured and rushed to the troops, mostly Army troops, in time for the 1942-43 winter period. The Waffen SS produced their own version of the same garment (No. 157) and these too were distributed to their troops. The wiIlter clothing proved to be both practical and comfortable so much so that those front line troops fortunate enough to be issued with the uniform very soon wore it all the time, fighting, sleeping and eating in the garments. As one side of the uniform was in white to blend with the snow this very quickly became filthy dirty, defeating the whole purpose of snow white carnouflage. These uniforms were impossible to wash under front line conditions, the inter-lining being ofa wool-rayon mixture not very easy to dry out without the right kind of machinery. Therefore in order to overcome this problem simple white cotton smocks were nlade that were worn over the special winter clothing and which, if they became soiled, could easily be cleaned in or near the fighting zones. The greatcoat, shown here in No. 161 proved completely inadequate for the winter fighting on the Eastern Front, and it was this type of cold weather garment that was eventually replaced by the far more suitable fur-lined and hooded water repellent, pull-on, winter anorak, No. 162.

163. German Police Formations: Hauptwachtmeister der Verkehrspolizei, 1937, Parade Uniform.
The German Traffic Police consisted of specially trained units of men who were stationed alongside the Barracks Police in all major German cities. They were responsible for regulating the traffic and patrolling the main roads. They were well versed in the field of Traffic Law and were made responsible for the prevention of traffic accidents, the speedy assistance by traffic accident patrols at the scene of an accident and the piecing together and recording of the causes of such accidents. Because ofthe somewhat hazardous nature of their work these Traffic Police wore white linen jackets and long white cotton coats when on duty. Their insignia and buttons were gilt and they wore black breeches with black leather boots (No. 163).

164. German Police Formations: Leutnant der Schutzpolizei des Reiches, 1939, Parade Uniform.
165. German Police Formations: Wachtmeister der Schutzpolizei, 1938, Parade Uniform.
The uniform worn for pre-war and early wartime Police parades by members of the Schutzpolizei were those as illustrated here (Nos. 164, 165). Officers wore the silver with black and red silk design brocade belt and cartouche pouch cross strap and silver aiguillettes. Other ranks wore the police Shake with Parade Plume. This was in white horse hair for all officers, red plumes were worn by Police Musicians and black plumes were for all other police personnel (see No. 178).

Tratto da German Militaria and Collectables