Einsatzgruppen uniforms

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Johnny_Wadd
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Einsatzgruppen uniforms

#1

Post by Johnny_Wadd » 23 Aug 2006, 23:25

I'm trying to reconstruct the apearance of a typical Einsatzgruppen soldier but the varous photos I've been able to locate tend to be rather unclear.

Am I correct in surmising that they wore the Waffen SS field uniform with SD insignia? I would also assume that they wore an abreviated version of field gear. That is to say, like other security forces, only one ammo pouch, no y-straps, gasmasks, zelts, etc. is this correct? Would they have worn helmet in the field? I assume if they did, these would be Waffen SS type with decals. Obviously SS camo items owuld have not been seen given their non-combat role.

Finally, as I'm not up on SD insiginia, what color piping would their shoulder boards have had?

Thanks in advance.

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Luft300
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#2

Post by Luft300 » 24 Aug 2006, 13:05

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Last edited by Luft300 on 09 Oct 2006, 13:33, edited 1 time in total.


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Johnny_Wadd
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#3

Post by Johnny_Wadd » 12 Sep 2006, 22:02

Thanks, that does help. Allow me to pick your brain a little mre if you don't mind.

-What rank is that on the tunic? I'm pretty good with military ranks, but the para-military stuff is greek to me. Would that silver trim on the tunic be there for all ranks?
-Is that an earth grey uniform or just a faded example of a feild grey?
-What sort of field gear would units assigned to such operations carry? Would they wear helmets?

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Luft300
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#4

Post by Luft300 » 13 Sep 2006, 01:50

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Last edited by Luft300 on 09 Oct 2006, 13:37, edited 1 time in total.

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mty
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#5

Post by mty » 08 Oct 2006, 12:57

Would all Einsatzgruppen members really have worn SD sleeve diamond? With Einsatzgruppen I mean the most (in)famous EG formations for the Barbarossa operation where their manpower came from Sipo, SD, Waffen-SS and Wehrmacht combined.

What would a Wehrmacht transferree assigned to EG wear? I think he would either retain his WH gear or change it to SS style with blank right collar tab and sleeve eagle but without SD 'raute'. Any photos about the subject?

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egon
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#6

Post by egon » 08 Oct 2006, 13:19

[[
Last edited by egon on 10 Oct 2006, 04:55, edited 2 times in total.

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Doggowitz
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#7

Post by Doggowitz » 08 Oct 2006, 17:41

Just a correction: I think you mean "Erdgrau" (Earth Grey) not "Urdgrau" (a word that doesn't exist).

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#8

Post by egon » 08 Oct 2006, 18:17

done.

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Luft300
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#9

Post by Luft300 » 09 Oct 2006, 13:35

...

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Johnny_Wadd
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#10

Post by Johnny_Wadd » 12 Oct 2006, 05:04

Wow. What happened to all the posts in this thread?

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mty
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#11

Post by mty » 04 Dec 2006, 11:23

During the Polish campaign, the Einsatzgruppen (or Einsatzkommandos) seem all to have worn proper SD style uniforms (Allgemeine-SS grey open collar tunic with 4 buttons and slanted lower pockets) with either SD (non-piped) or SD/Gestapo sleeve diamond. Most of the photos I have seen feature peaked caps. Their appearance seems more suited for office duty than field service.

In the Eastern front there must have been more variation in appearance, given the more combined nature of EG units (elements from Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS supporting SIPO core elements etc). I am unsure if those with Waffen-SS background/transferrees still wore collar tabs with SS runes. No cufftitles seem to have been issued. On the other hand, some individual members might have used their old blank or otherwise SIPO/SD-related cufftitles. Some photographs and drawings show SIPO/SD men wearing Heer M40/M42 with SD insignia.

Hope this helps a bit. Let's keep the interesting topic alive :-)

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