Uniform ID question

[von thoma]

Hello ;

Your grandfather was Oberst ( Colonel ) in the Luftwaffe.

[HPL2008]

He's a Luftwaffe [Air Force] officer ranked Oberst [Colonel].

[gwlaw]

Hi there,

I am attempting to glean any information of my late Opa (Ewald Wegner) regarding his station in the German Military from the only pictures in uniform I have. Unfortunately all photos are undated. All I know is from verbal passage through my family, and they think at one point he was in the Japan Sea.

Any military information about or from the caps and collars would be most appreciated, although I am unsure if it will lead anywhere. Did the skull on the cap mean anything in particular?

Best regards,

Graeme

[HPL2008]

The man in the first photograph is wearing a Heer [army] uniform. He is a private-ranked soldier. (We'd have to see his left upper sleeve to tell the exact rank.)

The uniforms in the second and third photograph are SS uniforms, all with rank insignia for the lowest, basic-level private rank (SS-Mann, SS-Schütze etc.) and Waffen-SS type shoulder boards. However, the men with the open-collared tunics and blank collar patches are probably with the SD/Sipo (which also wore W-SS type shoulder boards early in the war before this was changed to the police type), whereas the one with the runic collar patch is definitely with the Waffen-SS.

The death's head cap badge was worn by all branches of the SS.

[gwlaw]

Thanks for the insight! Much appreciated.

[Mark in Cleveland, Tn.]

The man in the first photograph is wearing a Heer [army] uniform. He is a private-ranked soldier. (We'd have to see his left upper sleeve to tell the exact rank.)

The uniforms in the second and third photograph are SS uniforms, all with rank insignia for the lowest, basic-level private rank (SS-Mann, SS-Schütze etc.) and Waffen-SS type shoulder boards. However, the men with the open-collared tunics and blank collar patches are probably with the SD/Sipo (which also wore W-SS type shoulder boards early in the war before this was changed to the police type), whereas the one with the runic collar patch is definitely with the Waffen-SS.

The death's head cap badge was worn by all branches of the SS.

Excellent reply and much information thanks

[von thoma]

I am interested in knowing the period of use of this NSDAP uniform
No wreath in cap, and without collar patches. What rank is he supposed to have ?
Thanks

[Mark in Cleveland, Tn.]

https://www.passionmilitaria.com/t59090 ... -1934-1939

Second pic of same Soldat

[Dwight Pruitt]

Ordensburg Krossinsee

[von thoma]

Very interesting, did not know that center, thank you

[domadoma]

Hello, I was recommended this site for this topic.

My great grandfather fought for Germany and I'm trying to find out what rank he may have been. This is the only picture of him from WW2 that we have.

My great grandfather was an ethnic Ukrainian. My grandmother believes that he was in the Wehrmacht, but she isn't sure. It is possible that he served in some other capacity. From what our family knows, he was an interpreter for Polish and Ukrainian and had his own motorcycle with a personal driver. He was active near Stryi, Ukraine during the occupation. This picture was taken either during or before 1943.

I showed this picture to my friend who is very knowledgeable about German uniforms and ranks, but he could not identify what rank my great grandfather may have been. He said that the collar tabs are unique due to "the black space in the middle being very thick and the lack of a 2nd color denoting unit involvement".

What would you guys make of this? Thank you for the help.

[HPL2008]

He was a member of the Sonderdienst in the Generalgouvernement.

[von thoma]

Sonderdienst special litzen and visor cap wreath.

[Waleed Y. Majeed]

The “black space” is in fact a black “S” rune on white background.

Waleed

[domadoma]

Thank you all for the help, this seems to be quite unique.