Cap of the SS: varieties and insignia

Formation of German society during the reignAdolf Hitler made it an elite part of the military. Senior officers, officers, soldiers had special privileges. But in order for ordinary people to be able to distinguish the military of different units among themselves, it was decided to develop a military uniform worthy of the Wehrmacht soldiers.

First steps

Different types of troops could be recognized by the color of the uniform:

• black - tanks;
• green - infantry;
• light green - mountain arrows.

Not the least role played and hats,which differed in form as well as in distinctive patches. The first prototype uniform was created during the November Revolution. Then the rebel troops were equipped with what was left in the "bins" from the First World War. Standardizing the uniform, the government provided the employees with headgear, based on the kepi used in the army of the Austrian Empire.

The first updated prototype was released in 1925. After this, with a difference of 3-4 years, the developers released new samples of both uniforms and hats.

In total, the Supreme Command endorsed fivetypes of caps for the remainder of 1943. The caps of SS officers practically did not differ from the headdresses of soldiers below the rank. Only an experienced man could at first glance say, the military of which troops and in what rank is before him.

Mountain Arrows

The mountain cap, which became part of the SS army,the beginning of the evolution of the headgear of the Führer's army. Initially, it was green, and in front of it there were signs distinguishing the German army (skull, eagle and, later, a swastika).

In the future, for a clearertypes of troops began to introduce patches of different designs. The first to receive this honor were the arrows from the regiments of Prince Eugene and Edelweiss. These SS caps began to turn black, and along with the eagle and skull, an edelweiss image was placed on them on the left side.

Each type of army had different forms of headcleaning. They could be round, conical with a crown of different heights. Initially, the kepi had a band, fixed with buttons or buttons, which could be turned off in inclement weather. With the advent of new species, this part of the SS cap began to bear a purely symbolic character.

When the size of the crown did not allow allinsignia in the front part of it, soldiers were allowed to sew strips in the form of an eagle, edelweiss or swastika on the left side of the cap. But there was always an eagle and a skull sign. They were fastened with a silver thread on a triangular patch.

Cap of SS officers

A special distinction was the headgear forofficers. Kepi, used by soldiers, officers used for field trips. Since 1929, the black cap has become the standard in the soldier's uniform, corrected for rank. The band was sewn with a white or silver edging, depending on the rank of officer. White used junior staff, and silver - higher ranks.

The officer's cap of the SS, known today,was born in 1936. She had a high crown, a hard band, a visor and a welt (a leather strap or a filigree cord). This part of the wardrobe was part of the officer's uniform.

For convenience in daily usefiligree cord was replaced with a leather strap. It not only served for beauty, but also was used to secure the cap under the chin. To distinguish the officers on the tunic and above the band, the edge of the desired color was sewn.

Pilot

Interesting is the appearance of the caps as part of the everyday costume of German soldiers. It was developed for Luftwaffe pilots who did not have the opportunity to carry caps or kepi all the time.

A small headdress of triangular shape is convenientfolded and could be in a breast pocket during departure. The cockade of the pilots depicted a skull with a swastika and an eagle, and on the left side - wings.

A comfortable and stylish hat was a good substitute for the SS cap. He easily took root in the wardrobe of non-commissioned officers and the High Command.

Marks of Excellence

With the advent of caps, the question of signsThe differences that were applied to cap and cap: skull, eagle, swastika, color edging. All of them helped determine whether they belonged to infantry, tank, assault or special detachments.

On any headdress there was an emblemSkull: somewhere in the form of a patch, somewhere in the form of metal buttons. If other signs could be transferred to the left side of the headdress, the skull was always on the cockade.

So why the SS caps had skulls?

The skull, or "Adam's head", was used in army badges from the Middle Ages. Thus, the military designated special units, which had a high value for command as combat units.

The skull in the German army appeared from the timesVolunteer corps, formed to fight the German Communists. A little later, already during the spread of the doctrine of fascism across Europe, the skull became a distinctive sign of the SS troops in the submission of Hitler. The sign itself symbolized victory over death.

The German SS cap became the standard for manyuniform in the future. Hats Police France, Italy, as well as various military units are sewn on the basis of the German model caps since World War II.