Uniforms of die Panzertruppe

by Willi Schumacher

Foreword

This section consists of the uniforms and insignia of the German Panzer and assault gun forces during the Third Reich and World War II. These include the Army (Heer), Air Force (Luftwaffe - primarily the Hermann Göring Panzer Division) and the Waffen-SS and Police. Because of the size of the subject, this section is divided into smaller sections, based first on the branch, and then on subject. For a complete picture, it is advised to read the articles in the order they are listed below.

Sections

Heer

Introduction to Heer Panzer crew uniforms
The background of the uniforms of the Heer
Heer Panzer crew headgear
The headgear of the Heer Panzer crews, including the Schutzmütze and field caps
Heer black Panzer uniform
The black Heer Panzer field jacket (Jacke) and its insignia, the black Panzer trousers, as well as the Panzer crew shirts
Protective suits
Protective suits used by the Heer Panzer crews
Winter Clothing for Panzer Troops
Winter Clothing for the Heer Panzer Troops
Tropical Panzer Uniforms
Heer uniform for the Panzer crews for use in tropical conditions
Camouflaged Heer Panzer uniforms
Camouflaged uniforms used by the Heer Panzer troops
Heer assault gun uniforms
The uniforms of the Heer Sturmgeschütz crews
Shoulder Boards and Shoulder Strap Ciphers, and miscellaneous insignia
Shoulder boards and shoulder strap insignia of the Heer Panzer and Sturmgeschütz crews, and miscellaneous insignia

Die Luftwaffe

Introduction to Luftwaffe Panzer crew uniforms
The background of the uniforms of the Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe Panzer crew headgear
The different types of headgear used by the Luftwaffe Panzer crews
Luftwaffe black Panzer uniform
The black Luftwaffe Panzer jacket and trousers
Luftwaffe assault gun uniforms
The uniforms of the Luftwaffe Sturmgeschütz crews

Die Waffen-SS

Introduction to Waffen-SS Panzer crew uniforms
The background of the uniforms of the Waffen-SS
Waffen-SS Panzer crew headgear
The different types of headgear used by the Waffen-SS Panzer crews
Waffen-SS black Panzer uniform
The black Waffen-SS Panzer wrapper and trousers
Waffen-SS assault gun uniform
The uniforms of the Waffen-SS Sturmgeschütz crews
Camouflaged Waffen-SS Panzer uniforms
Camouflaged uniforms used by the Waffen-SS Panzer troops

Die Polizei

Introduction to Polizei Panzer crew uniforms
The background of the uniforms of the Polizei
Polizei Panzer crew headgear
The different types of headgear used by the Polizei Panzer crews
Polizei black Panzer crew uniforms
The black Polizei Panzer crew uniforms
Camouflaged Polizei Panzer uniforms
Camouflaged uniforms used by the Polizei Panzer troops

Sources

The following books were referenced in the preparation of these materials and are highly recommended. For the purchasing of many fine military-related books, contact Roger Bender Publishing <www.bender-publishing.com> or Mr. Jack Hatter of Volume Control

  1. ANGOLIA, John R. & SCHLICHT, Adolf. Uniforms & Traditions of the German Army 1933-1945. James Bender Publishing, 1984.
  2. DAVIS, Brian L. German Army Uniforms and Insignia 1933-1945. Arco Publishing, 1977.
  3. BENDER, Roger James & PETERSEN, George A. "Hermann Göring:" From Regiment to Fallschirmpanzerkorps. James Bender Publishing, 1993.
  4. MOLLO, Andrew. Uniforms of the Waffen-SS, volume 6: Waffen-SS Clothing and Equipment 1939-1945. Historical research unit, 1972.
  5. MOLLO, Andrew. Uniforms of the Waffen-SS, volume 7: Waffen-SS Badges and Unit Distinctions 1939-1945. Historical research unit, 1976.
  6. BEAVER, Michael D. Camouflaged uniforms of the Waffen-SS: A Photographic Reference. Schiffer Publishing, 1995.
  7. WILLIAMSON, Gordon & McGUIRL, Thomas. German Military Cuffbands 1784-Present. R. James Bender Publishing, 1998.
  8. ANGOLIA, LTC (Ret.) John R. Cloth Insignia of the SS. R. James Bender Publishing, 1983.
  9. BENDER, Roger James & TAYLOR, Hugh Page. Uniforms, Organization and History of the Waffen-SS, Volume 1. R. James Bender Publishing, 1969.
  10. COOK, Stan & BENDER, Roger James. Uniforms, Organization and History of the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, Volume 1. R. James Bender Publishing, 1994.
  11. SMITH, Jill Halcomb & SARIS, Wilhelm P.B.R. Headgear of Hitler's Germany, Volume 2. R. James Bender Publishing, 1992.
  12. BENDER, Roger James & ODEGARD, Warren W. Uniforms, Organization and History of the Panzertruppe. R. James Bender Publishing, 1980.
  13. BEAVER, Michael D. Uniforms of the Waffen-SS (volume 1-3). Schiffer Publishing, 2002.

A word of thanks

The author would like to thank all those collectors who have contributed photographs of their collections to help illustrate many of the artifacts described in this article.