World War II German Army ranks and insignia http://www.militaryflashpatches.co.uk/index.php

     

German Army of the Nazi era inherited its uniforms and rank structure from the Reichsheer of the Weimar republic (1921–1935), many of whose traditions went back to the Imperial Army of the German Empire and earlier. The Reichsheer was renamed Wehrmacht Heer in May 1935. There were few alterations and adjustments made as the Army grew from a limited peacetime defense force of 100,000 men to a war-fighting force of several million men.

These ranks and insignia were peculiar to the Heer and in special cases to senior Wehrmacht officers in the independent services; the SS, Luftwaffe and Navy uniforms and rank system were different.  Nazi Party also had its own series of paramilitary uniforms and insignia, some of which were conceived by Adolf Hitler.

National Emblem (breast eagle): Hoheitszeichen or Wehrmachtsadler

Breast eagles

1935

1939

1940

1944

Tropical

The Reichswehr's visual acknowledgement of the new National Socialist reality came on 17 February 1934, when the Defense Ministry were  ordered the Nazi Party eagle-and-swastika, now Germany's National Emblem, to be worn on uniform blouses and headgear effective 1 May. The design adopted, in silver for the Reichsheer (Army) and in gold for the Reichsmarine (Navy), was a stylized eagle with outstretched, beveled wings clutching a wreathed mobile Hakenhttp://www.militaryflashpatches.co.uk/index.phpkreuz, later to be called the Wehrmachtsadler there Armed Forces eagle.On tunics this took the form of a cloth patch about 9 cm (3⅝") wide worn on the right breast, above the pocket. For enlisted uniforms it was jacquard-woven ("BeVo") or sometimes machine-embroidered in silver-grey rayon, for officers machine- or hand-embroidered in white silk or bright aluminum wire, and for generals hand-embroidered in gold bullion. The backing was "badge-cloth" (Abzeichentuch), a close-woven velvetish fabric; this was originally Reichsheer grey, but in late 1935 the renamed Wehrmacht Heer changed its Abzeichentuch color to a dark blue-green called flaschengrün (bottle-green).
The war brought several variations to the breast eagle, although it should be kept in mind that none of them was replaced or de-authorized, and all were being worn side-by-side at war's end. When hostilities began in 1939, on the enlisted Feldbluse or field blouse the eagle was changed from off-white to matte grey for reduced visibility; and in 1940 backings began to be produced in field-grey (feldgrau). Another version appeared with the advent of the Model 1944 Field Blouse, which used a triangular backing for speed and simplicity of manufacture. Very late in the war some Hoheitszeichen were simply printed on thin fabric.

Machine-embroidered Panzer Hoheitszeichen

There were also versions for other uniforms: both white and grey variants on black for the Panzer uniform, and in dull grey-blue on tan backing for the tropical (Afrikakorps) uniform. A stamped metal pin-on breast eagle was worn with the officers' white summer tunic.


By around  1938 the fast-growing Heer had found that it was impractical, for the enlisted field uniform, to manufacture and stock a multitude of collar patches in assorted Waffenfarben which also had to be sewn on and frequently changed by unit tailors. Accordingly, new universal Litzen were introduced with the Litzenspiegel and Mittlestreife woven in dark green to match the backing patch, and which could be applied at the factory; Waffenfarbe was now displayed on the shoulder-straps, which simply buttoned on and were easily switched. With the wartime change to lower-visibility insignia enlisted Litzen were woven in matte "mouse-grey" with field-grey stripes, which were at first sewn to green collar patches as before but increasingly directly to the collar, which beginning in 1940 was made in feldgrau like the uniform; grey Patten were never produced. The troops however preferred the green patches (and collars) if they had or could get them, especially on "clean" uniforms for walking-out; and long-service veterans took particular pride in pre-38 Litzen with colored stripes.

NCO tunic with post-1940 insignia

In contrast, officers' service uniform collar patches never changed. While most officers in the front lines wore the enlisted field uniform as per wartime regulations, many opted to have their green-and-silver Kragenpatten added instead of (or on top of) the factory Litzen.

Tropical

On olive tropical uniforms the collar patches were tan with dull grey-blue Litzen for all personnel; officers again sometimes added their green Kragenpatten. Tropical NCO Tresse was copper-brown, or sometimes olive drab.

 Armored vehicle uniforms

Panzer Totenkopf pin

A major exception to the wearing of collar Litzen was the "panzer wrap", the double-breasted jacket worn by crews of tanks and other armored vehicles. When the Panzertruppe were established around 1935 they were then issued a distinctive black uniform and as a badge the Totenkopf or Death's-head, versions of which had formerly been worn by the Imperial tank corps and various cavalry units. These skulls took the form of white-metal pins attached to black Kragenpatten which were edged in Waffenfarbe piping.

AFV crew collar insignia

In mid-1940 crews of assault guns (Sturmgeschützen) received a uniform of their own, identical in cut to the Panzerjacke but in standard field-grey, which they wore with red artillery piping. Over the course of the war a bewildering and changing series of regulations governed the uniforms and insignia for assault guns, tank destroyers, armored cars and self-propelled artillery. Depending on the unit and the date either the black or grey wrap or the standard Feldbluse might be authorized, and on the grey "assault gun" jacket the regulation collar patches could be black with skulls, or grey with skulls, Litzen, or no device at all. The result in practice was chaos; wartime photos show a mix of uniforms and insignia worn not only in the same battalion, but even in the same vehicle.
Officially both colors of panzer wrap were working and field uniforms to be worn only in or around the vehicle; this regulation was universally ignored. Panzertruppen were issued standard uniforms for service-dress and walking out but rarely wore them, much preferring their unique jackets.
In North Africa, AFV crews wore the same tropical uniform as the other branches, including collar Litzen; many tankers however pinned their Totenkopf badges to their lapels.

Infanterie Regiment "Großdeutschland"

Collar Litzen for NCO of I.R. "Großdeutschland"

In June 1939, the Wehrmacht Heer wanted to renew its ties with the Old Army tradition by introducing a new uniform for its most prestigious unit: Wachregiment "Berlin" which was renamed Infantry Regiment "Großdeutschland". The new Waffenrock for I.R. "Großdeutschland" had an elongated Litzen. Although shown to the press, this new uniform was not provided to the unit due to the outbreak of WWII. Instead, it was placed in depot storage.
http://www.militaryflashpatches.co.uk/index.php

 

116th panzer division

The 116th Panzer Division, also known as the "Greyhound 'Windhund' Division", was a German panzer division that saw combat during World War II. It was reconstituted in the Rhineland and Westphalia areas of western Germany in March 1944 from the remnants of the 16th Panzergrenadier Division, and the 179th Reserve Panzer Division. The 16th Panzergrenadier Division had been badly mauled after combat on the Eastern Front near Stalingrad, and the 179th Reserve Panzer Division was a second-line unit that had been on occupational duty in France since 1943.
In 1944, it participated in opposing the Normandy Landings and was trapped in the Falaise Pocket following Operation Cobra. Along with the 2nd SS Panzer Division, it was responsible for holding the pocket open to allow German troops to escape. It managed to escape, although with only 600 infantry and 12 tanks intact. In October, it fought against American forces in the Battle of Aachen, with the town falling to the Americans on 21 October. It was moved to Holland for refitting and soon was fighting in the area of the recently completed Market Garden offensive (17-25 September) with the 10th SS Panzer Division against the British. On 8 November, the division repulsed an attack from the U.S. 28th Infantry Division in the Hürtgen Forest during the larger Battle of Hürtgen Forest, recapturing the town of Schmidt, thus providing the name to the 28th Infantry Division as the "Bloody Bucket Division".
The 116th Panzer Division then participated in the failed "Wacht am Rhein" Operation in the Ardennes, where it participated in the middle spearhead and later held the Allies at bay for other units to retreat, before being withdrawn over the Rhine in March. It then opposed the 9th U.S. Army's advance across the Rhine, thus stopping the planned Allied breakthrough as well as opposing Operation Varsity's airborne landings. With 2,800 men and 10 tanks against 50,000 allied troops and supporting tanks, the division held off the 30th Infantry Division, the 35th Infantry Division, the 84th Infantry Division, the 4th Canadian Division and 8th Armored Division. On 18 April 1945, the majority of the division was forced to surrender to the 9th U.S. Army, having been trapped in the Ruhr Pocket. It was described by the Commander of the 9th Army to New York Times reporter John MacCormac, in March 1945, as 'the famed and best German Panzer Division', and was listed as same in an article of 27-28 March. Remnants of the division continued to fight in the Harz mountains until 30 April, surrendering after all of their resources had been exhausted. The 116th Panzer Division participated in the following battles: Normandy, Arnhem, Aachen, the Hürtgen Forest, the Ardennes Offensive, the Reichswald and the Ruhr Pocket.

Early history
The German rank of general most likely saw its first use within the religious orders of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, albeit in modified forms and usage from the current understanding of general.^{[citation needed]} By the 16th century, with the rise of standing armies, the German states had begun to appoint generals from the nobility to lead armies in battle.^{[citation needed]}
A standard rank system was developed during the Thirty Years War, with the highest rank of General usually reserved for the ruling sovereign (e.g. the Kaiser or Elector) and the actual field commander holding the rank of Generalleutnant. Feldmarschall was a lower rank at that time, as was Generalwachtmeister.
By the 17th and 18th centuries, the rank of general was present in all the militaries of the German states, and saw its greatest usage by the militaries of Bavaria and Prussia. It was these two militaries that created the concept of the “general staff”, which was often manned entirely by members of the nobility. To be a general implied membership in the noble class as a count or Graf, baron or Freiherr (this also accounts for most German generals of this era having the prefix “von” before their names).^{[citation needed]}

[edit] 19th century

During the Napoleonic Wars, the ranks of German generals were established in four grades, beginning with Generalmajor, followed by Generalleutnant, General and Generalfeldmarschall. The standard uniforms and insignia, used for over a century, also developed during this period. The title of General (three stars) included the officer's branch of service, leading to the titles of General der Infanterie ("general of the infantry"), General der Kavallerie ("general of the cavalry") and General der Artillerie ("general of the artillery").
In 1854, Prussia introduced the rank of Generaloberst (supreme general, usually (mis)translated colonel-general) so that officers could be promoted further than General without becoming a Generalfeldmarschall, as this rank was usually bestowed only for extraordinary achievements during wartime service. Later, another special grade known as Generaloberst im Range eines Generalfeldmarschalls (colonel general in the rank of a field marshal) was first used in Bavaria to denote colonel (i.e., supreme) generals who were given the authority of field marshals without the actual rank.
During the German Empire, the insignia of German generals was established as a heavy golden shoulder board with up to four pips (stars) denoting seniority as a general.^{[citation needed]} The rank of Generalfeldmarschall displayed a crossed set of marshal's batons on the shoulder board. German generals also began wearing golden ornaments (Arabeske) on their collars, in contrast to the collar bars (Doppellitzen) worn by elite units, or the plain colored collars of the rest of the German military forces.^{[citation needed]}
The grade of "supreme general in the rank of a field marshal" (Generaloberst im Range eines Generalfeldmarschalls) was introduced in the Prussian/Imperial army in 1871. It was bestowed on senior generals usually holding the appointment of an army inspector and therefore army commanders designate in the case of hostilities. The shoulder board rank was crossed batons with three pips. The rank of supreme general proper (with three pips only) was created in 1901. In the Prussian army, the rank of field marshal could be awarded only to active officers in wartime if they had won a battle or stormed a fortress. In times of peace, the rank was awarded as an honorary rank to friendly princes and as Charakter (honorary) to generals of merit when they retired — "general with the honorary rank of field marshal" (General mit dem Charakter eines Generalfeldmarschall) - which was cancelled in 1911. At the same time, the rank insignia for colonel general with the rank of field marshal was changed to four pips without batons.

[edit] World War II

German Army general officer shoulder insignia of WW2:
Generalfeldmarschall (from 4/41) (0), Generalfeldmarschall (to 4/41) (1), Generaloberst (acting Generalfeldmarschall) (to 1940) (2), Generaloberst (3), General (4), Generalleutnant (5), Generalmajor (6)

Luftwaffe general officer shoulder and collar insignia of WW2: Reichsmarschall (1940 Hermann Göring) (1), Generalfeldmarschall (from 4/41) (2), Generalfeldmarschall (to 4/41) (3), Generaloberst (4), General (5), Generalleutnant (6), Generalmajor (7)

The German rank of General saw its widest usage during World War II. Due to the massive expansion of the German armed forces (Wehrmacht), a new “wave” of generals was promoted in the 1930s that would lead Germany into war.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Reichsmarschall

The post of the Reichsmarschall was the highest military ranking that a German could reach. The post was held solely by Hermann Göring the most powerful Nazi leader in Germany apart from Hitler. Göring also happened to serve as the head of the Luftwaffe and was responsible for handling Germany's war economy.

[edit] Generalfeldmarschall

In 1936, Hitler revived the rank of field marshal (pic. 1 and 2).

[edit] Generaloberst

The rank of Generaloberst (pic. 3), usually translated as "colonel general", but perhaps better as "senior general". A Generaloberst was usually an army commander.

[edit] General

This rank (pic. 4) was formally linked to the branch of the army Heer, or air force Luftwaffe, in which the officer served, and (nominally) commanded: in addition to the long established General der Kavallerie, General der Artillerie and General der Infanterie, the Wehrmacht also had General der Panzertruppen (armoured troops), General der Gebirgstruppen (mountain troops), General der Pioniere (engineers), General der Fallschirmtruppen (parachute troops), General der Flieger (aviators), General der Flakartillerie (anti-aircraft) and General der Nachrichtentruppen (communications troops). A General was usually a corps commander.

[edit] Generalleutnant

The German Generalleutnant (pic. 5) was usually a senior division commander.

[edit] Generalmajor

The German Generalmajor (pic. 6) was usually a junior division commander.
The staff corps of the Wehrmacht, medical, veterinary, judicial and chaplain, used special designations for their general officers, with Generalarzt, Generalveterinär, Generalrichter and Feldbischof being the equivalent of Generalmajor; Generalstabsarzt, Generalstabsveterinär and Generalstabsrichter the equivalent of Generalleutnant; and (the unique) Generaloberstabsarzt, Generaloberstabsveterinär and Generaloberstabsrichter the equivalent of General.
With the formation of the Luftwaffe, air force generals began to use the same general ranks as the German army. The shoulder insignia was identical to that used by the army, with the addition of special collar patches worn by Luftwaffe general officers. The supreme rank of Reichsmarschall (Reich Marshal) was created in 1940 for Hermann Göring.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Waffen-SS

In 1941, the Waffen-SS began using general ranks in addition to standard SS ranks. An Oberst-Gruppenführer of the Waffen-SS, for example, would be titled Oberst-Gruppenführer und Generaloberst der Waffen-SS. The Ordnungspolizei (Orpo) also used similar police ranks. The Waffen-SS had no field marshals, but the rank of Reichsführer-SS held by Heinrich Himmler was considered to be the equivalent of a field marshal (Generalfeldmarschall) during the later war years.
The senior colonel rank of SS-Oberführer has sometimes been considered to be a brigadier general equivalent; however, this is incorrect. The rank (in particular among the Waffen-SS) was not considered equivalent to a general officer, was not entitled to the grey trouser stripes and lapel facings of a general, and wore the shoulderboards of an army full-colonel or Oberst.^[1][2]

[edit] Modern usage

After World War II, the West German Bundeswehr and the East German Nationale Volksarmee adopted the rank systems of their respective military blocs.^{[citation needed]}
In the Bundeswehr, the rank of Brigadegeneral was inserted below the rank of Generalmajor. While the rank titles of Generalmajor, Generalleutnant and General were retained, each of those titles now denotes a higher rank than before (e.g. the Generalleutnant is now a three-star general).
Prior to the reunification of Germany, general officer rank designations in the German Democratic Republic were based on the Soviet model. Generalmajor was still the lowest general officer grade, followed by Generalleutnant, Generaloberst (now three stars instead of four) and Armeegeneral. In 1982, the GDR government established the rank of Marschall der DDR, although no one was ever promoted to this rank.^{[citation needed]http://www.militaryflashpatches.co.uk/index.php}

A guide to WW2 German shoulder boards

WWII GERMAN ARMY DOCTOR SHOULDER BOARD DEVICE -
Under the Treaty of Versailles, the Reichswehr was only allowed 100,000 men split between the Army and the Navy. Following the 1932 German elections the Nazi party came to power and began to abrogate the treaty. The Army was made part of the Wehrmacht in May 1935 with the passing of the "Law for the Reconstruction of the National Defence Forces". The Wehrmacht included not just the Army and Navy but also a third branch known as the Luftwaffe. Initially, the Army was expanded to 21 divisional-sized units and smaller formations.

Between 1935 and 1945 this force grew to consist of hundreds of divisions and thousands of smaller supporting units. Between 1939 and 1945 close to 16 million served in the Army. Over 3 million were killed and over 4.1 million were wounded. Of the 7,361 men awarded the initial grade of the highest German combat honour of World War II, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, 4,777 were from the Army, making up 65% of the total awarded. The Allies dissolved the German Army on 20 August 1946.

The item featured in this page is a German Army doctor device. Of metal construction. The design consists of an snake wrapping around a pole. Two pins are found in the back. That is how the device is attached to the shoulder boards.

WWII GERMAN MILITARY AND CIVILIAN PATCHES - The German armed forces during WWII developed a large variety of cloth insignia. The designs and materials employed in the development of the patches make these items very interesting to collect.

The Germans were among the first to use subdued patches. Some examples of camouflaged construction were used by the SS troops.

Construction materials for the patches varied greatly. From regular cotton to some very interesting bullion designs. The officers had the prerogative to be able to have taylor made patches. Some of these were of very high quality construction and very nice looking.

This section of the website provides a pictorial history of the Third Reich patches. A combination of military, political, Hitler Youth and paramilitary organizations are covered. The data provided allows the enthusiast to identify cloth insignia of the Third Reich. Additional data outlines the value of the collectibles over a period of time.

This service is provided free of charge to the visitor/enthusiast courtesy of http://www.militaryflashpatches.co.uk/index.php, a company dedicated to the preservation of military history and to providing quality military antiques and collectibles to museums, institutions and the general public.

WWII GERMAN AIR FORCE (LUFTWAFFE) PATCHES AND CLOTH INSIGNIA

WWII GERMAN LUFTWAFFE LUFTNACHRICHTEN PATCH - In the shape of a triangle. Blue wool background with a "V" pattern in white following the perimeter. WWII GERMAN TELEPHONE OPERATOR PATCH - This patch was issued to personnel that manned the telephone switchboards. Blue wool construction. Circular shape. Lightning bolts criss crossing each other. WWII GERMAN ADMINISTRATION NCO PATCH - Circular shape. Blue wool construction. a modified letter "V" is placed in the center and is embroidered in white cotton thread. WWII AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT ADMINISTRATION PATCH - Round shape patch with the design of a radial engine done in white thread. A propellor is also visible. The background should be wool but has been eaten off by moths. WWII GERMAN FLAK PERSONNEL PATCH - Blue wool construction with a black cloth background. The blue wool in this example has been eaten off by moths. White embroidered 88 cannon. WWII LUFTWAFFE FLYING PERSONNEL PATCH - Blue wool background with white embroidered design of two wings and a propellor in front. the shape of the patch is unusual. WWII LUFTWAFFE RADIO OPERATOR PATCH - The design consists of a white wreath in oval shape with an eagle in a diving position. Lightning bolts are seen in the feet section. Blue wool background. WWII GERMAN TELEPHONE OPERATOR PATCH - This is a round patch. Blue wool construction. Zig Zag lightning bolts entertwine. Issued to personnel who managed the telephone switchboard. WWII GERMAN LUFTWAFFE ARTILLERY LIUTENANT COLLAR TAB - Fiber board covered with red felt. The collar tab is bordered with silver rope. A silver seagull and wreath are placed on the face. WWII UNTERFELDWEBEL AND LUFTWAFFE FAHNRICH RANK - Large rectangular piece of dark felt with two large cotton seagulls sewn to the main body. WWII LUFTWAFFE BREAST EAGLE PATCH FOR TUNIC - This is the standard eagle for enlisted personnel. Blue/Gray backing with a white cotton eagle embroidered on the surface. GERMAN WWII LUFTWAFFE OBERSCHUTZE PATCH - Consisting of a dark green felt citcle with a white cotton pip embroidered on the surface. WWII GERMAN MASTER RADIOMAN PATCH - Dark green wool oval with six lightning bolts eminating from the center. The lightning bolts are yellow in color. WWII GERMAN LUFTWAFFE PARATROOPER PATCH - The design consists of a Luftwaffe eagle diving while clutching a swastika on its talons. A wreath is placed behind the eagle. Blue/Gray wool construction.

WWII GERMAN ARMY (HEER) PATCHES AND CLOTH INSIGNIA

WWII GERMAN ZOLLBEAMTE CUFF TITLE - This is a thin green piece of cloth that went around the cuff of the uniform. An eagle in white cotton is sewn on the front of the cuff title. WWII GERMAN ARMY EDELWEISS MOUNTAIN TOOPS PATCH - Embroidered onto a restangular section of green material. The style is known as Bevo. The back shows loosely tied threads. WWII GERMAN ARMY ARTILLERY SHOULDER BOARDS - Very high quality design. Consisting of a piece of fiber board covered with red felt material. Metal crossed canons are applied to the top. Two pips are also attached. WWII GERMAN ARMY BREAST EAGLE - This is the standard eagle for the army uniform. It is sewn above the front pocket. Green background with a white cotton eagle in front. WWII GERMAN ARMY CLOTH EAGLE - Cotton eagle placed over a wool background. Green color wool. This eagle was worn on the breast area. WWII GERMAN MEDICAL DOCTOR DEVICE - Of metal construction, solif body with two prongs in the back. in the shape of a snake wrapping around a stick. these devices were applied to the shoulder boards. WWII GERMAN SHOOTING AWARD FRONT - This is the metal insignia that was attached to the shooting lanyard issued to Luftwaffe personnel. WWII GERMAN KRETA CUFF TITLE - This is the cuff title that was issued to soldiers who participated in the Crete campaign. WWII GERMAN ARMY HAT EAGLE - One interesting aspect about this hat eagle is that it remains in part of the original roll in which it was manufactured. Sewn to overseas hat. WWII GERMAN ARMY FERRIER QUALIFICATION PATCH - This is a qualification sewn near the cuff section of the sleeve. Of dark green wool background construction with a yellow horse show embroidered to front.

WWII GERMAN NAVY (KRIEGSMARINE) PATCHES AND CLOTH INSIGNIA

WWII GERMAN NAVY MEDICAL RATINGS PATCH - The design consists of an oval metal shape covered with black felt material. A metal anchor and other accoutrements are painted in gold and attached to the patch.	WWII GERMAN NAVY DRIVER PETTY OFFICER PATCH - This is a metal cloth oval with a black felt front. A metal anchor is placed in the front and has a wheel at the center. All painted gold color.	WWII GERMAN NAVAY OFFICER BREAST EAGLE - This is a beautifully gold color emboidered breast eagle. On a black felt background. The eagle is clutching a wreath with a Swastika in it. - Coming Soon	WWII GERMAN NAVY SPORTS SHIRT PATCH - This is a Kriegsmarine sports patch. Sewn to a white t-shirt used by Navy athletes in training and competition.
WWII GERMAN NAVY TALLY - This is a cloth band that was attached to the field hat employed by sailors in the German Kriegsmarine.	WWII GERMAN NAVY COASTAL ARTILLERY EAGLE - This is a WWII German Kriegsmarine coastal artillery breast eagle. Of cotton construction.	WWII GERMAN NAVY RATING PATCH - This is a WWII German Kriegsmarine rating patch. Of cotton construction. Worn on shoulder. White background with blue anchor.	WWII GERMAN NAVY CARPENTER RATING PATCH - This is a WWII German Kriegsmarine carpenter rating patch. Of wool construction. Worn on shoulder. Blue background with yellow anchor.
WWII GERMAN NAVY OVERSEAS HAT ROUNDEL - This is a WWII German Kriegsmarine tri-color roundel. Of cotton construction. Sewn to front of overseas hat. Blue triangle with black, white and red circles.	WWII GERMAN NAVY OVERSEAS HAT EAGLE - This is a WWII German Kriegsmarine navy eagle. Of cotton construction. Sewn to front of overseas hat. Black border with yellow embroidered eagle.

WWII GERMAN POLITICAL AND SERVICE PATCHES AND CLOTH INSIGNIA

WWII GERMAN NSKK BREAST EAGLE - The NSKK was the motor division. the patch is of cotton construction. Green pea background with a white eagle that has a scroll above that reads NSKK.	WWII GERMAN HITLER YOUTH DJ PATCH - Introduced in 1943. this patch was designed to be worn on the left arm. The design consists of a red circle with a single white rune.	WWII GERMAN RBL ARM EAGLE PATCH - Of cotton construction. The pach conssists of an eagle leaning sideways and holding the RLB logo. This is the early logo with the swastika in the center.	WWII GERMAN RAD 193 UNIT PATCH - The RAD was an organization dedicated to public works. Membership was mandatory for 2 years by all youth. The organization had several units. The patch shown here is for one of those units.
WWII GERMAN RAD 316 UNIT PATCH - The RAD was an organization dedicated to public works. Membership was mandatory for 2 years by all youth. The organization had several units. The patch shown here is for one of those units.	WWII GERMAN VETERAN PATCH - Germany had a strong Veteran's organization. This patch was worn on the veteran's uniform. Of cotton construction. Shows a Maltese Cross with a circle and a swastika in the center.	WWII HITLER YOUTH PROFICIENCY AWARD PATCH - The purpose of the badge was to reward Hitler Youth members who had improved http://www.militaryflashpatches.co.uk/index.phptheir ideological and physical performance. of cotton construction.