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.