SS-Standarte "Der Führer" Soldiers

A group of enlisted men from the SS-Standarte "Der Führer". All wear the SS-VT (SS-Verfügungstruppe) pattern field cap and collar patch with numeral "3" alongside the runes. The SS-Standarte Der Führer was formed in March 1938 in Vienna as SS-Standarte 3 following the German annexation of Austria and it was made up Austrian volunteers around a cadre from SS-Standarte Deutschland. It was renamed SS-Standarte Der Führer at the Parteitag in Nuremberg 1938 when it also received its Deutschland Erwache standard.

Source :
http://www.axishistory.com/books/123-germany-waffen-ss/germany-waffen-ss-ss-vt/1462-ss-standarte-der-fuehrer
https://www.thirdreichmedals.com/article/WSS.html

SS Soldiers in France

German soldier from SS-Standarte "Der Führer" / SS-Division-Verfügungstruppe (motorisiert) in France in 1940. He wore a stahlhelm cover and a camouflage jacket of the Platanenmuster type. Shortly after the German military campaign in France, collar numbers were withdrawn from circulation for safety reasons, leaving only SS runes. This photo is taken from the book "Waffen-SS Im Westen: Ein Bericht In Bildern" by SS-Kriegsberichter Friedrich Zschäckel, published in 1941. The original caption reads: "Das Geschicht der Waffen-SS" (Face of the Waffen-SS).

Source :
"Waffen-SS Im Westen: Ein Bericht In Bildern" by Friedrich Zschäckel

A Heavy Artillery Unit from the SS-Verfügungstruppe on Manoeuvres

These photographs show a heavy artillery unit from the SS-Verfügungstruppe carrying out manoeuvres somewhere on the French coast in October 1940. After running home the round, SS-VT gunners anticipating the moment of firing. Members of the gun crew stand ready to react against the explosion of the gun being fired with fingers pressed into ears and mouths half open, a practice which helped to reduce the force of the shock on their ear drums of the gun crew.

SS-VT Gunners Chalks up an Anti-British Drawing on the Side of a Shell

This photograph show a heavy artillery unit from the SS-Verfügungstruppe carrying out manoeuvres somewhere on the French coast in October 1940. "Good German joke - ja!" More for the cameraman than for the benefit of anyone else, one of the SS-VT gunners chalks up an anti-British drawing on the side of a shell. The umbrella and top hat is a dig at Sir Neville Chamberlain, the former British Prime Minister.

SS-VT Gunner Setting the Fuse of a Shell

This photograph show a heavy artillery unit from the SS-Verfügungstruppe carrying out manoeuvres somewhere on the French coast in October 1940. One of the SS-VT gunner setting the fuse of a shell

Halftrack of SS-Verfügungstruppe Carrying out Manoeuvres

This photograph show a heavy artillery unit from the SS-Verfügungstruppe carrying out manoeuvres somewhere on the French coast in October 1940. The vehicle is a Hanomag half track which was designed to tow a heavy artillery piece, such as an 88mm, whilst at the same time carrying the gun crew (seated) and stowed ammunition.

SS-Verfügungstruppe on Military Manoeuvres

Two photographs which show members of the original SS-Verfügungstruppe on military manoeuvres in Germany before the war. All wear the earth-grey clothing with the black 1918 pattern steel helmets.