Saturday, April 7, 2018

Armored vehicle of the Hitlerjugend Division in the Ruins of Caen

A Sd.Kfz. 231 armored vehicle of the 12. SS-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend" photographed in the ruins of Caen, Normandy, France in July 1944. In the background the ruined Church of Saint-Pierre. The city of Caen was destroyed and reduced to rubble by the Allied bombing after they encountered difficulty in taking it (the bombing was futile as Germans positions were intact outside of the city, in the northern edge). The Allies flattened and wiped out cities and towns all across Normandy and Northern France in which tens of thousands civilians were killed outright.


Source :
http://5sswiking.tumblr.com/post/167393189682/a-sdkfz-231-armored-vehicle-of-the-12-ss-panzer

Thursday, April 5, 2018

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

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

SS-Verfügungstruppe on Winter Exercise

A group of motorised troops from the SS-VT (SS-Verfügungstruppe) on winter exercises. Most wear the standard Greatcoat - or "Mantel" - though some, such as the two at extreme right, wear the motorcyclist rubberised waterproof coat. Note the use of the SS-VT pattern field cap with metal deathshead button at front and small machine embroidered eagle on the side.


Source :
https://www.thirdreichmedals.com/article/WSS.html