Studio photo of SS-Obersturmführer Rolf Schackert (Chef Stabskompanie / Indische Freiwilligen Legion der Waffen-SS), who wore his new SS uniform in lieu of the old Heer uniform. Note the use of a plain black collar on the left, which is intentionally left blank while awaiting for the arrival of the "Tiger's head" kragenspiegel, which is the official insignia of the this SS Regiment consisting of Indian volunteers. In Schackert's arm we can also see the shield of "Freies Indien" (Free India), which has been used by members of the Indian Legion from the time they were in the Heer. Like all other non-Reichsdeutsche (German descent within the Reich's territory) members of the Waffen-SS, Indian members of the Freiwilligen Legion der Waffen-SS were forbidden to wear "double flash" SS symbols on their collars. Instead, they are allowed to display unit symbols on their collars and arms. This photo itself is a private collection of Christopher Ailsby, author of the book "Waffen-SS: Hitler's Elite in Photographs"
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Alif thank you for sharing this, strange and rare indeed !
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