I know NOTHING about uniforms of the German Army (or any army for that matter) so I’d like some advice/opinions.
Looking to add a crewman for my Sdkfz 251 Stuka zu Fuss of a regular Panzer division. I was looking at this guy, but I assume the WSS uniform is all wrong. Is it? Can it be modified? (I guess it always can, but is it a big deal?)
I’m thinking that he should not be carrying a lot of ammo bags etc, just basic uniform. Would that be realistic for a guy around ‘his’ vehicle, reading a letter from home ?
It’s a standard Panzer crew jacket, they were made both for regular german army and W-SS in many different colours and patterns. The only visible diffrence is the eagle emblem - W-SS had them on left arm sleeve instead of chest. Easily fixable
“Stuka zu Fuss” crews were Panzergrenadiers, so the Panzer uniform at top is inappropriate, they would wear standard Field Grey as per the second photo in a Heer unit, with the exception of 130 PD “Panzer Lehr”, who adopted the Field Grey version of the Panzer clothing, as worn by Stug and SP gun crews. This was due to an order in 1944 which specified the SP gun clothing for Panzergrenadiers in Panzer Divisions, but AFAIK, “Panzer Lehr” were the only unit to do so (cue loads of photos proving me wrong). In das Heer, the eagle was worn above the right breast pocket, in the SS, their unique eagle was worn on the left arm. Originally this due to a ruling that only the Wehrmacht could wear the eagle on the chest, the SS being a Party organisation were prohibited from doing so. As regards the equipment, being a normal grenadier, a crewman could well wear rifle pouches, but the belt may well have been discarded when loading the awkward rockets. Of course if you want to go for an SS unit, all the usual combinations of camouflaged clothing come into play, you are probably better avoiding this particular rabbit hole unless you want to do a lot more research!
Panzer crews wore “wraps”, which were shorter and fit closer to the body. The difference will be noticeable between Wehrmacht and WSS crews is in the color. (Reed green/black).
I think assault gun/Stug crews wore regular uniforms.
Yes, that’s a nice picture of a Heer Panzer jacket, but this would not be worn by a “Stuka zu Fuss” crew as they were infantry as I explained above. In fact there are detail differences between Heer and SS Panzer jackets, there is no central seam in the rear of the SS jacket, unlike the Heer one, the lapels on the SS jacket are more rounded and the front tastening is more vertical. These differences are noticeable in 1/16 (they are also noticeable in 1/35th, but less so). Also the SS version never bore the pink piping to the edge of the lapels exhibited by early Heer jackets, although officers wore silver as per das Heer. One exception seems to be SSPR5 from Wiking who did seem to have the piping and I have even seen examples of the SS collar patches piped pink in isolated individuals. So never say never. SS Panzer jackets are still black as per the Heer, but later there was a Drill version in what is normally called “Pea Pattern” camouflage (bear in mind a lot of this nomenclature is post war collector speak). The SP gun crew jacket was identical in cut but in Field Grey. There was also a Reed Green Drill version issued to das Heer, popular with armoured car crews. This is immediately identifiable in photographs, as it has a large patch pocket on the left chest. Returning to the standard field jacket (i.e “Landser” type, not Panzer/SPG type), being Panzergrenadiere, Wehrmacht “Stuka zu Fuss” crews would wear Apple Green Waffenfarbe on the shoulder straps. Depending on period, early war jackets had a dark, “bottle green” collar. Later the collar was in field grey to match the jacket. Likewise early trousers were stone grey, but later matched the jacket. The tunic was simplified from 1943 on, losing much of the ornate pocket detailing and being plain with straight pocket flaps. The final issue, the 1944 field tunic, had no skirts and looked very similar to British Battledress, coloured a slate grey.
Thanks guys - great info. I did have a feeling that WSS uniform was not ok for me. I am planning either to go for a 2nd or 6th panzer division, so it’s the latter two I gotta rework. A shame, since the WSS guy was perfect for what I wanted
I find the best way to determine what you are needing is "research " your little heart out…and even there there are those that will find exception. Regardless just have fun…and really, unless its a specific model for a specific model competition, only you will know whats ip! Again…ENJOY!
