Africa – Tunisia Circa 1943

  In this picture the grenadier wears the following items of kit: -

-Sand/Tan coulrerd M35 Helmet

-Luftwaffe Tropical Tunic

-Luftwaffe Tropical Trousers

-Tropical shirt

-Tropical Tie

-Short boots

-Officers belt

  Extensive tropical clothing was issued to personnel of ranks of the Luftwaffe; this kit was given the term “khakibruan” or light tan.   The Trousers were often very baggy to allow air to circulate in the hot weather conditions, as you can see with its big front facing pocket these were the same trousers issued to German paratroopers.  The hems of the tunics were usually cut very short which was the fashion at that time.

Italy – Sicily and the Italian mainland Circa 1943-44

  Worn in this picture can be seen the following main items :-

- Fallschrimjager helmet with splinter pattern cover

-Tropical Tunic

-Tropical Shirt and Tie

-Splinter pattern camo trousers

  If was very common amongst men of the HG Division to exchange and barter for FJ pattern helmets, also many FJ units transferred into the HG and hence seen here this officer wears an FJ helmet.  Of note are the lightweight splinter camo trousers.  As the war went on it was very common for kit to be issued or field made in certain instances.

Africa – Tunisia Circa 1943

  In this picture the grenadier also wears the standard tropical issue kit however it is accompanied by the addition of SS camo items.  Throughout WW2 the men of the HG Division were regularly issued with SS camo, this included most types/patterns including, Palm Tree or Clump, Plain Tree, Burred edge and so on.  There is also pictorial evidence that senior NCO’s and Officer wear also issued 44Dot or pea dot as it is more commonly know.  This grenadier wears the standard issue SS Smock and Helmet cover.

Special Black Panzer Uniform Circa all fronts throughout the war.

This HG officer wears the Black Panzer uniform issued to crew members of Panzer and fighting vehicles.  It consists of a short black double breasted jacket, worn with a mouse grey collar attached shirt and black tie and long black trousers.  This uniform was worn with either short or jackboots. The officer wears a standard peak cap but worn in the crushed style.  This uniform was also issued to other units within the HG and was also worn with SS camouflage items such as smocks and helmet covers.

East Prussia {Heiligenbeil Pocket} circa winter 1944-45

  The HG Division saw much of the action in East Prussia during the closing stages of WW2.  In order to fight effectively in the winter conditions the German Army had learned by its mistakes from the first winter Russia that descended on them.

  As seen here this Grenadier has been issued warm winter clothing containing:-

  -Padded winter reversible to white mouse grey parka, this particular parka has had the hood removed, this was a common occurrence when the snows receded as the white material in the inside of the hood was hard to hide.

  -Padded Tan & Water reversible padded trousers, integral braces often held up these trousers and the trousers were big enough to be pulled up high around the midriff to offer more protection from the cold.

  -This grenadier where as splinter helmet cover on what looks like an M42 model helmet which was more commonly seen in the later stages of the war.

  -His personal armaments include the standard infantry weapon the K98 rifle which formed the mainstay of the German army’s personal weaponry throughout the war.  Of note is the entrenching tool, which has, be placed down the belt rather than being hung from the belt.  Entrenching tools were often used in the bitter house to house fighting that took place in East Prussia.

  May 1945 on the Elbe – Erz Mountains

  Encircled by the Red Army this was the end for the men of the HG Panzer Korps-

May 1945 on the Elbe – Erz Mountains

Encircled by the Red Army this was the end for the men of the HG Panzer Korps-

Wearing a Luftwaffe greatcoat this grenadier has also put on a Tan & water smock, which was common amongst men of the HG Division.  He wears blue Luftwaffe trouser, of note are the short boots and gaiters worn much like his English advisories.  By this time in the war leather was becoming scarce in Germany and to save on leather the short boot was adopted in place of the Jackboot.

Arnhem {Holland} Circa Sept 1944

  A fact that is little known was that units of the HG Division took part in the battles in and around Arnhem, which was better known as operation market garden.  The HG Division like various other divisions at that time had a training and replacement regiment.  Made up of defunct aircrew and airfield personnel it was these men that fought in those historic battles.

  This grenadier wears the typical equipment of a motorcycle despatch rider, issued items include: -

-M42 helmet

-standard issue goggles

-blue Luftwaffe rubberised motorcycle coat, this version was more rare than the more commonly used green army version.

-gas mask tin which is worn in the mounted fashion

- and he is armed with a MP40 machine pistol which fired a 9mm round

Here can be seen an Officer of the Hermann Goring Division who holds the rank of Leutnant, he wears a private purchase four pocket tunic along with private purchase breaches.  Officers in the main would purchase their own uniforms and would mostly have them made by their own tailors.

Worn also are high leg riding boots which were worn with breaches.  Of interest here are the duty aiguillettes worn on the right shoulder.  These aiguillettes are the pattern of adjutant.  His decorations include Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class, Luftwaffe infantry assault badge and parachutist jump qualification badge.