SS-Rottenführer: SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 3 "Deutschland"

     A studio portrait of a SS-Rottenführer belonging to the SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 3 "Deutschland" which was a part of the 2. SS-Panzerdivision "Das Reich". His rank is denoted by the sleeve chevron while his unit affiliation is evidenced by the cuff title on the sleeve of his feldbluse. Speaking of the feldbluse, he is wearing Die Feldbluse Modell 1936, often called the M36 feldbluse by modern collectors and the more evident features of the M36 included the dark blue-green collar, the three-pointed pocket flaps, and the box pleats on the pockets themselves. Despite being a pre-World War Two feldbluse, it continued to be worn during the early war years. However, the M36 was superceeded by the Feldbluse Modell 1940, or M40, which did away with the blue-green collar and replaced it with a collar using the same feldgrau (“field gray“) color as the rest of the feldbluse. Interestingly, some soldiers liked the look of the M36 and kept it for as long as possible or modified later feldbluse by stitching a salvaged collar from a M36 over the existing collar. The piping on his uniform's shoulderboards (schulterstücke) as well as the piping on his uniform cap (schirmmütze) is white, the waffenfarbe (meaning, corps or branch color) for infantry and panzergrenadiers. Speaking of the schirmmütze, it was a popular piece of headgear for NCOs (non-commissioned officers) who often removed the cap spring which kept the rigidity of the schirmmütze. This allowed it to be shaped by wear, giving it a “crushed“ look which became a sign of a veteran soldier. Given the pinched appearance of this man's cap on either side of the metal eagle, it is evidence that he has taken the spring out though he may have primped the cap up to make it more regulation appearing for this formal photograph.

     On the right upper pocket is a signal whistle, something often carried by NCOs who led men into battle. The whistle is tucked into the pocket with only the lanyard visible. A loop on one end of the lanyard secured it around the pocket's button. For decorations, he has earned the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse (Iron Cross 2nd. Class) whose ribbon has been sewn through the feldbluse's button hole. On his upper left pocket is the Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse (Iron Cross 1st. Class), Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen (Infantry Assault Badge), and a Verwundetenabzeichen 3. Klasse (Wound Badge 3rd. Class) as evidenced by it being painted black. The single ribbon seen above the left pocket is most likely the Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42 (Winter Battle in the East 1941–42 Medal). This particular award is more often called the Ostmedaille (Eastern Medal) by collectors but during the war, given it was earned by seeing combat on the Eastern Front, German troops called it the “Gefrierfleischorden“ which meant “Order of the Frozen Meat“. This was because one of the ways to get the medal was to suffer a frozen limb which was severe enough to warrant being awarded a Wound Badge.