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SS uniform or the Schutzstaffel uniform was one of the uniforms that was worn during Nazi Germany by the military and other ranking individuals. It is considered as one of the most recognizable military uniforms in modern history having been associated with Nazi Germany.
History
In 1932, Heinrich Himmler introduced the all-black SS uniform, designed by fashion designer Hugo Boss. Many of these uniforms were produced using forced labour, especially later in the war.
Design and implications
The SS uniforms were tailored to project authority and presence, meant to strike fear and force respect. While a multitude of uniforms exist for the SS, often depending on what theatre of war they were stationed, the all-black uniform is the most well known.
The SS were also one of the first to use camouflaged uniforms, primarily for the elite Waffen-SS. The SS uniforms were based on the Black and White colour system popular in Germany at the time. Black is traditionally a German colour, however the Nazis believed after 1940, that it reflected their 'Aryan' heritage. It was as a form of intimidation during the second world war. It is a common misconception that the SS fought in black uniforms. Prior to and during World War II the SS was divided into three main branches. The Gestapo, SD, Krpo, and most other minor SS departments were known as Allgemeine SS. Once the war started, the Allgemeine switched to Heeres Feldgrau uniforms like that already in use with the Waffen-SS (military SS) and the Totenkopf organization (concentration camp guards),while retaining their own insignia. The Waffen-SS used both original SS collar pathes with Wehrmacht shoulder boards.
All World War II German uniforms were based on the style of pre World War II British uniform. Although the SS were the first to use camouflage print cloth in the manufacture of uniforms,the first use of a camouflage printed cloth was used by the Italian Army, before World War II in the manufacture of tents.
References
- A. Hayes: SS Uniforms, Insignia and Accountrements (ISBN 0-7643-0046-6)
- Andrew Mollo: Uniforms of the SS, Collected Edition Vol. 1-6 (ISBN 1-8591-5048-9)
External links
- Fashion Firm Discovers Its Holocaust History
- Uniformly a tank leader with the rank of an Obersturmbannführer of a combat force of the SS-Totenkopf-Division
- Grey uniform of a SS- Sturmbannführers of a combat force of the SS-Totenkopfverbände
- Black uniform of a SS-Standartenführer of the SS-Totenkopfverbände
- Uniformly a SS-Unterscharführer of the early SS-Totenkopf-Division
- Examples of different sleeve strips of the SS
- Examples of different sleeve strips of the Waffen-SS
- Sleeve strip of the "training camp Dachau" (carried by members of the Waffen-SS there during their "platoon leader training course" aka german "Zugführerlehrgang")
"SS uniform"