Waffen-SS Camouflage in period photos

**McSeam** · 09-06-2018, 10:36 AM

There are two Willrich postcards:

SS-Hauptscharführer Ludwig Kepplinger (31.12.1911 – 6.08.1944)

SS-Obersturmführer Fritz Vogt (17.03.1918 - 03.04.1945)

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 09-06-2018 10:36 AM

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**stonemint** · 09-12-2018, 11:05 PM

This is a much-published photo (I recall seeing it when I was a kid in some book 40+ years ago).
He was identified as an SS sniper.
Having seen it again, is the photo legit, or is it a US propaganda photo?:

**Anderson** · 09-13-2018, 02:41 AM

Yes, I've seen this photo before and the odd thing is I've never seen any other photo of German use of a camouflage pattern like this, it actually looks like a US Marine overalls as seen in the Pacific. The soldiers are apparently British or Canadian, note the No.4 rifle, possibly a pre-D Day training exercise.

**earlymb** · 09-13-2018, 11:47 AM

Coverall is absolutely an American M1942 Jungle Suit... I have one standing on a torso right in front of my deskas I type. While these were intended for the PTO it is not unthinkable some did end up in the ETO as well.

**Paul D** · 09-18-2018, 08:24 PM

Only one unit the 41 Armoured Infantry from 2nd Armoured Division wore this camo suit in Normandy , it could be that this German liberated one . They wore them initially during the Normandy campaign but many of them dumped them as the only other ones to wear similar camo were the Waffen SS and it caused a lot of blue on blue.

**earlymb** · 09-19-2018, 01:17 AM

Almost all pics I have seen of this camo in Normandy was of the 2-piece suits. I think this could be a staged shot.

**Anderson** · 09-19-2018, 02:23 AM

I agree, note the helmet has no cover. By 1944 use of helmet covers by SS was widespread, especially you would think for a sniper. I think it's a training exercise.

**MAP** · 09-19-2018, 02:40 AM

Did anyone notice the Enfield? Looks like a sniper stock on it. But no scope.

**Paul D** · 10-13-2018, 08:36 PM

Why do we assume that the man is sniper ? Just because he wears a camo suit . The use of various camo by the Germans in Normandy was widespread in many different combinations so unless there is other evidence it is possible that this isn't a sniper at all .

**Anderson** · 10-14-2018, 02:03 AM

Because the photo is an old known published one where the guy in camo is identified as a sniper. But it's just as likely to be a training exercise pre D-Day.