Heer specialist patches - an effort to organize

[Neil Hever]

Hi folks, Some feedback please. I have been trying to create a comprehensive list of Heer Specialist patches. The sources I have checked all have some kind of problem - conflicting titles, missing items and incorrect items. In an effort to create a solid list I am starting with this page. I don't have all of the patches so empty spots are filled with a b/w graphic. I think the best approach is to alphabetize the correct patches using the official German name for the specialty. My first page is attached for feedback. So far, I have identified 28 distinct patches. I want to focus on the WWII era only - 1938-1945. Take a look and give me some input. Thanks, NH

[Neil Hever]

By the way, I am not interested in documenting every variant, color and cloth oddity at this time. I know for example the Nachrichtenpersonal (Blitz) has many Waffenfarbe types! I will document only one in yellow. NH

[Fred Green]

Hello Neil,

SOunds like a neat idea! DO you have Angolia's UNIFORMS AND TRADITIONS OF THE WEHRMACHT? It gives a great insight into the specialty badges.

Fred

[Bochmann]

Neil,

I think that this vendor will have some of the items that you seek. http://hiscoll.com/viewphoto.php?shoph=26305&phqu=2

I also think that you should include some of the coloured variants for signals etc. as this would give your grouping more variety and make for a better display.

[AZPhil]

I can't help but, I really like the Funkmeister. I'm a radio man myself, and have the username of Funker on other site's. But now work on Radars and Comm and Navigational gear for Air Traffic Control.
Thanks for posting those!!

Semper Fi
Phil

[Neil Hever]

Thanks for the positive feedback - I will move ahead! NH

[Fred Green]

Hello Neil,

I don't think arrainging the patches by alphabetical order would be good. I would get them as close to alphabetical order as you can but also group them by Trade/Skill. For example the 4 panzer maintenance patches would be seperated as would the 3 Farrier patches if you grouped them alphabetically. The Wallfeldwebel patch changed from a "W" to an "FP" to an "FB" to a yellow cogwheel for pretty much the same job.
I believe the start date for the Third Reich Specialty patches embroidered in gold on dark green started in 1934. There were transition pieces between the Reichswehr style and the Third Reich style.

Fred

[Neil Hever]

Fred, Thanks for the feedback. I think I will start with an alphabetical order and then adjust it. I can adjust the date of coverage too and make it 1934-1945. However, I don't want to dip back in the RW era. I did not know the Wallfeldwebel changed to Festungspionerfeldwebel and Festungsbaufeldwebel. What was the yelllow cog wheel called? Is that the Vorhandwerker patch? NH

[Fred Green]

Hello Neil,

The yellow cog wheel was still for the Festungspionierfeldwebel. The name stayed the same just the patch changed.

I really like the transition from Reichswehr to Third Reich when it comes to insignia. Originally the Reichswehr specialty patches were on a Reseda green circular patch the same size as the TR ones. The insignia on them was smaller. When the facing color was changed the the patches were made in the size on a dark green base. They then were made on dark green base with a larger size letter or insignia. Here are examples of the medical specialty patch. The Reichswehr patches were aslo made on a moleskin material also. The top row are Reichswehr with the transitional patch on the right end.

Fred

[Jerry B]

An interesting thread and it will be good to see all the different trade patches if possible.