Black SS Uniform to Field Grey. Mandatory?

AmonMauser · Dec 8, 2008

I know they switched to Field Grey at the start of the war but were they required to switch? did some stay with the black uniform?

AmonMauser · Dec 8, 2008

^

Za Rodinu · Dec 8, 2008

Ever heard of Google son, or do we have to spoon feed you here too?

You can start at Wikipedia.

In 1932, Heinrich Himmler introduced the all-black SS uniform, which was designed by SS-Oberführer Prof. Dr. Karl Diebitsch and graphic designer Walter Heck.
Some of the uniforms were produced by the Hugo Boss firm, and were produced under forced labor conditions, especially later in the war.[1] The SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS-VT), a precursor of the fighting units of Waffen-SS, instead wore a variation of the green-grey (feldgrau) Army (Wehrmacht Heer) uniform with SS insignia.

In 1938 a pale-grey (steingrau) version was produced, which gradually replaced the black uniform in Germany, beginning with full-time officers. Most of the black uniforms were collected, stripped of SS insignia, and issued to SS foreign legions and auxiliary forces inside and outside Germany.

The pale-grey uniform was cut the same as the black one, with the addition of two shoulder boards and an eagle badge replacing the red swastika arm-band. This was to more closely approximate a military uniform, to reflect the position of the SS as backbone of the security apparatus of a state at war, and signify the full identification between party and state. The original black uniform was rarely worn throughout the war, and to the German people it signified service shirkers and party bullies.

The majority of SS service personnel in occupied territory continued to wear variations of the Waffen-SS uniforms or a green-grey version of the SS service tunic. Branches that normally would wear civilian attire in the Reich, such as the Gestapo and Kripo, were issued Army-like uniforms to avoid being mistaken for civilians in occupied territory.
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Accoring to the discussion page of the above, it may appear that the uniform was based on won worn by the Massachussets State Police!

The uniform is a replica of that worn by the Massachusetts State Police. There is speculation that the SS uniform design was suggested by Nazi propagandist Ernst Franz Sedgwick Hanfstaengl a Harvard University graduate and author of many of the school's football fight songs. Hanfstaengl wrote both Brownshirt and Hitler Youth marches patterned after his Harvard football songs and, he later claimed, to have devised the chant, "Sieg Heil". This connection aside, the coincidence is, otherwise, inexplicable. The Massachusetts State Police have not responded to inquiries specific to the similarities--acknowledging this connection would not lend itself well to a positive public image. While no malfeasance exists on the State Police's part, one can imagine the enhanced, satirical characterization of the state troopers as "Nazis" that the media would seize upon.

Does the above information really require a citation? Isn't it really more of a common sense observation melded with fact from other Wiki pages?

The Mass State Police winter dress uniform IS exact (other than colors) to the SS uniform. The MSP uniform PRE-DATES Nazism... Everyone knows about the Nazi's who did their undergrad study at Harvard, and subsequent scandals. Must everything be cited?

As MSP Det. Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) said to a uniformed MSP trooper in 'The Departed,' "Do you like going to work everyday dressed like you're gonna invade Poland?"
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AmonMauser · Dec 8, 2008

No need to be rude sir. I wanted to get feedback other than wikipedia, since most of you here claim you know more than the History Channel so I figured same must go with wikipedia.

Za Rodinu · Dec 8, 2008

Nazi uniforms not being my specific area of expertise (if any is) I don't tend to spend too much money on books in that subject. I expected you as an aficcionado of the subject to have built up a proper library already but it appears I'm wrong.

I recognise Wikipedia is not the most suitable or deepest source on any subject, but at least it has a low price tag. However, in order not to leave you with an insatisfaction feeling I would like to recommend:

Amazon.com: Waffen SS Uniforms and Insignia: Wade Krawczyk: Books

SS UNIFORMS, INSIGNIA & ACCOUTEREMENTS A Study in Photographs. :: Waffen SS Uniforms :: WAFFEN SS :: Landmark Military Books

SS HELMETS by Michael D. Beaver and with Kelly Hicks - Schifferbooks.com

The SS Totenkopf Ring by Craig Gottlieb - Schifferbooks.com

Uniforms of the Third Reich by Arthur Hayes and Jon Maguire - Schifferbooks.com

BELT BUCKLES & BROCADES OF THE THIRD REICH. :: Uniforms & Equip :: THIRD REICH :: Landmark Military Books

COLLECTORS GUIDE TO CLOTH THIRD REICH MILITARY HEADGEAR. </b>416pp. over 700 colour & b/w photos. :: Uniforms & Equip :: THIRD REICH :: Landmark Military Books

GERMAN HEADGEAR IN WWII VOLUME 1 :: Uniforms & Equip :: THIRD REICH :: Landmark Military Books

GERMAN HEADGEAR IN WWII VOLUME 2 :: Uniforms & Equip :: THIRD REICH :: Landmark Military Books

Uniforms Of The NSDAP, Uniforms, Headgear, Insignia Of The Nazi Party over 500 colour photos :: Uniforms & Equip :: THIRD REICH :: Landmark Military Books

AmonMauser · Dec 9, 2008

thanks for the info! I am currently producing an independent film and we wanted to have the "head" nazi wear a black uniform but it takes place during 1945. I was really just asking if they were forced to wear the field grey tunic.

Za Rodinu · Dec 10, 2008

The short answer would be the black uniform would stick out as being obsolete by then.

AmonMauser · Dec 10, 2008

But he could still wear it if he was cut off from his chain-of-command.

T. A. Gardner · Dec 10, 2008

Figures. An über-Leftist state like Massachussets would be the inspiration for SS uniforms.....

AmonMauser · Dec 11, 2008

I can take some artistic license, Spielberg did with Saving Private Ryan. -2nd SS Division as the adversary during the fictional Battle of Ramelle.

Za Rodinu · Dec 11, 2008

"Suit" yourself.

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Black SS Uniform to Field Grey. Mandatory?

AmonMauser Dishonorably Discharged

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Za Rodinu Aquila non capit muscas

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Za Rodinu Aquila non capit muscas

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