To all the WW2 Collectors...a question???? (2 Viewers)

[Mike97]

Agreed, tunics are another area you do see a lot of mix in the photographic record. Not only are there different versions there are personal customizations (i.e. soldiers trying to make later issue tunics look nicer like the earlier versions, collars etc.).

I approach the question very similarly to you. I will never say with absolute certainty that X replaced Y by such and such a date. It was never so black and white. There may be a specific date that an order was issued but there were always external factors which affected actual implementation of those orders.

Frank

That's what I particularly like about 'late war' figures...by then the German supply chain was combing its depots for any and all uniforms, gear, boots...and weapons they could get their hands on to equip their troops. Makes for a fun variety of 'mix and match' combinations.
Early war....not so much, but I've really come to like FL's version of early war German troops.
mike

 

[Blowtorch]

Some notable exceptions would be the figs with helmet covers. They would be more rare, though not impossible in Barbarossa. Another problem would be the 24th Panzer Div motorcycle & truck; the 24 PD was the 1st Cavalry div prior to 1942. Did the Cav have motorcycles & tucks? & with those markings?

I was looking through Hanno Rinke's Bildband on PR24 (24PD) and this pic was in the 1941 Russland section when it was still a Cavalry Div. So helmet covers in 1941 rare, but not impossible. I'm sure I've seen them elsewhere too, finding them is the trouble.

 

[Lo1863]

Hello all. I wanted to "revive" this thread for a little more insite from you all. I know things have been mentioned about helmet covers and I assume these were used througout the war in both theaters, correct? Are there any special markings on the German figures that mark them as 6th Army? I know of the markings on some of the tanks. Also any new input would be great. Thanks!

 

[bradleyl30]

Not on most of the infantry. Some figures have "red" waffenfarbe/piping making them artillery or panzer troops specifically, but I have not seen any unit markings on the figures.

Just some of the winter clothing (still not exclusive to Eastern Front) or Russian equipment being used by Germans make it more likely to be on Eastern Front.

 

[Lo1863]

Not on most of the infantry. Some figures have "red" waffenfarbe/piping making them artillery or panzer troops specifically, but I have not seen any unit markings on the figures.

Just some of the winter clothing (still not exclusive to Eastern Front) or Russian equipment being used by Germans make it more likely to be on Eastern Front.

Thanks Bradley! Would the helmet covers be well used throughout the war on both fronts or just the Eastern?

 

[Blowtorch]

Thanks Bradley! Would the helmet covers be well used throughout the war on both fronts or just the Eastern?

Haven't seen them in France yet...they did more sticks in the rubber band. But did have another sighting of an early helmet cover. A few guys in a squad that just crossed into Bessarabia in Barbarossa. It was in a German Infanterie-Division book.

I assume you are asking about early pre-1942 usage

 

[Lo1863]

Haven't seen them in France yet...they did more sticks in the rubber band. But did have another sighting of an early helmet cover. A few guys in a squad that just crossed into Bessarabia in Barbarossa. It was in a German Infanterie-Division book.

I assume you are asking about early pre-1942 usage

Pretty much any time period. Mostly after the landings in Normandy and forward. Battle of Berlin as well?

 

[Blowtorch]

Pretty much any time period. Mostly after the landings in Normandy and forward. Battle of Berlin as well?

Not too familiar with Normandy. again, I assume you mean Heer & not SS? For Heer I see them everywhere 43 onwards, into Poland & Prussia. Can't say I've seen one in Berlin, but given the battle lasted a few days & was a complete rout, there were very few opportunities for Propaganda Korps photos {sm4}. It's not something I would worry about after 1942 anywhere save the Norway garrison

 

[Blowtorch]

Not too familiar with Normandy. again, I assume you mean Heer & not SS? For Heer I see them everywhere 43 onwards, into Poland & Prussia. Can't say I've seen one in Berlin, but given the battle lasted a few days & was a complete rout, there were very few opportunities for Propaganda Korps photos {sm4}. It's not something I would worry about after 1942 anywhere save the Norway garrison

Having said that, using the FL Stalingrad figs for such late war themes (Prussia, Berlin) etc. seems weird to me as the uniforms at that stage are so individualistic, but that's me

 

[Blowtorch]

Pretty much any time period. Mostly after the landings in Normandy and forward. Battle of Berlin as well?

The answer would be yes to the above. I pulled a random sampling of ID & PD books, non SS, and found helmet covers sprinkled throughout the east from Yugoslavia '41 onwards. In late'43, there was a pic of a guy still wearing the cover & smock past first snow dusting. Helmet covers are seen right up to the end in May '45 Austria. Usually without smock, those are much more rare. Talking normal Heer, both foot & mech infantry. There was a pic in '45 where a guy was decorated wearing one, and in '43, a whole line of guys were getting decorated, maybe 10, about 5 wore the covers, some with the smock. I don't think seeing them in Normandy is a stretch.

 

[Lo1863]

The answer would be yes to the above. I pulled a random sampling of ID & PD books, non SS, and found helmet covers sprinkled throughout the east from Yugoslavia '41 onwards. In late'43, there was a pic of a guy still wearing the cover & smock past first snow dusting. Helmet covers are seen right up to the end in May '45 Austria. Usually without smock, those are much more rare. Talking normal Heer, both foot & mech infantry. There was a pic in '45 where a guy was decorated wearing one, and in '43, a whole line of guys were getting decorated, maybe 10, about 5 wore the covers, some with the smock. I don't think seeing them in Normandy is a stretch.

Thanks so much for the infomation regarding the helmet covers. Good to know those figures wearing them can be used pretty much anywhere and at any point during the war for the most part.