DIE SS SOLDAT

 

The constant pursuit of knowledge for the time period and the soldiers that we portray is one of the reasons our unit stands elite above all other reenactment units portraying the German combat soldier of WW II. This column appears in each issue to aid in "fine tuning" our impressions. Anyone wishing to write an article for this column or for the newsletter in general can contact his Gruppenführer on how.

In this issue I would like to touch on the subject of camouflage in the field. We all know the Waffen SS was known for it's use of camo on most all of it’s garments. We all have at the bare minimum; camo smocks and helmet covers and when your trousers become dirty 9not neatly pressed) they aid in the camouflage effect, thus making you basically camouflaged from head to toe; or one would think. The most vulnerable and visible body part is left exposed however: the face. The real Waffen SS also realized this as a problem resulting in many causalities.

Their first remedy for all these sudden headaches was a "face veil" made of woven cotton string that was printed in a camo pattern. They tested it in 1936 and started production in 1938 but it was destined to fail due to it only being useful when stationary. Restrictions to vision, especially when moving, made it more of a problem than a solution so production halted in 1940. In 1942 the surplus stocks were again reissued but that was only a small quantity. From a reenactor’s point of view the veil is almost impossible to find and quire often, if found, very over priced. Again there is the same problems as the soldiers faced. They are really more of a hassle to work with than they are worth.

Soldiers of the 12th Div. HJ training with face camo applied while "Sepp" looks on

This brings us to the solution this it most logical for us, as with the Waffen SS, to use face camo paint. Most will say that the Waffen SS did not have face paint but, photo research shows us that in fact, they did. Then there is the often heard complaint that camo face paint is too hard to wash off so "I don’t want to use it". Some paints are, but I have found that the type you can buy at most Wal-Mart stares in a tube or compact washes off easy. I hope that everyone will be a "team player" on this issue as you are with others. One other thing; only use the black paint and not the green and brown.

SS Usha. Fraker