WWII GERMAN ARMY ARTILLERY OFFICER'S SHOULDER BOARDS -
The role of field artillery is to provide close support to other arms in combat or to attack targets. The latter role is typically achieved by delivering either high explosive munitions to inflict casualties on the enemy from casing fragments and other debris and blast, or by demolition of enemy positions, equipment and vehicles. The artillery fire may be directed by an artillery observer.
The gunners and their guns are usually grouped in teams called either 'crews' or 'detachments'. Several such crews and teams with other functions are combined into a unit of artillery usually called a battery, although sometimes called a company. Batteries are roughly equivalent to a company in the infantry, and are combined into larger military organizations for administrative and operational purpose.
the individuals who operate them are called gunners irrespective of their rank, however 'gunner' is the lowest rank in artillery arms.
This page is a recognition and identification guide for WWII German cloth insignia. Multiple
detailed photos of a specific sample are provided. Descriptions point out clearly defined points
that should be noted.
One of the most commonly asked questions is "How much is my WWII German patch worth?". A price
guide is included here to address this question. The value of the cloth insignia is reviewed
over a period of several years. A trend can be observed. The present worth of the German
patches and cloth insignia in the collector's market is illustrated.
This service is provided free of charge to the visitor/enthusiast courtesy of
MilitaryItems.com,
a company dedicated to the preservation of military history and to providing quality military
antiques and collectibles to museums, institutions and the general public.
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The shoulder boards featured in this page were issued to officer's in the German Army. The design
is more lavish than those issued to enlisted men. Consisting of three piece construction. The base
is red, the color of artillery, followed by a wooven pattern ornament attached to the top.
The final touch is the addition of metal pips and metal crossed cannons.
Examining the back of the shoulder boards reveal metal prongs that have been bent in place. This is
how the metal accessories are secured in place.
Cloth insignia is currently being
reproduced.
It is becoming more difficult to be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because the quality
of the reproductions is improving. The collector must become familiarized with the construction style
and materials employed in the manufacturing of this uniform. Attention to the details is critical in
order to be able to determine the authenticity of the uniform.
If you have an interest is seeing other uniforms of the Third Reich, you can do so by going
to our WWII German Cloth Insignia
identification guide. Where we cover Heer (Army), Navy (Kriegsmarine),
Air Force (Luftwaffe), political, police and other cloth insignia.
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