Enlisted Men's Headdress

The Schirmmütze was worn by all ranks as part of the dress uniform; it was worn both on and off duty when in garrison, and for walking out.  While some officers even wore the Schirmmütze in the field, Enlisted Men did not.

The cap consisted of a crown in field grey cloth, with a cap band in dark green and a leather visor.  The visor had a rolled edge.  The cap was piped in waffenfarbe around the crown, as well as at the top and bottom of the field grey cap band. 

Insignia for the Schirmmütze consisted of an eagle device, a Reich cockade surrounded by a wreath of oakleaves, and a black leather chin strap secured by black buttons.  

This cap, often referred to as either an "M34" or "M38" by collectors, was introduced in 1934, and by 1939 had undergone minor variations.  The hat was boat shaped, with flaps on the sides that could be turned down - though they were not full fold downs like the Bergmütze or Einheitsfeldmütze and offered only limited protection to the wearer.

This type of cap was quite boxy in appearance, and despite regulations forbidding it, individual soldiers often sewed the material in the crown closed, giving the cap a more tapered appearance.

This cap was introduced in the ealry 1930s, and was based on caps worn by Austrian Mountain Troops in World War One.  Intended for wear by Gebirgsjäger (Mountain Troops), Jäger (Light Infantry) and Ski troops, it later inspired both the tropical field cap and the general issue "M43" cap.  A fold down side panel could provide protection for the neck and ears when in the field; it was normally worn buttoned in place over the peak.

The tankers beret was not popular with vehicle crews, one reason being the inability to wear it with the required headsets.  The beret was discontinued in January 1941 to be replaced officially with the black Feldmütze.  A field grey version was also issued to the crews of Assault Guns, to wear in conjunction with the field grey AFV uniform..

Based on the 1934 pattern Enlisted Men's Cap, the black version for vehicle crews was not introduced until March 1940. 

The example at right has a lemon yellow soutache, and a cockade on dark green rather than black.

The Tropeneinheitsfeldmütze was introduced in 1941 for troops serving in North Africa.  It was similar to the Bergmütze, being made in tan cotton, but with a longer visor to provide more protection from the sun.  The cap was lined in red cotton.

At right, an Afrikakorps NCO wears the tropical field cap; note the length of the visor.

US Army Signal Corps photo 1206030

The design of the Feldmütze was changed in July 1942 (and consequently called an M42 by collectors), to incorporate a full fold down side panel, buttoned at the front, which could cover the neck and ears.  The pattern was similar to the Bergmütze, but lacking the visor.  It was also produced in black for armoured troops.

At left, the 1942 version of the Feldmütze, at right the earlier version.

Einheitsfeldmütze ("M43")

Based on the Bergmütze, the Einheitsfeldmütze had a slightly shorter peak, and was introduced in June 1943 to replace all other field caps then in use.   It was also made in black for armoured troops.

Albert Kerscher, holder of the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves, wearing the black "M43" cap.

The insignia came in various colours; in white on dark green, later changed to grey on dark green, and eventually in white on black for armoured troops, and in blue on tan for tropical wear.

On the Feldmütze and the tropical cap, a waffenfarbe soutache, in the shape of an inverted "V" was also worn, surrounding the cockade.  This soutache was made from "Russia braid" and after the outbreak of war was often omitted from the cap altogether.

Grey on dark green national insignia.

White on black version for black AFV caps.

Embroidered tropical eagle