Trades Badges

Black versions existed for the AFV jacket, and tropical versions in both olive green twill and olive brown wool (for tropical greatcoats) were also introduced.

These ranks were for Regular soldiers.

Worn by men whose duties included heavy weapons, ammunition and equipment commissioning, performed inspections and administration at army, corps or divisional headquarters.

1939 - Feb 1940
Edging worn by NCOs if in post. Edging never worn by Mannschaften.
2 Feb 40 - 1945
All regulars wore edging. War substantive troops wore no edging.

These ranks were War Substantive ranks introduced from 20 Feb 1940.

After 31 July 1944 only the Wachtmeister ranks continued; the others were deleted.

Worn by men whose duties included heavy weapons, ammunition and equipment commissioning, performed inspections and administration at army, corps or divisional headquarters.

2 Feb 40 - 1945
War substantive troops wore no edging.

10 May 1944 - 1945
Edging on badges for NCOs; Mannschaften wore no edging.

Worn by workshop supervisors at battalion and regimental headquarters.

1939 - 1945
Edging worn if in post.

Worn by medically qualified orderlies.

1939 - Dec 1943
Edging worn by NCOs. Edging never worn by Mannschaften.
31 Dec 43 - 1945
All ranks wore edging.

Involved with fortifications construction at the regimental and battalion level.

1939 - 1945
Edging worn if in post.

Performed pigeon post duties at a battalion or regimental headquarters.

1939 - 1945
Edging worn if in post.

These ranks were for Regular soldiers.

Performed anti-gas equipment maintenance at battalion or regimental headquarters.

11 Mar 1941 - 1945
Edging worn from 26 Aug 43.

Unteroffizier
im Gasschutzdienst

These ranks were War Substantive ranks introduced from 26 Feb 1944.

Performed anti-gas equipment maintenance at battalion or regimental headquarters.

11 Mar 1941 - 1945
No edging worn.

Geräteverwaltungsunteroffiziere (WG)
(WG - Waffen und Gas (arms and gas))

Performed NCO quartermaster duties at the battalion headquarters of armoured, panzergrenadier and artillery units.

18 Nov 1943 - 1945

Edging worn by those who qualified in peacetime - war qualified wore no  edging.

Kriegsschirmeister
(War Substantive Technical NCOs)

Performed equipment maintenance at Regiment or Battalion headquarters

Lower right sleeve.

15 Aug 1939 -
Edging worn if in post, none if awaiting posting.

7 Aug 1941-
Edging worn by peacetime qualified NCOs,none for wartime qualified.

8 Jul 1943 - braid bar for War Substantive

Zahlmeisteranwärter

Hufbeschlagpersonal
(Farrier NCO and men)

NCOs ran regimental and battalion smithies with assistance from men, found in infantry, cavalry, reconnaissance, artillery, Jäger, security, horse transport, medical and veterinary units.

Lower right sleeve.

15 Aug 1939 -
Edging worn by NCOs if in post, none if awaiting posting.

Edging never worn by Mannschaften.

Photo credit: Ebay auction