Wehrmacht - is the historical name of the armed forces in German-speaking countries.The modern meaning associated with the activities of the Nazis during World War II.Today, many are interested in the history and way of life of this formation, as well as its form.This article contains general information about the name, history, organizational structure and uniform of the Wehrmacht.
Meaning of
Translated from the German concept consists of two words that literally mean "weapon" and "force".There Wehrmacht during the ten years from 1935 to 1945.
army consisted of the Army, Air, Navy.Commander in Chief was considered Adolf Hitler, who signed the law establishing it March 16, 1935.
History
Under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles after World War I Germany was forbidden to have a full-fledged army with heavy weapons.The number of troops was not to exceed 100 thousand ground staff and 15 thousand sailors.These forces are called reyhsfer, that is, the imperial forces.
On the basis of the Defence Force was created Wehrmacht.This was made possible by the introduction of universal conscription.Thus, the conditions of the Versailles Treaty were violated.The total number of ground forces was soon 500 thousand people, and has grown steadily.
organizational structure
Wehrmacht - the so-called rate of the Fuhrer.The armed forces have a clear structure:
- supreme commander;
- Minister of War;
- commanders of the military forces (land, sea, air).
After 1938 the post of commander in chief and the minister went to one person - the Fuhrer, and from 1941 Adolf Hitler taken over command of the land forces.
number of troops over the years was significantly different.
| Year | Approximate number of troops million |
| 1939 | 3,2 |
| 1941 | 72 |
| 1942 | 8,3 |
| 1943 | 11,7 |
| 1944 | 9,4 |
| 1945 | 3,5 |
During the ten years of existence in the Wehrmacht (German army it) was designed more than 20 million people.All of this army was necessary to ensure not only weapons, but also uniforms.
military uniforms
form Wehrmacht had its own standards, but during the war they were considered deviations from the normal.Some discrepancies were reflected even in special orders.Often, the soldiers changed their uniforms on their own, following their own taste and fashion trends.
presence of foreign troops in the parts also affect the deviation from the standard uniform.All of them are used when sewing different materials and fabrics, texture and color that significantly changed the tone.For example, a gray coloring form of 1939 and 1945 is significantly different:
- 1939 - gray-blue cloth;
- 1940 - gray-green;
- 1941 - Stone gray;
- 1944 - gray-brown.
Despite the fact that the uniform officers had to buy their own, they allocate money for this.Therefore, all military uniforms were considered the property of the Reich.Soldiers and officers had to answer for his safety.To do this they issued a set of darning and shoe polish.
The main materials used for tailoring form gabardine, teak, artificial and natural silk, cotton and woolen fabric.Officers had the opportunity to order the uniforms of a comfortable and high-quality fabrics.Their uniform was often pritalen and lightly lined cotton on their shoulders.Badges and insignia were handmade.
produces uniforms on seven plants located in Berlin, Munich, Erfurt, Vienna, Hanover, Konigsberg, Stettin.From these cities received the Wehrmacht army uniforms.On uniform raised stamp, indicating the name of the city and year of manufacture.For example, the stamp "M 44" means that the shape is produced in Munich in 1944.
Hats
form Wehrmacht includes hats.These include caps, caps, steel helmets, berets.
Cap with badge sewed on a solid T-shaped base.Then they attached the insignia.
Berets using tankers.Hats were made of thick rubber pad, which is sheathed with black cloth made of wool.Inside they were stitched leather and had a flexible basis.On taking embroidered wreath with oak leaves and an eagle with a swastika.After 1941, this headdress was canceled.The troops of the Wehrmacht stopped using berets.
caps made from solid badge, complemented by woven cord piping, buttons, posters differences.There cap for all military ranks, as well as separately for the higher ranks.
steel helmet was the standard form, although over the years it has undergone minor design changes.His main task was to cover the head, neck, shoulders by shell splinters, shrapnel bouncing stones.Until 1935 the Wehrmacht helmets used model 1916.He was later put a copy of smaller size and weight, making it more practical.By 1940, a new version was released, and in 1943 began to produce without helmets emblems gray.
