Hitlerjugend
Part 4: Sewing Instructions
1) HEADGEAR
M40 Side Caps
Skull is positioned centrally on bottom 'flap' front. Eagle is positioned centrally above this on main body of cap front. This is the preferred field cap in the 12th. SS.
M43 Field Caps
a) Separate Insignia (Skull & eagle).
'2 Buttons'
Skull is positioned centrally on main body of cap above the buttons. Eagle is positioned centrally on side of cap, centrally along length of cap, which is usually just above your ears. Consult photographs to make yourself sure.
b) One-piece (trapezoid) insignia.
Position insignia above buttons.
M43 Field Caps
a) Separate Insignia (Skull & eagle).
'1 Button'
Eagle is positioned over skull on the area on the front of the cap above the button.
b) One-piece (trapezoid) insignia.
As above.
Apart from a few months during 1942, insignia was officially forbidden on camo caps, so we in the 12th try to avoid wearing it. The wartime reason was for camouflage purposes, but it is also important for us as re-enactors as it gives us a soft cap option to wear at shows where all insignia is banned, usually only when away from the display.

The ranks of Grenadier and Obergrenadier may only wear side- or field caps. M40 (preferably) or M43 models.

'Obergrenadier' is not a rank that you apply for. You automatically become an 'Obergrenadier' if you have been with the group for a year or more and have attended 50% or more of our events or if you were with another WWII German group and did the same before joining us.


2) TUNICS
All Types:
Collar patches must be 9mm from collar edge. Ensure that the bottom edge of the patch is parallel with the bottom edge of the collar.
The SS arm eagle is positioned halfway between the shoulder seam and your elbow (when you bend your arm). This usually then brings the sleeve eagle in line with the bottom edge of the top pocket flaps on the tunic.
Grey White
The straight lettered HJ cuff-title is sewn 14.5 cm from the middle bottom edge of the sleeve. Measure from the middle of the bottom edge of the cuff-title and ensure that it is straight. This means that the distance between the bottom edge of the cuff-title and the bottom edge of the sleeve will be greater at the rear seam than the front seam.IF worn, any secondary cuff-titles, e.g. 'Feldgendarmerie , are positioned below the main, divisional cuff-title.
White lined epaulettes should be worn just in front of the shoulder seam.
Please note that collar patches and cuff-titles cannot be worn on any standard-issue camo garments. Sleeve eagles (and epaulettes) may be worn on camo suits (i.e. Pea Dot, Italian) although not compulsory. No insignia is permitted on smocks; even though the rank 'bars' were authorised, they seem to have been hardly worn (probably because collar patches are visible when wearing smocks). Any of the tunic insignia may be worn on greatcoats (same measurements apply) although collar patches were not usually worn due to constantly changing orders on this. Also, cuff-titles don't seem to be worn often on greatcoats.
Obergrenadier/ Sturmmann/ Rottenführer insignia are positioned 1.5cm underneath the sleeve eagle. You just do one little stitch on the top and bottom of the insignia. You stitch one end secure and then pull it tight as you stitch the other side. In this way it stays straight while you sew it on.

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Due to the nature of the photographs, some of the people and vehicles involved may be from other groups.