The Kriegsmarie "AFRIKA" Cufftitle

One seldom encountered, yet interesting cuffband, is the German naval version of the "AFRIKA" band which exists in the form of a unit title and as a campaign title. There is, however a lack of detailed information on this cufftitle in its naval form.

What we do know:

It was issued as a unit title to designate actual service with North African based units. It was later considered a naval version of the official campaign service decoration, differing in color from the standard, proscribed pattern issued to the other branches of the Wehrmacht.

Unit Title:

It is known that for a limited time the use of the Army pattern "AFRIKAKORPS" was permitted to be worn by naval personnel, being listed in orders dated 18 July 1941 and again in orders dated 4 November 1941 .

The next style of "AFRIKA" cuff-band was the Latin capital letter pattern for the Luftwaffe units serving in Africa. A number of photographs have been observed showing Kriegsmarine members wearing this pattern having white lettering on cornflower-blue. In addition, examples exist of this style in a naval color pattern of golden-yellow on dark blue. All unit patterns and the Army"AFRIKAKORPS" pattern were worn on the right cuff, and were not allowed to be worn after the wearer had left the African theater. The right to wear these titles was entered into the man's Soldbuch. It was not considered a campaign decoration and as such had no presentation or formal award document (Urkunde).

Campaign Award:

An official commemorative campaign cuff-band was instituted on 15 January1943 and was awarded to those in all branches of the Wehrmacht who had served in the African theater of operations. The pattern was rendered on tanbrown material with silver-grey lettering and matching silver-grey palm trees at either end of the word "AFRIKA". It also had a silver-grey soutache border strip at both top and bottom of the band.

This band was to be worn on the lower left sleeve where all campaign titles were worn. In addition to the title itself, an award document was presented as this was an official campaign decoration. The cuff-band was authorized to be worn on any uniform, and unlike the unit designator pattern, did not have to be removed if no longer serving in Africa.

Naval Variation: ****

For some unknown reason, there exists a naval variation of this campaign title, it appears in naval colors of darkblue with golden-yellow embroidery. The pattern is almost identical in design to the standard pattern, except for its colors. These titles were also issued with an award certificate, most often signed by Konderadmiral Meendsen-Bohlken, Commander of Kriegsmarine forces in Italy (see example of ink-stamped signature on illustrated document).

The following is a translation of the regulations relating to this cuff-band from Marineverordnungsblatt 74, Berlin,1943:

1. The cuff-band was to be awarded via the German Naval Command italy, in the name of the Kriegsmarine High Command.

2. The cuff-band will be awarded with a recipient's document, the said document to be procured from the German Naval Command Italy. A recipient must have fullfiled one of the following requirements:

a. Honorable service in the African theater for ground operations, or for operations at sea from firmly established ports for at least six months.

b. Being wounded in theater during ground operations or operations at sea while operating from firmly established ports.

c. By contracting an incapacitating tropical disease after at least three months. The award is not to be awarded to foreigners. The award is to be entered into personal papers.

3. The award is to be worn on the lower left arm, on tropical, blue and fieldgrey uniforms.

4. All former organizational cuff-bands are to be withdrawn, i.e., the "AFRIKAKORPS" cuff-band.

5. The supply of cuff-bands is to take place via the Naval Superintendant Service Post in Naples.

Variations:

As with all things military, although a regulation may be "etched in stone"variations exist - out of some basic need (greater demand than supply) or the desire to have a better-made and better looking item. A number of unofficial variations exist of the "AFRIKA" pattern cuffband in all forms using different materials (gold bullion embroidery, for example). These naval patterns differ in lettering and borders, base material used, and were normally locally produced. The best proof of originality is still a photograph of the variation in actual use.

Richard W. Mundt, "The Kriegsmarine "AFRIKA" Cuffband", The Military Advisor, 2006

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The Fallschirmjager Helmet

Fallschirmjager in German is actually three words. They mean, "fall, umbrella and hunter". Combine it and you have a "fighter from the skies".

The Fallschirmjager or Paratrooper wore a different uniform and insignia than the regular ground troops. His helmet also was one of unusual design. It is apparent that it was copied from the standard M35 helmet with the probability of having parts ommitted. The visor and earguards were removed to enable the headgear to be more compact and thus avoiding much of the protrusive parts in air maneuvering.

The necessity of a different strap assembly was provided to prevent the loss of the helmet in the air and also giving more safety to the chin and neck regions from jolts and pressures. This is known as a "chin harness". There were four variations:

1. Early issue was grey leather, backed by chamois on the side that touched the face. It had a quick release buckle of two positions with snaps.

2. A wider but thinner material, grey leather with ersatz (fake) chamois backing and a standard slide buckle.

3. Late issue, very hard leather and instead of the slide straps being sewn, they were riveted on. The harness was much thicker than the first two.

4. Remade harness: After the paratroopers were taken off jump status and used as infantrymen for the duration of the war their helmets were refitted with a D-ring and a standard buckle as the standard German army helmet. These were not as heavy or bulky as the jump issue.

For shock more padding was necessary and special allowances were used in the dome with the support of a rubber lining that ran almost the extent of the interior.This was covered with a leather lining and contained twelve holes for ventilation. The helmets were issued in the following metric sizes; 54, 55,56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61.

Instead of the regular type rivets for securing the liner to the shell, a bolt and nut system was used. This again was for prevention of breakage that could occur in the air. Some examples are known, and some "raw edges" were produced, but otherwise all paratrooper helmets had a "rolled edge". Paratrooper helmets had the silver Luftwaffe insignia on the left side (few examples were produced at the beginning of the war with Wehrmacht insignia) and national colors on the right.

Helmet Covers

1. Cloth helmet cover, blue grey with slots for camouflaging. These were first used on Crete.

2. Two different patterns of camouflage covers being a early issue and late issue. These were the same type as the camoflage smocks (jump suit) held on by clips with slots etc.

3. Chicken wire cover. These were of heavier steel than normal chicken wire. They were sized to the helmet and held on by two clips, one on each side.

4. Net type cover.Large holes in the netting. Liner was removed then net put over the helmet and liner replaced.

5. Mud Covering. Helmets were covered with mud and allowed to dry. This gave the blue-grey helmet more of an earth color.

The 2nd. Fallschirmjager Division that saw service in North Africa, used the standard paratrooper helmet with Luftwaffe decal-insignia. All were painted an Africa Korps tan, by the parachute riggers and personal equipment men of each Regt. They brushed on two or three coats of standard paint that was used on trucks etc. In doing this they covered up the flying eagle insignia. The paint jobs ran from excellent to poor, depending on how rushed they were and the craft-ability of the artist.

Floyd R. Tubbs, "Stahlhelm, Evolution of the German Steel Helmet", Author Published, 1971