General’s Shoulder Boards
Army (Heer),
Administrative, Special Careers
General’s shoulder boards are seen in a wide array of
differing construction in regards to size, materials used, and design techniques. Typically they were constructed of two,
gold colored cords surrounding an inner silver colored cord. The cords formed four bends on each side
plus a loop at the top for the button.
There do, however, exist genuine WW2 specimens which have five bends
(unfortunately for collectors, post war
|
|
|
A top quality shoulderboard in
bright gold bullion with silver inner cord. This is of the type of quality most
likely meant for a parade dress or formal dress uniform. The manufacturing style is similar to
the example shown on the Luftwaffe Generalfeldmarschall
page which belonged to GFM Milch. (private collection) |
|
|
|
Another high quality brite
bullion example typically used for parade or walking out dress. (Ron Richter collection) |
|
|
|
A subdued matte bullion example. Matte bullion was typically used for field
dress, though not always. (Ron Richter collection) |
|
|
|
Generalleutnant
board with a single, large silver pip.
General officer boards typically (but not always) have a larger size
“General’s” pip, which can range in size from 28mm to 38mm. Standard officer size pips were also
commonly used. (private collection) |
|
|
|
Another celleon example for the
rank of Generalleutnant, this one from a field
uniform. (Ron Richter collection) |
|
|
|
General der Infanterie
board "with the Uniform of Infantry Regiment 12" as worn from 30
September 1931 to 30 June 1942 by Pour le Merite/German
Cross in Silver recipient Rudolf Schniewindt
(1875-1954). Note the white
underlay to indicate the honorary appointment to an infantry regiment and the
“12” cipher indicating the regiment number. Selected General’s were bestowed
with the right to wear the uniform of their traditional regiment and was
considered a high honor. In
addition to wearing the underlay of their branch of service and regimental
cipher, they also wore the collar tabs of an Oberst
and a field grade officers breast eagle. (Richard Lundstrom collection) |
|
|
|
General der Infanterie
shoulderboard again showing the oversize General
officer rank pips. Notice how the
edges of the pips extend so far across the width of the shoulderboard
in comparison to the other examples shown on this page. (private collection) |
|
|
|
Generaloberst shoulderboard constructed in brite
gold bullion and fine silver inner braid with three, matching brite silver pips.
Notice how the bottom two pips are aligned and extend out over the
edge of the cords. This is a
trait very common to this rank.
Smaller pips, like these, were commonly used though sometimes you also
see the larger General’s pips used on these boards….which gives
the board a very ‘crowded’ appearance and leaves a major overhang
of pips on the side. (private collection) |
|
|
|
Generaloberst shoulderboard in gold bullion and silver inner cord. This example is a smaller board,
probably shirt size, with the larger Generals pips which as you can see
‘crowd’ the board in comparison to the above example. The bar at the bottom of the board is
for attachment to the loops on a shirt at the shoulder seam. (Dave Howerdel collection) |
|
|
|
A full General’s board with a numerical
“1” device indicating that the former owner likely held the
honorary title of General with the Uniform of a Regiment. (private collection) |
|
|
|
General der Infanterie
board from the uniform of Kuno-Hans von Both, a
well decorated Russian front veteran and Pour le Merite
and Knights Cross recipient. (private collection) |
|
|
|
Top: A General officer
in the War/Military Administration Office, designated by a dark green base
underlay with a gray secondary underlay. Bottom: An unusually
constructed set of Generalmajor boards for the Army
in that the inner cord which is typically in aluminum (when celleon is used for the gold cords) appears to be made in
a gray shade of celleon in a basketweave
pattern. These boards were vet
acquired along with a group of other, original General officer militaria, all un-issued. (private collection) |
|
|
|
These boards are for a General officer of the Wehrmachtebeamte (an official who did not possess the
status of a soldier, yet was a member of the Army) for the rank of Generalstabsintendant, or Generalleutnant
equivalent. The base underlay is
a dark green with a secondary underlay of red. (Holzauge) |
|
|
|
These boards are for a General officer of the Wehrmachtebeamte, who would have been serving on the
staff of the OKW or OKH (High Command) and had the rank of Generalintendant or the equivalent of Generalmajor. The base underlay is a dark green with
a secondary underlay of red. (Holzauge) |
|
|
|
A set of boards for a Generalmajor
in the Administrative Staff (Truppensonderdienst). (Holzauge) |
|
|
|
The royal blue backing and Mercurian
staff indicate that this board was for a General in the Administrative Staff,
or Truppensonderdienst (the rank of Generalleutnant). |
|
|
|
Board for a special career General officer in the Medical Services,
designated by the Cornflower blue underlay and Caduceus insignia, in the
equivalent of a Generalmajor. (Holzauge) |
|
|
|
Board for a Heer General officer
in the Medical Services. (Ron Richter collection) |
|
|
|
Board for a Diplomatic Judicial General. Gold bullion and
silver cord over wine red underlay. (courtesy Thomas Suter collection) |
|
|
|
Board for a General in the Judicial Service. Celleon and aluminum cords over wine red underlay. (courtesy Thomas Suter
collection) |
|
|
|
Another Wehrmachtebeamte official
with the rank of General, serving on the staff of the High Command. (courtesy
Thomas Suter collection) |
Note; I’m
always looking for high quality photographs of original examples of common and
unique General officer boards and insignia. Please contact me if you have something
you wish to contribute.
