Item:
ONJR24RECT069

Original German WWII Waffen SS Gebirgsjäger Mountain Trooper Sleeve Edelweiß Badge

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic German WWII Waffen SS Gebirgsjäger Mountain Trooper sleeve insignia, showing the iconic flower of the Leontopodium nivale plant. Known as the Alpen-Edelweiß (Mountain Noble White) in German, this has been the symbol of the Gebirgsjäger of the mountain regions of Germany and Austria since their formation.

This lovely Ärmel (Sleeve) Edelweiß badge is machine embroidered on black badge cloth, and measures about 3" x 2 1/4", and has the correct solid white oval border and white leaves of the SS version of the badge. The Army version has green leaves, and a decorative border meant to look like the lines and pitons used when mountain climbing.

Condition is very good, showing just a bit of age toning, and it does not look to have been installed on a uniform at any time. It has some fraying around the edges, but no stitch holes, so this probably occurred during storage. Ready to add to your collection!

Gebirgsjäger are the light infantry part of the alpine or mountain troops (Gebirgstruppe) of Germany and Austria. The word Jäger (meaning "hunter" or "huntsman") is a characteristic term used for light-infantry or light-infantryman in German-speaking military context.

The mountain infantry of Austria have their roots in the three Landesschützen regiments of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The mountain infantry of Germany carry on certain traditions of the Alpenkorps (Alpine corps) of World War I. Both countries' mountain infantry share the Edelweiß insignia. It was established in 1907 as a symbol of the Austro-Hungarian Landesschützen regiments by Emperor Franz Joseph I. These troops wore their edelweiss on the collar of their uniforms. When the Alpenkorps came to aid the Landesschützen in defending Austria-Hungary's southern frontier against the Italian attack in May 1915, the grateful Landesschützen honoured the men of the Alpenkorps by awarding them their own insignia: the edelweiss. Together with the Fallschirmjäger (Paratroopers) they are perceived as the elite infantry units of the German Army.

During World War II the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS raised a number of mountain infantry units. An entire corps was formed in Norway by 1941. Its divisions were lightly equipped, with much of the transport provided by mules. These mountain infantry were equipped with fewer automatic weapons than regular infantry, however the MG 34 or MG 42 machine gunners were provided with more ammunition than their regular infantry counterparts. Mountain infantry were identified by the edelweiss insignia worn on their sleeves and their caps.

Mountain infantry participated in many battles, including Operation Weserübung, Operation Silver Fox, Operation Platinum Fox and Operation Arctic Fox, the operations in the Caucasus, the Gothic Line, the invasion of Crete and the battles in the Vosges region of France. Special equipment was made for them including the G33/40 mauser rifle based on the VZ.33 rifle.

  • This product is available for international shipping. Shipping not available to: Australia, France, or Germany
  • Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Cash For Collectibles