The Germanische SS

    Introduction

    The Germanic SS was a political non-German SS formation composed exclusively of foreign volunteers of Nordic origins predominately from the Germanic countries: Denmark, Holland, Norway, and the Flemish region of Belgium. All four of these countries formed their own political paramilitary SS organizations that fell under the auspices of the Allgemeine-SS. Members wore uniforms very similar to that of their German counterparts.


    GERMANISCHE LEISTUNGSRUNE

    By late 1942, the war on the Eastern Front was taking a toll on the German Army, especially on the Waffen-SS non-German personnel. Because of their heroic deeds at the Front, something needed to be done to encourage and honor these Germanic SS volunteers.

    Reichsfuhrer Heinrich Himmler introduced the Germanische Leistungrune (Germanic Proficiency Runes) Badge, which was available to all branches of the SS. This Germanic Proficiency Badge was to be awarded to men who excel in athletics and political ideology.

    The Germanic Proficiency Badge was instituted by Himmler on 15 August 1943. If you will like to see a copy of the Official Document signed by Himmler, please see Andrew Mollo and H. Page Taylor's book "UNIFORMS OF THE SS,GERMANISCHE-SS 1940- 45, Volume 2. This award was rendered to all SS personnel but especially the Germanic SS volunteers from Norway, Denmark, Holland and Flanders.

    The overall task of organizing sports competitions was assigned to the Germanic Leitstelle or Germanic Central Administration. The Germanic Leitstelle, which came under the overall jurisdiction of the SS Hauptamt (SS main Office) oversaw the political direction, education and training of the whole SS and police. To qualify for the Germanic Proficiency Badge, SS men were required to fulfill the following three categories:
    1. Individual achievement.
    2. Team achievement.
    3. SS Ideology.
    On 15 July 1943, Himmler had tasked SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Gotlob Berger and the Germanic Leitstelle to prepare and develop the course outline. The selected applicants had three weeks to prepare and review the course outline. Applicants who had 120 hours of training in six months or less qualified for the award. The test was supervised by the instructor and two representatives of the Germanic Education-training Section.

    If you want to find out more about the test requirements,I recommend you read Volume 2, Germanische SS 1940-45 by Hugh Page Taylor.
    After completion of the course requirements, the selected recipients were awarded with the Germanic Proficiency Badge in either Bronze or Silver grade. The silver grade being of higher standard.
    In addition, they also received a Certificate commemorating the event.

    Germanic Proficiency Badge Germanic Proficiency Badge Germanic Case

    Germanic Proficiency Badge

    The award was authorized by Himmler after consultation with the Chief of the SS Hauptamt, SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Gotlob Berger. The Germanic Proficiency Badge shown below, illustrates the Germanische Leistungrune bronze grade. The design was geared to appeal the Germanic SS. The badge shows the Sun Wheel in the background with the Siegrunes (Victory Runes) superimposed in front.

    The Sun Wheel or movable Swastika was the symbol used by the Wiking Division and the 3rd Germanic SS Panzer Corps. The construction of the badge was made of cast copper plated zinc with a white silver wash. The Siegrunes are black enameled die- struck tombak with silver plated edges. Construction is typically German of excellent quality. The Sun Wheel is convex in form and measures 47mm in Diameter. The Runes measure 5mm in width.

    The Siegrunes in the back have been secured by pins. The back of the badge does not have any makers identification.
    The book "FOR FUHRER AND FATHERLAND" by Angolia shows the back of a bronze grade Germanic Proficiency Badge. The Reichszeugmeisterei, "RZM" ( National Ordnance Department) was authorized by the SS to make numerous decorations and awards.

    The Germanic Proficiency Badge was also manufactured by various other firms that did not applied their maker?s mark. The pin on the back of the badge is of the type normally found on German Naval War badges.

    Mr. Angolia indicates in his book that numerous badges of a lesser quality were produced in Slovakia. This badge is extremely rare. Less than 200 were ever presented and only about 15 or less have been found in collections.

    There are many Post-production badges in circulation. About four types of reproduction badges have been identified. Measuring 43mm, 44mm, 49mm and 50mm. All have spuriously markings shown on the back "RZM" "RZM M/25" and "RZM M011." I believe that the Germanic badge shown in Formans Guide to Third Reich German Awards shows a post-production badge.


    The Germanic SS NCOs Sleeve Diamond

    Germanische SS Germanische SS

    Germanische SS

    The Germanic SS sleeve diamond was worn by the political SS organizations of Flanders, Holland and Norway, the Danish Schalburg Corps was the only exception. The sleeve diamond shield is made up black wool base with hand embroidered SS runes in heavy silver- aluminum thread. Base is piped in alternating twisted silver-aluminum and black threads, signifying NCO rank. The Germaansche SS Nederland and the Germanske SS Norge wore the diamond on the upper right sleeve and the Germaansche SS Vlaanderen wore it on the upper left sleeve.

    Norwegian Germanic Officers Eagle

    Germanic Eagle Germanic Eagle

    Germanske SS Norge

    Germanic SS sun cross eagle hand embroidered in aluminum thread on black wool. Reverse shows black paper covering the threads. The eagle is also found machine embroidered in grey thread on a black wool. The eagle was worn on the upper left sleeve of the black GSSN blouse.

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