US rank Insignia on helmets-would German gunners be taught to distinguish each insignia or would they just discern that they had an officer in their sights???

__________________
"GARRY OWEN"-Traditional war-cry of the US 7th Cavalry.
"CURRAHEE"-War-cry of the US 506th PIR.
"Everybody thinks that they are going to get the chance to punch some Nazi in the face at Normandy-and those days are over, they are long gone"-Lt Chris Burnett

I'd imagine from a distance they couldn't tell exacly what rank was what anyway. If there was something white on the front of the helmet, or shiney on the collars or shoulders, than shoot it first!!! I never did figure out why the hell any officer on the line would do that anyway.

__________________
Living History at http://oldreliable9_47.tripod.com

Never heard of possible distinct mark for officers in the US army for snipers.Maybe the Thompson gun??The black insignia marks on helmet or collar are really hard to distinguish-you have to go for instinct.

During the beginning of war the Russian officers had white caps at one time-certain mark for death soon.The German staff officers had red stripes in their trousers-marked for death.The officers of Finnish and German armies had a belt going across the chest-removed during autumn 1941 at the latest for both armies for high % kills by enemy snipers.
The Waffen-SS officers were allowed to use the soft cap during battles-probably not a good idea in the end even if showed chivalry at the time?

__________________

As you all guys know. My grandfather was a sniper and they were indeed taught foreign armed forces' ranks and insignias. Although he says that it was only for snipers to shoot officers first. He has told me that the men were trained (at least in the Western front) to shoot the American or British with the radio first. But it changed a bit. After the officer's losses grew, then the chivalry was forgotten. In the Eastern or Western fronts, if the Russians or Americans could see some shinning silver colour in the shoulders of a German then BOOM! And if you had golden stripes then you couldn't last a second!

__________________
"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars

"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun

Any idea if the Germans ever had a solution or protocol to hide the rank from snipers? I don´t recall any. Though the sniper problem was huge as officers died instantly by the Russian snipers if they showed their collar.

__________________

Sometimes they dressed like a common NCO or even a private... And some others had the guts to fight in the very front with his normal uniform! The generals used to put on a simpler cap (instead of the golden one) and a coat to hide their golden shoulderboards and red-golden collar tabs...

__________________
"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars

"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun

In fact, my grandfather used to dress like a NCO. He was a sniper and knew how was the whole sniper-affair... One of the very few times he was wearing all his awards and his normal Oberstleutnant uniform was during the battle of Berlin. He was commanding abad try of a regiment from the very front in the middle of the city's ruins, breaking one of the most elemental rules for protection against a sniper... (his words). Then was when he was caught and nearly killed by this Soviet sniper...

__________________
"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars

"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun

I love that scene also in Band Of Brothers during the Market Garden episode where the officers turn their collars inside out to hide their steel rank insignia-things like that-the finest attention to detail-that Is why i call that show -"My baby"-I LOVE IT...and I'm positive that would've happened for real...

__________________
"GARRY OWEN"-Traditional war-cry of the US 7th Cavalry.
"CURRAHEE"-War-cry of the US 506th PIR.
"Everybody thinks that they are going to get the chance to punch some Nazi in the face at Normandy-and those days are over, they are long gone"-Lt Chris Burnett

Here's a few clues as to how to identify an officer hiding his insignia....

Map cases - anyone noticed carrying a map case or using a map should be considered a possible officer

Binoculars - the carrying or use of binoculars is a sign that that soldier may be an officer or a member of a opposition sniper team

Arm movements - Officers and senior NCO's have a habit of using their arms to indicate troops should move forward etc.

Weapons - Officers are more likely to carry sidearms (possibly ONLY sidearms) and an SMG rather than standard rifles

Vehicles - Officers (and senior NCO's) are more likely to travel in the passenger side seat in trucks and smaller vehicles and are usually the first to get out.

Position - While moving forward in line, officers are most likely to be in the first 6 of any unit (not including the point men), or if stationary, officers are most likely to be near to soldiers carrying radio equipment. Also, while stationary, other troops (runners/NCO's/etc.) normally go TO the officer rather than the officer go to them.

If you know what to look for you can usually spot an officer or senior NCO even if they are not wearing insignia. Sometimes you can even pick them out just by the way they stand.

As well as officers, soldiers on traffic duty are also considered prime targets, as their loss will effect travel in the immediate area (ie slow it down) and also add to the general confusion in the area.

In WW2 a lot of Allied Military Police were killed whilst directing traffic due to their use of distinguishing insignia (white helmets or markings on the helmets, and white gloves).

Hehe, yes. Officers seem to love them. Especially lieutenants and captains. Never seen one without one. Not that they have anything important in them, they just seem to carry them as a status symbol. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Possibly, but it's also possible that the guys with binoculars are spotters.

__________________
„Solange man nicht mit dem Kopf unterm Arm rumläuft geht es doch noch!" Erwin Rommel

Sniper is absolutely right about those possible targets for snipers. I will ask my grandfather for more.

__________________
"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars

"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun