www.gd-uk.org

Hallo,

One to get you researching:

What type of tunic is Roeger wearing? M36? But why the odd pockets and 'dark' buttons? What's that all about?

I guess the photo was taken sometime late september 1944. Was the tunic tailor-made for the ceremonies, press attention, morale-boosting homeland tour etc?

Start digging!

DDD!

I did a bit of asking around, particularly on the Wehrmacht Awards forum and so far the general consensus was this -

"...tunic upgrades are often seen in wear with NCO's and field grade Officers.

Soldiers naturally want to look smart. The M40 and M43 (never mind the M44) were a down turn in appearance compared with the M36 tunic. Faced collars with dark green badge cloth, pleats added to pockets and use of earlier issue shoulder straps are not uncommon.

As a Ritterkreuz winner he would be in the public spotlight and he would have wanted to look his best."

Any thoughts?

Hallo,

Well, all of what you have found out makes sense. But does his tunic look like an older tunic that's been updated with new pockets? It looks brand new. How easy would it have been for someone to have located some spare material the same shade and add new pockets???

Another argument to its 'lateness' is the cuff-title, which is the latter pattern. It's highly unlikely that this was normally seen on M36 tunics in 1944, again suggesting that this tunic is an attempt to keep a preferred pattern of tunic but bringing it up to date in line with 1944 clothing and insignia 'regulations'.

I do wonder if this is A) a tunic that has been tailor-made especially for Roeger and his high profile or B) a 'studio prop' kept by the photographer for such times?

Keep digging!

We know tunics with certain cuts and alterations were worn by those with status or who could afford it. Did the tunic still conform to uniform regulations during this period? Would it have mattered because of Roeger's status?

The picture is obviously a professional studio job, and the original image was actually signed by Roeger - almost like an autograph for a fan. The composition of the photo seems to have been designed to show Roeger's gallant character - awards and medals glisten the tunic and his "GD" cuff title has been deliberately placed within the composition.

If the tunic was a photographers "prop" then the studio would have gone to some effort to have it 'badged' up in order to conform to Roeger’s prestigious career. Would Roeger have then kept it the tunic? If so, would he have then worn it for duty or just as a souvenir?

Also of interest is the 'sepia' brown style print of the photograph.

Where would you recommend digging Herr Leutnant?

Wolfie

I must confess, I am a little sceptical that a film studio would have such a bespoke tunic reserved for a photo session, propaganda or not. I do think that there is substance to a studio having a range of smart tunics reserved for such an occasion, but surely they would be of a generic, readily available nature? Why would they go to the bother to design and manufacture such a hybrid tunic?

My initial opinion leans towards a tunic being made specifically for this photo session and to his own personal taste, as a reward for his undoubted "action man" heroics.

Interesting though, be interested to see what Rob thinks.

Apparently according to 'Hans Sturm' Roeger was on leave after he got out of hospital after which they had a show with him for photos and PR needs. The pictures were taken at museums for articles etc. The tunic is believed to be an upgraded M43, rather than M36.

Best,
Wolfie

aaaaah.......so there you go. An M43 'retro' tailored rather than an M36 'updated'.

Everything on that tunic is new! The tunic is new!

Your source infers that Roeger was wounded? To my knowledge the Div. history makes no mention of that. I guess that explains the wound badge? Another piece of the jigsaw clicks into place.

Keep digging for Roeger info!

This is a M43 tailored to give it a much smarter appearance. This is not uncommon even late in the war.

I have seen tailored M43 in collections and the pleats are not always a
good colour match.

Rob has seen M44s tailored like this

HauptFeldwebel Kalten

So, we think we have resolved the tunic issue. But what were the circumstances surrounding his wound? The Leutnant says there is no mention in the divisional history, yet Wolfie has info to the contrary?

Wolfie, any info on the wound issue, how it happened etc, what hospital was he in?

Have enquired, will post what I find.

Best,
Wolfie

Sorry my error. Roeger was not hospitalised, the events I described above were in fact for Hans Sturm, not Roeger. It is however possible, that Roeger found himself in a similar situation (exluding hospitalisation).

Best,
Simon

Hallo,

I've learned that Roeger went on and earned three tank destruction awards before the war ended. It appears he really did have the luck of the devil!

It never ceases to amaze me that such men seemed to thrive in dangerous conditions and come through with hardly a scratch. With GD's combat casualty record, he must have been quite a rarity?