VINTAGE GERMAN WWII ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH OF SS-STANDARTE GERMANIA SOLDIER

This is an photo of a SS Germania soldier in his black M32 tunic with SS-2 Collar tabs (see our SS2 collar tabs here: SS2)  and double decal M18 helmet.   Specific numbers were given to collar tabs when the SS-VT was made up of regiments only.  

Black and white photo measuring approx. 8 c.m. x 13.5 c.m.

Great condition photograph. 

The SS Germania regiment (German: SS-Standarte Germania) was formed as early as 1934, and the initiative of its creation came from SS-Hauptsturmführer Wilhelm Bittrich. Initially, the regiment consisted of SS members from Hamburg

The Nordic formation, originally organised as the Nordische Division (Nr. 5), was to be made up of Nordic volunteers mixed with German Waffen-SS personnel. The SS Infantry Regiment Germania of the SS-Verfügungs-Division, which was formed mostly from Germans, was transferred to help form the nucleus of a new division in late 1940. In December 1940, the new SS motorised formation was to be designated as SS-Division Germania, but after its formative period, the name was changed, to SS Division Wiking in January 1941. The division was formed around three motorised infantry regiments: Germania, Westland, and Nordland; with the addition of an artillery regiment. Command of the newly formed division was given to Felix Steiner, the former commander of the Verfügungstruppe SS Regiment Deutschland.

WIKING 5th SS Panzer Division Structure (1940):

SS Regiment Germania 

1. Battalion
2. Battalion
3. Battalion

SS Regiment Norland 

1. Battalion
2. Battalion
3. Battalion

SS Regiment Westland 

1. Battalion
2. Battalion
3. Battalion