German Insignia of World War II

Insignia have always played an integral part in warfare. Flags, banners and regimental crests have been an effective way of binding soldier’s allegiances to individual units. In a totalitarian state like Nazi Germany, where every aspect of civilian life was politicized, symbolism played a crucial role in inspiring the ordinary German to become an active citizen, upholding the ideology of the Nazi regime. At the height of the Third Reich, it seemed that almost every civilian was in uniform. German Insignia of World War II covers the major insignia, medals, and political symbols of Nazi Germany, from the Waffen-SS to the Nazi Eagle, from the Iron Cross to the Hitler Youth. Illustrated with hundreds of colour and black-and-white photographs, German Insignia of World War II is the definitive guide to the symbols, both military and civilian, of the Third Reich.