Hi guys.

I was wondering if anyone could please guide me on what a typical 12th SS Panzer IV crew during the Normandy campaign would be wearing?

Also, would cuff titles "Hitlerjugend" be appropriate for the crew?

I've googled photos of the unit from this time but am unable to make out much detail.

Thanks!

https://goo.gl/images/XQyv2U

On second thought, no panzer crew member, sorry.

OK,first off,the easy part of the answer. No HJ cufftitles in Normandy. Only Leibstandarte cufftitles were worn and these were on uniforms of the original cadre folks drawn from LAH to form HJ. These would more than likely be worn by Officers,NCOs and specialist folks plus a few senior rottenfuehrers brought along by friendly officers,etc. HJ cufftitles were not issued until refitting well after Normandy.
The standard black SS panzerwrap was issued to the HJ armored troops but when in the field the uniform was almost always the pea dot panzer wrap or the panzer wrap made from Italian cammo cloth(pretty rare though). Many of the crews also were lucky enough to get the U Boat leather suits,which Max Wunsche insisted on getting,because they were very good protection from fire. Later in the fight around Caen,it got hotter and so the leathers were sometimes not worn,leaving the cammo panzer wrap exposed,or a combination of the two being worn,but the smart crew would leave the leathers on while going into action,preferring sweat over burns !
Interesting though,I have read more than a few accounts by vets that state that when they had to report to a commander they would change into the black uniform to make a presentable appearance.
Sorry,long winded,too much coffee.
J

Not so much U-boat uniforms, although I believe they were made in Germany, as they were made for submarine crews of the Italian Navy.
The division picked them up at a good price the previous year while shopping in Italy . (They looted them from a warehouse in northern Italy after the Italian surrender to Allies.)

Thanks so much Jerry and Biggles.

That is very helpful information and it explains a lot of what I've seen in photos-no cuff titles visible but lots of what looked like leather jackets.

I really appreciate the help and the info!

FYI - either Masterbox or Mini-Art (I forget which) do a set of relaxing figures in the Leather U Boat clothing, I think it's entitled "Late War Panzer Crew", but they are by definition HJ members as they depict figures from a well known photo sequence showing HJ Panzer crew playing musical instruments.

The Dragon "Panzer Aces - Normandy" may work for you.
Miniart 35132 has some guys in leather too.
The old Tristar crew has guys in camo.

Thanks!

I've got that set and it looks very good. Lots of pea dot uniforms! And I believe the figure in the black leather jacket is meant to be Wittmann, modeled after a very well known photo of him.

In a set like that, I'd probably only use two of the figures...the commander and the one in the sitting position...

I know that these were all inspired by real photos of tank crews but realistically, how many of us will include someone playing the accordion in a diorama?

The musician would be very likely since a tanker’s life, like the rest of the army, is 70% maintenance, 28% waiting and 2% fighting.
So amusement can be seen!

I totally agree ! Most dios show guys just standing around anyway(and pointing) so why not let them have some fun ?
Hahahahaaa
J

I guess you guys are right...