BACKGROUND: On August 22ND 1942 the German army introduced a new system of camouflage sleeve rank insignia for wear by all NCO’s and Officers on clothing that normally wouldn't display any rank insignia, such as winter uniforms, wind blouses, fatigue blouses, athletic suits, tropical shirts, etc.. The new camouflage sleeve rank insignia consisted of an assorted number of horizontal bars and oak-leave patterns with a green version for the ranks of Unteroffizier up to and including Oberst and a golden yellow version for the ranks of Generalmajor through to Generalfeldmarschall. Of Note: The top two ranks, Generaloberst and Generalfeldmarschall utilized ranks pips and crossed batons respectively instead of the horizontal stripes. Following the army's lead the Waffen-SS, (Armed-SS), also adopted the camouflage sleeve rank insignia in February 1943 which was virtually identical to the army version. The camouflage sleeve rank insignia was to be worn on the upper left sleeve of the appropriate uniform. This example indicates the army rank of Leutnant or the Waffen-SS rank of SS-Untersturmführer.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The insignia consists of roller, screen printed, rayon construction base featuring a camouflage Unteroffizier's rank insignia of a green, horizontal, bar positioned on a black printed rayon field. Removed from a uniform.