BACKGROUND: The origins of the elite Panzer Division Großdeutschland may be traced back to the formation of the Wachregiment Berlin, (Guard Regiment Berlin), in 1921. The Wachregiment was tasked with guarding all the military installations within greater Berlin as well as providing security for State visit and formal functions but was soon disbanded after its formation as it was considered unpredictable and was reformed as Kommando der Wachtruppe, (Commanding Guard Troops). In the autumn of 1934 the Kommando der Wachtruppe was re-designated Wachtruppe Berlin and in June 1937 the Wachtruppe Berlin, (Guard Troops Berlin), was enlarged and re-designated, Wachregiment Berlin. On June 12TH 1939 the Wachregiment, was given Infantry regiment status and renamed Großdeutschland Infantry Regiment with its personnel eventually going on to form the cadre of the elite Panzer Division Großdeutschland in May 1942. On June 20TH 1939 special uniforms and insignia were introduced for all Großdeutschland personnel including the distinctive cufftitle and shoulder board/strap cyphers. The cyphers for EM’s and junior NCO’s were embroidered in the appropriate branch of service color, (waffenfarbe), while senior NCO’s cyphers were stamped metal with a silver wash and Officers were stamped metal with a gilt wash. Of Note: Although the unique "GD" uniforms were placed in storage until altered and reissued in 1944, personnel of the regiment did utilize the cufftitle and shoulder board/strap cyphers through-out the war.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Two senior NCO’s, stamped, magnetic sheet metal, "GD", shoulder strap cyphers feature the intertwined, stylized Latin letters with horizontally ribbed centers and raised outer edges. The reverse of the cyphers are a mirror image of the obverse and both cyphers have their original, two, soldered attachment prongs intact.