BACKGROUND: Slip on shoulder strap slides for wear by EM/NCO’s were originally introduced on January 24TH 1940 for economic and security reasons. The slides were cheaper and easier to produce then full shoulder straps and could be exchange easily if an individual was transferred or removed in the field to conceal unit designations. The shoulder strap slides generally had a unit numeral or specific designation letter chain stitched in the appropriated waffenfarbe, (Branch of Service Color). The different branches of service within the German army were allocated a specific identifying waffenfarbe color, which was displayed as piping on the shoulder straps or unit designation on the slides, with white being chosen for Infanterie, (Infantry), personnel.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Field-grey wool construction slip on shoulder strap slide with a machine stitched seam to the reverse and white, chain stitched "L 313" to the obverse. The slide indicate the owner was attached to the 313th Regional Defense Battalion.