WW2 Luftwaffe uniform

[Herrwiggly]

Hi everybody,
In the film "The Great Escape" circa 1962, The guards wore a black uniform with side cap and no rank insignia.
I always thought this to be artistic license but, last night I watched a documentary on Stalag Luft 3 where the actual escape took place, and lo and behold, there where camp guards wearing such a uniform.
Can anyone shed any light on this?
Cheers.

[ChrisWI]

Interesting question. I just did a quick google search to see who ran POW camps and I could not find an answer. I did find that the SS-Totenkopfverbande ran the concentration camps so possibly maybe they also ran the POW camps as well? I do know that they wore black uniforms.

I also recall a similar uniform being worn by camp guards in the 1980s made for TV movie "Escape from Sobibor".

[Luke]

Stalag Luft was run by the Luftwaffe.

Quote: "Allied aircrew shot down during World War II were incarcerated after interrogation in Air Force Prisoner of War camps run by the Luftwaffe. These camps were called Stalag Luft, short for Stammlager Luft which translates to Permanent Camps for Airmen. The German Luftwaffe, who were responsible for Air Force prisoners of war, maintained a degree of professional respect for fellow flyers, and the general attitude of the camp security officers and guards should not be confused with the SS or Gestapo."

Source: Stalag Luft I Online http://www.merkki.com/

[Luke]

The only thing that comes to my mind is the LW mechanics coveralls.


The ground-crew to the right


"These are typical HBT denim coveralls which have flannel lining for warmth, used by Luftwaffe mechanics, sometimes flak personnel. Black bakelite buttons."

Source: http://www.thuringenmilitaria.com/uniforms.html

Also: "A simple coverall type garment, rather loosely fitted was the main article. I have also seen a 2 piece version of this uniform worn. In any case, It was a rather simple garment, made out of a black denim material, the color chosen to disguise grease and dirt smears."

Source: Hal Marshman Sr, "Luftwaffe Ground Crew Work Uniforms" http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/t ... an/00.shtm

[Luke]

September 1943, France

Source: Bundesarchiv / Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: ... Me_109.jpg