Uniforms and insignia of the Kriegsmarine
Staff officers displayed a unique sleeve emblem in place of the star and also wore this insignia centered on their shoulder epaulets.
One such correspondent, Lothar-Günther Buchheim, later published a novel based on his war experiences which was then made into the submarine action film Das Boot.
Enlisted sailors, who wore no insignia, were known by the generic term Matrose and used a rating system similar to other European navies of the day.
Petty officers wore special collar patches to denote their rank and a large rating badge on their left shoulder.
On service coats and frocks, regular sailors wore a simple blue collar tab to differentiate between the petty officers.
The uniform consisted of a double breasted midnight blue frock coat worn with a white swordbelt, full sized medals, sword, large epaulets, and a cocked hat (Zweispitz).
The Kleiner Gesellschaftsanzug was a "toned down" version of the dress uniform worn with a ribbon bar, dagger in place of full sword, a white service cap, and standard epaulets.
A third category was the "walking out dress" (Ausgehanzug) which was essentially a standard service uniform worn with epaulets, belt, and sword or dagger.
The Kleiner Dienstanzug (lesser service uniform), allowed the officer to wear a normal collared shirt with a plain black tie.
The service uniform for an enlisted sailor consisted of a jacket, a pair of trousers, a white and a blue shirt, matching collars edged with three stripes, a silk neckerchief, grey gloves and a cap with two ribbons.
Chief petty officer service uniforms Sailor service uniforms For standard everyday wear on-board naval vessels, enlisted sailors wore a frock coat with limited medals and badges (typically only war badges and high combat awards) as well as a simple system of collar tabs to denote between regular seaman and petty officers (Maat).
Kriegsmarine personnel permanently assigned to shore stations, to include coastal artillery, wore a grey green uniform in the same style as the German Army, but with gold instead of silver buttons.
Engineering personnel on-board surface ships were further issued with a boilersuit devoid of any insignia except for a swastika eagle emblem and worn with a blue garrison cap.
Due to the arduous nature of U-boat duty, uniforms varied greatly depending upon the actions and activity of the service member.
The standard "patrol uniform" consisted of a grey-brown denim jacket for officers and chiefs while a grey all weather smock coat was worn by enlisted personnel.
Lookouts wore oilskins and sou'westers on duty while sailors in the control center and on deck were required to wear garrison covers.
Dress restrictions for engineering and torpedo man personnel, who often worked in cramped and humid conditions, were far more lax and most in these duties wore comfortable civilian clothes.
The original rates of the Kriegsmarine, upon the service's creation from the Reichsmarine in 1935, were Boatswain, Sergeant, Signalman, Helmsman, Carpenter, Firework Maker, Gunner, Engineer, Musician, Machine Operator, and Radioman.
By the end of the Second World War, there were nineteen established ratings in the German navy as well as a general "non-rated" category for unrated naval personnel.
Unrated chief petty officers wore a standard anchor insignia on their shoulder boards and were referred to solely by their rank (Matrosenfeldwebel), often shortened to simply Feldwebel.
One of the more common engineering trade badges was that of Handwerker (damage controlman) which appeared as a red diver's helmet and was issued up to the master qualification level.
The insignia appeared as a small patch showing a German Imperial Navy signal flag and was worn above the sailor's signalman's rating badge.
