Adjutantenschnur
Achselschnüre, also Fangschnüre, Schulterschnüre, Feldachselstücke or Achselbänder (English: aiguillettes, catch cords, shoulder cords, field armpit pieces or armpit straps), are part of the German military uniform primarily of generals, admirals, officers and adjutants, but also sometimes of ensigns (officer cadets) and non-commissioned officers. They are worn on the shoulder of the uniform jacket (Waffenkleid) or parade tunic (Paraderock).
Contents
History
In the German armies, including the Imperial German Army and the Imperial German Navy, the adjutant generals wore the Adjutantenschnur or Achselband (adjutant cord or aguilette) on the right shoulder as of 1863 in gold, the generals as well as admirals à la suite, the Flügeladjutanten, but also the commanders of the Schloß-Garde-Kompanie in silver. The Prussian Leibgendarmerie (life guards) had white linen armpit cords interwoven with silver threads and black silk.
- ... Aguilettes for ordinary generals [...] consisting of two cords (Fangschnüre) and two three-braided Achselbänder [...] Prussian Generaladjutanten [...] including the color (gold) and use the aguilettes (mandatory on the overcoat as per the AKO of 28. September 1864) [...] It does mention special aguilettes for Generale à la suite des Königs und Kaisers, who according to the Bekleidingsvorschrift 1895 wore silver flat woven aguilettes with golden crowns. [1]
Bavarian Army
As of 1873, Achselbänder (which included the Generalsgeflecht denoting rank) only existed for officers of general rank, Achselschnüre for adjutants of any rank (with colors denoting differences in rank and station). With the abolishment of the general's parade dress in 1910, Achselbänder, although not abolished, practically became redundant (as a practical matter, the Generalsgeflecht could not be worn with epualettes) as generals switched to wearing Achselschnüre. Adjutant cords should have closed crown tips, Flügeladjutanten and princely adjutants open crowned tips.
Reichswehr
There were initially several experimental forms in the Reichswehr. Finally, in 1927, the effects called “Achselbänder” were standardized, with the following variants:
- Army officers up to colonel wore a version identical to today's Bundeswehr lanyard, which was made of unprocessed aluminum mesh for their service coat; The same version was available in light silver for the formal skirt; Both versions were made in gold for generals and all officers of the Reichsmarine.
- Adjutants wore an almost identical cord, but with two additional cords hanging from the braid, ending in metal pins.
Wehrmacht
On 29 June 1935, Achselschnüre were introduced into the German Wehrmacht and were worn on certain occasions, e.g. at parades. Adjutants wore armpit cords as their badge of activity (Tätigkeitsabzeichen). Members of the music corps also had a red thread in their shoulder strap (Schulterband). Generals of the army, field marshals and military officials (Militärbeamte) of equal status had an armpit band (Achselband) made of gold spun. The armpit straps, like the armpit cords, were attached with a small horn button under the shoulder piece and then to the second and third uniform button.
NVA
In the National People's Army (NVA), the border troops of the GDR and the GDR People's Navy, a silver-colored armpit cord with silver tips for LaSK/LSK/LV/GT and gold-colored tips for the People's Navy has also been introduced for officers since 1976; the version for generals and admirals was gold-colored.
Bundeswehr
In the Bundeswehr it is worn by attachés, officers of protocol (for example with the Wachbataillon or Guard Battalion at the Federal Ministry of Defence), flag escort officers, greeting and liaison officers of the Navy as well as (if these tasks are carried out by officers) wake guards and medal cushion bearers; gold (navy), dull gold (generals in the army and air force) or silver (other). It must not be confused with the Schützenschnur, a multi-weapon marksmanship decoration awarded by Germany to qualifying German soldiers and soldiers of NATO countries serving in Germany.
Bundesheer
Soldiers of the Guards Battalion (Gardebataillon) of the Austrian Armed Forces (Bundesheer) also traditionally wear uniforms with Fangschnüre for representative tasks, but on the left shoulder (in gold and silver, depending on rank).
External links
- Difference Achselbänder and Achselschnüre? (Archive)
- Second Model Diplomatic ShoulderCord/Aiguillette, GMIC
References
- ↑ Source: Hangy-Downs: Aiguillettes. Who, What and Why?; also: Bulgarians used crown ends on aiguillettes as late as 1943. At one point, so did Greeks and Romanians [Kings Constantine I & II and Carol II]. This likely due to their royal family origins & traditions. Other monarchies may have used them as well.
