History

Certain career/role insignia were worn by specialist soldiers performing certain unique tasks. All ranks below Lieutenant could qualify for these specialist trades.
The time of introduction varied greatly between the different insignia.
Since 1939, NCO insignia came with a silver-coloured band around the edges.

A Gun Layer, Smoke Troops (Richtabzeichen für Nebeltruppen) wore a white mortar projectile inside a wreath of white oak leaves on an oval dark blue-green backing. It was worn on the lower left sleeve.