History

The headgear, uniforms, and insignia worn by members of the Kriegsmarine were based upon the designs utilized by the Kaiserliche Marine and the Reichsmarine. The official regulations governing the uniforms of the Reichsmarine were issued on April 5, 1921, and they were embraced, with a few alterations, as the Kriegsmarine uniforms in 1935.

These armbands were worn by personnel within all branches of the Third Reich Armed Forces , and they were meant to indicate the wearer’s duty specific position or function. The official regulations stated that the armbands should be worn on the upper left sleeve of outer garment layers, but there are many documented instances of personnel wearing the armband on the right sleeve.

While the majority of armbands were machine-woven, they were also produced via machine-embroidery, hand-sewing, or printing. The armbands were often stamped on the reverse with the issuing office's or unit's seal.

The Neutrality Armbands were worn by medical personnel and auxiliary stretcher personnel when they were on active duty, and likely to encounter enemy forces.

For Medical Personnel (Sanitätspersonal), the armband is white and features a centered, Balkan red cross. The body of the armband is composed of artificial silk or wool. These armbands always have the unit stamp on the reverse.