Hitler struck East in Operation Barbarossa on June 22, 1941, breaking the Non-Aggression Pact and invading Russia. Early on, the German Wehrmacht racked up victories and captured vast amounts of Soviet territory, but the advance ground to a halt in the winter of 1941. Just 20km short of Moscow, the German army bogged down, and was subjected to a brutal winter even by Soviet Russian standards. German tanks and vehicles froze, and the men were unprepared for that bitter cold, having not been issued suitable winter clothing. The Germans vowed never to be so poorly prepared for another winter campaign, and began producing large amounts of winter clothing that was issued on the Eastern Front. That winter gear was worn from before the German high water mark at Stalingrad, and through the retreat all the way back to Berlin. This German Army WW2 Eastern Front Heer Badged Rabbit Fur Winter Cap is in excellent condition, with a bare spot in the fur at the edge of the front right ear flap, some light hair accumulation around the exterior, some light smudging to the "R.B." number and size marking on the satin lining, and with some light scattered age wear evident. Otherwise, the cap is in excellent shape, with absolutely no rips, holes, tears, or other damage to the crisp grayish green feldgrau wool construction. Most interestingly, it boasts the original German Heer spread wing eagle aluminum insignia stitched at front, sports thick, warm rabbit fur trim around the front bill and fold down ear/neck flaps, and is dated "1943" in the smudged, only somewhat legible "R.B. Nr." contractor stamping inside. It's just legibly marked a Size "56" (US Size 7), features the original, fully intact gray HBT cotton tie tapes on the ear flaps, which also carry a horn button and cord loop closure, and exhibits a crisp, clean Heer grayish green satin lining. A beautiful example of a rare, original German Army WW2 Eastern Front Heer Badged Rabbit Fur Winter Cap.
Uniforms