What an odd uniform

[Nozzer]

Originally Posted by Alan O

The 2 'SS storm troopers' look the least likely SS ever.

Excuse my ignorance, but what identifies them as "SS"?

[Alan O]

The camouflage smocks.

Normal Whermacht did not get camouflage.

[tarabelle]

Hi so my friend says the pic is described as
11 armored and it is April '45
It says the young boys are cyclist tank hunters

Hope that helps (double Dutch to me)

T

[leigh kitchen]

Didn't army and air force wear smocks of the camo pattern shown worn by these two?
I had looked at the photos, half expecting to see panzerfaust strapped to the bicycles but couldn't make out if the "tubes" are panzerfaust or not.
Presumably they are, hence the "tank killers" tag.

[Mike_2817]

Originally Posted by grenadierguardsman

Leigh us Warrior Drivers called them " Suits roasty toasty " lol
Andy

Have heard them called that as well as 'Pixie Suits'. We wore them in the open and they were still warm, also wore dispatch riders gloves as well.

They were replaced with 'Overalls Waterproof' which made you sweat like a pig
then with Gortex Jacket & Trousers which rustled like a crisp packet.

Yes my first thought was re-enactors as well.

[Nozzer]

Originally Posted by Alan O

The camouflage smocks.

Normal Whermacht did not get camouflage.

Period photographic images would indicate that your statement is not correct.

[akiko]

Originally Posted by 54Bty

Is that a Bren poking in on the right.

Is there any proof it is an original period image? Maybe re-enactors, straight trigger finger.

Marc

Yes looks like the flash hider and sights of a Bren.

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by Mike_2817

Urm, Its the Tank Suit I am talking about...

Apologies Mike, I thought I was answering something/someone else. It must be age...

[Phil2M]

If they were local Hitler Youth, they may have picked up whatever discarded kit they came across to join the fight. Didn't that happen in Berlin near the end?

[RSM]

The two German POWs are wearing a mish-mash of items. The smocks are army issue in a pattern known to collectors as 'Tan and water' or 'marsh' pattern. The SS had a completely different type of camouflage pattern. The prisoner on the left is wearing a standard army belt and buckle with a standard army side cap. The one on the right appears to have a Luftwaffe belt and buckle and wears a black 'Panzer' cap. They are both clearly the last dregs of Germany wearing whatever the quartermaster could give them.The tubes seen on the push bikes are indeed 'Panzerfaust', the one-shot disposable anti-tank weapon. These two chaps were probably swanning about as a part of a grandly named 'jagdkommando', last-ditch bicycle mounted troops tasked with attacking allied armour, in reality a mixed bunch of brainwashed idiots who invariably died a Nazi hero's death or frightened kids who gave themselves up at the first opportunity. The weapon slung over the captor's shoulder is indeed a MP44/StG44. They are rare and fetch huge amounts of money.

[Fatherofthree]

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

The chap in the middle - has he got long hair or is that yellowish blob something in the background.

I suspect it is probably the tail of a Red Squirrel he had caught for his lunch and stored it under his headgear to eat later..........................I may be wrong though.