Colors & Corps · 1933–1945
Wehrmacht Branch Colors Encyclopedia
Identify the Waffenfarben used by the German Army, Luftwaffe and Waffen-SS through colored piping and uniform underlays.
Part of the World War II History HubGerman military branch colors, known as Waffenfarben, identified a soldier’s branch of service through colored piping and uniform underlays. Search or filter the encyclopedia to compare colors used between 1933 and 1945.
Branch Colors at a Glance
White
ArmyAll infantry units (Grenadiers, Jäger, Fusiliers, Riflemen).
#FFFFFFrgb(255, 255, 255)Examples:
Infantry Regiment 1, Grenadier Regiment 18
Bright Red / Crimson
ArmyField artillery, heavy artillery, assault gun artillery.
#DC143Crgb(220, 20, 60)Examples:
Artillery Regiment 56, Assault Gun Brigade 244
Pink
ArmyPanzer units, Panzergrenadiers (until 1943). Note: Early motorized infantry often wore white piping before transitioning to pink and finally green.
#FFB6C1rgb(255, 182, 193)Examples:
Panzer Regiment 1, Panzer Division “Großdeutschland”
Golden Yellow
ArmyTraditional cavalry color; later replaced by yellow-brown (until 1942).
#FFD700rgb(255, 215, 0)Examples:
Cavalry Regiment 1, Reconnaissance Battalion 1
Yellow-Brown
ArmySpecialized reconnaissance units, replaced golden yellow cavalry color from 1942.
#C68642rgb(198, 134, 66)Examples:
Reconnaissance Battalion (mot.) 1
Black
ArmyEngineer troops, bridge builders, fortress engineers, railway troops.
#000000rgb(0, 0, 0)Examples:
Engineer Battalion 38, Bridge Construction Bn 51
Lemon Yellow
ArmyTelephone operators, radio operators, signals intelligence.
#FFF44Frgb(255, 244, 79)Examples:
Signals Battalion 1, Telephone Company 12
Light Blue
ArmyDrivers, transport columns, supply troops.
#ADD8E6rgb(173, 216, 230)Examples:
Motor Transport Battalion 56, Supply Column 123
Grass Green
ArmyMotorized/armored infantry in Panzer divisions (from 1943).
#7CFC00rgb(124, 252, 0)Examples:
Panzergrenadier Regiment 1
Green (Hunter Green)
ArmyMountain infantry, Jäger, mountain engineers.
#3CB371rgb(60, 179, 113)Examples:
1st Mountain Division, Jäger Regiment 98
Bordeaux Red
ArmyVeterinary officers, horse hospitals, disease control.
#800020rgb(128, 0, 32)Examples:
Veterinary Company 12
Dark Blue
ArmyMedical officers, field hospitals, stretcher bearers.
#00008Brgb(0, 0, 139)Examples:
Medical Company 1/18, Field Hospital 123
Carmine Red
ArmyGeneral Staff officers (crimson stripes on trousers).
#E32636rgb(227, 38, 54)Examples:
OKH, Army General Staff
Light Gray
ArmyAdjutants of higher staffs, officers for special duties.
#D3D3D3rgb(211, 211, 211)Examples:
Adjutants at divisions, corps
Orange-Red
ArmyPropaganda companies, war correspondents.
#FF4500rgb(255, 69, 0)Examples:
Propaganda Company 612
Golden Yellow
Air ForceFighter, bomber, dive bomber, transport pilots & paratroopers.
#FFD700rgb(255, 215, 0)Examples:
JG 52, KG 55, 1st Paratrooper Division
Bright Red
Air ForceHeavy/light flak, searchlight, measurement and listening units.
#DC143Crgb(220, 20, 60)Examples:
Flak Regiment 1, Heavy Flak Battalion 123
Golden Brown
Air ForceRadio, radar (radio detection), communications and listening services.
#A67C00rgb(166, 124, 0)Examples:
Signals Regiment 1
Black
Air ForceAirfield construction, bridge/demolition teams, technical engineers.
#000000rgb(0, 0, 0)Examples:
Air Force Construction Battalion 1/VII
Dark Green
Air ForceGround-based infantry divisions of the Air Force (from 1942).
#006400rgb(0, 100, 0)Examples:
1st Air Force Field Division
White
Waffen-SSSS Infantry, SS Panzergrenadiers (from 1942).
#FFFFFFrgb(255, 255, 255)Examples:
SS Panzergrenadier Regiment 1 (LSSAH)
Pink
Waffen-SSSS Panzer regiments, SS Panzer divisions.
#FFB6C1rgb(255, 182, 193)Examples:
SS Panzer Regiment 1 (LSSAH), SS Panzer Division “Das Reich”
Bright Red
Waffen-SSSS Artillery regiments, SS assault gun battalions.
#DC143Crgb(220, 20, 60)Examples:
SS Artillery Regiment 1
Black
Waffen-SSSS Engineer battalions, bridge construction, demolition teams.
#000000rgb(0, 0, 0)Examples:
SS Engineer Battalion 1
Golden Yellow
Waffen-SSSS Reconnaissance battalions, SS Cavalry Division.
#FFD700rgb(255, 215, 0)Examples:
8th SS Cavalry Division “Florian Geyer”
Lemon Yellow
Waffen-SSSS Signals battalions, radio operators, telephone operators.
#FFF44Frgb(255, 244, 79)Examples:
SS Signals Battalion 1
Light Blue
Waffen-SSSS Motor transport battalions, SS supply troops.
#ADD8E6rgb(173, 216, 230)Examples:
SS Supply Troops, SS Motor Transport Battalion
Dark Green
Waffen-SSSS Mountain infantry (e.g., 6th SS Mountain Division “Nord”).
#006400rgb(0, 100, 0)Examples:
6th SS Mountain Division “Nord”
Grass Green
Waffen-SSSS Panzergrenadiers to distinguish from regular SS infantry.
#7CFC00rgb(124, 252, 0)Examples:
SS Panzergrenadier Regiment 25
Dark Blue
Waffen-SSSS Medical battalions, SS field hospitals.
#00008Brgb(0, 0, 139)Examples:
SS Medical Battalion 1
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How to Use This Encyclopedia
- Branch colors appeared on shoulder-board underlays, collar piping and, depending on uniform and period, other insignia details.
- Shades varied by manufacturer, date, material and preservation. The HEX and RGB values shown here are modern approximations, not binding historical standards.
- The Kriegsmarine used career and specialty badges rather than this branch-color system in the same form.
- Use color together with rank insignia, unit markings, uniform type and date when identifying a photograph or surviving item.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I identify branch colors in old photographs?
Look at the shoulder boards: The colored underlay (cloth strip) beneath the rank insignia shows the branch color. In black-and-white photos, brightness helps: White appears bright, Pink/Red medium, Black dark. Additionally, collar patches (colored piping) and sleeve insignia can provide clues.
Why did the Panzer troops have Pink as their branch color?
Pink was the traditional color of the Cavalry in the German Empire. Since the Panzer troops were considered “motorized cavalry,” they adopted this color. From 1943, Panzergrenadiers (armored infantry) wore Grass Green as a new branch color for distinction.
Did the Kriegsmarine also have branch colors?
No, the Kriegsmarine did not use branch colors in the classical sense. Distinction was made through career badges on the sleeves: Anchor (naval officers), Cogwheel (engineers), Caduceus (medical officers), etc. The basic uniform color was uniformly dark blue/black.
When did the Waffen-SS introduce branch colors?
The Waffen-SS adopted Wehrmacht-style shoulder boards with branch colors from 1942 onwards to make the service branch more recognizable. Previously (1933-1942), the SS only wore black collar patches with runes and rank insignia without branch colors. The colors largely corresponded to those of the Army (white = Infantry, pink = Panzer, etc.).
Can I use branch colors to identify uniform pieces?
Yes! Branch colors are an important identification feature when determining uniform pieces, historical photographs, or estates. Combined with rank insignia and unit markings, the exact service branch and rank can often be determined. However, note color variations due to aging and different manufacturers.
Historical reference material for education and research. Colors may vary between surviving objects, photographs and modern displays. This encyclopedia is revised as new corrections and sources become available.
