Sentry of the 'Großdeutschland' guard battalion, Berlin 1942.

Großdeutschland guard battalion

Knight's Cross with Oakleaves holder Alfons Rebane in uniform of Estonian Defence Forces

Alfons Rebane

Soldier of the 4th SS Division, "Polizei", surveys the scene through a trench periscope, before Leningrad.  Prior to its full incorporation in the Waffen-SS early in 1942, the "Polizei" enjoyed a curious half-in, half-out relationship with that force.  This was reflected in the soldier's uniform, which was also Waffen-SS/Police hybrid.  The helmet on the right-hand side shows a Swastika escutcheon; on the other side would be the "Police Eagle", distinctive badge of the German Police in this period.  The soldier wears Waffen-SS camo; however, his right-hand sleeve cuff projects, showing the distinctive two-buttoned cuff of the pre-1943 Polizei "Waffenrock" tunic; the cuff is probably in the brown of the Schutzpolizei.  I tried, but failed, to identify the periscope.  I think it may, actually, be a Soviet binocular model; the bottom handle is, I think, the teardrop-shaped wooden structure just under the sight, which is in turn supported on what might be a length of pipe.  Any views ?  Best regards, JR.