How did the totenkopf symbol become popular among German forces over time periods? What made a skull appealing? Wouldn't some people think negatively of the symbolism during such religious times of history? Were any complaints raised about it during Nazi Germany from among Nazis, themselves?
>>18069386The totenkopf predates Hitler. It likely symbolizes either your own ancestors watching you and/or the impending death of your enemies.>during such religious times of history?Europe isn't America.
>>18069386The first german units that wore the Totenkopf as an official part of their uniform were the 1. Leibhusaren and the 2. Leibhusaren, which both were raised in 1741. Their mirleton caps especially were modelled after examples captured by austrian pandurs - here the deaths head was "hidden" under the cloth wrap of the cap. But those two prussian hussar regiments were to carry their Totenkopf openly. Another prominent german unit that wore the Totenkopf were the soldiers of the Schwarze Schar (Black Brunswickers; a volunteer formation) of Braunschweig during the Napoleonic Wars.In both cases the symbology is rather clear: death before defeat, no quarter given & none asked.The Totenkopf got a big revival in 1930-34 for the uniforms of all tank crews as here it was to be found on the collar patches. The reason was that the tankers were founded in the tradition of the cavalry and thus it was chosen to use this famous symbol for the new and potent arm. Interestingly the SS adopted a Totenkopf too around the same time period - but considering that the Wehrmacht and the SS were still very destinct organisations, it is unlikely that there was any sort of coordination between the two organisations. >Wouldn't some people think negatively of the symbolism during such religious times of history?Memento mori.The death's head is a classical motif for christian art and can be found in all sort of scenarios and on all sort of artistic products.
Pic rel is Richard Koll. A german Lieutenant General of the tank arm. His uniform is the Wehrmacht tanker one and the Totenkopf is clearly visable on the collar patch.
>>18069386It meant death or glory and predates the National Socialists by 200 years.
And practically all european powers had some sort of deaths head unit. UK, Spain, France, Sweden, etc. And the symbology is always: be fierce in battle and accept death.
>>18069386Waist = snatched in the picrel, hot damn
>>18069875>Memento mori.The death's head is a classical motif for christian artMemento mori isn't a christian motif. It's a European motif that predates christianity.
>>18069998And it got really popular in conjunction with Christianity.
>>18070088Completely irrelevant. It's not a christian motif, but is a mainstay of European culture as evidenced across the entire continent from the Icelandic Havamal to the Roman Triumph.Christianity moving from Asia into Europe does not make European things christian.
>>18070196Alright, then it is a european motif that is often featured in christian art. Happy?
>>18070088>>18069998It at least seems to be an ancient roman motive.
>>18070280>Alright, then it is a european motif>Happy?Yes >>18069998
>>18069386It was coolDuh
>>18069386Do you think actual SS members found the skull to be a little bit too much for them to handle? Have any Nazis actually commented on that?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToKcmnrE5oY
>>18071481Here is the classic brainwashed mutt, unable to actually discuss the history in this thread, foaming at the mouth at the evil Nazis his Jew masters told him to fear.
>>18069875/thread
