Boys' Historical Uniform Belts: Shoulder Straps

Figure 1.--This boy looks to be wearing a Hitler Youth uniform. The lack of badges and readable patches makes it difficult to be sure. Note the shoulder strap. He also wears a chain, probably with a whistle attached. Note the rolled-up sleeve. Notice the triangular patch which indicated where the boy was from. It seems to read, "S___ Wien". I don't think it is South (isn't that SUD?) as it is too many letters, but Wien is, of course, Vienna.

Some uniformed groups added a shoulder strap to their belts for a rather military look. Military uniforms from World War I (1914-18) through the early years of World War II (1939-41) often had a shoulder strap attached to the belt. The Germans continued the look, at least with dress uniforms, but it was generally dropped by the American military. I'm less sure about the British. This was especially common in the Boy' Brigade and Hitler Youth. Military fashions were espcially important to the Hitler Youth as the organization placed a greater empgasis on military training than other youth organizations. It was less common with Scout groups. The shoulder straps had no real functions, it was purely ornamental.