Boys' Uniform Kerchief Woggles/Neckerchief Slides


Figure 1.--Here we have a DJ boy from Charlottenburg. Note the woggle. We have seen Cubs and Scouts wearing the same style, known as a Turks Head Woggle. Presumably it looked like a turban. Notice the 198 on his epaulette. That was his DJ unit number.

The neckerchief was a common uniform item for many youth groups around the world. Most employed a neckerchief slide to secure the neckerchief. This was much more convenient than knotting the neckerchief. The advantages of the slide or woggle are that in hot weather and on the hike the neckerchief can be loosened around the throat while in a cold wind or snowstorm it can he drawn up closer to serve as a muffler. When necessary to use the neckerchief in emergencies, the slide can be instantly drawn down, permitting the neckerchief to be whipped off over the head. When the slide is not used a knot must be tied, and it is seldom tied twice alike nor at the same position at the throat, a very untidy appearance resulting. The slide is an immense convenience and adds distinctly to the appearance of the neckerchief.

Purpose

The neckerchief was a common uniform item for many youth groups around the world. Most employed a neckerchief slide to secure the neckerchief. This was much more convenient than knotting the neckerchief. The advantages of the slide or woggle are that in hot weather and on the hike the neckerchief can be loosened around the throat while in a cold wind or snowstorm it can he drawn up closer to serve as a muffler. When necessary to use the neckerchief in emergencies, the slide can be instantly drawn down, permitting the neckerchief to be whipped off over the head. When the slide is not used a knot must be tied, and it is seldom tied twice alike nor at the same position at the throat, a very untidy appearance resulting. The slide is an immense convenience and adds distinctly to the appearance of the neckerchief.

Terminology

American Scouts called these items neckerchief or kerchief slides. The British affectionately referred to them as "wogg;es". I'm not sure what the Hitler Youth called them.

Specific Groups

We notice several youth groups adopting neckerchiefs and most of them adopted the neckerchief slide along with it. An exception here appears to have been the Young Pioneers.

Hitler Youth

We see quite a few Hitler Youth boys wearing the Turks Head neckerchief slide. This appears to have been a style adopted from Scouting, as was the neckerchief itself. A HBU contributor tells us, "The woggle worn by DJ/HJ was a three strand 'Turks head'. There does not seen to be much written about this woggle but I will keep looking." [Muir]

Scouts

An Australian reader writes, "I was looking through your Hitler Youth pages from the recent link you have sent to me. I came across one of the pages where you talk about scarves and woggles. It is interesting to see the same woggle we taught the scouts to make. It is called a 'Turks Head Woggle'." Another Australian reader tells us, "I have seen many types of woggles as a former Scout Leader. The Australian woggles were based on UK designs as are most of their badges and uniforms. The 'Turks head' woggle was never worn by Cubs or Scouts, they wore a flat oval woggle with a press stud at the back and the Scout emblem embossed at the front. The double strand 'Turks head' was awarded only Scout/Cub leaders who qualified in stage one of the Woodbadge training. When fully qualified the leader received the woodbadge - two wooden beads on a leather thong. The beads were facsimiles of those on the massive necklace worn by the Zulu paramount chief defeated by Baden-Powell. He also became a member of the 1st Gilwell Park (London) Scout Group and received their special scarf. I was a Woodbadge holder." [Muir]

Young Pioneers

Young Pioneeers seemed to have mostly tied knots in their red neckerchiefs.

Construction

Cubs and Scouts in America are incouraged to produce their own kerchief slides, or woggles as British Cubs and Scouts call them. One method is carving. One whittler offers the following tips. To make a good kerchief slide, there are a few fundamentals one should follow:
1.Use a knife with a 1 1/2 inch blade. The blade should be razor sharp so that it will cut across the grain as well as with the grain (growth lines). 2.Basswood, Sugar Pine or White Pine are the best woods for carving. 3.Slides should not be too heavy or large. Four inches is about maximum, and there should be no projecting points. 4.Use masking tape to make a thumb pad for the thumb of the knife-holding hand. Practice carving to your padded thumb. Be careful how you hold the wood with the other hand. 5.THINK CAREFULLY about the knife cuts before you make them. Take small cuts. 6.Use sand paper to smooth over the rough edges and remove any ink. 7.Use acrylic water-based paints for your colors. Finish with a clear coat of varnish, lacquer or polyurethane to seal and protect your carving.

Sources

Muir, John. E-mail message, September 19, 2005.






HBU





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Created: 2:05 AM 9/19/2005
Last updated: 10:03 PM 9/19/2005