Germany, Heer. An Army 16Th Motorized Infantry Division M43 Officer’s Field Cap

(Einheitsfeldmütze). A well-preserved German Heer (Army) Officer’s M43 Field Cap constructed of field-grey wool, the crown of the cap presents a silver bullion wire piping indicative of an Officer rank, towards the front is a machine-embroidered grey Heer-style eagle and a tricolour cockade over a green trapezoid backing, machine-stitched to the cap, the skirt arms displays the standard square-ended pattern and are secured at the front of the cap with two brown Bakelite buttons, the left side of the cap presents a silver and black-enamelled cap badge bearing a leaping greyhound, the insignia for the 16th Motorized Infantry Division, the cap also features a cardboard reinforced visor at the front, the interior is lined in champagne-coloured rayon with a orange-brown leather sweatband, stamped with the size 59 in black ink, measuring 19 cm (w) x 27.5 cm (l) x 11 cm (h), the exterior presents no stains or soiling, the interior sweatband displays heavy wear and cracking, the cap is in otherwise extremely fine condition.

Footnote: The 16th Motorized Infantry Division was nicknamed Windhund (Greyhound) and participated in the Balkans campaign in 1941 along with the 16th Panzer Division. It took part in Operation Barbarossa with Army Group South later that year. It advanced on the Caucasus with elements coming to within 20 miles of Astrakhan in 1942 (the post easterly point reached by any German unit during the war). In addition, it participated in the Battle of Stalingrad and as defensive operations after the Soviets broke up the front of the southern sector. In 1943, it was upgraded to 16th Panzergrenadier Division and later reorganized as the 116th Panzer Division, fighting in the Battle of Normandy.