c1935 - 39 German WW2 Shoulder Strap 22. Sanitäts-Abteilung Regt 22nd Medical Regiment

Early 1st Pattern Third Reich shoulder strap to the Deutsche Army (Heers) 22 Medical Air Landing Regt (Sanitäts-Abteilung 22). Introduced 10 Sep 1935 and worn until 18 March 1939. Some light moth crazing (see pic) doesn't detract from a lovely rare Med Nazi era shoulder strap.


The 22nd German Air Landing Division (later Volksgrenadier) operated a division airborne medical service (Sanitäts-Einheiten), including a medical battalion (Sanitäts-Abteilung 22) during World War II, notably in the invasion of Holland, the Crete airborne assault Operation Mercury, and later on the Eastern Front, before being destroyed and reformed, with units often functioning as part of larger Luftwaffe or infantry corps.

Key Details of 22nd Division Medical Services:
Structure: Under the German army system, the medical unit (22. Sanitäts-Abteilung) were responsible for treating and evacuating wounded from the regimental aid stations to the rear.

Operational History:

1940: Involved in the invasions of the Netherlands and Belgium.

1941: Participated in the invasion of Crete (Op Mercury) as an Air Landing Division.

1942-43: Fought on the Eastern Front (Crimea, southern sector) and saw its combat units heavily depleted in November 1942 near Petshany.

1944-45: Reorganized as the 22nd Volksgrenadier Division, continuing to serve on the Eastern Front.
Medical Personnel: Personnel, including doctors and sanitarians, often wore the Red Cross armband on the left shoulder and sometimes the Aesculapian staff on the right forearm.

Support Units: The division was highly motorised for its size and included specialised transport.

Code: 1826