Was such a DAK logo with an iron cross instead of a swastika ever used at the time or produced in a commemorative role, or is it a pre-war "sanitation" thing?
It's the post war old comrades association badge. Hence the swastika being replaced. Plenty of similar shields out there. Did you buy this one ? Same photo except it says 'sold ' Deutsches Afrika-Korps - Teilnehmerabzeichen Afrika 1941 - 1943 - Philipp Militaria Military Antiques Verband Deutsches Afrika-Korps e.V. / Afrikakorps, Teilnehmerabzeichen Afrika translates as ... Association of German Africa Corps e.V. / Africa Corps, Africa participant badge
Hello Snolder, I haven’t seen that particular one before, but some years ago, on a visit to the Bundeswehr Laser Training range at Luttmersen near Hanover, there were some variations of a theme about. If you look at: 9th Panzerlehr Brigade (Bundeswehr) and then down to 33rd Panzergrenadier Battalion ..... One emblem at the barrack gate visited at the time bore a black and white four squared motif alluding to Uhlan traditions, facing a palm-treed shield giving a nod to Heia Safari days. Incidentally, their Officers’ Mess displayed a large oil portrait of Rommel as a Field Marshal, albeit painted post-1956, because no such painting had reportedly been produced during the war. I have an inkling some of the Kaiser’s Schutztruppen may have used a palm motif, too.
nope, i didnt buy that one, but i got curious because i saw that same motif on a ring (a non-historical ring im pretty sure), so i wanted to know if that motif was ever used during the war, or if it was something that they implemented afterwards to not pay tribute to nazism