I've just ordered some generic Litzen (collar tabs) for my M36 tunic today. On speaking to Dickie Underwood, he said the colour-specific Litzen were actually very early war, but that "people like it". The generic Litzen was in circulation from 1938 (thanks for that info, PST), so I'm quite happy to replace my Infanterie-specific Litzen. Only trouble is, it is that bloomin' BeVo stuff, which looks great, but is a slight pain in the Arsch to sew on. 
Anyway, just a quick change of shoulderboards, and I will be able to portray a different unit. 
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
It makes sense really, all my Heer tunics have generic litzen on. Its not only simpler but also more common for most of the war. I can switch between Infantry, Panzer Grenadier, Jager and Artillery in about 30 seconds. I still need to get some black piped boards for pioneer though, my attempts to change the colour of the spare artillery ones I had made them just a dark browny red, the closest to which is Judical I believe, so not much use really. 
I think people just opt for the specific litzen either because they like things to match or because they like the 'old sweat' look; of course it may just be because they don't know any better. Or maybe they go with tabs rather than BeVo to save themselves the pain of having to sew BeVo on.. 
Been "generic" from day one . Often wear panzer waffewnfarbe but very few people notice. M36's all the way through the war, jackboots all the way through the war. I've managed 3+ years of WW2 softing on pretty much one set of kit , with the odd bit of use of my generic officers kit. Cheap? , yes. authentic? yes, does my kit look battered and worn in like a landsers should?, yes .
, have I had to spend a fortune to fit in at any event ?, no .
Generic - Only way to be IMHO
I also believe that Headshot has gone through 3 years with the same US kit and the same gun as the day I first met him , and that was kit he'd had for a while . Doe's it look pukka?, you bet , has he spent a bean? very few.
It makes mense on so many levels.
Heer here 
Vanilla for the win.
I think people just opt for the specific litzen either because they like things to match or because they like the 'old sweat' look; of course it may just be because they don't know any better.
I didn't realise that generic Litzen were far more common until yesterday.
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
I was going to ask you how common this generic stuff was at Dragoon, you have outdone yourself answering my question before I asked it. 
German efficiency, Kamerad.
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
Alternatively why not join the Gebirgsjäger Massive, we got everywhere anyway. When not with a parent unit often transferred (with boots and badges) to other reforming units as cadre, etc.
Find us in Poland, Norway, France, planned Operations Sea Lion and Felix, Crete, Africa (DAK and a regiment in Tunisia), Russia (extreme north/Finland, Leningrad, Caucasus), Italy and some individuals with other units at Normandy. Join the Gebirgsjäger and see the war from altitude!
One set of mountain boots will see you all the way through the war as well. 
Thank you, plug ends.
They may have gotten around a bit (dirty slappers 
) but when you compare 10 GJ divisons to 200 infantry divisions there really is no contest.
With generic you can be both Sean, just an easy change of shoulder boards.
Yup, generic heer works for everything, As soon as you start adding unit specific affectations, edelwiess, etc, you start to limit yourself when it comes to fitting in with game scenarios. Also a good reason to go with m36 or m40 tunics rather than m43 or m44
[ Post made via Mobile Device ] 
“I wanted to come to the Volga at a specific location at a specific city. By chance it carries the name of Stalin himself. So don’t think I marched there for this reason – it could carry another name – but because there is a very important goal... this goal I wanted to take – and you know – we are very modest, we have it already."
Adolf Hitler, November 1942
"Comrades, Red Army men, commanders and political workers, men and women guerrillas! It is on your perseverance, staunchness, fighting skill and readiness to discharge your duty to the country that the defeat of the German-fascist army and the liberation of the Soviet land from the Hitlerite invaders depend! We can and must clear the Soviet land of Hitlerite vermin."
Joseph Stalin, November 1942
yes, though an edelwiess comes on and off as easy as a Div Patch for the US