"German Officer and NCO combat dress" Topic

In the infantry, did German officers and NCOs wear their shoulderboards in combat?

As far as I know, yes. The NCO shoulder and collar litzen isn't hugely visible.

Yes, but as the war went on, the NCO braid became a subdued gray.

Agreed – and as noted even at the start of the war, NCO shoulder boards were not especially noticeable

The silver tress can be quite visible, especially around the collar. However, I have been told, although never seen photographic evidence, that officers sometimes wore a slip on of field gray material over their shoulder boards so only the ends were exposed. like the unit number slip on, only longer and covering more.

And of course the various camouflage clothing items both official and unofficial (including the Zeltbahn) would cover boards up.

Yes, later in the war the various camo items tended to have few (or no) insignia visible, even if those naughty SS chaps sewed eagles on them when they weren't supposed.