Getting to the insignia
worn on the tropical uniform, we’ll start with the ubiquitous cap.
First, the turnup around the lower portion of the cap, was a simulated
turnup, and did not fold down, as did the continental M-43 cap. It had no
buttons in the front. The eagle worn at the front of the crown was medium
blue gray embroidered on a copperish brown background. On the front of the
“turnup” was the cockade of the German national colors. Black outside
ring white inside, with a red center. In most cases, an inverted Vee of
the branch of service color (waffenfarbe) would extend from the visor
edge, to the top of the turnup, with the cockade centered inside. In
Africa, there was very little ground pounder infantry, thus a white Vee
would be rare. Most infantry was mechanized, and wore grass green
waffenfarben. Artillery would be red, panzer pink, signals lemon yellow,
and mechanized cavalry golden yellow. The last DAK cap I owned was light
blue, for transport troops. Medical would b e cornflower blue, propaganda
troops medium gray, and chaplains violet. The cap worn by officers was
basically the same as that worn by the troops, with the exception of
aluminum piping around the crown (gold for general officers). I know I
spent quite a lot of time with something as basic as the tropical cap, but
it was a distinguishing and popular item, and the waffenfarben information
applies elsewhere as well. German troops could and did wear a cap similar
to the above item, but without the visor. Insignia would be the same.
Although quite practical,, this cap did not enjoy same popularity as the
visored field cap.
Now, let’s look at the
jacket. This was a skirted affair, quite similar to the regular German
uniform, in that it had patch pockets with flaps and pleats on both the
breast and skirt. It was open lapelled, but I have seen an
Oberleutnant’s tunic that had the same rise and fall collar of the
continental tunic. The buttons were painted olive, but of course much of
that would wear off in use, exposing the aluminum of which they were made.
In the rear, at waist level, were two removable hooks, that supported the
belt. (These were also present on continental uniforms, so when you see
movies where the holster or bayonet is dragging the belt down, you know
the costume dept. failed to complete their homework.) Getting to the
insignia, starting at the top, the collar tabs were medium blue gray on a
copper colored background, as was the breast eagle.
The shoulder straps could
be uniform color, or in some cases a medium brown. Naturally, they were
bordered with waffenfarben depicting the arm of service of the wearer. No,
the waffenbarben did not extend across the seam at the shoulder. For NCOs
, the shoulder strap would be surrounded with copper brown colored tresse,
as would the collar. In the case of officers, the shoulder straps were
worked on a base of the waffenfarben color, pretty much as worn on the
continent. Officers could elect to wear continental style officer’s
collar tabs, and even the silver (gold for generals) on green European
styled breast eagle. General’s buttons by the way, were in a golden
color. A man’s basic medals were worn on this uniform, just as they were
on the continent. Around the right sleeve of the Afrika Korps troops and
officers, was an olive green cuff title, with the words “Afrika Korps”
embroidered in pale gray or white. As an aside, on the left sleeve if you see an olive cuff
title lettered “Afrika” with palm trees at either end, and a dull
silver border top and bottom, this was a theater decoration, and was
awarded for length of service in Africa. This was a universal decoration,
and could be awarded to other than DAK troops, also Luftwaffe personnel,
and etc. Should Kriegsmarine personnel serve the appropriate amount of
time in Africa, they also would be eligible. As a decoration, this title
was worn on the left sleeve, just above the cuff.
The issue trousers were
almost a semi riding breeches style, made of the self same color material
as the tunic. There were also quite baggy pants issued to be worn with
shoes lower than the standard tropical boots, which were never in
sufficient supply.
The issue boots were made
of a non desiccating denim like material, and laced up the front almost to
the knee. The toe and heel caps were medium brown leather while the denim
portions were the same olive color as the uniform. As mentioned, lower
quarter brogan style shoes were issued, and quite a few later arriving
troops found themselves wearing continental issue jack boots.
The uniform belt was cotton
webbing, with a buckle styled the same as the regular “Gott Mitt Uns”
(God with us) item of the continental German soldier, but painted olive.
Later arrivals often found themselves wearing that self same continental
leather belt, due to shortage of supplies, which was a chronic Africa
problem. As mentioned above, the shirt and tie (when worn) were the same
basic olive color as the tunic. Such accoutrements as the “Y” straps
infantry harness were also made of the same cotton webbing material, as
were such items as the bayonet frog, and the straps surrounding the water
bottle, gas mask tin, and etc. The odd tannish colored bread bag when
worn, was the same as the continental issue. The bayonet scabbard, mess
tin, and gas mask tin were all sprayed a desert tan yellow color, similar
to that used for the vehicles Steel helmets might also be so sprayed, or
even hand done in an endless variety of tan over issue field gray styles.
On many, an effort was made to preserve the national color and national
eagle decals on the sides of the helmet, but many were must plain painted
over. I once owned one that had been painted tan, and while still wet, had
been rolled in sand. Very effective, but heavy as all get out. From time
to time, you may see pictures of desert personnel wearing a pith
helmet.The early ones were made of a pale kahki cotton material, while
later ones were a dark brownish olive felt. Mounted on the right side was
an aluminum shield bearing the national colors; on the left, a shield
bearing the Army style national eagle. These items, romantic as they
looked, were not worn in combat, and front line troops usually discarded
them early, not the least because of their bulk. Everyone seemed to prefer
the rakish “Devil may care” look of the famed cap described in my
opening. One other thing of note: many officers, including Rommel himself,
preferred to wear their continental style visored cap. There was not a
visored cap designed to be worn with the tropical uniform, and in the
light of what you may see in movies, I cannot stress that enough. Rommel
even wore his woolen riding breeches, complete with scarlet side stripes.
As an aside, the goggles famously worn by Rommel on his hat were British
issue, taken from a supply dump left behind when the Germans captured
Tobruk.
There’s more that could
be said, but this is a fairly complete essay regarding German Army
tropical and Deutsches Afrika Korps uniforms. I hope you find this
information useful when populating your armored vehicles, building
dioramas, or even painting single figures.
Have fun,
Hal
Marshman Sr
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