Posts
Wartime uniform development:
The prolongation of the war into 1942 and the effective economic blockade brought to bear upon the German Reich resulted in a need for simplification of the field uniform and in the use of poorer quality cloth. By the winter of 1943-4 the average wool content of the field uniform cloth had sunk to approximately 50% with some uniforms dropping as low as 35%; the wool itself was of low quality because it had been reworked.
By 1943 the press of economic conditions resulted in the introduction of a simplified uniform, the Model 1943 Service Uniform and in September 1944 of an entirely new field uniform called the M44 Felduniform. These uniforms were to replace the pattern introduced in 1936 as stocks of the latter became exhausted. They were designed to conserve resources and to permit production by relatively unskilled labour.
The prolongation of the war into 1942 and the effective economic blockade brought to bear upon the German Reich resulted in a need for simplification of the field uniform and in the use of poorer quality cloth. By the winter of 1943-4 the average wool content of the field uniform cloth had sunk to approximately 50% with some uniforms dropping as low as 35%; the wool itself was of low quality because it had been reworked.
By 1943 the press of economic conditions resulted in the introduction of a simplified uniform, the Model 1943 Service Uniform and in September 1944 of an entirely new field uniform called the M44 Felduniform. These uniforms were to replace the pattern introduced in 1936 as stocks of the latter became exhausted. They were designed to conserve resources and to permit production by relatively unskilled labour.
Image 3: M43 Service Tunic
Canvas web equipment first used in North Africa gradually began to replace the traditional leather equipment throughout the Army in all theatres of operation, although leather did not by any means disappear altogether.
The Dress Uniform no longer continued to be issued to Army personnel. Its suspension was intended to last for the duration of the war after which, Germany being victorious, it was to have been reissued. No doubt in the light of future developments, manufacturing techniques and new materials it would probably have been redesigned. Use of the Waffenrock during the war was confined to those army officers already owning Dress Uniforms, officer candidate battalions, higher staffs in rear areas, permanent staffs of service schools and similar personnel.
Although it was not generally issued throughout the army, camouflage clothing first introduced in 1942 was worn in increasing numbers and in a variety of forms. Two basis patterns of Army camouflage colouring were used, and towards the last years of the war these were supplemented by the use of camouflage clothing made from stocks of unused Italian Army camouflage material.
Special winter clothing was introduced during the winter of 1942-3 designed specifically to combat the severe sub-zero weather conditions encountered by the German Forces serving on the Eastern Front. For cleaning and repair purposes, as well as replacement with fresh stocks, this winter clothing was collected from the troops in the spring and returned to the east for redistribution during the following autumn.
The Special Field Grey Uniform originally intended for wear by crews of assault gun units and by tank destroyer formations, and first introduced for wear in 1940, quickly became a widespread form of Army clothing. By the end of the war many varied types of German Army formations had been issued with this uniform.
The erroneous statement often quoted implying that there was a deliberate increase in the number and variety of awards, badges and decorations specifically instituted and issued to German troops to compensate for the decrease in the quality of the military uniform is not only misleading and inaccurate but does not stand up to close inspection.
The Dress Uniform no longer continued to be issued to Army personnel. Its suspension was intended to last for the duration of the war after which, Germany being victorious, it was to have been reissued. No doubt in the light of future developments, manufacturing techniques and new materials it would probably have been redesigned. Use of the Waffenrock during the war was confined to those army officers already owning Dress Uniforms, officer candidate battalions, higher staffs in rear areas, permanent staffs of service schools and similar personnel.
Although it was not generally issued throughout the army, camouflage clothing first introduced in 1942 was worn in increasing numbers and in a variety of forms. Two basis patterns of Army camouflage colouring were used, and towards the last years of the war these were supplemented by the use of camouflage clothing made from stocks of unused Italian Army camouflage material.
Special winter clothing was introduced during the winter of 1942-3 designed specifically to combat the severe sub-zero weather conditions encountered by the German Forces serving on the Eastern Front. For cleaning and repair purposes, as well as replacement with fresh stocks, this winter clothing was collected from the troops in the spring and returned to the east for redistribution during the following autumn.
The Special Field Grey Uniform originally intended for wear by crews of assault gun units and by tank destroyer formations, and first introduced for wear in 1940, quickly became a widespread form of Army clothing. By the end of the war many varied types of German Army formations had been issued with this uniform.
The erroneous statement often quoted implying that there was a deliberate increase in the number and variety of awards, badges and decorations specifically instituted and issued to German troops to compensate for the decrease in the quality of the military uniform is not only misleading and inaccurate but does not stand up to close inspection.
Image 4: M44 Field Blouse
The majority of German Army decorations had been designed and instituted before the end of 1942, whereas the severe decline in the quality of the material used in the production of the Army uniforms did not begin until 1943. By 1942 the number of troops serving in the German
Army had increased rapidly, the greatest extent of land conquests had been achieved and, until El Alemein and Stalingrad, the army had suffered no major reverses. As the war progressed the number of troops eligible for these established awards also increased, especially as the fighting became more bitter. This in turn led to the need to recognize those troops that had distinguished themselves in continuous combat with the enemy which resulted in the upgrading of certain awards. Seen in this light it would be more correct to say that the apparent relationship between the increase in the number of awards and the decrease in the quality of the uniform material was pure coincidence. With the advantage of hindsight it becomes increasingly apparent that the
German Army's uniforms and equipment during the National Socialist period were much in advance of other contemporary nations both in design and manufacture. The German uniforms were of excellent manufacture but with the constant shortage of raw materials in the latter stages of the war new designs of inferior quality had to be produced: the poor material, however, was no reflection on the skill that was used to design these clothes and to also overcome the considerable production obstacles.
Allied propaganda labelled the German uniforms as gaudy and overdecorated when, in fact, they were well designed with inbuilt smartness and practicality. Many of the features introduced during World War II have since influenced the uniforms, head-dress and equipment adopted by other nations.
Article & photos from:
Book: German Army Uniforms and Insignia 1933-1945
All right reserved. @Copyright Brockhampton Press 1998
Army had increased rapidly, the greatest extent of land conquests had been achieved and, until El Alemein and Stalingrad, the army had suffered no major reverses. As the war progressed the number of troops eligible for these established awards also increased, especially as the fighting became more bitter. This in turn led to the need to recognize those troops that had distinguished themselves in continuous combat with the enemy which resulted in the upgrading of certain awards. Seen in this light it would be more correct to say that the apparent relationship between the increase in the number of awards and the decrease in the quality of the uniform material was pure coincidence. With the advantage of hindsight it becomes increasingly apparent that the
German Army's uniforms and equipment during the National Socialist period were much in advance of other contemporary nations both in design and manufacture. The German uniforms were of excellent manufacture but with the constant shortage of raw materials in the latter stages of the war new designs of inferior quality had to be produced: the poor material, however, was no reflection on the skill that was used to design these clothes and to also overcome the considerable production obstacles.
Allied propaganda labelled the German uniforms as gaudy and overdecorated when, in fact, they were well designed with inbuilt smartness and practicality. Many of the features introduced during World War II have since influenced the uniforms, head-dress and equipment adopted by other nations.
Article & photos from:
Book: German Army Uniforms and Insignia 1933-1945
All right reserved. @Copyright Brockhampton Press 1998
HALL OF FAME ARTIKEL