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Non-Uniformity of Afrika Korps Uniforms

Summer Uniform 1943

If ever there was a motley crew among first-rate 20^th Century armies, the Afrika Korps fit the bill.  “Uniform” was all but a misnomer for the famed unit.  The Afrika Korp’s attire varied greatly in style and color. This trend persisted in German tropical and “summer” uniforms right up to the end of World War II.

                The German Army once had one of the best tropical departments of any European nation.  Prior to World War I, Germany had colonies in Africa, Asia and among several Pacific Island groups. German troops assigned to those locations were known as “Schutztruppen,” with a reputation for being excellent riflemen.  They were equipped with suitable uniforms, as well.  The tropical dress used by the German Army was first-rate. First light gray, and later tan uniforms were issued to all troops in tropical climes.  Headgear included tropical helmets and wide-brimmed bush hats.  The German colonial soldiers was suitably clothed whether in the jungle or southern African desert. 

                The loss of its colonies in 1918 meant an end to tropical postings for German soldiers.  By the time the German Army was thinking of wider expeditions again, almost all of its former tropical troops had retired from active service.  There was hardly anyone with suitable hot-weather experience. 

The German forces had a problem planning for other climes.  Just as they were unprepared for desert operations, they also misunderstood the weather in other parts of Europe.  The Germans were adequately prepared to operate in Central Europe and felt that was enough.  They failed to prepare for the cold extremes of Russia and Finland.  Climate was a problem which the Germans had failed to anticipate.

Adventure Gear!

                The Germans initially based their tropical uniforms on an Italian design.  They made one change.  Instead of loose trousers and sleeves, the Germans opted for a tighter fit.  Their new tropical kit included olive-green jodhpurs (riding pants), a light olive shirt, olive green tunic, topee type helmet, and knee-high boots consisting of a laced canvas legging top sewn to a brown shoe.  The uniform fitted tightly.  Optional gear included olive shorts.  The German olive drab had a brownish tinge to it.

                Of course, many troops arriving in Afrika wore their regular European uniforms.  Not all were to receive the tropical suits.

                The Germans found that their sharp tropical uniforms were very impractical.  They quickly abandoned the jodhpurs and tunic.  A shorter tropical boot was ordered.  While a few wore the higher European boot, many adopted new short boots.  These included the calf-length version of the tropical boot, and plainer ankle-high types.  New tropical uniforms also were designed.  Some had light tan shorts, others baggy tan trousers.  The trousers were favored by armored vehicle crews.

                Tunics varied, from olive drab to field gray to a light tan.  Adding to the uniform confusion was the need for long coats during the cold desert nights.  Fading also played its part.  The result was an army that had a non-uniform appearance.

Headgear: German troops in North Africa used the topee, the field cap, and “saucer cap” and the steel helmet.  Topees faded to a light tan, and some were almost white.  They were not generally used during combat.  Field caps could be light tan, olive drab or field gray.  Fading also created an array of hues.  Helmets were usually repainted a desert tan, though some remained green or grey.  Officer caps could be grey, field grey, olive drab or tan.

Footgear: the high and low gaiter-type tropical boots were one extreme.  Some troops used the standard high European boot, and others were issued short ankle-height leather boots.

Clothing: trousers varied.  The olive jodhpurs gave way to olive drab shorts. There were also regular trousers of European style, in field grey or light tan.  Light tan shorts and baggy trousers were popular.  A tan or light olive shirt was common, as were tunics in olive draw, field grey and light tan.  Long brown drab coats were used at night, when te mperatures could go as low as 38 degrees F.

Field Gear: the belts and suspenders issued to the Afrika Korps were of a dark green webbed material.  Belts of tan and olive green were also available.  The rest of the field gear was similar to European issue.

Insignia: For the most part, Afrika Korps insignia were the same as those of the regular Army.  The only special item was the Palm Tree logo.  A few may have painted it on their helmets, but the insignia was mainly reserved for vehicles.

Vehicle Uniformity

Most of the vehicles that arrived with the first units was painted in its European colors.  This was a dark “panzer grey.” A few received a coat of light yellowish olive.  Tanks were eventually painted tan.  The shades varied, since supplies were often local and inconsistent.  Shades could run from a light tan to a mustard color.  While some untis camouflaged their vehicles with dark green and brown, most were a plain tan.  The plainer color offered better concealment, since camouflage could easily make a tank conspicuous against a plain sand background.  Colors could be so light as to seem almost white.  Fading and weathering were a problem thanks to sun and sand.

                The Afrika Korps’ own consist of vehicles became more eclectic with the passing of time.  Captured British vehicles were pressed into German service.  The Afrika Korps liked the British trucks.  Tanks could also be used.  German practice was to first mark captured tanks with large panzer crosses.  Later, they might get a German-style paint job over their original British colors.  Because tanks require frequent maintenance and spare parts, the captured vehicles would be scuttled w hen ammo or maintenance was too big a problem.

The Afrika Korps was a crazy-quilt unit of varied vehicles and uniforms.  Beset by problems of supply and maintenance, German forces managed to fight effectively against better-equipped, more numerous adversaries.  The incongruous assortment of weapons, vehicles and uniforms were no obstacle to the cohesion of one of the most effective fighting units of all time.

For the military miniaturist, the Afrika Korps provides the kind of variety that makes it an ideal subject.  Combined with the equally varied nature of vehicles used by its British and American adversaries, not to mention its Italian allies, the North African campaign is a rich field  for the military enthusiast.

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