Deutsches Afrika Korps Uniforms

Tools 'n' Tips Article by Hal Marshman Sr

 

Ray Rosario of the Bay Colony IPMS Chapter contacted me a couple of days back, with questions about Afrika Korps uniforms. In light of what I see at every show where someone attempts to do DAK subjects, there seems to be great misunderstanding regarding this very esoteric subject. In addition to having owned several genuine DAK pieces, and having inspected items in other folks’ collections, I also possess several books on the subject, including the Roger J. Bender book. Such being the case, I feel well qualified to write on the subject. In this case, I am only going to discourse on the tropical uniforms worn by the German Army. Luftwaffe tropical wear is another kettle of fish altogether, as was the small amount of Kreigsmarine and SS tropical wear.

Looking at basics first, the Afrika Korps issue uniforms were not tan! They were a medium olive cotton twill material, tunic, trousers, shirts, ties, and caps. Now, due to the weather conditions in North Africa and southern Italy, these uniforms did fade to a pale tannish color, but it still retained just a touch of the olive tint. In the case of the famous “Afrika Korps“ cap, the normal headwear of the troops when not wearing the steel helmet, this pale color was considered “salty”, and as such, much desired. The troops would actually bleach these caps out using their anti-gas tablets.

 

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

Photos and text © by Hal Marshman Sr