The Introduction and Development of the Field-Gray Uniform of the German Army (1907 - 18) - An Overview

Until 1914 the German Imperial Army still presented itself in splendid, tradition-driven peacetime uniforms that conveyed a high sense of self to the wearer and exerted an undiminished appeal on wide sections of the population. However, the practical necessities resulting from modern warfare already signaled the end of the colorful uniforms before the outbreak of the First World War.

Whereas in the era of muzzle-loaders the uniform had to be conspicuous so that one’s own (and the enemy’s) lines could be recognized in the gun smoke, the invention of low-smoke powder soon made camouflage a problem. The debate over optimizing the field uniform received decisive impulses especially from Great Britain, which, having to deal with various colonial wars under sometimes extreme climatic conditions, saw its troops on site begin to procure suitable garments for service on their own initiative. The discovery of khaki in India around the mid-19th century stemmed from such initiative. By about 1880 the basic elements of the modern service uniform had emerged there, but the official introduction of this unadorned clothing was long delayed. As it proved itself in overseas fights (e.g. in the Boer War 1880–81, 1899–1902), other European powers took notice. Other states also began experiments, while only France, despite being a colonial power, failed to remove its colorful uniforms from the battlefield in time before the outbreak of war in 1914.

In Germany the farewell to the colorful uniform had already begun before the outbreak of the First World War. As early as 1892, covers concealed headgear during maneuvers. The machine-gun detachments formed from 1901 received field-capable — namely gray-green — uniforms from the outset, though still with red collars and sleeve cuffs. The jägers on horseback formed from the dispatch riders received gray-green koller (short tunics) from 1899 with light-green collars and matching Swedish-style sleeve cuffs. The protection troops’ uniforms were modeled on the khaki-colored British example. The home-service uniform was light gray with insignia in colors varying by protected territory. The East Asian Expeditionary Corps formed because of the Chinese unrest in 1900 was already clothed according to modern principles and had a summer uniform of khaki drill and a winter uniform of field-gray cloth.

By A.K.O. of 14.02.1907 (announced on 25.02.1907) field-gray clothing was introduced in the Prussian army for the enlisted men of the foot troops after a series of trials. Bavaria (22.03.2007), Saxony (21/22.03.1907) and Württemberg (23.05.1907) followed. Primarily the basic colors of clothing and equipment were changed. But the cut was also made looser and more comfortable. As a rule the insignia of the various army corps, branches of service, etc., were carried over from the previous uniforms. The new clothing was in the colors field-gray and gray-green and at first stood alongside the previous colorful uniforming. The first samples were issued in April of that year¹.

The tunic with turnover collar (standing turnover collar) was worn by the foot troops², by the machine-gun detachments, by the artillery and by formations of the train. It was made of field-gray, and for the Jägers, Riflemen and machine-gun detachments of gray-green cloth (not in Bavaria). Below the waist it had an obliquely set pocket on each side. On the back skirt there were obliquely set pocket flaps. The buttons on the tunic were shallowly domed and matte. Made of tombak or nickel, they displayed a stamped crown in Prussia, the heraldic lion in Bavaria, etc. The tunic had colored trims down the front and on the back pocket flaps, namely ponceau red for the infantry, the machine-gun detachments, the pioneers, the traffic troops, the field and foot artillery and the train, and light green for the Jägers and Riflemen.

The colors of the trims on the turnover collar varied. The sleeve cuffs corresponded to the peacetime uniforming and likewise had colored trims. These always matched the trims on the turnover collar. The detachable shoulder boards had colored trims by which the corresponding army corps or branch of service could be recognized. They also showed the various regimental badges, i.e. the regimental/battalion number or name inscriptions, etc.

Cavalry also received (later) a new field outfit. The tunics of the dragoons and the ulanka of the uhlans were based on the samples ordered by the War Ministry on 23.03.1908; on 23.02.1910 tunics were introduced for the cuirassiers in place of the previous koller.

The guard regiments retained their braids. The Attila of the hussars was introduced on 25.11.1909. The tunic of the cuirassiers and dragoons was of field-gray and that of the jägers on horseback of gray-green cloth. The metal buttons were matte and made of tombak or nickel. The trims ran down the front and along the lower edge of the skirt as well as on the pocket flaps and showed for the cuirassiers and dragoons the regimental badge color; for the jägers on horseback they were, however, exclusively light green. The sleeve cuffs were Swedish-style from field-gray or light-green cloth. Only those of the cuirassiers and dragoons displayed trims at the top and back in the regimental color. The cuirassiers, jägers on horseback and staff orderlies had braids of camel yarn on the standing collar and sleeve cuffs; for officers these were of silk. The braid trim of the cuirassiers was field-gray with white outer stripes and colored inner stripes. The latter was kept in the respective regimental color⁴. The braids of the jägers on horseback were light green and had a wide central stripe in the regimental color with yellow edges. The shoulder boards could be removed. They had colored trims and displayed the regimental number or the respective regimental badge, e.g. the regimental number or the respective name inscription, etc.

The ulanka with standing collar was made of field-gray base cloth and had shaped breast flaps. The left was buttoned over the right breast flap. The shallowly domed metal buttons were of tombak or nickel. The sleeve cuffs of the ulanka were also field-gray cloth, widening on the outer sleeve side toward the top and ending there in a point. The trims on the ulanka ran around the standing collar, the breast flaps and the upper edge of the sleeve cuffs, the lower skirt edge, the back seams, the rear sleeve seams and the shaped pocket flaps. The rounded removable shoulder boards were field-gray and displayed the regimental number or the respective name inscription in red. The trims corresponded to the fields of the epaulettes of the peacetime uniform. Braids were also worn on the ulanka where they had already been worn on the peacetime uniform. However, then the sleeve cuffs showed only a single vertical braid.

The officers’ ulanka corresponded in cut to that of the enlisted men but was made of finer cloth and had shoulder straps as rank insignia.

The czapka was worn with a cover, usually without insignia.

The Attila was likewise field-gray and had a rounded standing collar. The typical cord trim in five rows on the chest consisted of field-gray flat cord. This also edged the upper and lower collar, the edges of the chest pieces and the skirt edges. The cord trim also marked corresponding cuffs on the sleeves and ended there each time in a cord knot. On the back of the Attila the cord trim was on the back seams and on the skirt edges.

The Attila was closed with toggle buttons and had no shoulder boards but colored double shoulder cords, which followed the colors of the peacetime uniform and bore the metal numbers or name inscriptions of the units. Peculiarities applied to the Life Guards and the 1st Life Hussar Regiment.

The field trousers for the jägers, riflemen, machine-gun detachments (and the jägers on horseback and the staff orderlies) were made of gray-green cloth; all other branches of service wore field-gray cloth trousers. Their trims were red, but for the jägers, riflemen (and the jägers on horseback and the staff orderlies) they were light green. There were, however, some exceptions among certain regiments of the cuirassiers, dragoons and hussars. In addition there were riding and boot trousers. The latter were, for the machine-gun detachments, of gray-green cloth and had ponceau-red trims. The riding trousers of the hussars had braid trim of gray wool.

The swallow nests of the musicians were made of field-gray base cloth; the trimming consisted of braids and galloons. Non-commissioned officers were still distinguished by galloons on the turnover collar and on the sleeve cuffs. Feldwebel or Wachtmeister, as before, had a second galloon above the sleeve cuffs.

Leather equipment was natural-colored; in the field it was to be blackened, this applied in particular to white leather equipment that continued to be used.

For officers the field-gray uniform was prescribed on 23.02.1910. They were to wear uniforms in the same color as those of the enlisted men; in particular it should not be lighter. Corresponding implementation regulations are dated 18.03.1910. The tunic was to fit comfortably so that underwear could still be worn beneath it. It was made of cloth or döskin and was field-gray (for the jägers and riflemen gray-green) in color. It was closed in front by 8 matte (crown) buttons, which were gilded or silvered. The sleeves had sleeve slits. The sleeve cuffs or patten were of the base material of the tunic and in cut corresponded to those of the peacetime uniform. The collar was closed with 2 hooks or eyes; for the cuirassiers, dragoons and jägers on horseback it was to be formed as a standing collar.

If the peacetime uniform displayed embroidery, the field-gray tunic likewise showed colored collar patches. The colors of the collar patches differed. Where braids belonged to the enlisted uniform, officers also wore these on the collar patches and sleeve cuffs. The ulanka and the Attila for officers were of the same cut as those for enlisted men. Officers’ field trousers were made of knit in field-gray color; for the jägers, riflemen, machine-gun detachments and jägers on horseback the field trousers were gray-green.

In 1910 regulations were also issued specifying when which uniform was to be worn. The dress (peace) uniform was worn before 1914 on parades, on garrison guard duty, for church attendance, on ordnance duty and as a walking and dress uniform, whereas the field uniform was worn for all combat exercises against an opponent not merely marked and, apart from the aforementioned occasions, on all other occasions when this was prescribed. In wartime the colorful dress uniforms were in particular worn by the replacement formations.

As early as 1892 the helmet with its shiny mountings or ornamentation was camouflaged by reed-colored covers. The helmet covers of the line infantry displayed the regiment number in red on the front. The covers of the reserve and Landwehr infantry regiments were additionally marked with a large Latin R or L. From March 1915 the Landsturm bore the Landwehr cross. The Guard and some other individual formations (No. 89, 109, Bavarian Life Regiment) had no insignia on the helmet cap at all. Already in the first campaign year (15.08.) the markings on the helmet covers were changed to green, to later be dropped entirely (27.10.1916). Only the Landwehr cross was retained.

At the outset of the trench war the Pickelhaube had lost its spike, as it easily gave the enemy away or was an impediment when overcoming obstacles. A special cover was also introduced for the helmet with removable spike (M 1915).

The increased reformation and army expansions, as well as growing shortages of raw materials, subsequently led to many variants emerging alongside the usual leather helmet with cover as makeshift solutions, partly made of papier-mâché, felt, cork or metal (sheet steel).

These substitute helmets were fitted with all fittings made of aluminum bronze and thus corresponded almost entirely to the regulation leather helmet. Here too the spikes were removable (or missing altogether). For the Serbian campaign in 1916 felt helmets without helmet ornament or with a metal number and a large neck protector were introduced.

The Jäger and Schützen as well as the machine-gun detachments, telegraph, air and aeronautical troops wore the shako, a headgear made of black lacquered leather with a flat top.

The Saxon Jäger and Schützen had a special model.

The Landwehr and the Landsturm also wore shakos, partly older models.

Here too there were substitute productions, sometimes made in one piece from felt or waxed cloth.

The Landwehr formations wore the uniform of the regiment that raised them, however with their own regiment number (in red) on the shoulder straps. The Landwehr cross was worn on the helmet eagle, and on the helmet cover an L above the regiment number. Some formations had only enlisted Lithuanian-type coats (Litewkas) or civilian jackets (joppen). The Landwehr wore helmets or shakos – also before 1914. Within a unit, however, headgear was to be uniform.

The armament and equipment of the Landsturm formations were over time aligned with those of the regular field regiments.

In the uniforming of the Landsturm waxed cloth caps or shakos with the Landwehr cross or shakos of older models, as well as jackets (joppen) with concealed button plackets and patch pockets predominated.

With this field-gray uniform and headgear camouflaged by covers the units of the German Imperial Army marched from their garrisons to the front in August 1914.

The snowshoe and mountain troops created for warfare in the mountains received special clothing adapted to their specific operational situation. Thus they wore a special snowshoe cap made of light green cloth with a green visor-like peak, reminiscent of the Austrian cap. The flap was held at the front by two buttons of stag horn. The visor was made of leather or plastic. From the end of 1915 the caps were replaced by shakos with covers. Instead of the tunic a special snowshoe Litewka with two large breast pockets and two diagonal side pockets was worn. On the collar patches a green embroidered S with the corresponding battalion number was displayed.

The Litewka of the Württemberg snowshoe troop was distinguished by shoulder rolls intended to prevent the backpack straps from slipping down. From mid-1916 the snowshoe Litewka was replaced by the field coat or blouse. The special clothing of the snowshoe and mountain troops also included especially wide-cut trousers, a wind jacket and trousers, ski boots (from 1915 mountain boots), backpacks, mittens, etc. Moreover, the companies each kept 30 pairs of climbing shoes in reserve.

Other units also wore special clothing, e.g. the Asia Corps or aircraft crews or the motor transport and motorcycle troops. Tropical clothing was worn by the troops (Pasha I + II) deployed in Western Asia (Palestine) to support the Turkish ally. Furthermore, the units of the so-called Caucasus expedition were also equipped with tropical clothing (1918). The outfit of the Asia Corps included, taking into account the changed climatic conditions, a summer and a winter uniform. The summer uniform was a khaki uniform made of cotton fabric. Tropical helmets were also part of the equipment, whereby initially remaining stocks of the former East Asian Expeditionary Corps (1900/01) were used. The pith helmet had a neck flap; mosquito nets were also issued.

The officers also had a white suit for this theater of operations.

The aviators were equipped with a crash helmet. This consisted of a core of cowhide painted field-gray. A welt ran over the crown and around the lower rim of the helmet head against impacts. The protective goggles became part of the aviators' special clothing already in 1913. This also included a leather head hood with fur lining. The pilots also wore mid-length leather coats or mid-length coats of cloth with fur trim.

Motor drivers also predominantly wore long weather coats (partly made of leather). Apart from the cloth uniform, the special clothing of the motor drivers consisted of a black leather suit. On the collar of the Litewka a pressed zinc car badge painted white was worn as an insignia. The equipment of the motor drivers also included protective goggles. These were made of chrome-tanned calfskin leather and were lined. The frames for the lenses were oval and flared outwards. The protective goggles were held by a wide rubber band with a snap fastener.

The principal weapon of the German infantryman was the Mauser rifle 98, with which the active and reserve regiments marched to the front in 1914. During the World War the mentioned rifle model was only slightly modified, for example auxiliary sights were introduced to increase accuracy in trench warfare. Furthermore, particularly good marksmen were equipped with telescopic sights. In night or darkness luminous sights and luminous front sights were used. If (infantry) aircraft were being fired at, a flier front sight was used. The rifle bolts were protected from moisture by guards made of fabric and later of metal. Detachable magazines with 25 rounds each increased the rate of fire. Landwehr and Landsturm formations received at the beginning of the war old M 88 rifles or only partially Mauser M 98 rifles. Non-commissioned officers carried pistols M 08 if they did not carry a rifle; this was also the case for machine-gun crews. Officers were equipped with various pistol models. Over the course of the war pistols became increasingly popular, as they proved useful in trench fighting and assault troop operations, whereas carbines were rather a hindrance in these situations.

In World War I the uniform and equipment were further modified under the pressure of circumstances; in particular clothing was made more suitable for war and rank insignia became increasingly less visible.

In 1915 the Pickelhaube was mostly worn without its spike and often consisted (especially in the newly formed units) of felt or metal. The tunic (Waffenrock) received high cuffs without a peak.

The demands of modern war influenced the soldier's uniform and equipment. Practical clothing was required that met the needs of trench warfare and the battle of material.

In 1915 a new functional field uniform was also introduced⁵. This consisted of stone-gray trousers and a field-gray blouse uniform for all branches of service, which had a turnover collar and slanted pockets.

The so-called field blouse introduced in 1915 replaced the M 10 tunic and featured a concealed button placket. The plain field blouse was uniform for all contingents and branches of service and no longer showed any ornamentation.

Regiments that had braid on the old uniforms had only gray braid left (partly with a yellow trim). The branch of service was visible solely on the piping of the shoulder straps, e.g. white for the infantry. The buttons were matte and made of nickel or tombac.

Non-commissioned officers were distinguished by light-gray piping on the outer edge of the collar.

Officers received matte-colored shoulder straps and a dark brown leather belt with a bronze buckle. The visor cap had a field-gray leather visor and a chinstrap.

Furthermore, a single greatcoat identical for officers and enlisted men was introduced.

The various branches of the cavalry also lost their distinct coats. The unification of the field uniform affected all branches of service, including the cavalry. From 1917 many cavalry regiments—due to the conditions of trench warfare and a general shortage of horses—lost their horses and were subsequently employed as cavalry riflemen in infantry roles. With a view to their future use, the cavalry riflemen were equipped with the usual infantry equipment. Their armament was then carbines M 98. Although the field blouse also became mandatory for the cavalry, many cavalrymen kept their old outer garments and thus the traditional (now field-gray) collars, ulankas and attilas could still be seen for a long time.

The most striking change, however, was the introduction of the steel helmet in 1916, which replaced the classic Pickelhaube. The introduction of the steel helmet permanently altered the soldier's appearance. It became the standard headgear and in some cases featured a camouflage paint. The reason for this innovation was the enormous number of head injuries. From the summer of 1915 two well-known scientists developed a new helmet type: the surgeon Professor Dr. August Bier and Captain of Artillery Friedrich Schwerd. Initially 400 trial helmets were produced, which passed the first test on 20.11.1915. In a meeting at the War Ministry on 23.11.1915 the introduction of the steel helmet was endorsed, and the first contracts were awarded from April 1916. In World War I a total of 7.5 million steel helmets were produced. The helmet was made of high-quality chrome-nickel steel and offered sufficient protection against small shell splinters and shrapnel bullets. In trench warfare, for protection against direct fire from infantry, an additional frontal plate could be fitted. The frontal plate had a thickness of 5–6 mm. However, due to material shortages only about 50,000 frontal plates were manufactured. The weight of the helmet without the aforementioned attachment already ranged between 950 and 1350 g. The helmet lining consisted of three leather padded cushions filled with horsehair. As early as 1915 the Army Detachment Gaede had devised a singular head protection especially against stone splinters, since it mainly fought in rocky terrain. This consisted of a steel shell with a nose guard.

Otherwise clothing was also adapted to wartime conditions. Instead of boots, puttees were often worn. Equipment included (from 1915) gas masks and hand grenades. Assault kit was lightened and especially assault units reduced their equipment to the absolutely necessary. For postal service in the trench, in addition to the aforementioned frontal plates on the steel helmet, a trench armor was also used, which however weighed up to 9 kg and therefore could not be worn for long.

The typical front‑line soldier of the later war years wore a steel helmet, the field blouse, light assault pack, ordinary infantry trousers or those with a special cut and leather inserts, and puttees. A gas mask and trench dagger completed the equipment. As headgear, steel helmets that were partly painted white, ochre, or green were regularly worn. From 1918 a camouflage paint scheme consisting of angular green and brown patches separated by black lines became mandatory. For better camouflage in snowy winter conditions, white fabric covers for the steel helmet were introduced from 1917.

To offer the soldier some compensation for the loss of decorative elements, the introduction of a peace uniform was ordered in 1915. This essentially resembled the 1914 peace uniform, but in addition to the colored insignia had a field‑gray base fabric. Intended as clothing for peacetime, however, it was scarcely distributed during the war.

The conspicuous colorful clothing of the soldier had come to an end for service use with this significant break in style dictated by the reality of modern warfare, and only experienced a limited revival with the introduction of the peace uniform in 1915 (21.09., 27.09.) because of the colored insignia. From then on, the field‑gray (base) color was finally decisive for the uniform in war and peace.