The German military machine in the early 20th century was renowned for its discipline and formidable organization. However, behind the image of unwavering uniformity lay a complex tapestry of regional distinctions, particularly in military attire. Prior to 1910, the German Army, a patchwork of states and kingdoms, presented a logistical challenge in terms of uniform procurement. Each constituent state retained unique uniform colors, distinctive belt buckle mottos, and a bewildering array of regimental insignia, badges, and helmet plates. These distinctions, often commemorating historical battles or honors, extended even within regiments, such as the elite Leib (Guard) companies or specific battalion distinctions like the death’s head emblem of the Brunswick 92nd Infantry Regiment’s 3rd Battalion.
The year 1910 marked a significant step towards standardization with the adoption of the Feldgrau (field gray) uniform across the entire German Army. While Feldgrau became the standard field uniform, the pre-1910 colorful uniforms were not entirely discarded. They were maintained for ceremonial occasions, court appearances, guard duty, social events, and off-duty wear, reflecting a peacetime army’s capacity for sartorial variety. However, the outbreak of World War I in 1914 swiftly exposed the impracticality of maintaining such elaborate and diverse uniforms in the face of industrialized warfare. The demands of mass mobilization and sustained combat necessitated a rapid simplification of the German field uniform, a process that unfolded in stages throughout the war.
Pre-War Splendor: The Dunkelblau Dress Uniform
Before the utilitarian Feldgrau dominated the battlefields, the Dunkelblau (dark blue) dress uniform represented the peacetime German soldier. This uniform, exemplified by a young Prussian Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) around 1912, was a testament to the pre-war era’s emphasis on regimental pageantry. The Dunkelblau tunic, paired with black trousers featuring red side seam piping, immediately conveyed Prussian identity through its color scheme. Red further accentuated the standing collar and Brandenburg cuffs, while gold lace trim on the collar and cuffs denoted the NCO rank. The absence of NCO disks on the collar specifically identifies the rank as Unteroffizier, positioned between corporal and sergeant. Details like the marksman’s lanyard with a single acorn, indicating basic marksman qualification, and the brass belt buckle bearing the Prussian crown and motto “Gott Mit Uns” (God is With Us), highlighted personal achievements and state allegiance. Even the seemingly minor detail of the bayonet knot’s colored bands served a purpose, indicating the soldier’s company affiliation, further reinforced by company numbers on shoulder board buttons.
Another facet of pre-war German uniforms was their reflection of social structures. The Einjährig-freiwillige (One-year Volunteer) uniform, as seen in a 1903 photograph, illustrates this point. This Prussian volunteer, in a blue tunic with a red standing collar, is distinguished by black braid on the white piping of his shoulder boards – a unique marker of his volunteer status within Prussia. The One-year Volunteer system allowed young men from financially stable middle-class families to serve a reduced term of twelve months, at their own expense, to become reserve officers. This path offered a route to enhanced social standing within the rigid German societal hierarchy.
The 1910 Feldgrau Uniform and Initial Wartime Configuration
The adoption of the Feldgrau uniform in 1910 was a move towards practicality, yet the initial wartime iteration still retained elements of pre-war ornamentation. A Bavarian reservist mobilized in late 1914 embodies this transitional phase. He wears the standard 1910 Feldgrau wool uniform, complete with red-piped Brandenburg cuffs and the high, uncomfortable Stehumfallkragen (stand and fall collar). Red piping also lined the outside seam of his Feldgrau trousers. Bavarian identity is asserted through the tunic buttons featuring the Bavarian rampant lion and the leather Pickelhaube helmet adorned with Bavarian state insignia. His Gefreiter (lance corporal) rank is indicated by collar disks and the absence of NCO lace. Notably, he carries an obsolete quill bayonet, a long, slender design soon to be replaced by the shorter, sturdier “butcher” bayonet. His three-section leather ammo pouches and iron, Feldgrau-painted belt buckle, displaying the Bavarian motto “In Treue Fest” (In Loyalty Steadfast), complete the picture of an early war German soldier, still equipped with a mix of older and newer uniform elements.
Wartime Simplification: The 1915 Transitional Tunic
The realities of trench warfare and resource scarcity quickly drove further uniform modifications. By mid-1915, the canvas helmet cover for the Pickelhaube became ubiquitous, initially bearing regimental numbers that were subsequently omitted for camouflage purposes. Leather shortages, exacerbated by the British blockade, led to the use of substitute materials like felt, fiberboard, and even metal in helmet construction. While Pickelhauben continued to be produced for enlisted ranks until early 1916, the need for better head protection was becoming apparent, foreshadowing the introduction of the Stahlhelm (steel helmet).
The soldier in the 1915 photograph exemplifies the “Transitional” tunic, a key wartime simplification. This tunic replaced the elaborate Brandenburg and Swedish cuffs of the 1910 pattern with simple turn-back cuffs. This pragmatic change proved popular among soldiers, as the cuff folds provided convenient storage for passes and identification documents. Despite the introduction of simplified tunics, production of the 1910 pattern and the Transitional tunic continued throughout the war, highlighting the gradual nature of uniform changes amidst wartime demands. The continued use of the pre-war brass and silver belt buckle in this image indicates that the transition to simplified and less resource-intensive materials was an ongoing process.
The 1915 Bluse and Further Material Adaptations
Further simplification manifested in the 1915 Bluse type tunic, as worn by a Bavarian soldier around 1917. This tunic retained the turn-back cuffs of the Transitional model but replaced the exposed brass buttons with a concealed fly front. Initially, horn buttons were used, but as material shortages intensified by 1916, substitutes like wood, bakelite, and other ersatz materials became common. Metal, increasingly scarce, was restricted to essential buttons: zinc for shoulder boards and pocket closures. This soldier also wears the standard enlisted man’s Feldmütze (field cap), a visorless hat with a colored band indicating branch of service (red for infantry). A grey canvas camouflage strip, introduced in late 1915, is tied around the red band. The Feldmütze buttons, displaying national and state colors (black-white-red for Germany, white-blue-white for Bavaria), retained state distinctions even as uniforms became more standardized. His belt buckle, now iron and painted black, reflects the 1915 order to darken leather gear and belt buckles, although Bavaria lagged slightly, adopting black leather in 1916. The Bavarian Military Service Order ribbon on his tunic signifies wartime awards, worn in ribbon form in the field for practicality.
Footwear and Equipment Modifications
The Prussian soldier near the front lines, but not in immediate combat (as indicated by the absence of a gas mask canister), showcases further adaptations in footwear and equipment. He wears the Feldmütze with camouflage strip and the 1915 Transitional tunic, but his footwear consists of ankle boots and Gamaschen (puttees) rather than traditional jackboots. Leather shortages prompted the German army to encourage soldiers to use private purchase ankle boots, often favored by stormtrooper units for their practicality. His brass and silver belt buckle is a holdover from earlier in the war. Even off-duty, German soldiers remained armed, typically with a bayonet, though trench daggers became more common later in the war for off-duty carry. The Iron Cross II Class ribbon in his buttonhole signifies wartime awards, mirroring the Bavarian soldier’s ribbon.
Private Purchase Items and Late-War Variations
The photograph of Wurttemberg soldiers from the 248th Regiment, a unit formed after 1916, reveals the increasing prevalence of private purchase items in late-war German uniforms. The soldiers seated and standing behind on the right wear dark brown corduroy trousers. By 1916, supply chain strains led soldiers to supplement government-issued clothing with privately sourced items. Corduroy trousers, popular among mountaineers, gained favor in the trenches for their durability and warmth. Both straight-leg and knickerbocker-style corduroy trousers were used. These soldiers wear Feldmützen with camouflage strips and both 1910 and 1915 pattern tunics, demonstrating the mixed nature of late-war uniforms. Their brass and silver belt buckles, bearing the Wurttemberg motto “Furchtlos und Treu” (Fearless and True), are another example of persisting pre-war elements amidst wartime changes.
Conclusion: A Uniform in Flux
The evolution of German Wwi Uniforms between 1914 and 1916 reflects the immense pressures of industrialized warfare on a military system initially geared towards peacetime distinctions. From the colorful diversity of pre-war uniforms to the simplified and resource-conscious designs of 1915 and beyond, the German soldier’s attire underwent significant transformations. These changes, driven by material shortages, the demands of trench warfare, and a need for practicality, highlight the dynamic interplay between military necessity and evolving uniform standards during the First World War.
© 1997 Ralph Reiley – All rights reserved
