Summer uniforms have been worn by the Bundeswehr from shortly after it was formed. Despite this fact, they are relatively rare, especially the headgear. For my reference for this article I have used JÖRG-M. HORMANN"S book "Die Bundeswehr und ihre uniformen " 30 Jahre Bekleidungsgeschichte and Walter Kunstwadl’s book "Von affenjacke zum Tropentarnanzug", uniforms from my collection and pictures from this forum. There is relatively little information on these uniforms in either book but when combined with material from my own, and other collections, I beleive we can have a good basis for understanding these uniforms once this thread is completed. I am counting on others adding things from their collection, either uniforms or pictures, to add to our knowledge.
Regards,
Gordon
Because the Bundeswehr served as an alliance military organization many of its members were trained, or served for long periods, with the armed forces of other nations. It quickly became apparent, after the formation of the BW, that the existing uniform was not suitable for wear in tropical and subtropical regions because of the heavy weight,. From April of 1959 (Kunstwadl’s date) or June of 1959 (Hormann’s date) all three services of the German Federal Armed Forces were authorized to wear the sandfarben uniform in countries with accordingly hot climates. A Khakifarben clay/tone was consciously avoided thereby avoiding the awakening of memories of the similar Khaki of the Africa corps. This uniform, consisting of a light gabardine material is still worn today by the soldiers of the German Federal Armed Forces. It may be worn by those serving constantly, or for long periods of time, south of 40th Degree of latitude. North of this, depending on the climatic conditions in the respective host country, it may be worn from 1. April until 31 September in the USA, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Southern France. The sandfarben uniform was the same colour for all components, including shirt, tie and shoulder straps. Headgear was of the same colour and material.
Until 1970 the sandfarben uniform was intended for wear only by officers and NCOs with Portepee. After a certain period (when I do not know)the niform was authorized as service and walking out uniform for all ranks. In the Federal Navy the sandfarben uniform could be worn onboard by enlisted personnel and Officers. It could also be worn in native waters and ashore. Shorts in sandfarben were authorized in 1970. The main distinguishing feature for soldiers of the armed services in the sandfarben uniforms are, at present, the shoulder straps. Everyone wears the shoulder straps of their armed service, thus for army, light-grey; air force, bluish gray; and navy dark-blue. In each case with silver or gold rank insignia.
When introduced the sandfarben uniform had pointed shoulder boards in the same colour as the tunic with lace in a very similar shade. In 1963 all personnel of the three service were authorized to wear their respective shoulder boards on sandfarben uniforms. Round ended, sandfarben shoulder boards of the same width as the previous worn pointed shoulder boards, are known to exist. Later round ended shoulder boards were wider.
In Kunstwadl's book he illustrates pictures of what he says were two of the trial uniforms tried experimentally. I'll number purely for reference purposes. It has nothing to do with when each colour was used in trials.
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Regards,
Gordon
Because the Bundeswehr served as an alliance military organization many of its members were trained, or served for long periods, with the armed forces of other nations. It quickly became apparent, after the formation of the BW, that the existing uniform was not suitable for wear in tropical and subtropical regions because of the heavy weight,. From April of 1959 (Kunstwadl’s date) or June of 1959 (Hormann’s date) all three services of the German Federal Armed Forces were authorized to wear the sandfarben uniform in countries with accordingly hot climates. A Khakifarben clay/tone was consciously avoided thereby avoiding the awakening of memories of the similar Khaki of the Africa corps. This uniform, consisting of a light gabardine material is still worn today by the soldiers of the German Federal Armed Forces. It may be worn by those serving constantly, or for long periods of time, south of 40th Degree of latitude. North of this, depending on the climatic conditions in the respective host country, it may be worn from 1. April until 31 September in the USA, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Southern France. The sandfarben uniform was the same colour for all components, including shirt, tie and shoulder straps. Headgear was of the same colour and material.
Until 1970 the sandfarben uniform was intended for wear only by officers and NCOs with Portepee. After a certain period (when I do not know)the niform was authorized as service and walking out uniform for all ranks. In the Federal Navy the sandfarben uniform could be worn onboard by enlisted personnel and Officers. It could also be worn in native waters and ashore. Shorts in sandfarben were authorized in 1970. The main distinguishing feature for soldiers of the armed services in the sandfarben uniforms are, at present, the shoulder straps. Everyone wears the shoulder straps of their armed service, thus for army, light-grey; air force, bluish gray; and navy dark-blue. In each case with silver or gold rank insignia.
When introduced the sandfarben uniform had pointed shoulder boards in the same colour as the tunic with lace in a very similar shade. In 1963 all personnel of the three service were authorized to wear their respective shoulder boards on sandfarben uniforms. Round ended, sandfarben shoulder boards of the same width as the previous worn pointed shoulder boards, are known to exist. Later round ended shoulder boards were wider.
In Kunstwadl's book he illustrates pictures of what he says were two of the trial uniforms tried experimentally. I'll number purely for reference purposes. It has nothing to do with when each colour was used in trials.
#1-
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