Uniform Question

[RedCatcher1986]

On the Cold War era olive drab uniforms what kind of shirt was worn underneath the service shirt? Was it a white t-shirt similar to how US troops wore their jungle fatigues or was it a brown shirt like US troops wore under the BDU jacket?

[Guardian 5]

RedCatcher1986 - Underneath their moleskin or Filzlaus shirt the Bundeswehr typically wore another light fabric button-down shirt (I believe it's called a field shirt or Feldhemd). These had the flags sewn on the sleeves and sometimes a nametag.

There was also a soft shirt similar to the style worn by the Wehrmacht called a Nachthemd. The U.S. Army had a similar garment called a "sleeper" shirt. Underneath the Feldhemd, the soldier wore an olive drab t-shirt.

In the below picture, you can see the collar of the Feldhemd worn over the moleskin shirt. Unfortunately, I can't seem to locate a picture of the Feldhemd at the moment.

On those rare occasions when the weather was warm in Germany, sometimes just the Feldhemd was worn with the shoulderboards from the outer shirt.

Bundeswehr veterans, please correct me if I'm wrong!

All the best - TJ

[Guardian 5]

This lot of BW t-shirts is being offered by Manion's.

TJ

[uscob]

TJ, actually the Term for the Field Shirt is Feldhemd.
I have them in stock in all sizes, also the T's.
The outer Shirt is called Feldbluse or Feldjacke, not to confused with the Parka, what is called just Parka.

[Forseti]

Hi!

You are all right so far.

When I was Soldier (in 1992 - OK I know cold war was over then - but we still wore Moleskin) we wore the Feldhemd in the manner as shown above in winter and autumn. In summer we wore the Feldjacke and under it the oliv OD T-shirt.

The Feldhemd alone was also in use, but as far as I remember just INSIDE the barracks.
That means also just inside buildings!

So, to come back to your question - it depends on weather:
Winter: Moleskin Feldjacke, with Feldhemd (collar outside as shown above)
Summer: Moleskin Feldjacke, with OD T-shirt.

best regards
Michael

[Guardian 5]

Nico and Michael - Thanks for the help!

All the best - TJ

[RamJet]

For the Luftwaffe of the 80s side: Officer and NCO ranks usually wore white T-shirts under the Grünzeug, as it looked so much smarter and to hell with camouflage! We also used our blue sidecaps instead of the olive stuff.

Best wishes, Steve

[Guardian 5]

RedCatcher1986 - Here's a photo of a Feldhemd and Nachthemd draped over a moleskin jacket.

Steve - Thanks for representing the Air Force!

All the best - TJ

[speedytop]

"Nachthemd"

Hemd, gewirkt, oliv (Trikothemd, oliv)

That was the predecessor of the "Feldhemd". 1974 was for me the change from
the Trikothemd to the Feldhemd.

In my long military life I never heard the name 'Nachthemd' for the Trikothemd.

Uwe

[Asbjoern]

Uwe, the name "Nato-Nachthemd" was told me by several guys serving in the 60ies... so it should have been popular in some regions / units...

The Feldhemd really was invented in 1974?

Regards,

Jens

[Guardian 5]

Kameraden - Has anyone ever heard of the Trikothemd / Nachthemd referred to as an "F-1" shirt?

Thanks - TJ

[uscob]

Kameraden - Has anyone ever heard of the Trikothemd / Nachthemd referred to as an "F-1" shirt?

Thanks - TJ

I have some F-1 Shirts in Stock, but as it is a french Army Term for the older Style Field Dresses, they're French and not German. They look very similar but come with a Zipper and not buttons.

[Marc Sherriff]

I have just been told that the shirt worn under the Filzläus was collarless and only had 3 buttons therefore had to be pulled on over the head. Also in winter long under wear was added not always worn with the shirt.

Marc