Feldienstuniform Übergangsperiode N. 2

[jon m.]

Am I correct in thinking that the FDU trousers WERE worn OVER the Filzstiefel?

I only ask because of this:

Jon.

[jkeegen]

The summer Feldienstanzug is worn OVER the full woollen Dienstuniform. You might notice that I look like I have put on some weight given how tight the strichtarn fits...<o =""></o>
Well aside from the occasional overindulgence at the dinner table on my part , the reason is quite different: because the Strichtarn is designed also to fit OVER the Dienstuniform, it is always cut rather generously. Because I ordinarily wear the strichtarn on its own, I therefore tend to buy a smaller size (G44) which obviously is a bit tight at slipping over the Steingrau in my ordinary size of G48... But never mind<o =""></o>
<o =""></o>I have chosen an early 1970s or late 1960s combination to illustrate this uniform and various points are worth noting.<o ="">
</o><o =""></o>
1. obviously there is a black collar uniform underneath, (complete with the woollen trousers) which can barely be seen. If the collar of the Strichtran is buttoned up you would not be able to tell that there is a full uniform underneath but there often is. The Kragenbinde is obviously removed from the collar of the Strichtran and attached to that of the Steingrau;<o =""></o>
2. given the early period, the Strichtarn has exposed large plastic buttons on the sleeve pockets and on the side pockets of the trousers (the set was pieced together from separate sources, the jacket being the latest addition in mint conditions );<o =""></o>
3. The magazine pouch is of the slanted type with a ring at the back on to which one of the hooks of the Y straps is attached.<o =""></o>
4. The Y strap itself is of the earlier type with a heart shaped leather piece on the back.<o =""></o>
5. The helmet has rivets.<o =""></o>
6. The side cap has open ear flaps.<o =""></o>
7. There are other small details that make it more accurate for the period but you cannot see them... For instance the strings with which the shoulder boards are attached on BOTH the tunic and the Strichtarn are of the earlier variety with metal tips... You might think that I am going too far there but if you had met Dave (Viktor), you would know that he is perefectly capable of checking details like these...<o =""></o>
<o =""></o>
Obviously, come the Winter months, this Soldat would swap the lightweight Strichtarn for the padded Winter FDA. Initially it would be just be the padded FDA on its own, but a full Steingrau uniform can also be worn, even though you cannot see it. And this would be the appropriate Dienstuniform for the corresponding rank. Which in later years, for officers would mean the wearing of a shirt and tie too , but then British WW2 Paras too wore a tie underneath their jump outfit in case they stumbled upon a formal dinner...<o =""></o>
You wouldn't want an officer of the Nationale Volksarmee to be caught unprepared, would you?<o =""></o>
Any way my point was just to illustrate a small detail of the regulations that it is often not immediately visible in the photographs. I hope I have not bored you! <o =""></o>

I was reading through this old post to increase my knowledge . . . I saw a photo of Gen. Hoffman sitting in the field with a group of soldiers and they are wearing the uniform described. I remember thinking at the time, "that doesn't look comfortable." (the pic is on page 26&27of "Getreu dem Fahneneid." It should be noted that Hoffman is NOT wearing the uniform).

[MaxxBrunn1938]

Very nice example, thank you, Kevin. Interesting to note how in the first photograph the soldier wears a later FDA whilst the officer an earlier one like the one I wear in this thread with no breast pockets and ribbed cuffs.
One warning though: these are Grenztruppen. They had different regulations. Have alook at this photograph taken in November 1989, and I stress November. Some of the officers seem already to be wearing some version of the N.5 with shirt and tie underneath but no fur collar. Early November is way too early for a N.5 according to the NVA Grundwissen. And they are also wearing the brown belt over the Strichtarn. I think Dirk had commented before how often GT order of dress would be outside the norm of NVA regulations.

OMG if ANY of these Soldiers were in MY Sqaud I would've dragged their butts down for a haircut.. Discusting how they allowed long hair in the DDR.

Joe

[Dag]

OMG if ANY of these Soldiers were in MY Sqaud I would've dragged their butts down for a haircut.. Discusting how they allowed long hair in the DDR.

Joe

Joe,

You may laugh about the following (might have written it elsewhere):

I did my training at Unteroffiziersschule in summer (May-Oct 1986). We had the NVA-regulation haircut but found that far too long when wearing the tankers helmet. So, the whole room decided to get a shorter DIY-haircut.
Bad mistake: screaming from the pltn-leader to company commander, including CSM and the political officer. Subject was that we emulate the US-Army, glorifying the imperalist army etc. Threads of cancellation of leave until we had a normal haircut, including threat of court marshalling for attempted selfharm (not sure what the proper term in english is for soldiers who injure themselves to avoid duty/battle).
One guy made a refernce to the soviet army - the reply was: you are in the NVA.

Dag

[AR-11]

OMG if ANY of these Soldiers were in MY Sqaud I would've dragged their butts down for a haircut..

Joe

Me too, Joe, me too... And I did it, more than only one time...

Haircuts always was a sensible theme in the NVA, as Dag wrote. Too short and one looked like a "GI" for them. Was your hair too long, you was a "Hippie"... The haircuts from the Dienstvorschrift where really difficult to hold. One must often spend time at the hairdresser...

AR-11

[iannima]

The haircuts from the Dienstvorschrift where really difficult to hold. AR-11

Why is one not surprised?

[iannima]

I knew I had seen a good example somewhere:



The oddity here is that the officer is wearing the number 2 uniform, thereby covering up a lovely dark collar service tunic , whilst the soldiers are wearing the summer FDA. Presumably they have a lot of running around to do, whereas he doesn't ... It is obviously a staged photograph, that I have come somehow to associate with Political Officers

[jkeegen]

Matteo,
there is a another good photo of this on page 26 & 27 of Getreu dem Fahneneid, if someone can post a scan of it. The officer in that photo looks like he might a staff officer with Gen. Hoffman, who is also in the photo.