Imperial Germany Kraftfahrer!

[Sergeant 08]

I found a photo which shows a Bavarian Kraftfahrer cap in the Kube book.

Ventilation holes? Was it a standard on leather Kraftfahrer caps?

Existed different patterns of Kraftfahrer leather caps? Which?

Interesting theme! Who can help? Thanks!

[Sergeant 08]

It is not easy to see cap details in photos.

[Sergeant 08]

Kraftfahrer!

[Sergeant 08]

In think here is a Freikorps Kampfwagen soldier with a leather cap.

[Sergeant 08]

I have just found a very clear photo of a Kraftfahrer.

It shows ventilation holes on the cap!

So I guess all caps had such holes, right?

[Chip M]

Stefan,

Every one that I have ever seen has had ventilation grommets on the side. There were many variations of these leather caps, including privately purchased pieces. There is a nice thread on the subject of the Kraftfahrer leather outfits on the German Feldgrau Forum.

Chip

[Sergeant 08]

Stefan,

Every one that I have ever seen has had ventilation grommets on the side. There were many variations of these leather caps, including privately purchased pieces. There is a nice thread on the subject of the Kraftfahrer leather outfits on the German Feldgrau Forum.

Chip

Chip, thanks for the answer! I came across with some Kraftfahrer caps during last days. I always wanted one of these caps for my collection! But I had the feeling that not all caps, which I have seen, were real Kraftfaher caps. Here is one example that was offered by a well known dealer for nearly 1200 US$. It looks more like a Feuerwehr (fire department) cap, I think.

PS: A similar cap (same manufacturer) is offered as a cap of the Landwehr by another dealer at the moment.

[Sergeant 08]

If here are members that own Kraftfahrer caps or other theme related uniform parts, please post your caps and Kraftfahrer items!

I would like to see it!

[Sergeant 08]

It seems not all Kraftfahrer wore leather caps. Possible, that no leather caps were available.

[Brad Posey]

Here is a Kraftfahrer wearing a field cap driving a Turkish pilot.

The photo was taken near Vilna Lithuania and is from several photo albums I have from a member of RFA 501: Riesenflugzeugabteilung 501.



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[Brad Posey]

Here is another photo from the same album when RFA 501 was stationed in Belgium. I think this is probably a bunch of officers from the 501st having some fun and the guy in the drivers seat is probably not the driver who wrecked the car, but interesting nevertheless. The RFA 501 Commander is more than likely the guy in the front passenger seat.


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[Brad Posey]

I am looking through the albums again and found this one. It was taken at the training camp called Doeberitz when RFA 501 was in route to the Eatern Front. You can see two drivers in this photo, both are wearing visor caps.


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[Brad Posey]

Here are two more from the same albums, but I think these are of 501 soldiers goofing around while the car was on a train and thus not an actual driver behind the wheel.


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[Brad Posey]

Not realy related, but here is another photo from the RFA 501 albums of R25 in flight. This Zeppelin build Staaken bomber dropped bombs on London.


Rare as hen's teeth......




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[Brad Posey]

What I just noticed is that the drivers in the albums I have always wear a double breasted coat - two rows of buttons.

Here is another RFA 501 group photo taken at the Doeberitz train station and you can see several drivers who are all wearing a visor cap of some sort. Leather - cloth - perhaps some of the experts can add to this.

Anyway, I hope this helps.



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