Did the RAD wear white summer tunics?

[BlackWatch1]

Hello everyone. Did the RAD have a white summer tunic? Thanks

[Rheinmetall]

I recall seeing a period photo years ago that showed a RAD white tunic in wear. I don't know if it was a regulation clothing item though.

[wilhelm Saris]

Hello everyone. Did the RAD have a white summer tunic? Thanks

Yes and no! What turns out to be whitish is drillich-material, which had a color (brownish, greyish or lighter greenish).
By repeated washing and cleaning the material got a bleached appearance and so occasionally it looks white.
In volume 5 for the series "Headgear of Hitler's Germany" you can find a number of such photographs.

But there was white worn. This was during the olympic Games at Berlin in 1936. It was worn during a very short period of time.
The typical geadgear worn was also in white. This is stated with various 1936 photographs.

[BlackWatch1]

Thank you guys! I purchased a photo with two RAD men wearing what appears to be a white tunic and dark trousers. They are seated outside with men of the Luftwaffe. I'll post them after I clean them up a bit.

[jmcm]

1

[wilhelm Saris]

1

yes, this is during the Olympic Games in 1936.

[Br. James]

If memory serves -- and it doesn't always! -- I recall seeing an example of an all-white RAD uniform or work outfit on a mannequin displayed at London's Imperial War Museum...about ten years ago...

Br. James

[wilhelm Saris]

If memory serves -- and it doesn't always! -- I recall seeing an example of an all-white RAD uniform or work outfit on a mannequin displayed at London's Imperial War Museum...about ten years ago...

Br. James

Yes, there are also regulations for white (see volume 5 from the headgear-series, page 361). Most what you see however is bleached drillich-material (working outfit).

[BlackWatch1]

Here she is. I have no information on where this is or what year sorry.

[jmcm]

both tunics are made different

[BlackWatch1]

both tunics are made different

Does one tunic have a lot more buttons than the other?

[wilhelm Saris]

Does one tunic have a lot more buttons than the other?

according to instructions for tailors from 1940 the tunic should have six buttons and a small one to close at the neck.
This is also shown in "Anzugsarten für die mittleren und oberen Führer des RAD" from late 1938 with plate 1.
Further the white tunic, which was in fact just for those with a leading function, was included with plate 3 from
"Bestimmungen über Form und Ausführung der einzelnen Bekleidungs- und Ausrüstungsstücke" from April 27, 1939.
The description for the tunic is to be found on page 34.

It is speculated RAD members bought white tunics from other organizations. And such tunics did have more buttons.

[BlackWatch1]

according to instructions for tailors from 1940 the tunic should have six buttons and a small one to close at the neck.
This is also shown in "Anzugsarten für die mittleren und oberen Führer des RAD" from late 1938 with plate 1.
Further the white tunic, which was in fact just for those with a leading function, was included with plate 3 from
"Bestimmungen über Form und Ausführung der einzelnen Bekleidungs- und Ausrüstungsstücke" from April 27, 1939.
The description for the tunic is to be found on page 34.

It is speculated RAD members bought white tunics from other organizations. And such tunics did have more buttons.

You are the Meister of knowledge on such matters! Thank you once again