Cossack Gen. Helmuth von Pannwitz uniforms

[NickG]

Interesting image of Cossack General Helmuth von Pannwitz' custom made uniform with red piped collar!
It has traits of a Tsarist Russian (and later Soviet style) uniform.
Note chest pocket arrangement with internal pockets!

Of course the Soviet Gymnasterka shirt tunic and the later Kitel dress uniform (introduced in 1943) also had similar internal chest pockets,
with smaller chest pocket flaps! = Russian shape! Note asymmetrical scallop shape of pocket flaps...Hints of Russian tailoring?

It almost looks like the buttons were an after thought...added later??? (very low positioning because the flap is so narrow!)

[NickG]

Here some more uniforms, all custom made for him!
First a uniform with a fly front (hidden buttons)
and 2nd image is a tailor made tropical uniform which appears to have French cuffs. The pocket flaps are also different when compared with
a standard tropical uniform! It does resemble a first pattern tropical uniform. These were often worn in Southern Russia!

[NickG]

His overcoats were also way outside of the standard German norm! The fur collar matching his Kubanka cap.
3/4 length double breasted, a better design for horseback riding!

[TrondK]

Interesting thread Nick. Thanks for starting it.

[NickG]

and of course here in "full Opera mode', as often mockingly described by regular German forces, not familiar with Cossack traditions...

[NickG]

Here in his tunic again with the internal chest pockets...very un-German...
Typical Russian style!
I don't think I've ever seen a German officers tunic with such chest ("Tsarist" influence) pockets!
Even the long skirt almost makes it look like a gymnasterka! Definitely Russian tailoring influence!

[NickG]

The Soviets adopted Tsarist features on their uniforms in 1943 so their "look" became somewhat similar to
the Tsarist White Russian pro German forces with shoulderboards...
Here General Krasnov and his men surrendering to the Soviets, a death sentence...Note Soviet uniforms with similar internal chest pockets!

[NickG]

Russian influence on German Osttruppen Cossack uniforms was not limited to officers / generals...
Here's a neat image of some ost truppen Cossacks with modified field gray uniforms, now featuring Russian style stand up collars
+ added piping for that Russian "look".

Added piping on officers side caps, pants and on stand-up collar edge piping! Also extra wide shoulder boards, a typical Russian feature!
Also the tunics lack skirt pockets or skirt pocket flaps...(no buttons visible) making these look more Russian in look! (Gymnasterka shirt style)

[NickG]

Von Pannwitz close up with custom tunic with "Russian" style pockets!
Tailored in the East IMO.
Minsk? His Cossacks were fighting mostly partisans in those rear guard areas.

[Schulterklappen]

Uniform

and of course here in "full Opera mode', as often mockingly described by regular German forces, not familiar with Cossack traditions...

What are the individual sewn "tubes", on his Cossack uniform, in the chest area? They remind of a bandolier in some respects.

[NickG]

What are the individual sewn "tubes", on his Cossack uniform, in the chest area? They remind of a bandolier in some respects.

On the cherkesska those are meant to hold bullet loads...its a ceremonial thing...(props are used) In the real old days they would have had real (old fashioned) musket cartridges
with gun powder in each loop...

More here:
https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-hi...ossack-uniform

[NickG]

These "Cherkesskas" were also made in German field gray! See period image. A member here on WAF showed one before from his collection.
The German army adopted all kinds of uniforms with Russian traits for their Cossacks and Osttruippen....
This illustration of Osttruppen by Zared-Tregonwell(Deviant art) shows the uniform in the period picture in Post 8, as well as the blue horizon "Gymnasterka" inspired
German osttruppen pull over uniform..
Left a stand up collar tunic and right a pull over "Gym" tunic, all Russian traits... so not limited to senior officers and Generals, such "un-German" uniforms in Osttruppen use!

[Stepdale]

Some really interesting photos Nick. Thanks for sharing.
Dale