History

In 1943, the Waffen-SS issued troops with a new winter clothing set that included a parka and protective trousers.

The camouflage winter parka featured SS pattern camouflage on one side and white on the other; a layer of wool-rayon fibre was placed between the outer shells of camouflage. The buttons on the camouflage side were metal, while the buttons on the white side were white. Beyond this difference, the white side of the parka had all the same features as the camouflage side.

The parka features a fly on both sides of the coat, which buttons across the opening to prevent a draft. The hood and bottom hem feature adjustment strings and the waistline and cuffs had adjustment tapes. The hood of the coat was large enough to accommodate a soldier's helmet. Each hip of the jacket features a slanted pocket with a buttoning flap.

Most of these parkas are found in ‘Oakleaf’ or ‘Blurred-Edge’ camouflage patterns, although, some parkas were also made in ‘Dot’ schemes.

In 1944, similar garments made from captured Italian camouflage were issued to troops. Some of these garments were reversible and others were lined with material such as fur.