History

During the Second World War, German troops stationed in northern Africa are generally referred to as the Afrikakorps. Technically, this is not entirely correct, since some German units operating in Africa were not actually part of the DAK (Deutsches Afrikakorps), and some units of it were, in fact, Italian ones. However, for the purpose of collecting so-called “tropical” uniforms and insignia, collectors have simplified the meaning of the term.

The first German troops were sent to northern Africa in February of 1941, to support their Italian allies against the British. The climate of the African continent made it necessary to wear specialised uniforms and gear that not only supported the soldiers in serving in a hot and arid environment, but also helped them in blending in with the landscape, which, in general, presented itself as brown, olive, khaki, or sand/tan in colour. Worn over long periods of time under the blistering desert sun, some uniforms were eventually bleached to white or off-white. Uniforms and insignia in these colours are often referred to as “tropical”, and it is worth noting that they weren’t just worn by members of units stationed in Africa, but in the entire Mediterranean theatre of war, including southern France, Italy, the Balkans, and Greece, as well as in southern Russia during the summer months. Tropical uniforms were worn by members of all three branches of the Wehrmacht: the Heer (army), the Kriegsmarine (navy), and the Luftwaffe (air force). Members of the Waffen-SS stationed in southerly regions also wore tropical-style uniforms, and even though they technically have no connection to the DAK, all tropical uniforms and insignia of all branches of the German military are listed here.

The Kriegsmarine had three different tropical dresses: the white dress, the pre-war brown dress (which was very rarely worn), and the wartime brown/khaki dress, which was introduced in late 1941. The pre-war brown dress is identical to the white dress, but made of brown drill fabric.

The breeches were primarily worn by Officer ranks, but they could also be worn by Officer Candidates and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers. These breeches were worn as part of the parade dress and landing dress.

The tropical uniform breeches were made from tan-coloured cotton fabrics with white lining. When breeches for all uniforms were purchased by Officers from private manufacturers, the cloth quality is of a higher quality.

While the majority of Kriegsmarine breeches were made with a five-button fly closure, there are numerous breeches also manufactured with front flap closures. The flap closure features four buttonholes, and each front panel has two buttons along the waistband.

There are two slash pockets with a button closure at each hip, and two slash pockets on the back panels with a scalloped flap cover and a button.

The breeches have a slash from directly below the knee to the bottom of the leg. These slashes are held together by three to seven buttons, or by cords that lace through eleven eyelets.