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 trousers were worn by all ranks of Kriegsmarine personnel and they were produced for wear in all Kriegsmarine uniforms; in blue and white for the blue uniform, in grey for the field-grey uniform, and in tan/brown for the tropical uniform.

While the basic design of the long trousers does not change between Kriegsmarine ranks, the quality of the fabric does vary.

The white trousers are made from washable, cotton fabrics.

The trousers for all Kriegsmarine uniforms are produced with two front panels and two back panels.

The white trousers for Officer ranks have a vertical trouser fly with buttons along the right seam and corresponding buttonholes along with left seam; the white trousers have five buttons. For NCO/EM Ranks, the white trousers were made with a front flap closure. This flap features four buttonholes, and each front panel has two buttons along the reinforced waistband.

The buttons on the trousers are generally composed of black metal or horn. The white trousers may also have six black buttons placed vertically below the waistline on each front panel, and two black buttons on the back panels, for suspender attachment.

There are two side “slash” pockets, one on each front panel, as well as a rear pocket on the back right panel with a single button; the back left panel may also feature a non-regulation buttoned pocket. The front and back pockets are made with lining fabric. Additionally, in February 1942, another pocket was added to the front left panel of the trousers to hold first-aid field dressing.