Heer German Army Field and Service Uniforms
Did you Know: The terms such as "M37" and "M40" were never designated by the Wehrmacht, but are names given to the different versions of the field tunic by modern collectors, to define the difference between variations due to production time problems and combat experience. Also the term "tunic" is also incorrect and just something named by modern collectors to all forms of military clothing. In German it is a Feldbluse, or Field Blouse, and not called a "tunic"
M36: Dark Green collar, scalloped pocket flaps, pleated pockets and internal belt suspenders
Produced: 1935-1941
Issued: 1935-1945
The M40 uniform was the first design in the standard army uniform. The M41 is exactly the same as the M40, the Collar changed to field gray with a 6 button front due to the decline of material quality, and often rayon lining.
Produced: 1938-1943
Issued: 1938-1945
The M42 is essentially an M40/41 tunic, but with pleats removed from all the pockets to save on materials and production time, lining usually satin instead of cotton twill, and internal suspenders eliminated. 6-button front.
Produced: 1941*-1945
Issued: 1941*-1945
The M43 saw the removal of all pleats and scalloped flaps from the field tunic, and pockets began to be cut straight rather than with rounded edges.
Produced: 1943-1945
Issued: 1943-1945
The M44 was to become in the late 1944, with the cut on tailoring and production costs. This saw a radical change to the tunic design. The tunic skirt was shortened to waist length, an internal belt was added. The color became a drab greenish-brown. The complicated internal suspension system was dropped because it was rarely used and only seen at the front only in the war's last months
Produced: 1944-1945
Issued: Summer 1944-1945
Trousers
M22 (M36)
Originally the M36 tunic was worn with the same slate gray trousers that the Reichswehr had introduced in 1922. These were high-waisted, straight legged, button-fly trousers with suspenders (braces) and three internal pockets plus a watch-pocket
M40
In 1940 contractors were ordered to discontinue the manufacture of steingrau fabric and instead produce trousers from the same feldgrau cloth as the tunic
M43
A new design of field trousers was introduced in 1943, replacing the old World War I style straight legged "Langhosen". New features included tapered ankles to help fit with new ankle boots and gaiters, which replaced jackboots, and loops to allow a trouser belt to be used. It was the most used and favourited trousers, and were produced right up to the end of the war
Field caps
Visored field cap and M43
Since before World War I German and Austrian mountain troops had worn a visored "ski cap" (Gebirgsmütze) with turn-down ear flaps secured in front by two buttons.
Peaked cap (Schirmmütze)
The semi-rigid band was covered in bottle-green fabric, and the stiff visor was made of black vulcanized fiber or patent leather. Enlisted men wore the cap with a black leather chinstrap; officers wore a pair of braided silver or aluminum cords (gold for generals).
Helmets
Worn by all branches of the Wehrmacht and SS, police, fire brigades and Party organizations. Heer helmets were originally painted "apple green," a semigloss feldgrau and field painting covered a gamut from very dark black-green to slate-grey to olive-green and sand-yellow in Africa, increasingly in matte or textured paint to eliminate reflections. The Army began issuing camouflage helmet covers in 1942,
Boots
Jackboots (Marschstiefel)
Made of brown pebbled leather (blackened with polish), with hobnailed leather soles and heel-irons. Trousers were worn tucked inside. By 1940 leather was becoming more scarce and in 1941 jackboots were no longer issued to new recruits. By late 1943 production of jackboots had ceased altogether.
Officers’ boots
They were knee-high and more form-fitting, and purchases of superior quality. They were to be worn with breeches
Ankle boots (Schnürschuhe)
From 1937 each recruit was issued a pair of ankle-height work boots for basic training. Beginning in 1940 the Army ceased issuing jackboots to rear-area personnel and authorized the wearing of the utility boots with the field uniform