Photo of Freikorps in tropical uniforms?

Discussions on all (non-biographical) aspects of the Freikorps, Reichswehr, Austrian Bundesheer, Heer, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Fallschirmjäger and the other Luftwaffe ground forces. Hosted by Christoph Awender.
Post Reply
User avatar
Chris Dale
Host - German Colonies
Posts: 1955
Joined: 21 Apr 2004, 15:48
Location: UK
Contact:

Photo of Freikorps in tropical uniforms?

#1

Post by Chris Dale » 04 Feb 2006, 01:20

Here's an interesting photo from http://www.imperialgermanphotographs.de/
It seems to show German naval troops (probably Freikorps) wearing khaki tropical tunics as worn by the 3rd Seebatallion in Tsingtao before the war. One of the figures is identified as Feldwebel F Beucher. Does anyone know what unit it might be or anything more about it?
I know the Freikorps wore mixed uniforms from various sources but I've never seen them in tropical uniforms before, does anyone else have photos like this?
Cheers
Chris
Attachments
Marine-Unteroffiziere als Stoßtrupp mit Seitengewehr und Magazintasche zur Pistole 1904 Feldwebel F Beuster July 1919.jpg
Marine-Unteroffiziere als Stoßtrupp mit Seitengewehr und Magazintasche zur Pistole 1904 Feldwebel F Beuster July 1919.jpg (36.25 KiB) Viewed 3239 times

User avatar
3.Jäger Rgt.
Member
Posts: 195
Joined: 22 Jan 2005, 04:07
Location: USA

#2

Post by 3.Jäger Rgt. » 04 Feb 2006, 10:21

Chris,

Could these be work suits? Other than the metal buttons, they look very similar to a wartime navy herringbone twill work fatigue set that I have.

Chip


User avatar
Chris Dale
Host - German Colonies
Posts: 1955
Joined: 21 Apr 2004, 15:48
Location: UK
Contact:

#3

Post by Chris Dale » 07 Feb 2006, 05:59

Hi Chip,
You might be right there, as that would be more likely. But does the fatigues have one pocket only on the left breast and a standing collar?
Cheers
Chris

User avatar
3.Jäger Rgt.
Member
Posts: 195
Joined: 22 Jan 2005, 04:07
Location: USA

#4

Post by 3.Jäger Rgt. » 07 Feb 2006, 09:35

Yes.

Chip

User avatar
Peter H
Member
Posts: 28628
Joined: 30 Dec 2002, 14:18
Location: Australia

#5

Post by Peter H » 07 Feb 2006, 13:54

A more dapper member of the Tsingtau garrison.Note the collar difference with above.

Source: Australia versus Germany.The Story of the Taking of German New Guinea,1915.
Attachments
SeeBatt_1.jpg
SeeBatt_1.jpg (118.96 KiB) Viewed 3203 times

User avatar
Chris Dale
Host - German Colonies
Posts: 1955
Joined: 21 Apr 2004, 15:48
Location: UK
Contact:

#6

Post by Chris Dale » 07 Feb 2006, 18:41

Thanks for posting that photo Peter, the tunic I was confusing it with was this NCO/Officer's version with the one breast pocket (see attached photo taken in captivity in Japan after the fall of Tsingtao from the tsingtau index website). But as you rightly pointed out they both have stand and fall collars not standing ones like the Freikorps photo.
Chip, can you post a photo of the fatigues you mentioned, for comparison?
Cheers
Chris
Attachments
sea battalion pow officers.jpg
sea battalion pow officers.jpg (17.52 KiB) Viewed 3189 times

User avatar
Xavier
Member
Posts: 3259
Joined: 12 Nov 2002, 03:01
Location: South of the Texas Border.. :)

#7

Post by Xavier » 07 Feb 2006, 20:11

12 images of german troops during the boxer incident here: http://community.webshots.com/album/150393807ClsfJw
Xavier
Instandsetzungtruppfuhrer

User avatar
Peter H
Member
Posts: 28628
Joined: 30 Dec 2002, 14:18
Location: Australia

#8

Post by Peter H » 08 Feb 2006, 07:14

Are these the same fatigues?

Image

User avatar
3.Jäger Rgt.
Member
Posts: 195
Joined: 22 Jan 2005, 04:07
Location: USA

#9

Post by 3.Jäger Rgt. » 08 Feb 2006, 07:22

Chris,

The suit is packed away, but I could get it out over the weekend and take a picture.

The picture that Peter posted shows, I belive, the Tropenhelm with the aluminum Wappen on the front. I have an example of this Wappen. I picked it up in Stuttgart in 1979.

Chip

User avatar
3.Jäger Rgt.
Member
Posts: 195
Joined: 22 Jan 2005, 04:07
Location: USA

#10

Post by 3.Jäger Rgt. » 08 Feb 2006, 07:41

Peter,

I don't think that these are the same. Obviously, in the earlier posted photo the tops do not have a jumper style navy collar. This type of work outfit was being worn long before the war and just like the army wartime fatigues (Drillich), they eventually were made from gray cotton. I have a white set, but the gray version has eluded me.

The other work suit that I have mentioned is a natural flaxen to light brown color and marked with navy style ink ink stamps.

Chip

User avatar
Chris Dale
Host - German Colonies
Posts: 1955
Joined: 21 Apr 2004, 15:48
Location: UK
Contact:

#11

Post by Chris Dale » 16 Feb 2006, 18:19

OK, here's a new idea perhaps the Freikorps photo shows them wearing an East Asian Expeditionary corps khaki tunic as in this photo. It's got the single pocket and standing collar. Not only were these tunics worn in China but they also later turned up worn by German troops in Macedonia in 1917-18 along with other items of East Asian issue. Perhaps these Friekorps tunics are from the same stock?
Cheers
Chris
Attachments
oaek tunic.jpg
oaek tunic.jpg (70.78 KiB) Viewed 3111 times

Post Reply

Return to “Heer, Waffen-SS & Fallschirmjäger”