Photo of Freikorps in tropical uniforms?

Chris Dale · Post by **Chris Dale** » 04 Feb 2006 00:20

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

3.Jäger Rgt. · Post by **3.Jäger Rgt.** » 04 Feb 2006 09:21

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

Chris Dale · Post by **Chris Dale** » 07 Feb 2006 04:59

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

3.Jäger Rgt. · Post by **3.Jäger Rgt.** » 07 Feb 2006 08:35

Yes.

Chip

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 07 Feb 2006 12:54

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.

Chris Dale · Post by **Chris Dale** » 07 Feb 2006 17:41

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

Xavier · Post by **Xavier** » 07 Feb 2006 19:11

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

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 08 Feb 2006 06:14

Are these the same fatigues?

3.Jäger Rgt. · Post by **3.Jäger Rgt.** » 08 Feb 2006 06:22

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

3.Jäger Rgt. · Post by **3.Jäger Rgt.** » 08 Feb 2006 06:41

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

Chris Dale · Post by **Chris Dale** » 16 Feb 2006 17:19

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