World War II German uniform The " Wehrmacht " went through a large overhaul during the 1930s as its size grew once the Nazis came to power . The following is a general overview of Germany ' s main uniforms , though there were so many specialist uniforms and variations that not all ( such as camouflage , " Luftwaffe " , tropical , extreme winter ) can be included . SS uniform s began to break away in 1935 with minor design differences , but they are not included here . Terms such as " M40 " and " M43 " were never designated by the " Wehrmacht " , but are names given to the different versions of the " Modell 1936 " field tunic by modern collectors , to discern between variations as the " M36 " was steadily simplified and tweaked due to production time problems and combat experience . The term " tunic " is likewise incorrect and something applied by modern collectors to all forms of military clothing . In German it is a Feldbluse , or Field Blouse , and not a " tunic " . Army ( " Heer " ) . Insignia . Uniforms of the " Heer " were distinguished from other branches by two devices : the Army form of the " Wehrmachtsadler " or " Hoheitszeichen " ( national emblem ) worn above the right breast pocket , and ( with certain exceptions ) collar tabs bearing a pair of " Litzen " ( " Doppellitze " " double braid " ) , a device inherited from the old Prussian Guard which resembled a Roman numeral II on its side . Both eagle and " Litzen " were machine - embroidered or woven in white or grey ( hand - embroidered in silk , silver or aluminum for officers ) . Rank was worn on shoulder - straps except for junior enlisted ( " Mannschaften " ) , who wore plain shoulder - straps and their rank insignia , if any , on the left upper sleeve . NCO ' s wore a 9mm silver or grey braid around the collar edge . Shoulder - straps and , in many cases , collar patches were piped or underlaid in " Waffenfarbe " , a color code which identified the branch of service to which the unit belonged : white for infantry , red for artillery , rose - pink for Panzer troops and so on . Most belt buckles had the " Heeresadler " with the inscription " Gott mit uns " ( " God with us " ) . Field and Service Uniform ( " Feldanzug " / " Dienstanzug " ) . Field Tunic ( " Feldbluse " ) Model 1936 . When the Nazis came to power in early 1933 the " Reichswehr " , the armed forces of the Weimar Republic , were near the end of a two - year project to redesign the Army " Feldbluse " ( field - blouse ) . Beginning in that year the new tunic was issued to the " Reichsheer " and then the rapidly growing " Wehrmacht Heer " , although minor design changes continued to be made until the appearance of the standardized " Heeres Dienstanzug Modell 1936 " . The M36 tunic still retained the traditional Imperial and " Reichswehr " uniform color of grey - green " field gray " ( " feldgrau " ) wool , but incorporated four front patch pockets with scalloped flaps and pleats ( on " Reichswehr " tunics the lower pockets were internal and angled ) . The front was closed with five buttons rather than the previous eight , and the collar and shoulder straps were of a dark bottle - green instead of the " Reichswehr " grey . Compared to the Weimar - era uniforms the skirt of the " feldbluse " was shorter and the tailoring was more form - fitting due to Germany ' s adoption of mechanized warfare : soldiers now spent much time in the confined space of a vehicle and a shorter jacket was less likely to pick up dirt from the seats . It also included an internal suspension system , whereby a soldier could hang an equipment belt on a series of hooks outside of the tunic . These hooks were connected to two straps inside the lining , which spread the weight of equipment without having to use external equipment suspenders . The M36 was produced and issued until the very end of the war , though successive patterns became predominant . SS field uniforms were of similar appearance externally but to fit their larger patches had a wider , " feldgrau " collar , and the lower pockets were of an angled slash type similar to the black or grey SS service - dress . Due to supply problems the SS were often issued army uniforms . " M40 " Tunic . The M40 uniform was the first design change in the standard army uniform . It differed from the M36 only in the substitution of " feldgrau " for the bottle green collar and shoulder strap s , which began to be phased out in 1938 / 39 , though most combat examples show this variation appearing in 1940 , hence the unofficial M40 pattern . The troops liked the older green collars , and M40 ( and later ) tunics modified with salvaged M36 collars or bottle - green collar overlays are not uncommon . " M41 " Tunic . The M41 is exactly the same as the M40 , but with a 6 button front due to the decline of material quality , which by now was 50 % or more viscose rayon and recycled shoddy . SS - specific uniforms nonetheless stayed with 5 buttons . " M42 " Tunic . The M42 is essentially an M40 / 41 tunic , but with pleats removed from all the pockets to save on materials and production time . " M43 " Tunic . 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 . Many M43 tunics were made with a much simplified version of the internal suspension system , or omitted it entirely . Field Blouse Model 1944 . In late 1944 , in order to cut down on tailoring and production costs , the " Wehrmacht " introduced the M44 pattern uniform . Similar in appearance to the British Battle Dress or the related US " Ike " jacket , the M44 was unlike any other German pattern uniform , and the first major deviation in uniform design since 1936 . The tunic skirt was shortened to waist length , an internal belt was added , and the tunic could be worn with an open or closed collar . The color was the new " " Feldgrau 44 " " , a drab greenish - brown . The rarely used and complicated internal suspension system was finally dropped . German insignia was still worn ( breast eagle , collar " Litzen " and shoulder boards ) . Except for the elite Panzer - Lehr - Division , which field - tested the new uniform in summer 1944 before its approval for general issue , the M44 was usually seen at the front only in the war ' s last months and generally on the greenest of troops : new replacements , teenage " Flakhelfer " , and " Hitlerjugend " and " Volkssturm " militia . Trousers . M22 ( M36 ) . Originally the M1936 tunic was worn with the same slate gray ( " steingrau " ) 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 ; in the field they were worn tucked into jackboots . 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 ; however Army depots continued to issue existing stocks and the older dark trousers were still frequently seen until around 1942 . 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 beginning in 1941 / 42 ) , reinforced seat , and loops to allow a trouser belt to be used . They were the German soldiers ' favorite and most robust trousers , and were produced right up to the end of the war . Field caps . Side cap ( " Feldmütze " ) M34 / M38 / M42 . The original soft cover for the " Heer " , introduced in 1934 , was a folding garrison or envelope cap in " feldgrau " wool , similar to that worn by American , Soviet and RAF personnel but with a " scoop " in the front ; the " Schiffchen " ( " little ship " ) was popular , convenient , and worn throughout the war . Variants in black wool and olive cotton were issued with the Panzer and tropical uniforms . Insignia consisted of an embroidered national emblem ( " Wehrmachtsadler " ) and red - white - black cockade , and ( until 1942 ) an inverted chevron ( " soutache " ) in " Waffenfarbe " . Officers ' caps ( M38 ) were piped in silver or aluminum ( gold for generals ) . A variant appeared in 1942 with a two - part " fold " intended to serve as ear flaps in cold weather , secured by two front buttons : this was rapidly overtaken by the M43 field cap . Visored field cap ( " Einheitsfeldmütze " ) 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 . A version of this cap with longer visor , false turn - down , and slightly lower crown in olive cotton twill had been issued with the tropical uniform . In 1943 a similar cap in field - grey wool with a visor intermediate in length between the mountain and tropical versions was issued to all troops for field wear only ; it quickly became the most commonly seen soft headgear at the front . Insignia was similar to that of the side - cap , although the eagle and cockade were both worn above the turn - up . A black version was issued to Panzer crewmen . Peaked cap ( " Schirmmütze " ) . The dress , service and walking - out cap for all ranks was the peaked cap as finalized in 1934 . The semi - rigid band was covered in bottle - green fabric , and the stiff visor was made of black vulcanized fiber or ( occasionally ) patent leather . The oval wool crown was stiffened with wire into a curved " saddleback " shape with a lofty front . Insignia consisted of the national cockade surrounded by an oakleaf wreath on the front of the band , with the " Wehrmachtsadler " above ; these were stamped aluminum or sometimes embroidered in bullion for officers ( silver for company - and field - grade officers and gold for generals ) . The edges of the band and crown were piped in " Waffenfarbe . " Enlisted men wore the cap with a black leather chinstrap ; officers wore a pair of braided silver or aluminum cords ( gold for generals ) . NCOs were authorized to wear the " Schirmmütze " when the uniform of the day prescribed the field cap . Officers ' caps were frequently private - purchase and had covers of higher - quality fabric ; these were often interchangeable and included summer white and tropical olive versions as well as " feldgrau . " Officers ' " old style " field cap or " crusher " . At the same time the M34 side - cap was introduced for enlisted wear , a foldable field cap for officers was authorized . Superficially resembling the " Schirmmütze " , this cap had a crown of significantly smaller diameter without the wire stiffener , a soft band , and a visor of flexible leather or " feldgrau " wool . Insignia were jacquard - woven ; although no chinstrap was authorized officers often added the " Schirmmütze " silver cords . This cap was officially replaced by the officers ' " Schiffchen " M38 , with a wear - out date of 1 April 1942 , but this order was generally ignored and the popular " " Knautschmütze " " was worn throughout the war , coming to be known as the " ältere Art " ( old style ) field cap . Officers and NCOs in the field would sometimes remove the wire stiffener from the " Schirmmütze " to achieve the " crush " look , especially tank crewmen ( to facilitate wearing headphones ) ; this unauthorized but widespread practice should not be confused with the true " crusher . " Helmets . In 1935 the Wehrmacht adopted a lower , lighter version of the M1916 / 18 " coal scuttle " helmet ; this became the ubiquitous German helmet of World War II , worn by all branches of the " Wehrmacht " and SS , police , fire brigades and Party organizations . Collectors distinguish slight production variants as the M35 , M40 and M42 . " Heer " helmets were originally painted " apple green , " a semigloss " feldgrau " somewhat darker than the uniform color ; wartime factory 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 , first in splinter - pattern and then in the swamp / marsh or " water " pattern ; these were never plentiful and individual soldiers frequently improvised helmet covers from Splittermuster [ splinter - pattern ] " Zeltbahn " fabric , or ( less frequently ) hand - painted their helmets in camouflage patterns . Soldiers would also cover their helmets with netting or chicken wire into which foliage could be inserted . Prewar and early - war Army " Stahlhelme " had shield - shaped decals on either side , black - white - red diagonal stripes on the right and the " Heeresadler " ( Army eagle ) in silver - grey on the left ; in 1940 the national colors and then in 1943 the eagle were discontinued , and existing decals were often covered up during repainting . Boots . Jackboots ( " Marschstiefel " " marching boots " ) . The calf - high pull - on jackboot had been the traditional footwear of the German soldier for generations . The " Wehrmacht " boot was little different from that of World War I : made of brown pebbled leather ( blackened with polish ) , with hobnailed leather soles and heel - irons . Trousers were worn tucked inside . Originally 35 – 39 cm tall , the boots were shortened to 32 – 35 cm in 1939 in order to save leather . By 1940 leather was becoming more scarce and issue was restricted to combat branches , and in 1941 jackboots were no longer issued to new recruits . By late 1943 production of jackboots had ceased altogether . However , as late as fall 1944 depots were encouraged to issue " Marschstiefel " to infantry and artillery , to the extent they were available . Officers ' boots were knee - high and more form - fitting , and ( as usual ) often private purchases of superior quality . They were to be worn with breeches ; however , these technically were not " riding " boots , differing somewhat from the " Reitstiefel " worn ( with spurs ) by regiments with cavalry traditions . By order dated 31 October 1939 most officers in the front lines wore the shorter EM boots with " Langhosen " or " Keilhosen , " but some ignored regulations and wore their kneeboots anyway . Ankle boots ( " Schnürschuhe " " lace - up shoes " ) . From 1937 each recruit was issued a pair of ankle - height work boots for basic training , and kept them for fatigue duty and the like . Beginning in 1940 the Army ceased issuing jackboots to rear - area personnel and authorized the wearing of the utility boots with the field uniform ; canvas gaiters or " Gamaschen " were issued for this purpose . From 1941 " Schnürschuhe " were authorized for combat units as well , and the only footgear issued to new recruits ; by 1943 their wear had become universal . Officers . Also in 1935 the " Heer " introduced a new service tunic for officers and senior NCOs . This was broadly similar to the other - ranks tunic , but differed in detail : the collar was of a taller , more pointed rise - and - fall type , the shoulders were padded , the sleeves had deep turnback cuffs , there was no internal suspension system or grommets for belt hooks , and there were two ramp - buttons at the back of the waist to support the belt . Since officers had to purchase their own uniforms , many of these tunics were either tailor - made or produced by gentlemen ' s clothiers , and if purchased for service dress for the most part used high - quality wool gabardine ( " Trikot " ) , doeskin or whipcord . For this reason the officers ' " Dienstrock " did not undergo the cost - saving changes which affected the enlisted M36 , and kept its green collar and scalloped , pleated pockets throughout the war . After the Army authorized wearing the collar open with a necktie in 1943 , some officers ' tunics were made with fixed lapels like the " Luftwaffe " " Tuchrock . " Trousers were either slate - grey ( later field - grey ) " Langhosen " , or breeches worn with high boots . Generals and General Staff officers wore wide trouser - stripes of scarlet or carmine - red , respectively . Although the M35 remained the regulation service - dress uniform , soon after the outbreak of the war officers in combat units of the rank of regimental commander or below were ordered to wear the more practical ( and less conspicuous ) other - ranks uniform for frontline service , and save the " good " uniform for walking - out , office and garrison wear ; some of these EM tunics were privately modified with French cuffs and officer - style collars . Nonetheless , many officers ignored regulations and wore the " Dienstrock " at the front , sometimes even with breeches . Dress uniforms . " Waffenrock " . The " Waffenrock " ( military coat ) was descended from that introduced by the Prussian Army in 1842 and rapidly adopted by the other German states . In its " Wehrmacht " form as issued in 1935 , it was a formfitting thigh - length eight - button tunic of fine " feldgrau " wool , without external pockets . The collar was taller than the service tunic and bore more elaborate " Litzen , " embroidered all in silver - white and mounted on " Waffenfarbe " backing ; smaller " Ärmelpatten " , which is similar in appearance to , though not to be mistaken for " Litzen , " appeared under the buttons on the dark - green Swedish cuffs . " Waffenfarbe " piping also edged the collar , cuffs , front closure , and elaborate scalloped rear vent . Officers wore a formal belt of silver braid . Trousers were " steingrau " , with the outer seams piped in " Waffenfarbe . " In the full - dress uniform ( " grosser Gesellschaftanzug " ) the " Waffenrock " was worn with medals , aguilette ( officers ) , trousers and shoes , the " Schirmmutze " , gloves , and sword ( officers / NCOs ) or dress bayonet ( enlisted ) . Parade dress substituted the steel helmet and jackboots . Semi - formal ( " kleiner Gesellschaftanzug " ) and walking - out ( " Ausgangsanzug " ) uniforms were as full - dress , but without aguilette and with ribbons replacing medals . Production and issue of the " Waffenrock " was suspended in 1940 , and the service or officers ' ornamented uniform was worn for dress occasions instead . However , the " Waffenrock " remained authorized for walking out for those who had or could purchase it ; and it was a widespread if unauthorized practice to loan a soldier a " Waffenrock " from regimental stocks to get married in , as evidenced by many wartime wedding photos . Officers ' ornamented uniform ( M37 ) . In 1937 officers were authorized the optional purchase of the " ornamented " ( " ornamentierte " ) or " piped " ( " mit Vorstössen " ) uniform , to be worn as a less - formal alternative to the " Waffenrock " for walking - out and some ceremonial occasions . The M37 " Feldbluse " was identical to the M35 service tunic , save that the collar and its " Litzen " were the same as the " Waffenrock " , and collar , closure and cuffs were piped in " Waffenfarbe " . It was worn with the piped dress trousers . Summer white tunic . Officers and certain senior NCOs had the option of wearing a white cotton tunic from April through September . The Reichswehr " old - style " ( " ältere Art " ) model had a stand collar , a six - button front , and plain sleeves ; it was authorized for barracks wear , supervising training , and attending sporting events . The newer model introduced in 1937 had a rise - and - fall collar , an eight - button front , and French cuffs , and was authorized as a summer walking - out and undress uniform . Both versions had removable buttons , shoulderboards and metal breast eagle in order to permit laundering ; collar insignia was not worn . Panzer uniform ( " Sonderbekleidung der Panzertruppen " ) . This consisted of black wool hip - length double - breasted jacket and trousers , with skull s on the collar patches instead of " Litzen " and , officially until 1940 , collar piping in " Waffenfarbe " ( usually the rose - pink of the armor branch , but also gold for former cavalry units in the reconnaissance role or black / white twist for combat engineers ) . The color and Totenköpfe ( skulls ) were chosen due to their similarity to the uniforms of August von Mackensen ' s Black Hussars , and also for practical reasons : the black color made oil stains less visible and a short jacket was less likely to get caught in the machinery . The trousers had tapered cuffs with drawstrings and tapes in order to fit into lace - up ankle boots . Although the jacket could be buttoned to the neck in cold weather , ordinarily it was worn open - collar with a field grey or mouse grey shirt and ( in theory ) a black necktie . The jacket was manufactured in three different patterns between 1934 and 1945 . First pattern jackets had deep lapels with square collars . There was also no provision to close the collar . Second pattern ( 1936 – 42 ) added three buttons to close the collar , reduced the size of the lapels and had a more pointed collar . Note that some second pattern jackets were produced without collar piping ( possibly for non - panzer personnel entitled to wear the jacket ) . The third pattern ( 1942 – 45 ) deleted the collar piping for all personnel but was otherwise similar to second pattern . Self - propelled anti - tank artillery ( " Panzerjäger " ) and assault - gun ( " Sturmgeschütz " ) crews were issued similar uniforms in field - grey from 1940 . Originally a large black beret was worn over a hardened - felt helmet . This proved cumbersome and unnecessary and on 27 March 1940 a black version of the standard M34 / M38 sidecap was authorized ; later in the war the M43 field cap in black was worn . Officers frequently wore old - style ( " altere Art " ) " crusher " peaked cap s . Vehicle crews in North Africa wore the same olive tropical uniform as the infantry , including collar " Litzen ; " many tankers pinned their skull insignia to their lapels . In 1943 the " Panzertruppe " were issued their own reed - green HBT summer field uniform . This resembled the black uniform but had a single , very large pocket on the left breast and another on the front of the left thigh . A one - piece denim overall , known as a " Panzerkombi " , was issued to " panzer " ( armoured ) crews and mechanics for maintenance work and the like ; crews sometimes wore it for general field service although the practice was discouraged . Originally issued in blue - grey , the " Waffen - SS " later used camouflage - printed examples . It featured zips running down the inside of dump leg which could be used to zip both legs together to make a sleeping bag and remained in service with the postwar German army . Winter uniform . Early in the war this consisted of heavy wool greatcoat s ( a similar pattern was issued to East German border guards until 1989 ) . They had silver dimpled buttons that didn ' t reflect the light and were sometimes painted green to provide further camouflage . Following Hitler ' s invasion of the USSR the Germans found themselves ill - equipped to deal with the Russian winter and had to improvise : civilians back home were called upon to donate fur coats for the war effort until enough specialized winter clothing had been produced ( this was often made by prisoners in concentration camps ) . Hooded waterproof parka s were issued later in the war , in white for troops on the eastern front and in field grey for mountain troops . In addition to the standard issue snow camouflage the Germans made extensive use of captured Red Army equipment , especially the boots which provided better protection from the sub - zero temperatures . There are reports of Germans sawing the legs off dead Russians then heating them in ovens so they could thaw out and remove the boots . Tropical uniform . The M40 Tropical tunics of the Afrikakorps , later authorized for summer field wear in Southern Europe , were basically the same cut as the standard army uniform but with open collar and lapels , and made of a medium - weight olive - drab cotton twill which in service faded to khaki . Also olive were the shirt and the seldom - worn necktie . Insignia were embroidered in dull blue - grey on tan backing cloth . This tunic was issued to all Army personnel in North Africa , including officers and Panzer crews . Officers as usual often purchased uniforms privately , and olive , khaki or mustard - yellow cotton versions of the M35 officers ' tunic were worn alongside the standard issue , sometimes with green collars . The M40 Tropical breeches were of jodhpur type , to be worn with knee - boots or puttee s : these were very unpopular and most were soon cut off to make shorts ( captured British / Commonwealth shorts were frequently worn as well ) . By mid - 1941 conventional trousers in olive cotton were being issued , followed soon thereafter by regulation " Heer " shorts ; these had a built - in cloth belt . A chocolate brown overcoat in the same pattern as the continental version was issued as protection from the cold desert nights . Pith helmet s , ankle boots with puttees , and lace - up canvas knee - boots were also issued in 1941 as protection from the sand and hot tropical sun ; the puttees disappeared quickly and the hated knee - boots were for the most part cut down to ankle length . The pith helmets , although effective against the sun , proved bulky and impractical in front - line service and were usually only worn in rear areas . For combat situations , standard steel helmets field - painted in a tan color were issued , usually vehicle interior sand - yellow ( " sandgelb " ) or exterior brown - yellow ( " gelbbraun " ) . The Afrikakorps ' soft cover was the M40 visored ( peaked ) cap similar in shape to that of the mountain troops ( " Gebirgsjäger " ) . This extremely popular cap was made of olive - drab cotton twill lined with loosely woven red cotton fabric for protection from the sun and effective heat transfer from the head . It had a long visor , one - piece " false fold " rather than functional earflaps , and two metal ventilation eyelets on each side ; for all but the most extreme climate conditions the M40 cap was generally preferred over the pith helmets . Also worn but less popular , except with Panzer personnel , was an olive cotton version of the sidecap . The Luftwaffe tropical uniform differed significantly from the Army version . Air force uniforms were made of a yellowish - khaki cotton twill that proved to be a more effective camouflage color in the North African desert than Army olive , although the latter did fade to a sage - tan color with use and sun exposure . Its cut was also considered more practical and suited to the local climate than that of the early Army tropical uniform , with loosely cut trousers , a closed - collar tunic , and tan shirt . Unlike the Army , no special tropical overcoat was issued . Headgear , also in tan , initially consisted of a sidecap , pith helmet , or a unique tropical peaked cap design with detachable neckshade , although the latter was eventually replaced with a version of the Army M40 tropical cap in Luftwaffe tan . HBT fatigue and summer uniforms ( " Drillichanzug / Sommerfeldanzug " ) . Most recruits previous to 1940 were issued a fatigue ( pattern ) uniform for basic training which he kept for work details , weapons cleaning and other duties likely to soil clothes . This was an unlined , insignia - less uniform made of linen or cotton herringbone twill ( HBT ) that typically had two buttonless patch pockets on the skirt , this was undyed and therefore an offwhite oatmeal color ; on 12 February 1940 the color was ordered changed to a bluish green called " reed - green . " Other colors existed from white to cement grey . Enlisted versions had a standing collar while NCO and officer versions had collars . Since the heavy wool " feldgrau " uniform proved to be oppressively hot in summer weather , especially in southerly latitudes , soldiers took to wearing their lightweight green fatigue uniforms in the heat . In about 1942 the Army regularized the practice : depots began issuing an official hot - weather four - pocket field uniform of " feldbluse " cut but made of the same reed - green HBT material . For the enlisted Heer , these were usually worn with collar insignia and national eagle . NCOs would typically wear the summer uniform with appropriate rank on their shoulder boards , but the collar braid seen on the wool uniforms was typically absent . Two models were approved for use in the Army , the first that was designed after the m40 " feldblusen " and a later model that removed the front pocket pleats and pocket flap scallops to reduce labor time . SS units never had an official unique summer uniform , and while some used the Army versions , most used the earlier dyed work fatigues without insignia . While commissioned officers did have bespoke summer uniforms made , there was no regulation summer field uniform . Later a double - breasted version based on the " Panzerjacke " was made for vehicle and assault gun crews . Camouflage . The Germans were first issued camouflage in 1937 . During the war two distinctive patterns were in use : " Splittermuster " ( splinter pattern ) and its softer - edged variant " Sumpftarnmuster " ( swamp pattern ) , and " Platanenmuster " ( plane tree pattern ) . Splinter Pattern was originally used for tents but was later applied by the " Luftwaffe " to the " knochensack " jump smock s of the " Fallschirmjäger " , and fashioned into camouflage smocks for the infantry , while " Platanenmuster " was worn by snipers , panzer crews and the Waffen - SS . " Flecktarn " , an updated version of the earlier plane tree pattern , is still used by the modern German " Bundeswehr " . In 1945 a new 6 - color camouflage known as " Leibermuster " , which inspired the postwar US ERDL pattern , was introduced . The colors were black , brown , olive , pale green , white , and red . Luftwaffe uniform . The basic uniform of the Luftwaffe consisted of a blue - grey , single - breasted , open - collared jacket with four pockets and flaps ; white shirt and black necktie ; blue - grey trousers ; black leather boots ; and a blue - grey peaked cap , side cap or Model 1935 Stahlhelm . Ranks were indicated by collar patches , along with Army - style shoulder boards . The flying suit typically consisted of a beige jumpsuit , leather flying helmet and thick fur - lined boots . Black leather jackets were also worn by fighter pilots . The eagle insignia was different from the rest of the Wehrmacht : its wings curved upward and the swastika did not have a circle around it . Kriegsmarine uniform . The uniform for an enlisted sailor consisted of a jacket , a pair of trousers , a white and a blue shirt , a shirt - collar with three stripes , a silk neckerchief , grey gloves and a cap with two ribbons . An officer wore a midnight - blue double - breasted reefer coat with ten gilt buttons and a matching peaked cap . U - boat officers could also wear jackets and over - trousers of brown or grey leather . As an unwritten rule , the captain of a U - boat wore a white peaked cap . When U - boats put to sea , there were few restrictions on what personnel wore . Full uniforms were typically worn on departure from and return to base . Due to the cramped and humid conditions , U - boat crews often began wearing more comfortable light civilian clothing after they set sail . These included seaman ' s jumpers and sleeveless shirts . Lookouts would still wear ponchos and sou ' wester s when on duty . German U - Boat crews were also commonly issued with British Army Battle Dress ( with German insignia added ) . Large stockpiles had been captured by the Germans after the fall of France in 1940 .