On 28th November 1899 a Litewka tunic was authorised for the
Schutztruppe of all colonies. The tunic does not seem to have been
popular and photographs of its use in any of the colonies are rare.
It was made of
pale grey Molton cloth with a stand and fall collar, concealed
buttons down the front, hip pockets and plain turn back cuffs. The officers
version (based on the Prussian officers 1895 Litewka) had one breast pocket
on the left side. All pockets had concealed flaps. The shoulder
straps were as for other Schutztruppe uniforms (hussar style braids
in imperial colours of other ranks, officers shoulder boards for
officers).
In some period photographs the
Litewka can be seen to have collar patches (in colony colours) with
white Litzen. Other photographs show no collar patches or Litzen
being worn.
The Illustration on the Left is based
on a photograph of an Officer of the South West
African Schutztruppe. He wears the officers Litewka in grey
with the additional officers pocket on his left breast. His tunic
has no Litzen but does have the shoulder straps of his rank.
He also wears the 1896 South West African Schutztruppe peaked
corduroy cap with a small imperial cockade. The hatband and piping are
in blue for South West Africa. His trousers are standard Schutztruppe
corduroy issue as are his brown leather riding boots and stirrups.
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