German Colonial Uniforms

Between 1914-15 the army of South Africa invaded and defeated German South West Africa. Later in the First World War, South African troops played a large part in the German East African campaign. It is not surprising therefore that various museums in the Republic of South Africa have German colonial items on display. Here are several photos of interesting items photographed by MC Heunis of the re-enactment group, the “Oranje Vrijstaat Artillerie Corps” at the South African National Museum of Military History in Johannesburg and at the War Museum of the Boer Republics in Bloemfontein.

Please respect MC Heunis' generosity in sharing these photos with us by not reproducing them without prior permission.

(Click on the pictures to enlarge)

Left- A German Imperial district commander's signpost from German South West Africa now on display in the South African National Museum of Military History.



A border post marking used between the "Deutsches Schutzgebeit" of German South West Africa and the "British Territory" of South Africa from the South African National Museum of Military History in Johannesburg.	Two native identification passes from Okahandja and Lüderitzbucht above an elephant badge worn by Schutztruppe and other colonial veterans. These items are also on display at the South African National Museum of Military History.	A brass imperial German eagle worn as a head dress badge. It could have been worn on a tropical helmet by a colonial official or on the tarbush of a German East African Polizeitruppe askari. Below it is an Imperial cockade from the right hand side of a Schutztruppe Südwester hat. These items are also on display at the South African National Museum of Military History.

A fine example of the personal equipment used by the Schutztruppe in German South West Africa from the South African National Museum of Military History. As the museum caption explains large stocks of this equipment were captured by South African forces and later used by them during the campaign in German East Africa.	A view of the left side of the belt buckle.	Another view of the left hand side with the bayonet frog.

Another view of the German South West African equipment showing the Ammunition pouches. Note that this was the later model of equipment used with buttons as well as a leather strap to hold the pouches closed.	Another view of the equipment showing the right side with a ring to attach a water bottle to.	Another view of the right side showing one of the ammunition pouches placed up the shoulder strap. The first early models of this style of equipment did not have these additional pouches.

An other ranks Schutztruppe 1896 Feldrock or khaki tunic in near perfect condition. These tunics were worn by the majority of Germans in the Schutztruppe in German South West Africa, German East Africa and in Cameroon between 1896 and 1918. Note the blue piping, white metal buttons with the imperial crown and sloping breast pockets. See the Schutztruppe Khaki Tunic Details Page for more information. This tunic is on display at the War Museum of the Boer Republics in Bloemfontein.	The issue stamp inside the khaki tunic. It reads Sch:Tr:S.W.A for "Schutztruppe Süd-West Afrika".	The braided shoulder strap worn by all other ranks and NCOs in imperial colours of black/white/red

A full front view of the Schutztruppe tunic.	A full rear view.	A peaked corduroy field cap belonging to an ordinance officer in German South West Africa on display at the War Museum of the Boer Republics in Bloemfontein. The cap itself is of khaki corduroy with a black leather peak and a small imperial cockade on the front of the hatband. The hatband is in black with red piping. Different classes of official wore different coloured hatbands and piping to distinguish their profession.

A bust of the German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II from the South African National Museum of Military History.	An official stamp for documents from the 3rd Artillery Battery of the German South West African Schutztruppe from the South African National Museum of Military History.	A decorated beer Stein of the 3rd Company of the German South West African Schutztruppe to commemorate Christmas 1913. Again it is from the from the South African National Museum of Military History.

	An 8.8cm gun from the SMS Königsberg on display outside the South African National Museum of Military History. For more photos of this gun and another 10.5cm gun see the page on the SMS Königsberg Guns.

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