History

During the Second World War, German troops stationed in northern Africa are generally referred to as the Afrikakorps. Technically, this is not entirely correct, since some German units operating in Africa were not actually part of the DAK (Deutsches Afrikakorps), and some units of it were, in fact, Italian ones. However, for the purpose of collecting so-called “tropical” uniforms and insignia, collectors have simplified the meaning of the term.

The first German troops were sent to northern Africa in February of 1941, to support their Italian allies against the British. The climate of the African continent made it necessary to wear specialised uniforms and gear that not only supported the soldiers in serving in a hot and arid environment, but also helped them in blending in with the landscape, which, in general, presented itself as brown, olive, khaki, or sand/tan in colour. Worn over long periods of time under the blistering desert sun, some uniforms were eventually bleached to white or off-white. Uniforms and insignia in these colours are often referred to as “tropical”, and it is worth noting that they weren’t just worn by members of units stationed in Africa, but in the entire Mediterranean theatre of war, including southern France, Italy, the Balkans, and Greece, as well as in southern Russia during the summer months. Tropical uniforms were worn by members of all three branches of the Wehrmacht: the Heer (army), the Kriegsmarine (navy), and the Luftwaffe (air force). Members of the Waffen-SS stationed in southerly regions also wore tropical-style uniforms, and even though they technically have no connection to the DAK, all tropical uniforms and insignia of all branches of the German military are listed here.

This Field Cap was introduced for Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs), and Enlisted Men (EMs).

These caps are primarily composed of tan-coloured cotton twill weave, but there are also examples that are made from a light-weight canvas material, and even some rare caps that are composed of white cotton linen. They mirrored the design of the Afrkikorps Army Field Caps, in that they feature simulated flaps along the side skirts, and have four ventilation grommets, two on either side of the cap below the top cover piping. The top of the cap was always manufactured with a pinched central seam.

Each field cap was also adorned with at least two official insignia, the national emblem and a tricolour cockade. These insignia were machine-woven (BeVo) on tan backing or composed of stamped, light weight metal. Technically, the insignia composed of metal were unofficial and against Kriegsmarine regulations. The official national emblem was made from a golden-yellow thread on a tan rayon backing that was cut in the shape of a trapezoid or cut to match the shape of the eagle. The official cockade was machine-woven (BeVo) on a tan, diamond-shaped rayon backing. These insignia could be hand-sewn or machine-sewn onto the cap itself.

The field caps of Officers, and Administrative Officials with the rank of Officer, had additional piping along the crown seam/simulated side skirt. The piping was gold-coloured for Officers, and silver-coloured (aluminum) for Officials. This piping usually spanned the entire crown seam.

The lining of government issued caps was made from light-green/green satin weave, and it did not include a sweatband. The government issued caps also generally feature the RB numbers on the lining. Maker marks are also seen on the lining, but rarely.

There are versions of this cap that only have two ventilation grommets, with one on either side of the cap below the top cover piping.