Model Forum / General / Models / August 2005

Randy
            My references say that Army tunics were grey-green which was
subject to fading especially later during the war when only  inferior
quality material was available. Shades could vary from slate grey to light
green.   The tunic had 4 pleated pockets and bottle green collar facings..
Trouser were initially dark grey but in 1942 they were issued in grey-green
to save material. Head gear such as the "fore and aft " Feldmutze and the
later Einheitsmutze were also in grey-green.
     Officer's uniforms were the same colour but of better quality material
which would have less prone to fading.
      It would be safe to say that any combination of the above could be
seen after 1942 and after 1943 simplfied tunics were issued without pleats
in the pockets and minus the bottle green facings.
  The standard field tunic was not issued in camouflage but a much
simplified version was issued to Panzer crews late in the war. Camouflage
clothing in the Werhmacht tended to be the camo smock, the 2 piece
reversible snow suit (white/splinter) and the camo poncho/field shelter.
There was also the armoured troops camo overall and the aforementioned tunic
and pants.
   The blue-grey you mentioned was almost exclusively issued to Luftwaffe
ground troops. Of similar pattern the Wehrmacht version, its not
inconceivable that some may have been issued to Army troops but not on a
widespread basis.
Grey-green tunic and trouser were issued throughout the Wehrmacht in all
temperate theaters and were also seen in North Africa combined with tropical
clothing.  Its likely that this "mix and match" was also common in Italy.