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Miniatures Adventure => Colonial Adventures => Topic started by: FifteensAway on 13 January 2025, 05:58:12 AM
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Of course I know Germany lost its empire at the end of WWI. But I am doing a what-if collection where German forces, primarily naval and marine, including submarine crews and landing forces will be involved. I have been looking for information on uniforms for this time frame. Army is easy to find, WWII is easy to find, but that slightly earlier time - not yet found a good source.
Can anyone point me to a good web link for this time frame, 1930-1935, for German naval and marine forces, especially landing party attire? Books okay but might be harder to get access.
While my units will be fictional, I'd at least like to base them on historically correct information before I veer off into the unknown.
Thanks!
Posting here since Interwar board is not as active. And I'm hoping someone here has such information.
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Have a Google on ‘Hitler Navy parade 1933?
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The navy of the Weimar republic and the early Nazi period was called the Reichsmarine (as opposed to the Kaiserliche Marine of the Empire and the Kriegsmarine of most of the Nazi era).
If you google using that word you might have some luck. A quick search found this:
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-uniforms-of-the-reichsmarine-imperial-navy-around-1934-94212959.html (https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-uniforms-of-the-reichsmarine-imperial-navy-around-1934-94212959.html)
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Your main source of images would be the Knötel "Uniformfibel" 1933/34 book:
Available in pdf here:
http://militariafachbuch.com/Uniformfibel-H-Knoetel-Download-Ausgabe
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Thanks to all, the Reichsmarine tip is helping out. Will try other sources as well.
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Reichsmarine uniforms were basically the same as the old Kaiserliche Marine with a few changes to insignia. They'd transform into Reichsmarine uniforms with very little further change save for the adoption of swastika clasping eagles. Navies tend to conservatism and tradition. Square rig didn't actually change that much right into the current century. If you have a look at post-war Volksmarine uniforms, they are wearing a basic square rig that wouldn't look out of place in the Kaiser's navy, save for the badges. Basically you'd be equally good to go using WW1 or WW2 figures, assuming such things are available in 15mm. I know they do exist in 28mm in at least three ranges.
Landing parties? If it's something impromptu I'd suspect based on WW1 experience that it would be square rig and belt equipment. Hot weather the jumper and trousers were white, cold weather a blackish blue although you can see a mix at times, usually white jumpers and blue trousers.
If it's a large scale landing with elements of the main fleet or at least what passed for one under the Weimar Republic, then perhaps look at the Marinestosstruppkompanie as a possible, speculative basis. They were formed in 1938, so out of your period but they were formed specifically to give the Navy a landing force. There are photos of them in action in Danzig/Gdansk at Fort Westerplatte.