German Colonial Uniforms

This website is intended to give an insight into the uniforms of the Imperial German Colonial and Overseas Forces from 1884-1918 for the English speaking wargamer, modeller or military historian. Until now there has been very little available in the English language on the uniforms worn by German forces in these obscure but fascinating side shows of the Great War and Colonial Era.

Originally this website was designed to cover only the defenders of German East Africa, German South West Africa, Cameroon, Togo, Tsingtao and the German Pacific Colonies during the First World War 1914-18. It is now undergoing a process of expansion to include all German Overseas Expeditions during the Imperial period. This includes the Colonial Troops ("Schutztruppe"), Colonial Police ("Polizeitruppe"), East Asian Expeditionary Corps and Occupation Brigade, German units in the Ottoman Empire 1914-18, Marine Infantry ("Seebatallione") and overseas land based units of the Imperial Navy ("Kaiserliche Marine"). Also covered on this website are other curious related units such as Austro-Hungarian army and naval forces overseas, the Afghan Mission, the Bamum Private Army, Germans in the Shanghai Volunteer Corps and more.