German Schutztruppe in South West Africa 1896-1915
Cold Weather Uniforms

Figure 1
NCO
with Kord Waffenrock

Figure 2
Trooper
with Kord Waffenrock

Figure 3
Trooper
with Kord Litewka

Figure 4
Trooper
with Kord Litewka

Figure 5
Trooper
with Greatcoat
   
Figure 1 is based on a photograph of a Gefreiter of the South West African Schutztruppe probably taken before the outbreak of the Herero Rebellion in 1904 and is typical of the appearance of the Schutztruppe in the early years of the twentieth century. This durable corduroy tunic known as a Kord Waffenrock (see right) was unique to the Schutztruppe of German South West Africa and from 1896 started to replace the old corduroy uniforms with their pointed Polish style cuffs and breast pockets. It was worn in place of the light cotton khaki uniform in colder weather and at night when the desert temperatures would plummet.

The uniform was made from corduroy (manufactured in Manchester, England) in a variety of shades from grey-brown to pale khaki. It was of identical cut to the 1896 home uniform (the Tuchuniform), with blue collar and "Swedish" style cuffs, both with double white Litzen with a red central stripe. The front of the Waffenrock was  piped in blue with eight white metal buttons down the front each with the imperial crown. The tunic had no visible pockets. Other ranks shoulder straps were of twisted black/white/red braid (see below right). The trousers are in matching durable corduroy.

NCO rank on the Kord Waffenrock was shown by the standard German imperial army method of buttons and lace on the collar and cuffs (see NCOs Rank Insignia Page). The single collar button (see right) at the rear of the Litzen worn with no additional lace around the collar or cuffs shows this NCO to be a Gefreiter or 1st class private. The rank of Gefreiter for German personnel in the Schutztruppe was unique to South West Africa. In the Schutztruppe of East Africa and Cameroon the only Gefreiters were Africans. The lowest ranking Germans in the Schutztruppe for East African and Cameroon were corporals (Unteroffizier).

Officers also wore the Kord Waffenrock (usually privately made and of better quality with silver instead of white Litzen) with officers shoulder straps (see Officers Rank Insignia Page).

The Kord Waffenrock was gradually replaced by the Kord Litewka (see figs 3 and 4), in 1913 it was officially withdrawn although photos as late as 1915 show some officers still wearing them.

Almost all Schutztruppe in South West Africa irrespective of rank, wore the regulation Südwester slouch hat (see right) pinned up at the right side with a large Imperial cockade black/white/red (see right). From 1896 onwards the hatband and edging ribbon were in colony colours (in this case cornflower blue for South West Africa). Tropical helmets were not issued to the Schutztruppe in South West Africa.

The South West African Schutztruppe wore a unique and distinctive style of brown leather personal equipment (see below right) which was issued in three variations. The first early pattern, as shown here, was issued in the late 1890's and had six ammunition pouches along the front and two on each side of the back (see fig 2). The belt buckled around the back and the pouch flaps were held in place with a leather strap. The second variation had two extra ammunition pouches- one up each shoulder strap on the front (see right). The third and final variation had brass studs in addition to the leather straps to help hold down the pouch flap.

As the majority of the Schutztruppe in South West Africa were mounted troops their boots were also of a unique riding style usually worn with a removable stirrup patch over the front.

The Schutztruppe in South West Africa were usually issued with the latest in weaponry. They were first issued with the Mauser Jägerbüsche 71, later the Kommisionsgewehr 88 (as seen here) and finally Mauser 98 rifles and carbines. Maxim machine guns were also first issued in South West Africa during the Herero Rebellion.
Schutztruppe Kord Waffenrock
(See Rödelsee Museum Collection Page)
Photo Copyright Arne Schöfert
Schutztruppe NCO Collar Button
(See Schutztruppe Insignia Page)
Photo Copyright Doppler
SW African Schutztruppe Südwester
(See Südwester Details Page)
Photo Copyright Doppler
Schutztruppe Mounted Equipment
(See Mounted Equipment Details Page)
Photo from an Anonymous Collector
   
Figure 2 is based on a photograph of a Trooper of the South West African Schutztruppe probably taken during the Herero Rebellion 1904-07 wearing the Kord Waffenrock seen from the rear. Note the piped and scalloped rear skirts of the Waffenrock are of the same design as worn on the home uniform.

His equipment is the South West African Schutztruppe issue as described above buckling at the back and with two ammunition pouches on each side at the rear (see above right). On the right side it had a brass eye for attaching a water bottle and on the left side it had a bayonet frog worn here with its 98 pattern bayonet. I have coloured the bayonet knot in red and white to show the colours of the 2nd Field Company, although of course in the original monochrome photograph it is impossible to tell which company the trooper is from. Originally the other ranks of the Schutztruppe of South West Africa wore all white bayonet knots, later the same system of company identification colours was used as in the regular German army. NCOs wore bayonet knots in twisted black/white/red wool. Senior NCOs and officers wore sword knots in twisted black/silver/red.
Schutztruppe Kord Cap
(See Rödelsee Museum Collection Page)
Photo Copyright Arne Schöfert
   
Figure 3 is based on a photograph of an Trooper of the South West African Schutztruppe probably taken during the Herero Rebellion 1904-07 wearing the Kord Litewka (see right) introduced in 1900. It was made of similar corduroy to the Kord Waffenrock, although later issues seem to have become lighter in shade. It had no visible buttons, no piping, plain collar and cuffs and four rounded pockets. The breast pockets were slightly sloped inwards as on the khaki uniform (see South West African Schutztruppe Tropical Uniforms Page). Shoulder straps for other ranks were the same twisted black/white/red braid as on the Kord Waffenrock and khaki uniform (see below right). NCO rank was displayed on the Litewka in the form of inverted chevrons on the upper left arm (see NCOs Rank Insignia Page). Officers were simply distinguished by their shoulder straps (see Officers Rank Insignia Page).

This trooper wears a matching corduroy peaked cap with hatband and piping in cornflower blue for South West Africa and a single small imperial cockade at the front (see above right).


Schutztruppe Kord Litewka
(See Swakopmund Museum Photos Page)
Photo Copyright Phil Buhler
   
Figure 4 is based on a photograph of a Trooper of the South West African Schutztruppe again probably taken during the Herero Rebellion 1904-07. This view shows the plain rear of the Kord Litewka with two buttons at the belt line. This trooper wears matching kord riding breeches, a Südwester, and short leather boots with gaiters. Short boots and gaiters were usually worn by officers. It is entirely possible that the figure in the original photograph is in fact an officer. Aside from their shoulder straps which were sometimes removed in action, officers wore little to distinguish themselves from other ranks in South West Africa. This practice was particularly useful in the face of the Herero or Nama who became expert snipers.

Several hybrid versions of the Kord Waffenrock and Kord Litewka were also worn. Some had plain cuffs with coloured collars with Litzen, others had concealed buttons with coloured collar and cuffs. Other slight variations were also made for officers by private tailors


Other Ranks Shoulder Strap
(See Schutztruppe Insignia Page)
Photo Copyright Doppler
   

Figure 5 is based on a photograph of a Trooper of the South West African Schutztruppe being inspected by King Frederick Augustus III of Saxony in October 1906 prior to departure for the colonies. Other ranks in the South West African Schutztruppe were issued the single breasted M1894 army greatcoat (see right). It was not commonly worn in the climate of the other colonies but in South West Africa where the nights could be freezing cold it was very useful on night patrol or guard duty. It was made in matching grey to the home uniform, with six white metal buttons down the front and shoulder straps and collar patches in colony colours (in this case cornflower blue for South West Africa). The collar patches bore white double Litzen with a red centre (and small lace bars for NCOs- see the example on the right). The rear of the coat was plain with a retaining belt and one brass button. On active service the Schutztruppe mounted leather equipment and ammunition pouches were usually worn over the greatcoat. His headgear is again the Südwester hat with hatband and piping in blue for South West Africa.

Schutztruppe officers wore the Infantry M1898 officers' greatcoats which were double breasted with six white metal buttons on each side. The whole collar was in colony colours but had no Litzen. They had scalloped rear shirts with piping and buttons in a similar pattern to the Kord Waffenrock.


Schutztruppe NCOs Greatcoat
 (See Swakopmund Museum Photos Page)
Photo Copyright Phil Buhler
 


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