German New Guinea and Samoa
Reservists and Citizens Force 1914

Uniforms of the Reservists on New Guinea
Judging from period photographs the reservists had no regulation uniform but all were common in that they wore some form of khaki uniform and a slouch hat. Some of the tunics were ill fitting, some had pockets some did not.

To identify themselves they wore green armbands on both arms (green had been authorised as the official colony colour for German New Guinea in 1912) or an imperial cockade on the slouch hat.

Their equipment usually consisted of one 1909 or 1871/95 ammunition pouch on a leather belt with an other ranks naval style belt buckle, as also worn by the Polizeitruppe on New Guinea (see below).

Figure 1 is based on a photograph of a German Reservist taken just prior to the Australian invasion of 1914. This reservist is typical of their casual appearance in that he wears a loose fitting khaki tunic without insignia or breast pockets. He wears a slouch hat hat pinned up on the right hand side and green identification armbands on both arms. His khaki trousers hang loose over his boots. The equipment worn consists of one 1909 ammunition pouch and a leather belt with the naval belt buckle.

Figure 2 is based on a photograph of another German Reservist also taken just prior to the Australian invasion. This reservist is also quite typical of their  appearance. He has a slouch hat pinned up with an imperial cockade. In this case it is unusually pinned up on the on the left side- the right side being the more common way to pin up the side of the hat. He also wears a loose fitting khaki tunic without insignia. This time the tunic has breast and hip pockets. The khaki trousers are worn tucked into leather gaiters worn over leather boots. He carries one 1871/95 ammunition pouch and a leather belt with the naval belt buckle.

As German Samoa surrendered to the New Zealand invasion of 1914 without a struggle, the Bürgerwehr saw no action and were disbanded shortly afterwards.
Recommended External Links - Erste und letzte Tage Deutsch-Samoas at Traditionsverband and The New Zealand occupation of Samoa at Chakoten

Uniforms of the German Citizens Force
I have so far only seen one small photograph of the Citizens Force ("Bürgerwehr"). From it, it seems that like reservists in New Guinea, East Africa and Cameroon they wore a mixture of khaki military style uniforms probably from their own sources.

Many variations are shown within the small unit in the original photograph, with no two dressed the same. Their tunics are all of different designs and shades. Most wear slouch hats while some wear white tropical helmets, or civilian trilby hats. Some wear their trousers loose while others are tucked into high boots or gaiters. What unites them is that most wear the old 1871 single ammunition pouch worn at the front centre of the belt, as used by the Samoan Polizeitruppe. At least some also wore armbands in the imperial colours, an article ("Erste und letzte Tage Deutsch-Samoas" on the Traditionsverband website) describes Bürgerwehr soldier Erich Scheurmann, as wearing just such an armband.

Figure 3 is based on a photograph of a Soldier of the Bürgerwehr. Like the other soldiers in the photograph he wears a rough khaki tunic, non-matching trousers and a form of slouch hat. He carries a single 1871 ammunition pouch hung below his naval other ranks belt buckle.  It is difficult to tell for certain if marks of the right arms of the men in the one blurred photograph of the Bürgerwehr are imperial armbands or just creases in the sleeves.

Figure 3
Citizens Force
Samoa 1914

Naval Other Ranks Belt Buckle
(See Belt Buckle Details Page)
Photo © Doppler Collection

Armband in Imperial Colours
(See Identification Brassard Details Page)
Photo © Doppler Collection