German Colonial Uniforms

German Schutztruppe Officers ranks were distinguished on both the home and tropical uniforms by their shoulder straps in the manner of the regular Imperial army. Junior officers wore silver black and red twisted shoulder straps with one or two pips. Senior officer wore silver braid with pips on a backing of the colony colour.

The same system as for the regular imperial army extended up to the rank of field marshal in the Schutztruppe, but for the study of the Schutztruppe in action during the First World War these higher ranks are purely hypothetical. There were no Generals on active service in the German Colonies in 1914. The highest ranking Schutztruppe officers in 1914 in each colony were Oberstleutnant von Lettow-Vorbeck (German East Africa), Oberstleutnant von Heydebrerck (German South West Africa) and Major Zimmerman (Cameroon).

In addition officers were distinguished by wearing silver cords around the tropical helmet, carrying swords on parade and sword knots rather than bayonet knots and having privately purchased uniforms, generally of better quality, with higher standing collars.

Officer shoulder straps for the Seebatallion were similar but had a brass Imperial crown on the shoulder strap above any pips (see below right).

A Schutztruppe Leutnant's Shoulder Straps
(See Schutztruppe Insignia Details Page)
Damien Doppler Collection

A Seebatallion Leutnant's Shoulder Strap
(See Seebatallion Officers White Uniform Page)
Damien Doppler Collection

The shoulder strap illustrations on this page were originally drawn by RJ Marrion and DJ Hagger for the now out of print book "Cuirassiers and Heavy Cavalry of the German Imperial Cavalry 1900-14" published by Almark 1973. They have been re-scanned and coloured by the webmaster to suit the colours worn by the Schutztruppe.


Leutnant Second Lieutenant	Oberleutant Lieutenant	Hauptmann Captain	Major Major	Oberstleutnant Lieutenant Colonel	Oberst Colonel