The German army went through a large overhaul during the 1930s as its size grew once the Nazis came to power. The following is a general overview of Germany's main uniforms, though there were so many specialist uniforms and variations that not all can be included (camouflage smocks, Luftwaffe, tropical, extreme winter...). SS field uniforms began to break away in 1941 with minor design differences, but they are not included here.
It should be noted that terms such as "M36" and "M43" were never designated by the Wehrmacht, but are names given to the different models of field tunic by modern collectors, to discern between variations as the "M36" was steadily simplified and tweaked due to production time problems and combat experience.
M36 Uniform In 1936, the Wehrmacht adopted a new pattern uniform replacing the old Reichswehr uniforms of the Weimar Republic. The M36 tunic still retained the traditional Prussian uniform color of field gray wool with a dark green collar, four front tunic pockets (with scalloped flaps and pleats), and a row of five buttons. It also included an internal suspension system, whereby a soldier could hang an equipment belt on a series of hooks outside of the tunic. These hooks were connected to two straps inside the lining, which spread the weight of equipment without having to use external equipment suspenders. It was produced and issued until the very end of the war, though successive patterns became predominant. The M36 tunic was used alongside M37 (Stone-Grey) or M40 (Field-Grey) trousers in combat, which were also made of wool.
M40 Uniform The M40 uniform was the first design change in the standard army uniform. It differed from the M36 only in the lack of a bottle green collar and shoulder boards, which began to be phased out in 1938/39, though most combat examples show this variation appearing in 1940, hence the unofficial M40 pattern. The M41 is exactly the same as the M40, but with a 6 button front due to the decline of material quality.
M42 Uniform The M42 is essentially an M40/41 tunic, but with pleats removed from all the pockets to save on materials and production time.
M43 Uniform The M43 saw the removal of all pleats and scalloped flaps from the field tunic, and pockets began to be cut straight rather than with rounded edges. A new design of field trousers was also introduced in 1943, replacing the old WW1 style straight legged "Langhosen". New features included tapered ankles (to help fit with new ankle boots and gaiters, which replaced jackboots beginning in 1941/42), reinforced seat and loops to allow a trouser belt to be used. They were the German soldiers favourite and most robust trousers, and were produced right up to the end of the war.
M44 Uniform In 1944, in order to cut down on tailoring and production costs, the Wehrmacht introduced the M44 pattern uniform. Similar in appearance to the British battledress, the M44 was unlike any other German pattern uniform, and the first major deviation in German uniform design since 1936. The tunic skirt was shortened to half its original length, an internal belt was added, and the tunic could be worn open or closed collar. German insignia was still worn (collar litzen and shoulder boards). The rarely used and complicated internal suspension system was finally dropped.
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