Why did the Germans have the best uniforms in WW2?

Nat

This question is badly worded, though I agree - conditionally.

The Germans, like every other combatant nation in the Second World War, suffered from shortages - either of resources, or of credible suppliers. Even the United States took a couple of years to get its economy on an efficient war footing. Uniforms suffered as a result of having to equip millions on millions of men. Responsiveness of manufacturers to conditions on the front were nothing like today. What the combatant nations went to war with in 1939, 1941, or 1942, is more or less what they were stuck with for the duration.

The Waffen SS had the best uniforms, bar none. An excellent cut of cloth with an outstanding camoflauge pattern for summer and winter. The rest of the German Army suffered from lack of resources - whether it was sufficient winter clothing or the refusal to dispose of anachronistic long coats.

In terms of equipping the entire force, the United States military was likely the best. With minimal changes, the uniform and webgear was sufficient for combat past the 40s, into the Korean Conflict.

Uniforms alone however do not win wars. Field expedient solutions (modifications to uniforms, non-standard issue boots and gloves, etc) were the norm in those days. The quality of what an American GI was wearing in 1945 far surpassed what a German Landswehr had with him in the same era. That alone should suffice to prove utility triumphs over mere appearance.

Niko

Just a matter of opinion.

usarocketman

The German military tradition - crush your enemies and look damn good doing it.

The Landlord

Not the ordinary troops. Like the Brits, they battledress itched and was heavy when wet. Officers, especially Panzer or SS had some cool leather jackets.

US troops were very well kitted out with outfits for every occasion.

kingstubborn

Because they invaded France, intimidated the designers there and got snappy looking threads.

Oh, and they concentrated on uniforms instead of military tactics, leading Hitler to such wisdom as a two front war with the Western nations (ok, the United States and England) and also attempted to invade and defeat the USSR, repeating Napoleon's mistakes.

hicham a

germans are always the best

coz they always have the best

peter gunn

they had the best equipment and weapons overall.

John K

They were pretty damm sharp, weren't they?

I don't know if they were the best, though.

Germans focused on different areas of military support and got it right in a few cases. Sure enough, the US Army started to adopt things the nazis used, and also developed their own items that turned out looking very similar. I heard a ww2 vet say, of the modern army outfits, that he used to shoot guys who looked like that!

Mr. Morden

The uniforms didn't do them a lot of good. Interesting side note. A few years ago the US military adopted a helmet style similar to what the Germans had in WW2. It comes down lower over the ears and in the back and offers better protection that the old style. The military introduced the helmets with little fanfare because of the association in peoples minds of that style to the Nazi's.

shongo

If the Germans have the best uniforms during WW2, it compensates for their leader, Hitler, who has the worse mind.
Killing people does'nt give credit to his intelligence.

Godfrey Goulash

They certainly had the smartest looking uniforms. I don't know if they were the most practicable though.I think the Americans had the best uniforms (and equipment) all round.
I am glad that the questioner used the word "Germans". It has become fashionable these days to use the word "Nazis" has though they were a separate race!

moebiusfox

Because the uniform designers were gay.

kristycordeaux

Their uniforms weren't made by the low-bidder like the US uniforms were.

Kevin P

What do you mean by best?....best looking? most functional?.......there were actually many many variants of German Uniforms during the war. Can you be more specific?

Will B

That's a very subjective question. I don't agree with your assumption that they were the best.

My personal opinion is that the US had the best uniforms.

jamie

They didn't.

What the heck kind of question is this?

DKlyde

Yea those death heads collar pins and hat badges were the shizzle.

Snowy

They may have looked smart on the parade ground but they must have been pretty uncomfortable for fighting in.

Personally I think the yanks won the style and comfort stakes.

changmw

Because Hitler may be a god-sent. :)

wrf3k

They focused way to much on looking good. Hundreds of thousands froze to death in Russia because they didnt have the proper winter gear and people were worried about looking good?

loreric

Seriously because they devoted a lot of time and money designing them. The allies who had won the war 1 had any military materiel's possessed by the defeated nations destroyed including uniforms. So in the British case they just stored those horrible old horse blanket uniforms and in the US case they really had to design and make the uniforms in record time after Pearl Harbour. The Germans prepared for Der Tag and the allies resisted any thought or preparation for war. If you spend alot of time thinking about something it can be a bit flashy. Look up old Blood and Gut's idea for an uniform for the US Tank Corp.

Dan B

great they still lost both wars so does it matter

GreenHornet

Hitler wanted his soldiers to look like Teutonic knights.
He was big on parades, and martial music.
He loved the tall, blond, "Ken-doll" types.

During WWII,there was a joke in Germany that the typical Nazi should be as blond as Hitler, as tall as Goebbels, and as slender as Goering.
(FYI, Hitler had dark hair, Goebbels was short, and Goering was a real tubbo.)

Geoff

The Germans, especially early on, put their troops in tailored uniforms. Democracies went for cheap and plentiful, only officers tailored their uniforms. The German helmet was a work of inspiration, iconic and protective. But like the uniforms (and a lot of other German wark material) it was a little over-engineered. Both American and British helmets were made with less stamping and man-hours. The Germans were going to a simplier helmet in 1943 but could devote the resources to the switchover.

Neal02

The German had learnd their lesson at Stalingrad. In the Ardennes offensive, the American troops were poor equipped. Frostbitten extremities were daily The German had of course learned from the Winter War in Russia. The German (Wehrmacht) Army was ahead of its time. The officer corps was composed of able men and every able-bodied man could be officer regardless of whether he was a farm worker or noble. Unlike the French and British. There had to come from a wealthy or noble family. Of course this has changed in the run. But that was once upon a time. Why Americans are so fascinated by the 3rd Reich?

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