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Okay, so I have my infantry primed black and was getting ready to test my colors but after some research, I see so many variations of the uniform colors. I had always thought the uniforms were grey/black color. But, my searchfu has pulled up a green/dark green colored uniforms which may actually be later uniform colors. Also, I have seen green and grey shirts with beige/brown pants. So, what are the right colors and which era do they fall under.

I am making a gepanzerte panzergrendier platoon. And I have the winter (greatcoats) grenadier figures because I had always seen the germans with their heavy coats in grey and black which is aparently their dress uniforms. So, do I just go with the grey/black from what I recall or are they green coats with everything else grey or black?

It depends.

The Heer troops had a camo smock, but my understanding is that only a small portion of the troops ever received it. So if you have any troops with a smock, then they should get the splinter camo scheme.

The regular uniform was typically a dark grey. Some elements of it did have a greenish tinge, but it was a very faint tinge. And you'd still think of the color as "grey" and not "greenish".

Unsurprisingly, Battlefront has also provided a decent amount of information regarding uniform colors for the various nations . There's an article on painting German uniforms here - http://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=289

Keep in mind that the colors described (which all have Vallejo numbers provided) aren't gospel, and some variation is perfectly fine. Uniforms from different suppliers were usually slightly different hues, and all uniforms faded after a while out in the sun and dirt.


Also, most Battlefront books with force lists contain guidelines on what colors to use when painting your troops.

Thanks, that helped alot. One thing to note: "An important point to note here is they were issued as needed and didn’t replace any previous uniform – you can mix figures from both Early/Mid & Late War blisters to your hearts content." This makes my infantry buying decision easier.

German Heer uniform was never really dark grey, but 'Field Grey' which had a green tinge.

Some Waffen-SS uniforms were issued in 'Mouse Grey'.

Early war the Heer had the German Green M36 tunic with grey trousers. This changed with the M40 tunic that saw boths clothing itemsin field grey, though mixed wear was common for sometime.

Tropical clothing can be seen worn on all fronts but mainly Italy other than Africa.

Heer smocks came in several patterns; Splinter, Tan/Water and Marsh.

I would suggest simply goggling 'German uniform ww2' to get actual images.

As for mixing early and late figures, the main sticking point are the marching boots. These were widely replaced from 1943 with the shorter ankle boot and gaiter, and this replacements was very widespread as shoes/boots wore out so quickly. The tall marching boot was a reasonably rare sight by the second half of 1944.

The Lehr Division had a completely different uniform,



It was a two part uniform, with breeches and a Wrap around smock, in lighter green. I used to think the Wehrmacht had Grey Uniforms but I think this is more of a construct from watching colour warfilms (like a Bridge too far). When in reality the German Army was so Huge it had 10's of suppliers and all the dye colours and designs varied and then by Late War they grabbed anything they could get as resources evapourated.

Im not sure that all that true to be honest...

The German uniforms didnt vary much. Suppliers had to conform with a set of strict guidelines and quality controls. Being German they managed to make these stick almost for the entire war...

They had fixed dyes, that were on the whole centrally produces. Clothing was made to a set pattern with tunic changes over the course of the war reflecting a reduction in materials available. They produced so much dye it was still available a few years ago. I still have a pot of wartime issue dye from my re-enacting days.

The German were making new tunic designs up until late-44 with the introduction of the M44 that closely resembled the high waisted British battledress in design. Interestingly these are sometimes found in a brown/dark khaki colour.

Variance comes in the form of locally produced clothing, often at the request of individuals or divisional commanders. These are not widespread issue items but do give some units a distinctive look. For example the use of the two piece leather U-Boat uniform by panzer crews in 1st and 12th SS, use of Italian camoflage stocks by units in Italy and the production of tunics from zeltbahn material often made by divisional tailors or local producers.

The 'Hollywood' image of Germans comes also from the old plastic figures, from the outset the Germans were always made in grey to set them apart from the green and khaki Allies.

The Lehr uniform is the Panzer Wrap jacket in Field Grey as worn by Sturmartillerie crews. Interestingly Pnz-Lehr 901 and 902 seem to have been issued the M44 as its replacement in September 1944 by order HM44 NR603.

Anal mode disengaged... ;-)

For true nerd accuracy pick up some of the Osprey military books. You can get them used off ebay and amazon for next to nothing and they detail every conceivable fighting formation from any historical period. They have a real emphasis on accuracy and are published with wargamers in mind.