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Figure 1
Landwehrmann
c1905 |
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Uniforms of the
South West African Reservists
Unlike the other colonies where uniforms were often in short supply and
reservists were often left to provide whatever uniforms they could themselves,
the Schutztruppe of South West Africa had sufficient stocks so that their
reservists were usually issued standard Schutztruppe uniforms, although sometimes from
obsolete stocks.
On 25th February 1916 reserve officers of
the Schutztruppe in Germany were authorised to wear a Landwehr cross on the Pickelhaube
eagle with the motto "Mit Gott für
Kaiser und Reich" on the cross. A small silver cross was also worn on the field cap
cockade (see Cockades Page).
Photographic evidence shows that reservists in South West Africa had sometimes
worn the Landwehr cross long before these regulations were authorised.
Figure 1 on the left, is
based on a photograph of a Landwehrmann, Reiter der Landwehr Lenßen, taken in 1904, during the
Herero Rebellion. His uniform is entirely of Schutztruppe issue although with
several curiosities. The imperial cockade on his Südwester hat is overlaid with
a metal Landwehr cross. His uniform is the
1894 Corduroy Uniform,
with its distinctive Polish style cuffs. The edging and hatband on his Südwester
as well as the collar and cuffs on his tunic are in blue for South West Africa. Interestingly the collar Litzen of the
regular Schutztruppe has been removed but the cuff Litzen remains. The 1894
corduroy tunic had long been replaced (with the
1896 Kord Waffenrock and the 1900 Kord
Litewka) in regular Schutztruppe units by
this period. His equipment, ammunition pouches and riding boots are standard
Schutztruppe issue. He is armed with an 1888 Commission carbine, which had also
largely been replaced with 1898 Mauser carbines and rifles in the regular
Schutztruppe.
Figure 2 on the right, is
based on a photograph of a Landwehr NCO taken in about 1909. His uniform
is entirely of standard up to date Schutztruppe issue. He wears a khaki corduroy
peaked cap and
1896 Khaki Uniform
with a single white metallic chevron on the upper left arm to denote his rank as
Unteroffizier. Again, the piping and hatband on his peaked cap as well as the
piping on his tunic are in blue for South West Africa. He wears standard brown leather South West African Schutztruppe
equipment, ammunition pouches and marching boots.
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Figure 2
Landwehr Unteroffizier
c1909 |
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