Ostheer uniform poll (to aid skinners and modelers).

The poll says it all.  :) Of course, we want the Ostheer to be unique and distinctive in relation to the other factions, so...how should they look like? It'd be very helpful if you guys could provide some pics or perhaps even some historical basis regarding your choices... Thanks! Hope this could help. 

Here's my personal choice:


"Siege of Stalingrad"/Waffen-Grenadier scheme

A) M42 Stahlhelm
B) Toque
c) M36 greatcoat
D) M40 tunic (Feldgrau or Steingrau)
E) M36 trousers (Steingrau)
F) Jackboots (Knobelbecher Marschstiefel "marching boots")

Last edited August 15, 2010 at 5:00 PM by Werwolf

Dont you think that this poll is, well, a bit to much? I know you know your stuff but I don't even know what these stuff is. I mean, wow.

Seeme wrote:
Dont you think that this poll is, well, a bit to much? I know you know your stuff but I don't even know what these stuff is. I mean, wow.

Google should help... :)

I've already taken the liberty of translating most of them to English in order to make them easier to read  ;D

For example: An "M42 steel helmet" is, of course, a commonly-issued variant of the iconic German helmet. Soldiers often customized them by repainting them in camo patterns, or by using camo cloth covers. Alternatively, some also opted for sticking foliage (assorted leaves, branches, etc) onto their helmets with the help of chicken-wire mesh netting so that they could blend in among the shrubbery. The USMC, Navy SEALS, and Delta Force adopted this practice, which is still used even today.  ;)

The Toque, or balaclava, is a type of cotton/wool ski mask used in extreme climates to protect the neck and some parts of the face from the elements. (it's quite similar to terrorist/bank robber-type ski masks...like putting a huge sock over your head)

The ski cap is a kind of visored cap worn by military personnel, similar to a baseball cap. It was popularized by the German and Finnish armed forces, esp. their ski troopers and mountain troops (Gebirgsjägers). It's quite common to see these caps worn by German soldiers in many films. And of course, the US Military and the Bundeswehr still use them.  ;)

The side cap is another common (visor-less) military cap. US sailors/Marines and US Army enlisted personnel often wore this type of headgear. On the other side of the fence, side caps were also worn by Waffen-SS infantry and  Panzer/SP gun crews. Soviet conscripts can also be seen sporting them in-game.

Feldgrau = Field Grey coloring. Used by the Reichswehr, SD and early Wehrmacht. Allgemeine-SS used brown uniforms at first (like the SA), and then black ones.

Steingrau = Stone Grey coloring. Replaced Feldgrau (in many cases) as the standard Wehrmacht uniform color. Also used Extensively by the SD and Waffen-SS.

Reed Green/Bottle Green = Used by mid-to late-war Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS. The Reichsforstdienst (National Forestry Service) used it as well.

Tunic = The upper part of the military uniform.

Greatcoat = A very long military coat. The Soviet Guard regiments also wore these.

Parka = A heavy jacket, usually weather-resistant (like an anorak) and fur-lined. Commonly used during winter.

Smock = A pullover jacket (usually in camo and with a hood), worn on top of the regulation uniform. Used by regular troops, gun crews, commandos, and snipers. 

Trousers = The lower part of the uniform, of course.  :P Pants and such.

Jackboots/marching boots = Tall, knee-length or mid-calf boots. Popular among both officers and enlisted men in the Axis and Soviet armies. Officer's boots, of course, were usually custom-made and were of superior quality.

Ankle boots/utility boots = The name says it all: boots that only reach up to the ankles. When the Reich was running short of leather (mid- to late-war), "jackboot" production was discontinued and the stocks were replaced with ankle boots. Before their widespread use, ankle boots were more common with workers and rear-guard units. However, jackboots were still made available to officers and some "élite" formations (such as Panzer Lehr, GD, LSSAH, Das Reich, etc).

Cuff titles = Elite units, especially the Waffen-SS, usually wore a cuff title sewn on their left sleeves. This was often a black or silver (depending on the rank) band, similar to a ribbon, with their regimental or divisional designation (or commemorative battlefield honors) embroidered on it. The names were usually based on famous figures/icons (e.g. Hermann von Salza, Liebstandarte Adolf Hitler, Gotz von Berlichingen, Charlemagne), regions/places of origin (e.g. Nordland, Das Reich, Langemarck, Wallonien), Norse mythology/historical symbols (e.g. Nibelungen, Totenkopf), volunteer designations (e.g. Lettische Nr. 1, Italien Nr. 1), media outfits (e.g. Standarte Kurt Eggers), police units (e.g. SS-Polizei Division), political organizations (e.g. RONA, Britischer Freikorps) and events of significance (e.g. 30. Januar). Non-Waffen-SS élite units like the GD and Afrika Korps wore their cuff titles on the right sleeve.  ;)

Last edited August 15, 2010 at 6:00 PM by Werwolf

Stahlhelm + Feldgrau coat like in the example you provide is what I see the main Ostheer infantry wearing. Basic infantry might just have a ski cap instead of the Stahlhelm.

GodlikeDennis wrote:
Stahlhelm + Feldgrau coat like in the example you provide is what I see the main Ostheer infantry wearing. Basic infantry might just have a ski cap instead of the Stahlhelm.

I agree. It would be great if they looked kind of battle-worn as well, with spare magazine pouches and Steilhandgranate tucked into their belts...  ;D

I don't really think there is a point of infantry with multiple type of clothing. It will look strange, you should include infantry uniform set not individual clothing. Its confusing and not a lot of us are expert in what they are wearing. I agree with the black uniform of the german use in Stalingard, It look badass and very distictive.

PanzerWilly wrote:
I don't really think there is a point of infantry with multiple type of clothing. It will look strange, you should include infantry uniform set not individual clothing. Its confusing and not a lot of us are expert in what they are wearing. I agree with the black uniform of the german use in Stalingard, It look badass and very distictive.

Hehe, it's not about multiple clothing per se, but yeah it can be a bit confusing and overwhelming sometimes. There were many combinations and variations of Ostheer infantry uniforms after all... for example, greatcoats or winter parkas were common on the Russian front, while M40/M44 tunics worn with any type of camo trousers were seen on many of those who were fighting in the defense of Berlin.

Reminds me of a video I just saw about German Uniform versus soviets in Stalingrad. Poor Germans, most of them were still in there summer uniform :-\.

Seeme wrote:
Reminds me of a video I just saw about German Uniform versus soviets in Stalingrad. Poor Germans, most of them were still in there summer uniform :-\.

Yes, especially during the early stages of Barbarossa. Some were also in their Drillich (drill/camp) uniforms, and many of the officers were wearing either Waffenrocke (dresswear) or private-purchase clothes. Many also wore civilian coats, including furs. It took a while for the Wehrmacht to get proper winter clothing like parkas, gloves, toques and greatcoats for everyone...in the meantime, many froze to death during the first weeks of winter.  :(

Last edited August 19, 2010 at 4:09 AM by Werwolf

This is great. I would love to see some diversity in the uniforms worn by the Germans. There was so much diversity that many units and people really stick out in pictures and newsreels. I prefer to see some assault gunners and anti-tank crews with the assault gunners black coats. Allgemeine SS units would be cool also with an ability to spot invisible units like snipers and partisans (SS Div. Polizei or something)

your "personal choice " will be the best :D

Every unit must be distinguishable from normal gaming distance.

There will be many different units so expect many different uniforms  ;)

I don't want nazi uniforms in the game. Don't paint the ss mark on the uniforms. NKVD is just fine, I like it.

I'd have to go with Non-winter clothing for early units, full Winter for after, maybe have a affect so that early units loose 5HP a Minute until theyget a winter Uniform Upgrad.e

Seeme wrote:
Reminds me of a video I just saw about German Uniform versus soviets in Stalingrad. Poor Germans, most of them were still in there summer uniform :-\.

Haha, I remember it, its a documentary of Battle of Stalingard in National Geographic Channel, the man wearing both uniform is kept in a cold truck and then is tested for the wearer's reaction time and morale. German soldiers not only lack winter clothing, poor logisitcal support also undemine the supply food, and replacement units. Most the germans in Stalingards fought throughout the russian front. They are weary and the winter drop thier morale to its lowest point. While the russian in their winter set was able to pull their trigger very well.

I however felt that the uniform the german during the battle of Stalingard will be reserved as the battle harderen more expereince unit of ostheer.

And yes I agree, please, no SS marking, I don't really like to play as the bad memory of the ruthless SS Soldiers. I want to play the ostheer as professinal army, not crazy bloodlust killers. Its a game, but please considered this. Have other marking, even a fictional one, SS and Hilter Jugend is just too disturbing for some, like me  :-\

Last edited August 21, 2010 at 4:38 PM by PanzerWilly

TheReaper wrote:
I don't want nazi uniforms in the game. Don't paint the ss mark on the uniforms. NKVD is just fine, I like it.

Can't argue with that, since people have varied tastes, so it's best left for the Devs to decide.  ;) The SS bolts won't be very visible if they were wearing greatcoats and toques anyway.  8)

PanzerWilly wrote:
And yes I agree, please, no SS marking, I don't really like to play as the bad memory of the ruthless SS Soldiers. I want to play the ostheer as professinal army, not crazy bloodlust killers. Its a game, but please considered this. Have other marking, even a fictional one, SS and Hilter Jugend is just too disturbing for some, like me  :-\

Yes, those animals... Sadly the allies couldn't get all of the nazis to hang them up. The uniform could work if there aren't any markings, skulls and ss markings on it.

PanzerWilly wrote:
I want to play the ostheer as professinal army, not crazy bloodlust killers.

SS was more professional than the drafted Wehrmacht.
Out of all "bloodlust killers" Stalin was the biggest and he had the biggest army in the world with more tanks than the whole world combined to support him.

Quote
Its a game, but please considered this. Have other marking, even a fictional one, SS and Hilter Jugend is just too disturbing for some, like me  :-\

The current pope was in Hilter Jugend.

Anyway I dont care how Osther soldiers will look like. Just dont make them red or yellow and Ill be happy.

Last edited August 21, 2010 at 9:11 PM by Paciat

TheReaper wrote:
I don't want nazi uniforms in the game. Don't paint the ss mark on the uniforms. NKVD is just fine, I like it.

Why? You a Soviphile?
The NKVD are just as bad, if not worse than SS.

I always thought military caps look cool, I want to see alot more of those appearing than in the regular game's Wehrmacht. 

Don't start with the 'Who was the biggest bastard' talk please, this is not the place to do it.

I rather like how the guy on the far right looks. Generic enough to be your standard soldier but not too generic looking to just be a meatshield.

That guy on the right just looks like a Panzer Elite Tankbuster.

WartyX wrote:
That guy on the right just looks like a Panzer Elite Tankbuster.

lool true pretty identical to the PE tankbustaarh skin.

Maybe relic got that idea from that picture.

Relic already research those uniform and find what fits best without creating a flare of the image of the third reich. Relic is always careful not recreating an accurate past, they depict the Germans as professional soldiers who fought in what they believe. ;D
I rally hope the summer uniform is used in game, considered that the uniform are weared by the soldiers who won the early stage. The dark grey color theme makes them really intiminating. But the white camo with cap is also good if they are available in game.

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Werwolf wrote:

TheReaper wrote:
I don't want nazi uniforms in the game. Don't paint the ss mark on the uniforms. NKVD is just fine, I like it.

Can't argue with that, since people have varied tastes, so it's best left for the Devs to decide.  ;) The SS bolts won't be very visible if they were wearing greatcoats and toques anyway.  8)

Ok, sorry for my offensive disagreement, after looking through the forum you post I will let the dev decide. I prefer not to start another forum battle that hurt everybodies feeling. :-[

Last edited August 22, 2010 at 4:03 AM by PanzerWilly

Remember, the soldiers have to be easily viewable from the players' perspectives as well. So you can't go too dark with the feldgrau. This is why Relic designed the wehrmacht grenadiers the way they are.

Grey? i allways thought the german combat uniform was green

Snug wrote:
Grey? i allways thought the german combat uniform was green

Yes, Bottle-Green uniforms (like the M40-Schütze pattern I'm wearing in my avatar) were also issued to all branches mid- to late-war, though they were seen more often with the standard Wehrmacht Heer...  ;)

Myself, I'd go for Steingrau. Pretty visible, but dull enough to blend in with urban and winter environments.

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More Ostheer soldaten pics:


Hungarian Waffen-SS./ 25. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS "Hunyadi" (Ungarische Nr.1.)


Latvian Waffen-SS./ 19.Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (Lettische Nr.2)


Latvian SS Chaplain./ 19.Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (Lettische Nr.2)


Unidentified German dead frozen in mud.


Estonian Waffen-SS/ 20.Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (Estnische Nr.1)


Croatian, Slovak, Albanian, Czech Muslim Gebirgsjägers in the Waffen-SS./ Waffen-Gebirgs Division der SS "Handschar" (Kroat Nr. 1)


Indian volunteers./ Infanterie-Regiment 950 (indische) "Legion Freies Indien"/Azad Hind Fauj


Albanian Waffen-SS sharpshooters./ 21. Waffen-Gebirgs Division der SS "Skanderbeg" (Albanische Nr. 1)


Spanish volunteers./ 250. Infanterie-Division "Blaue Division"/División Azul


Finnish Waffen-SS./ SS Freiwilligen-Battalion "Nordost"

Last edited August 26, 2010 at 5:56 AM by Werwolf

Its hard to see what color they are when there black and white...

The guy in the last pic looks like he's saying, "Aya Caramba! That's insane!"

I think it's likely that we'll see different kind of uniforms, just as the DEVs tried to told us.  ;D

Maybe even with a nice, realistic colour and not that pseudo-snow-camo Relic gave to WH-Grens.  ;)

WartyX wrote:
That guy on the right just looks like a Panzer Elite Tankbuster.

Shows how much I use the PE.  :P Anyway heres a few more pictures that give a better example of what I would like to see.

This one shows an early war uniform, probably M39.



Pay no mind to the guy on the left in this one, no idea who he is. Anyway this is probably my favorite one though some may think its a little dark.



Slight variation of the one above. Not sure what insignia the guy on the left has.



This one actually depicts a couple Waffen SS guys, the only difference in their uniforms were black shoulder boards and SS insignia which isn't depicted in this picture.



Lastly the winter uniform. Take note of the awesome basket-boots.

Last edited August 23, 2010 at 12:00 AM by 2LTAndeh

Hmm, they're quite nice.  8) Love the improvised snowshoes...

2LTAndeh wrote:

WartyX wrote:
That guy on the right just looks like a Panzer Elite Tankbuster.

Shows how much I use the PE.  :P Anyway heres a few more pictures that give a better example of what I would like to see.

This one shows an early war uniform, probably M39.



Pay no mind to the guy on the left in this one, no idea who he is. Anyway this is probably my favorite one though some may think its a little dark.



Slight variation of the one above. Not sure what insignia the guy on the left has.



This one actually depicts a couple Waffen SS guys, the only difference in their uniforms were black shoulder boards and SS insignia which isn't depicted in this picture.



Lastly the winter uniform. Take note of the awesome basket-boots.

They DO use the Totenkopft's on their collars, (Well atleast the Oberführer) But still, i like those shoes.. Looks like the Waffen-Schutzen are 3rd SS :P

Last edited August 24, 2010 at 7:46 AM by Newbie.

nice pics :D