Original German WWII Afrikakorps DAK Tropical Kradmantel Motorcycle Overcoat – Light Tan Color Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. In early 1941, the German military began their conquest of southern Europe. Due to the warmer climates of these areas, the German Army needed to equip its troops with a more suitable form of dress, and replace the standard wool based feldgrau uniforms. The new “tropical” uniforms were lighter in weight, and dyed in colors ranging from light tan to dark olive.

This is an extremely rare DAK Tropical Kradmantel cotton overcoat or greatcoat as used by German Army Motorcycle riders in tropical environments (Italy, Mediterranean, North Africa) during World War Two. It is heavy grade cotton manufactured with high quality and offered in very good service used condition. It features pebbled zinc and aluminum buttons that are stitched on and look to be maker marked. The backs are a bit oxidized so they may be faint. Some versions of these had loops for rank insignia on the shoulders, but this one does not.

The overcoat can be worn in several configurations, and has various buttons and straps on the inside and outside. There is also a hook fastener at neck to keep out the wind. Some may wonder why in the hot tropical environments an overcoat was needed, but any motorcycle rider can tell you that protection from the wind and sun are definitely needed in hot and sometimes dry environments. The water loss from air is not minor, and the overcoat actually ends up being quite a bit cooler for the rider than not wearing it, as long as you are riding.

The overcoat has lots of vents allowing air circulation, as well as a button closure on bottom rear to allow the legs to move more freely when on the vehicle. The interior is mostly unlined, but there is insulation on the inside upper back, probably to keep the hot sun from that area of the back. It also still retains the complete maker and size markings on the inside, which read:

WIRTSCHAFTSAMT
Litzmannstadt
43        47
90
129       63

These markings indicate that this overcoat was made by the “Economic Department” in Litzmannstadt, also known as Łódź in occupied Poland. Production of material was moved to this area to take advantage of the slave labor in the ghetto located there. NSDAP authorities renamed Łódź to Litzmannstadt in honor of the German General Karl Litzmann who had captured the city in the previous World War.

The size markings indicate the following:

Torso Length: 43cm = 16.93 in.
Neck: 47cm = 18.50 in.
Chest: 90cm = 35.43 in.
Total Length: 129cm = 50.8 in.
Sleeve Length: 66cm = 26.00 in.

We measured the back of the overcoat, and it is indeed 50 inches long, so these are still accurate.

Overall condition is very good, showing moderate wear from service. It looks to be some what faded, and was probably originally a bit darker tan in color. There is a bit of fraying in areas along the edges, with no real holes or other major damage. As far as we can tell, all of the buttons are still present, and firmly attached. This is only the second time we have been able to offer this particular version of German motorcycle overcoat, and it is definitely a lovely example that was “really there”.

Offered in very good condition, this is an exceptional wartime coat that gives one heck of a silhouette when worn!

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 10″
Shoulder to sleeve: 27”
Shoulder to shoulder: 20”
Chest width: 25.5″
Waist width: 25.5″
Hip width: 40″
Front length: 50″

History of the German Africa Korps

The Afrika Korps or German Africa Corps (German: Deutsches Afrikakorps, DAK was the German expeditionary force in Africa during the North African Campaign of World War II. First sent as a holding force to shore up the Italian defense of their African colonies, the formation fought on in Africa, under various appellations, from March 1941 until its surrender in May 1943. The term “Afrika Korps” is pseudo-German (so-called “cod-German”), deriving from an incomplete German title. The German term referred solely to the initial formation, the Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK), which formed part of the Axis command of the German and Italian forces in North Africa. The name stuck, with both news media and Allied soldiers, as the name for all subsequent German units in North Africa. The unit is known for having been commanded by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.

The dry climate of Africa proved to be an issue with much of the standard leather field gear that the German Army usually used. It would dry out and crack quickly, and become unusable. To deal with this, the standard field gear such as belts, Y-straps, A-frames, bayonet frogs, and other items, were issued in special tropical web versions.