Original German WWII Heer Army Cavalry NCO Afrikakorps DAK Tropical Kradmantel Motorcycle Overcoat – dated 1943 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 (motorcycle coat) 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 tan bakelite buttons that are stitched on. Some versions of these had loops for rank insignia on the shoulders, such as this example.

The button attached style NCO shoulder straps (Schulterklappen) attached to the tunic are very interesting, and look to be made specifically for use in Afrika. They have a tan canvas base and securing strap, with a darker tan woven tresse border all the way around. ONE rank pip is present on the shoulder boards, indicating the rank of Feldwebel, an NCO rank equivalent to a U.S. Army Technical Sgt. The piping around the shoulder straps is Goldgelb (Golden-Yellow), the Waffenfarbe (corps color) for Cavalry, as well as reconnaissance and armored reconnaissance units with cavalry traditions. Motorcycle troops were members of many different types of units, and were not specific to the cavalry during WWII.

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 a mesh areas on the inside upper back, probably to keep the hot sun from that area of the back, while allowing ventilation out the large back flap. It also still retains the complete maker and size markings on the inside, which read:

Lieferjahr 1943

50        60
130
163       65

These markings indicate that this overcoat delivered in 1943, and it has the RBNr. “National Business Number” of the manufacturer listed over the size information. The stamps for the measurements are somewhat faint, so we are not sure if we are reading them correctly.

Overall condition is very good, showing very little wear from service or fading. There is some light staining in areas, as well as speckled small stains overall, but no major deterioration or condition issues. There is no fraying of the fabric, even around the very bottom, where it would appear first. As far as we can tell, all the buttons are still present and firmly attached. This is only the third time we have been able to offer this particular version of German motorcycle overcoat, and it is definitely a lovely example that would be very difficult to improve upon.

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

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 10.5″
Shoulder to sleeve: 25.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 16”
Chest width: 21″
Waist width: 21″
Hip width: 30″
Front length: 51.5″

History of the German Africa Korps

The Afrika Korps or German Africa Corps (Deutsches Afrikakorps or 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.