To concurr with jgeratic,
Black was the basic uniform color of the Panzertruppe. Black was used to hide oil and grease stains and in fact it is a hold over from Fredrick the Great's Prussian 5th and 9th Hussar Regiments. And later adopted by the Napoleonic era's Prussian and Imperial German Lifeguard Hussars. Their cap insignia was the deaths head (Totenkopf) later used on the Panzertruppe uniforms collar badges.
"the tactical emphasis of the first Panzer divisons was on speed and independent operations, giving them a natural link with the historical role of the hussars." W. Krawczyk, Army Panzer Uniforms
The deaths head was painted on captured british tanks during WW1 by the germans and its use later may be associated with that, but there is no clear account of this.
The double breasted cut, color and skull badges were a definate relation to the Imperial German Cavalry.
Heinz Guderian's son commented that the style and cut of the uniforms was influenced by the styles of civillian ski clothing popular at the time.
Army Panzer UniformsWhich only makes sense since the uniforms were designed for the job, activities and tasks of their active crews. (actively climbing in and out of vehicles etc.)
There was a great deal of pride associated with these black uniforms and their style and initially it was limited to tank crews. Later, units of other branches in Panzer division were allowed to wear it. It was a source of pride for many and crews would sometimes wear their smocks over it to protect it from being stained.
Mike
Mike
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