German infantry uniform question.

As far as I know, those  "shirts" are Parkas, that was White inside and German Grey outside. So they could be turned to get both summer and winter camoflague.. Never heard of any camoflague version of exactly this parkas tho'..

 But German Grey will work ;)

The germans made many  of their uniforms reversible camo to white or spring to autum. From what I can see of the cut of these I beleive its safe to say the reverse would be camo, probably green oak leaf.

                                         Regards, Mac

The winter uniforms were often revesable. What pattern depends upon the time period and service. SS uniforms were usually one of the fall patterns or could be the later "pea" pattern. Heer (Army) could be either the "splinter" or "tan water" patterns.

While their were reversible parkas issued to both Heer and SS units, what is depicted here is not a insulated parka but merely the white cotton winter camo smock, commonly worn over the greatcoat, as it had no insulation value of its own. It is not reversible, white inside and out. It has slash pockets cut through to access the pockets of the greatcoat and only 3 buttons instead of the 6 found on the parkas.

But arent there camouflaged parkas?

Yes, there are camoflage parkas and anorak type pullovers used by WWII German forces.

There are many variations of this plain white smock. Some have pockets, some don't. I have seen ones 3, 5 or 6 buttons;

In 1/35th scale, no one is going to be able to tell what the actual design is anyway, so paint them whatever pattern you want.

Many of the uniforms were of the same cut, but there were separate patterns, especially for the enlisted men, toward the end.

I'm probably wrong, but I've always been under the impression that the white smocks used by the Wermacht during the first winter in Russia were made in theater and were for camoflage only.  After that, insulated anoraks/parkas that were reversible were issued - the descriptions of them I've seen indicate they were white on one side and "mouse" grey on the other.

Kykeon wrote:

While their were reversible parkas issued to both Heer and SS units, what is depicted here is not a insulated parka but merely the white cotton winter camo smock, commonly worn over the greatcoat, as it had no insulation value of its own. It is not reversible, white inside and out. It has slash pockets cut through to access the pockets of the greatcoat and only 3 buttons instead of the 6 found on the parkas.

...you nailed it...these figs look like they are depicted in the first Russian winter, when the smocks you are describing were very common...the insulated ones became more available in the winters to come ...

 I would agree with Genralfeldmarschall Von Mainstien, That the smocks in question represent ones issued during operation Barborossa or possibly operation Blue. Both operations were never intended to last into the winter months. But in the winter of 42-43 reversible parkas were issued, along with insulated boots, gloves and other winter items. I guess the germans figured they would be in for the long haul.