Why did the Germans have the best uniforms in WW2?

Answer 1

This question is badly worded, though I agree - conditionally.

The Germans, like every other combatant nation in the Second World War, suffered from shortages - either of resources, or of credible suppliers. Even the United States took a couple of years to get its economy on an efficient war footing. Uniforms suffered as a result of having to equip millions on millions of men. Responsiveness of manufacturers to conditions on the front were nothing like today. What the combatant nations went to war with in 1939, 1941, or 1942, is more or less what they were stuck with for the duration.

The Waffen SS had the best uniforms, bar none. An excellent cut of cloth with an outstanding camoflauge pattern for summer and winter. The rest of the German Army suffered from lack of resources - whether it was sufficient winter clothing or the refusal to dispose of anachronistic long coats.

In terms of equipping the entire force, the United States military was likely the best. With minimal changes, the uniform and webgear was sufficient for combat past the 40s, into the Korean Conflict.

Uniforms alone however do not win wars. Field expedient solutions (modifications to uniforms, non-standard issue boots and gloves, etc) were the norm in those days. The quality of what an American GI was wearing in 1945 far surpassed what a German Landswehr had with him in the same era. That alone should suffice to prove utility triumphs over mere appearance.

Answer 2

The uniforms didn't do them a lot of good. Interesting side note. A few years ago the US military adopted a helmet style similar to what the Germans had in WW2. It comes down lower over the ears and in the back and offers better protection that the old style. The military introduced the helmets with little fanfare because of the association in peoples minds of that style to the Nazi's.

Answer 3

Seriously because they devoted a lot of time and money designing them. The allies who had won the war 1 had any military materiel's possessed by the defeated nations destroyed including uniforms. So in the British case they just stored those horrible old horse blanket uniforms and in the US case they really had to design and make the uniforms in record time after Pearl Harbour. The Germans prepared for Der Tag and the allies resisted any thought or preparation for war. If you spend alot of time thinking about something it can be a bit flashy. Look up old Blood and Gut's idea for an uniform for the US Tank Corp.

Answer 4

They certainly had the smartest looking uniforms. I don't know if they were the most practicable though.I think the Americans had the best uniforms (and equipment) all round.
I am glad that the questioner used the word "Germans". It has become fashionable these days to use the word "Nazis" has though they were a separate race!

Answer 5

The German uniform became really smart and correctly concept out in its layout, in case you research it hostile to the British uniform on the time it became miles in the front in seems. You element out the uniform formerly Hitler so your talking Whermact and Lutwaffe, even with the undeniable fact that the great searching German uniform on the time became definatley the SS

Answer 6

They were pretty damm sharp, weren't they?

I don't know if they were the best, though.

Germans focused on different areas of military support and got it right in a few cases. Sure enough, the US Army started to adopt things the nazis used, and also developed their own items that turned out looking very similar. I heard a ww2 vet say, of the modern army outfits, that he used to shoot guys who looked like that!

Answer 7

Because they invaded France, intimidated the designers there and got snappy looking threads.

Oh, and they concentrated on uniforms instead of military tactics, leading Hitler to such wisdom as a two front war with the Western nations (ok, the United States and England) and also attempted to invade and defeat the USSR, repeating Napoleon's mistakes.

Answer 8

If the Germans have the best uniforms during WW2, it compensates for their leader, Hitler, who has the worse mind.
Killing people does'nt give credit to his intelligence.

Answer 9

Not the ordinary troops. Like the Brits, they battledress itched and was heavy when wet. Officers, especially Panzer or SS had some cool leather jackets.

US troops were very well kitted out with outfits for every occasion.

Answer 10

What do you mean by best?....best looking? most functional?.......there were actually many many variants of German Uniforms during the war. Can you be more specific?