Freikorps wear WWI uniforms

Helmut Von Moltke · Post by **Helmut Von Moltke** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 6:25 am

hi, could anyone help me with the question of what the Freikorps, rightwing paramilitary in Weimar republic in 1919 wear? I saw some pics, they wore WWI Imperial army uniforms, but was this general for all Freikorps troops? thanks for any help!

helmut

sid guttridge · Post by **sid guttridge** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 7:59 am

Hi HvM.,

Without having any hard information to hand, I would suggest that that is a reasonable working assumption. With millions of men demobilised there was presumably a massive over availability of ex-Army uniform pieces for the much smaller numbers in the various Freikorps. The nature of distinctions worn on those ex-army uniforms is probably another matter.

Cheers,

Sid.

Helmut Von Moltke · Post by **Helmut Von Moltke** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 1:21 am

sid guttridge wrote:Hi HvM.,

Without having any hard information to hand, I would suggest that that is a reasonable working assumption. With millions of men demobilised there was presumably a massive over availability of ex-Army uniform pieces for the much smaller numbers in the various Freikorps. The nature of distinctions worn on those ex-army uniforms is probably another matter.

Cheers,

Sid.

thanks

helmut

sid guttridge · Post by **sid guttridge** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 4:18 am

Hi TC,

Imperial hussar officer full dress uniforms ressembled those of the Napoleonic period right up to WWI. Have you seen the photos of Field Marshal von Mackensen taken as late as the early 1930s?

Cheers,

Sid.

Helmut Von Moltke · Post by **Helmut Von Moltke** » Fri May 19, 2006 9:11 pm

Photos of Mackensen in the 1930s? Wouldn't have looked Napoleonic in the parade pics, looks more like a musem mix, Imperial Hussars with Wehrmacht Landsers!

This pic of AH with the Napoloenic age looks.... hilarious!

phylo_roadking · Post by **phylo_roadking** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:54 am

Every pic ive seen of Friekorps has them dressed like the Black and Tans in Ireland during the War of Independence - army trousers and boots and a civilian overcoat, or army jacket over civilian clothes. many pics have them in greatcoats. A suprising and improbable number seem to have taken steel helmets home with them from the front.....

I wouldn't be suprised - given the nature of the organisation - that it was more a case of a lot of phonecalls and a line of men at the rear gates of the local Reichswehr barrack, grab what they needed and it came back again later. Same with weapons. The ARMY couldnt play a role in domestic politics - officially - but their tacit support of not active of the Freikorps gave the Army greater influence than their numbers and castrated nature.

phylo