37 Military Uniforms Worn By Soldiers During World War II

In times of war, armed forces and paramilitaries are required to wear their nation's official military uniforms. While uniforms are mainly used to identify friendly units, they also serve as a camouflage against the enemies.

Below, we get a look at 37 different military and paramilitary uniforms worn by soldiers from various countries during the Second World War.

82nd Airborne, Sicilly, 1943

01 – M2 helmet with camouflage net

02 – M1942 jacket

03 – M1942 trousers

04 – M1934 wool shirt

05 – boots

06 – M1936 main belt with M1916 holster for the Colt M1911 pistol

07 – M1936 webbing

08 – M1A1 carbine

09 – M2A1 gas mask

10 – M1910 folding shovel

11 – M1942 canteen 12 – M1910 bag

13 – dog tags

14 – M1918 Mk I knife

15 – M1936 backpack

Sergeant, UK 1st Airborne, 1944

01 – MkII helmet- jump version, with camouflage net

02 – Battle-dress

03 – M41 “Denison smock” jacket

04 – face camouflage net

05 – toggle rope

06 – boots

07 – M37 leggings

08 – M37 webbing

09 – Sten MkV SMG with bayonet

10 – M36 grenade

Private, Volksgrenadier division, Italy/Greece, 1944



01 - M-40 helmet

02 - M-43 summer jacket

03 - ski trousers

04 - shirt

05 - socks

06 - boots

07 - M-41 leggins

08 - main belt

09 - ammo pouches

10 - M-38 webbing

11 - military songbook

12 - M-24 grenade

13 - face net

14 - M-38 gas mask

15 - 7,92 mm Mauser 98k rifle

16 - M-84/98 bayonet

17 - "Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen"- Infantry assault badge

US infantry, 1942-1945

01 – M1 helmet

02 – M1934 shirt

03 – M1934 sweatshirt

04 – M1941 trousers

05 – service boots

06 – M1938 leggins

07 – M1926 life belt

08 – M1937 ammo belt

09 – M1924 personal dressing

10 – M1910 canteen

11 – gas mask bag

12 – M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle with M1907 belt

13 – armband

14,15 – obvious

16 – shoulder badges: A – 1st Armoured B – 2nd Arm C – 3rd Infantry E – 34th Inf F – 1st Inf

Italian engineer, Northern Africa, 1942

01 - Steel helmet with enginners badge

02 - tropical sweatshirt with engineers badges on the collar tabs

03 - leather belt, webbing and ammo pouches

04 - shorts

05 - shirt

06 - 6,5 mm Carcano 91/41 rifle

07 - Model 1891 bayonet

08 - 6,5 mm ammo

09 - SRCM 1935 grenade

10 - T-35 gas mask

11 - breadbag

12 - canteen

13 - protective goggles

14 - leather boots

SS-Reiter (Private), 8. SS-Kavallerie Division “Florian Geyer”, summer 1944



01 – M-40 Feldmutze field cap

02 – M-40 helemt with SS badges

03 – Feldbluse 44- new sweatshirt,

inspired by the British battle dress,

cavalry markings on the shoulder straps.

04 – trousers

05 – M-35 belt

06 – wool shirt

07 – M-39 webbing

08 – “Florian Geyer” division armband

09 – woollen gloves

10 – Panzerfaust 60

11 – 7,92 mm Sturmgewehr 44

12 – M-84/98 bayonet

13 – tarpaulin ammo pouches

14 – M-24 grenade

15 – Waffen SS payment book

16 – M-31 canteen

17 – M-43 leather boots

18 – leggins

2nd Lt, 1st Infantry Division, Polish People’s Army (USSR), 1943

01 wz. 1937 field “rogatywka” cap

02 Model 1936 drill jacket, wz.1943 military

eagle on the buttons

03 Soviet breeches

04 Model 1935 officer’s belt

05 synthetic leather holster for Nagant revolver

06 synthetic leather map pouch

07 leather boots

08 Adrianoy compass

09 binoculars

10 7,62 mm PPSh-41 SMG

11 decorations: Cross of the Valorous,

“Zasluzonym na Polu Chwaly” medal

Major, Polish Air Force in the UK, 1940- 1945

01 RAF officer’s cap with Polish wz.1936 air force eagle

02 RAF officer’s jacket, Polish major insignia on the collar

tabs, British Flight Lieutenant insignia on the sleeves.

03 Officers’ trousers

04 Shoes

05 Briefcase

06 Silver Cross of the Virtuti Militari Cross

07 Infantry Officer’s School Badge

08 Observer badge

09 British Navigator’s wings

Polish Infantry – Private, 1939

01 wz. 1939 “rogatywka” garrison cap

02 wz. 1937 “rogatywka” field cap

03 wz. 1937 steel helmet

04 wz. 1936 jacket

05 dog tag

06 WST wz. 1932 gas mask in a tarpaulin bag

07 personal dressing

08 leather ammo pouches

09 wz. 1933 breadbag

10 leather main belt

11 wz. 1938 canteen

12 wz. 1928 bayonet cover

13 folding shovel in a leather cover

14 wz. 1933 backpack with blanket

15 standard army biscuit

16 wz. 1931 mess kit

17 spoon + fork kit

18 owijacze – belts of cloth used instead of socks

19 boots

20 GR-31 grenade – frag

21 GR-31 grenade – concussion

22 7,92 mm Mauser 1898a rifle

23 7,92 mm ammo clips

24 wz.1924 bayonet

25 wire cutting shears

Polish Cavalry Officer, 1939

01 wz.1935 “rogatywka” garrison cap

02 wz.1923 forage cap

03 round cap of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment

04 wz.1937 “rogatywka” field cap

05 wz.1936 officers’ garrison jacket,

06 memorial badge of the 21st Uhlan Regiment

07 dog tag

08 wz.1936 officers’ field jacket

09 9mm wz.1935 “Vis” pistol

10 personal dressing

11 wz.1936 officers’ main belt

12 leather holster for the wz.1935 pistol

13 officers’ boots with spurs

14 officers’ field bag, B-type

15 binoculars

16 strap for wz.1935 pistol

17 wz.1921/22 officers’ sabre

Polish Uhlan, 1939

01 wz. 1937 “rogatywka” field cap

02 wz. 1932 forage cap

03 “Adrian” French steel helmet

04 wz. 1936 jacket

05 wz. 1931 canteen

06 dog tag

07 leather ammo pouches for Mauser ammo

08 main belt

09 RSC gas mask with canister

10 wz. 1924 bayonet cover

11 folding shovel in a leather cover

12 boots with spurs

13 wz. 1931 mess kit

14 personal dressing

15 wz. 1934 cavalry sabre

16 7,92mm Mauser 1898a rifle

17 wz. 1924 bayonet

18 7,92 mm ammo clips

19 fork + spoon kit

Major, maintenance units of the 1st Polish Armoured Division, German, 1945

01 M 37/40 battle dress, maintenance units banners on the collar tabs

02 black shoulder strap of 1st Armoured Div

03 1st Arm Div badge

04 Silver Cross of the Virtuti Militari Cross

05 M 37 webbing

06 11,43 mm Colt M1911 pistol

07 Officers’ boots

08 leather vest

09 drivers’ gloves

10 armoured units’ training helmet

11 AT Mk II motorcycle helmet

12 Mk II helmet

13 leggings

2nd Lt., AAA of the 2nd Polish Corps, Ital, 1945

01 M40 battle dress, AAA colors of the collar tabs

02 American woollen shirt

03 M40 overcoat

04 M42 beret

05 boots

06 M37 breadbag

07 dog tags

08 ribbons of the Monte Cassino Cross

09 2nd Polish Corps Artillery memorial badge

10 Polish-English pocket dictionary

11 Propaganda leaflet

Lieutenant, 1st Polish Airborne Brigade, Arnhem, 1944

01 British beret with Polish eagle and rank insignia

02 “Denison smock” Mk I Jacket

03 “Oversmock” vest

04 Officers’ boots

05 trousers from M37 Battle dress

06 British map pouch

07 captured German ammo pouch

used as a cover for a flashlight

08 webbing, belt and holster for

Enfield No2 revolver

09 9mm Sten Mk II SMG

10 AT Mk II airborne helmet

Major, 1st Polish Armoured Division (UK), 1942-43

WW2 1st Polish Armoured Div – Regimental Day

1st Polish Armoured Div – Regimental Day

01 British forage cap with a Polish wz.1940 military eagle and major’s insignia

02 British officer’s jacket

03 British trousers

04 Officer’s belt

05 Shirt and Tie

06 Officers’ boots

07 Black shoulder strap of 1st Armoured Div

08 1st Armoured Division Badge

09 Banners of 1st Independent HMG Batallion

10 1st HMG Batallion’s honorary cord

Partisan of the Peasant Battalions (Bataliony Chlopskie) Poland, 1942

01 wz.1937 “rogatywka” cap

02 jacket

03 trousers

04 boots

05 improvised armband

06 9 mm MP-40 SMG

Soldier of the Warsaw Uprising, 1944

01 German “Gladiator” helmet

02 Wehrmacht sweatshirt in “Sumpftarnmuster” camp

03 Polish wz.1933 main belt

04 Polish breeches

05 German pre-1939 boots

06 Ak (Home Army) armband

07 9 mm Sten Mk II SMG

08 German ammo pouches for MP-38/40 mags

Private, 1st Polish Army, Kolberg, March 1945

01 wz.1937 field “rogatywka” cap

02 Soviet M 1940 helmet with Polish wz.1943 military eagle

03 Model 1937 overcoat

04 Model 1936 tarpaulin jacket, infantry banners on the collar tabs

05 M 1935 drill trousers

06 owijacze (leggings)

07 Soviet main belt

08 boots

09 German M-09 ammo pouches

10 pot

11 self-made spoon

12 7,62 Mosin 1891/30 rifle with bayonet

13 F-1 grenade

14 RPG-1 anti-tank grenade

15 oiler for the Mosin rifle

16 Maxim HMG ammo belt container

17 canteen

Private, Polish Army in the USSR, 1941

01 wz.1937 “rogatywka” field cap

02 Model 1937 overcoat

03 main belt

04 Model 1904 ammo pouches

05 felt boots

06 tarpaulin gloves

07 7,62 mm Tokarev SVT-40 rifle

Private, 1st Grenadier Division, Polish Army in France, 1940

01 Model 1919 beret

02 Model 1918 French forage cap

03 French Model 1915 “Adrian” helmet

04 Polish “rogatywka” cap

05 ammo clip

06 ammo pack

07 leather webbing

08 Model 1916 ammo pouches

09 Model 03/14 main belt

10 8 mm Berthier 1892 carbine

11 Model 1938 privates’ jacket

12 Model 1922 trousers

13 Model 1935 gas mask with leather bag

14 calendar

15 Model 1893 backpack

16 blanket

17 Model 1935 mess kit

18 Model 1935 cup

19 canteen

20 Model 1917 boots

SS-Reiter (Private), 8. SS-Kavallerie Division “Florian Geyer”, summer 1944

01 – M-40 Feldmutze field cap

02 – M-40 helemt with SS badges

03 – Feldbluse 44- new sweatshirt, inspired by the British battle dress, cavalry markings on the shoulder straps

04 – trousers

05 – M-35 belt

06 – wool shirt

07 – M-39 webbing

08 – “Florian Geyer” division armband

09 – woollen gloves

10 – Panzerfaust 60

11 – 7,92 mm Sturmgewehr 44

12 – M-84/98 bayonet

13 – tarpaulin ammo pouches

14 – M-24 grenade

15 – Waffen SS payment book

16 – M-31 canteen

17 – M-43 leather boots

18 – leggins

Waffen SS Sturmmann (Corporal), Normandy, 1944

01 – M-40 helmet with SS badges

02 – M-43 SS Feldbluse, Sturmmann’s insignia on the collar tabs and left sleeve, Iron Cross 2nd Class ribbon on the button

03 – trousers from the Drillichtanzug 43 uniform, in “Tupfenmuster” camo

04 – SS main belt with webbing

05 – Patronentasche für MP-Magazine, ammo pouches for MP-38/40

06 – map pouch

07 – 9 mm MP-40 SMG

08 – breadbag, canteen, Zeltbahn tent cloth

09 – boots

10 – gas mask canister

SS- Haupsturmfuhrer (Captain)

01 – M-38 SS officers’ jacket, with SD rhombus on the left sleeve, silver chevron on the right sleeve means that the uniform owner joined NSDAP before 30.01.1933

02 – Schirmmütze officers’ cap

03 – M-44 officers’ trousers

04 – M-34 officers’ belt

05 – Decorations:

– Iron Cross 1st Class

– ribbons: “Kriegsverdienstkreuz” (war service cross), medal for the winter campaign on the eastern front 1941/42, bronze SA sport badge

06 – Ehrendegen des Reichsführers-SS, “Reichsfuhrer’s Honorary Sword”

07 – Totenkopfring der SS

Fallschirmjäger Unteroffizier (Corporal), 1944

01 – Fallschirmschützen-Stahlhelm 38 jump helmet

02 – Fallschirmschützen Bluse camouflage sweatshirt in “Splittermuster” camo, rank insignia on the sleeves, Luftwaffe eagle on the right breast

03 – M-37 trousers

04 – M-38 gas mask in a tarpaulin bag

05 – 9 mm MP-40 SMG

06 – ammo pouches for MP-40, main belt and webbing

07 – M-31 canteen in “Fliegerblau”- “aviation blue”

08 – M-31 breadbag

09 – folding shovel

10 – Ziess 6×30 binoculars

11 – boots

“Linse” boat operator, K-Verband, Flotille K-211, Baie de Seine, France, 1944

01 – Fallschirmschützen-Stahlhelm 38 jump helmet

02 – life jacket

03 – Kriegsmarine leather jacket, “K-Verband” badge on the sleeve

04 – leather trousers

05 – Kriegsmarine sweatshirt

06 – “Schiffchen” forage cap

07 – payment book

08 – leather-canvas shoes

German cavalry sergeant major (Oberwachtmeister), 1939-40

01 – M-35 steel helmet

02 – feldgrau jacket with gold (“Waffenfarbe Goldgelb”) markings of the cavalry

03 – Steingrau cavalry breeches

04 – black leather belt

05 – holster for Luger P-08 pistol

06 – leather webbing- “Koppeltraggestell”

07 – cavalry boots with spurs

08 – M-38 gas mask

09 – anti-mustard gas cloth

10 – trumpet

Private first class (Matrosengefreiter) Kriegsmarine landing units, 1940

01 – M-35 helmet with Kriegsmarine decal

02 – privates’ and NCOs’ jacket, Matrosengefreiter insignia on the sleeve

03 – standard trousers

04 – boots

05 – M-38 gas mask with canister

06 – leather main belt with ammo pouches

07 – M-31 tarpaulin breadbag

08 – mess kit with cup

09 – Mauser 98k rifle

Private, Luftwaffe, France, 1944

01 – M-40 helmet

02 – Einheitsfeldmütze M-43 field cap

03 – M-43 sweatshirt in “Sumpftarnmuster” camo

04 – trousers

05 – webbing

06 – 7,92 mm Mauser 98k rifle with bayonet

07 – M-31 breadbag

08 – M-31 canteen

09 – M-39 boots

10 – dog tag

11 – “Esbit” pocket heater

Panzertruppe lieutnant, 1939

01 – officers’ cap with with pink band of the armored corps (“Waffenfarbe Rosa”)

02 – black officers’ jacket, Prussian Death Hussars’ Totenkopf on the collar tabs.

03 – grey shirt

04 – armored troops’ trousers

05 – officers’ boots

06 – headphones

07 – laryngophone

08 – protective goggles

09 – M-34 leather belt

10 – leather holster for Luger P-08 pistol

11 – leather gloves

12 – standard grey socks

13 – M-31 Meldetasche- map pouch

14 – Zeiss 6×30 binoculars

Luftwaffe Hauptmann (Captain), FW-190-A8 pilot, Jagdgeschwader 300 “Wilde Sau”, Germany, 1944

01 – LKp N101 headphones

02 – Nitsche & Günther Fl. 30550 goggles

03 – Drager model 10-69 oxygen mask

04 – Hankart watch

05 – AK 39Fl. compass

06 – 25 mm Walther Flarepistol M-43 with ammo belt

07 – holster

08 – FW-190 parachute

09 – aviation boots

10 – M-37 Luftwaffe breeches

11 – Luftwaffe leather jacket with Hauptmann’s insignia and Luftwaffe armband

Sergeant major (Feldwebel), Luftwaffe, Africa, 1943

01 – M-41 field cap with Luftwaffe eagle

02 – M-41 Luftwaffe tropical jacket, yellow collar tabs of the flying personnel

03 – linen trousers

04 – main belt with holster for the P-08 pistol

05 – “Afrika” armband of the Luftwaffe’s African theater units

06 – leather gloves

07 – oxygen mask (bomber version)

08 – linen pilots’ cap with earphones

09 – life jacket

10 – leather boots

11 – aviation goggles

12 – Kappmesser M-37 knife

13 – “Hankart” watch

14 – compass

15 – map

16 – Deutsches Kreuz in Gold- Golden German Cross, established 1941

17 – Iron Cross 1st Class

18 – Luftwaffe pilot badge

19 – bomber crew badge

20 – pilot’s military ID

Unteroffizier (corporal), Wehrmacht Propagandakompanie, 1943

01 – M-42 helmet

02 – M-43 summer jacket

03 – shoulder straps with Unteroffizier’s insignia

and bright yellow colors of the signal troops

(used by the PK until 1943, later changet to grey)

04 – trousers

05 – Leica camera

06 – infantry assault badge

07 – “Propagandakompanie” armband

08 – belt

09 – holster for Luger P-08 pistol

10 – map pouch

11 – woollen socks

12 – leather boots

Schtzupolizei hauptwachtmeister (Master sergeant), 1943.

01 – M-40 steel helmet

02 – Bergemutze M-43 field cap with green markings (“Waffenfarbe Hellgrun”) of the mountain units

03 – M-40 police jacket, Schutzpolizei emblem on the sleeve

04 – mountain troops’ ski trousers

05 – leather belt

06 – hoster for P-08 pistol

07 – 9 mm P-08 pistol

08 – payment book

09 – dog tag

10 – Meldetasche map pouch

11 – M-39 grenade

12 – leggins

13 – mountain boots

14 – 9 mm ammo pack

01 – M-35 field jacket with Unteroffizier’s insignia

02 – M-35 steel helmet with Heeres markings

03 – Zeltbahn M-31 tent cloth in “Splittermuster” camo

04 – Grey (“Steingrau”) trousers

05 – Leather belt

06 – Anti-mustard gas cloth

07 – M-38 gas mask

08 – M-24 grenade

09 – Black leather ammo pouches

10 – M-31 aluminium canteen

11 – Boots

12 – 7,92 mm Mauser 98k rifle

13 – Seitengewehr 84/98 bayonet

14 – Wire cutting shears

Afrika Korps private, 1941

01 – M-35 steel helmet in desert camo

02 – M-40 olive jacket with white markings (infantry)

03 – M-40 breeches

04 – M-40 shorts

05 – main belt and webbing

06 – brown leather ammo pouches

07 – Tropenhelm cork helmet with Heeres insignia

08 – M-24 grenade

09 – 7,92 mm ammo pack

10 – 7,92 mm Mauser 98k rifle

11 – Seitengewehr 84/98 bayonet

12 – breadbag

13 – brown bakelite canteen (“coconut”)

14 – M-31 mess kit

15 – M-31 tent cloth

16 – tropical boots

17 – RAF aircraft recognition book

USMC private, Pacific, 1944

01 – M1 helmet with cover

02 – sweatshirt and trousers

03 – dog tags

04 – main belt with two canteens, personal dressing, ammo pouches and compass

05 – M41 backpack with blanket

06 – USMC leggins

07 – US Navy boots

08 – Mk II frag grenade

09 – 7,62 mm (.30) M1 carbine

10 – Collins knife-machette

Corporal, US Military Police, 1945

01 – M1 helmet, ebonite

02 – woollen shirt

03 – M38 jacket

04 – white MP cord

05 – whistle

06 – armband

07 – belt

08 – gloves

09 – Colt M1911A1 pistol

10 – trousers

11 – “Baush and Lomb” sunglasses

12 – MP forage cap

13 – wooden baton

14 – “Victory” matches

15 – white leggins

16 – boots

H/T WarHistoryOnline

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