Original Item: Only One Available. In late 1940, with the impending German entrance into the North African campaign, tropical uniforms headgear and equipment were quickly developed and issued in time for DAK, Deutsches Afrika Korps, (German Africa Corps), personnel’s arrival in Tripoli in February 1941. This is a lovely example of "locally made" example made either in Occupied France or Italy, both of which supplied items to the DAK. As both had African colonies, they already produced uniform fabrics in the tan colors used in the area. Also, unlike most we see, this one is for the Kriegsmarine Navy!

The M41 tropical field cap was introduced in early 1941 and design of the cap was loosely based on the Mountain Troopers, Bergmütze with minor variations. Officer ranks caps were distinguished from EM/NCO’s with silver piping for the ranks of Lieutenant to Oberst and gilt piping for the ranks of Generalmajor to Generalfeldmarschall while EM/NCO’s ranks caps were not piped. Within the Kriegsmarine, these caps were most often seen used by ground forces, particularly those of the Küstenartillerie (Coastal artillery) forces.

This very good service used "locally made" example conforms well to the M41 pattern, even having the scalloped faux flap around the bottom. Issued to coastal artillery units and other Naval ground forces in Africa, it features fine light tan or possibly off white cotton construction with two ventilation grommets on either side. The top center seam is correctly stitched right through the interior liner for added strength.

The front center of the cap has a machine embroidered national eagle in light yellow/gold threads on a folded over, woven tan / off white base. Below this is a BeVo embroidered national tri-color cockade on a woven tan diamond shaped base. The eagle is machine-stitched to the outer layer of fabric, while the cockade stitching goes through the lining.

The cap has a fabric covered, forward visor with an internal cardboard stiffener, which shows ripples and bends consistent with having been wet in the past. It feels like there is a crease in the cardboard towards the middle, and the corners are also quite soft, probably from the cardboard stiffener breaking down. The interior of the cap is fully lined in light brown rayon, and there are no markings that we can see on the inside. It is very small, probably about a 54cm in size or less.

The overall condition shows moderate use in service, with some staining on the interior from sweat and oils, and some staining and wear to the exterior. This is really a fantastic example that was "really there", but was well treated during its time in service.

Ready to add to your DAK collection and display!

The Afrika Korps or German Africa Corps (German: Deutsches Afrikakorps, DAK was the German expeditionary force in Africa during the North African Campaign of World War II. First sent as a holding force to shore up the Italian defense of their African colonies, the formation fought on in Africa, under various appellations, from March 1941 until its surrender in May 1943. The term "Afrika Korps" is pseudo-German (so-called "cod-German"), deriving from an incomplete German title. The German term referred solely to the initial formation, the Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK), which formed part of the Axis command of the German and Italian forces in North Africa. The name stuck, with both news media and Allied soldiers, as the name for all subsequent German units in North Africa. The unit is known for having been commanded by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.