In times of war, armed forces and paramilitaries are required to wear their nation’s official military uniforms. While uniforms are primarily used to identify allied units, they also serve as camouflage against enemies.
Below, we have a look at 37 different military and paramilitary uniforms worn by soldiers from various countries during World War II.
82nd Airborne, Sicily, 1943
01 – M2 helmet with camouflage net
02 – M1942 jacket
03 –
M1942 pants 04 – M1934 wool shirt
05 – Boots
06 – M1936 main belt with M1916 holster for Colt M1911 pistol
07 – M1936 strap
08 – M1A1 carbine
09 – M2A1 gas mask
10 – Folding Shovel M1910
11 – Canteen M1942 12 – Bag M1910
13 – Identification Labels
14 – Knife M1918 Mk I
15 – Backpack M1936
Sergeant, UK 1st Airborne, 1944
01 – Helmet MkII – jump version, with camouflage net
02 – Battle suit
03 – Jacket M41 “Beat Denison”
04 – face camouflage net
05 – articulated rope
06 – boots
07 – Legging M37
08 – Strap M37
09 – Sten MkV SMG with
10 bayonet – M36 grenade
Private, Volksgrenadier division, Italy/Greece, 1944
01 – Helmet M-40
02 – Summer Jacket M-43
03 – Ski Pants
04 – Shirt
05 – Socks
06 – Boots
07 – Leggins M-41
08 – Main Belt
09 – Ammo Pouch
10 – Strap M-38
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” – Assault Badge infantry
US Infantry, 1942-1945
01 – Helmet M1
02 – Shirt M1934
03 – Sweatshirt M1934
04 – Pants M1941
05 – Service boots
06 –
Leggins M1938 07 – Life belt M1926
08 – Ammo belt
M1937 09 – Bandage M1924
10 – Canteen M1910
11 – Mask bag of gas
12 – M1918A2 Browning automatic rifle with M1907 belt
13 – armband
14.15 – obvious
16 – shoulder badges: A – 1st Armor B – 2nd Arm C – 3rd Infantry E – 34th Infantry F – 1st Infantry
Italian engineer, North Africa, 1942
01 – Steel helmet with
engineer’s insignia 02 – Tropical sweatshirt with engineer’s insignia on the collar flaps
03 – Leather belt, straps and ammunition cases
04 – Shorts
05 – Shirt
06 – Carcano 91/41 6.5 mm rifle
07 – model 1891 bayonet
08 – 6.5 mm ammo
09 – SRCM 1935 grenade
10 – T-35 gas mask
11 – breadbag
12 – canteen
13 – goggles
14 – leather boots
SS-Reiter (Private), 8. SS-Kavallerie Division “Florian Geyer”, summer 1944
01 – Field cap M-40 Feldmutze
02 – Helemt M-40 with SS insignia
03 – Feldbluse 44- new sweatshirt,
inspired by British battle dress,
cavalry markings on the shoulder straps.
04 – Trousers
05 – Belt M-35
06 – Wool Shirt
07 – Belt M-39
08 – Division Armband “Florian Geyer”
09 – Wool Gloves
10 – Panzerfaust 60
11 – 7.92 mm Sturmgewehr 44
12 – M-84 /98 bayonet
13 – canvas ammo cases
14 – M-24 grenade
15 – Waffen SS pay book
16 – M-31 canteen
17 – M-43 leather boots
18 – leggings
2nd Lieutenant, 1st Infantry Division, Polish People’s Army (USSR), 1943
01 wz. 1937 field “rogatywka” cap
02 Model 1936 jacket, wz.1943
military eagle on buttons
03 soviet pants
04 model 1935 officer belt
05 synthetic leather Nagant revolver holster
06 synthetic leather map pouch
07 leather boots
08 Adrianoy compass
09 binoculars
10 7 , 62 mm PPSh-41 SMG
11 decorations: Cross of Valorous,
medal “Zasluzonym na Polu Chwaly”
Major, Polish Air Force in the United Kingdom, 1940-1945
01 Polish Air Force Eagle RAF Officer Cap wz.1936
02 RAF Officer Jacket, Main Polish insignia on
collar flaps, British Flight Lieutenant insignia on sleeves.
03 Officer Trousers
04 Shoes
05 Briefcase
06 Silver Cross of the Virtuti Militari Cross
07 Infantry Officer School
Badge 08 Observer Badge
09 British Navigator Wings
Polish infantry – Private, 1939
01 wz. 1939 “rogatywka” trim cap
02 wz. 1937 “rogatywka” field boundary
03 wz. Steel helmet 1937
04 wz. Coat 1936
05 dog tag
06 WST wz. 1932 gas mask in canvas bag
07 personal bandage
08 leather ammunition pouches
09 wz. Bread Bag
1933 10 Leather Main Belt
11 wz. 1938 cantina
12 wz. 1928 bayonet cover
13 shovel folding in a leather cover
14 wz. 1933 Backpack with Blanket
15 Biscuit Army Pattern
16 WZ. 1931 mess kit
17 spoon + fork kit
18 owijacze – cloth belts used in place of socks
19 boots
20 GR-31 grenade – frag
21 GR-31 grenade – concussion
22 7.92mm Mauser 1898a rifle
23 7.92mm 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 3rd Cavalry Regiment round
cap 04 wz.1937 “rogatywka” field cap
05 wz.1936 officers garrison jacket,
06 21st memorial badge Uhlan’s Regiment
07 dog tag
08 wz.1936 officer’s jacket
09 9 mm wz.1935 “Vis” Pistol
10 personal bandage
11 wz.1936 officers’ main belt
12 leather pistol holster wz.1935
13
officer’s boots with spurs 14 Officer’s Field Bag,
Binocular Strap 15 Type B
16 Wz.1935 Pistol
17 WZ.1921 / 22 Officers Saber
Polish Uhlan, 1939
01 wz. 1937 “rogatywka” field cap
02 wz. 1932 forage cap
03 “Adrian” French steel helmet
04 wz. Coat 1936
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 leather cover
12 boots with spurs
13 wz. 1931 mess kit
14 personal dressing
15 wz. 1934 cavalry saber
16 7.92 mm rifle Mauser 1898a
17 wz. Bayonet 1924
18 ammo clips 7.92 mm
19 fork + spoon kit
Major, maintenance units of the Polish 1st Armored Division, German, 1945
01 M 37/40 battle suit, maintenance units banners on collar flaps
02 1st Armored Division black shoulder strap
03 1st Div. Arm emblem
04 Virtuti Militari Cross Silver Cross
05 M 37 straps
06 11.43 mm Colt M1911 pistol
07 Officers ‘boots
08 Leather vest
09 Pilot’s gloves’
training helmet 10 Armored units
11 AT Mk II motorcycle helmet
12 Helmet Mk II
13 leggings
2nd Lieutenant, AAA of the 2nd Polish Corps, Ital, 1945
01 M40 battle dress, AAA colors of collar flaps
02 American wool shirt
03 M40 coat
04 M42 beret
05 boots
06 M37 bread bag
07 dog tags
08 Monte Cassino Cross ribbons
09 2nd Polish Corps Artillery memorial badge
10 Dictionary of Polish-English pocket
11 Advertising 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”
04 Officer boots
05 M37 trousers Battle dress
06 British map
bag 07 Captured German ammo bag
used as lantern cover
08 Webbing
Enfield No2
09 9mm Handgun Belt and Holster Sten Mk II SMG
10 AT Mk II Airborne Helmet
Major, 1st Polish Armored Division (UK), 1942-43
WW2 1st Polish Armored Division – Regimental Day
1st Polish Armored Division – Regimental Day
01 British fodder cap with a Polish military eagle and major insignia
02 British officer’s jacket
03 British trousers
04 Officer’s belt
05 Shirt and tie
06 Officer’s boots
07 Black shoulder strap of 1st Armored Division
08 Emblem of 1st Armored Division
09 Banners of 1st. HMG Independent Battalion
10 Honorary cord of the 1st.
Partisan of Peasant Battalions (Bataliony Chlopskie) Poland, 1942
01 wz.1937 “rogatywka” cap
02 jacket
03 pants
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 the “Sumpftarnmuster” camp
03 Polish main belt wz.1933
04 Polish trousers
05 Pre-1939 German boots
06 Ak Armband (House Army)
07 9 mm Sten Mk II SMG
08 Ammo pouches Germans for MP -38/40 mags
Soldier, 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 coat
04 Canvas jacket Model 1936, infantry bands on collar flaps
05 M 1935 punching pants
06 owijacze (leggings)
07 Soviet main belt
08 boots
09 German M-09 ammunition cases
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 rifle Mosin
16 Maxim HMG ammo belt container
17 canteen
Soldier, Polish Army in the USSR, 1941
01 wz.1937 “rogatywka” field cap
02 overcoat model 1937
03 main belt
04 ammunition case model 1904
05 felt boots
06 canvas gloves
07 Tokarev SVT-40 7.62 mm rifle
Soldier, 1st Grenadier Division, Polish Army in France, 1940
01 Beret Model 1919
02 Model 1918 French forage cap
03 French “Adrian” helmet Model 1915
04 Polish “rogatywka” cap
05 ammo clip
06 ammo pack
07 leather straps
08 Ammo pouches Model 1916
09 Model 03/14 main belt
10 8 mm Berthier 1892 carbine
11 Model 1938 private jacket
12 model 1922 pants
13 model 1935 gas mask with leather bag
14 calendar
15 backpack model 1893
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 – Field cap M-40 Feldmutze
02 – Helemt M-40 with SS insignia
03 – Feldbluse 44- New sweatshirt, inspired by British battle dress, cavalry markings on the shoulder straps
04 – Trousers
05 – Belt M-35
06 – Wool shirt
07 – M-39
belt 08 – “Florian Geyer” division armband
09 – Wool gloves
10 – Panzerfaust 60
11 – 7.92 mm Sturmgewehr 44
12 – M-84/98 bayonet
13 – Canvas ammo pouches
14 – Grenade M-24
15 – Waffen SS Pay Book
16 – Cantina M-31
17 – Leather Boots M-43
18 – Leggins
Waffen SS Sturmmann (Cabo), Normandy, 1944
01 – M-40 helmet with SS insignia
02 – M-43 SS Feldbluse, Sturmmann insignia on collar flaps and left sleeve, Iron Cross 2nd Class ribbon on button
03 – Trousers from Drillichtanzug 43 uniform, in “Tupfenmuster” camo
04 – SS main belt with strap
05 – Patronentasche für MP-Magazine, ammo cases for MP-38/40
06 – Map case
07 – 9 mm MP-40 SMG
08 – Bread bag, canteen, Zeltbahn tent cloth
09 – boots
10 – canister gas mask
SS- Haupsturmfuhrer (Captain)
01 – SS M-38 officer jacket, with SD diamond on the left sleeve, silver chevron on the right sleeve means that the owner of the uniform joined the NSDAP before 30.01.1933
02 – Schirmmütze officer cap 03 –
M officer pants -44
04 – Officers belt M-34
05 – Decorations:
– Iron Cross 1st Class
– ribbons: “Kriegsverdienstkreuz” (war service cross), East Front winter campaign medal 1941/42, SA bronze badge
06 – Ehrendegen des Reichsführers -SS, “Honorary Sword of the Reichsfuhrer”
07 – Totenkopfring der SS
Paratrooper corporal (Cabo), 1944
01 – Fallschirmschützen-Stahlhelm 38 jump helmet
02 – Fallschirmschützen camouflage sweatshirt “Splittermuster” camouflage blouse, rancid insignia on sleeves, Luftwaffe Eagle on right chest
03 – M-37 pants
04 – M-38 gas mask in canvas bag
05 – MP-40 SMG
06 9mm – Ammo cases for MP-40, main belt and strap
07 – Canteen M-31 in “Fliegerblau” – “aviation blue”
08 – Bag of bread M-31
09 – Folding shovel
10 – Ziess 6×30 Binoculars
11 – Boots
Boat operator “Linse”, K-Verband, Flotille K-211, Baie de Seine, France, 1944
01 – Fallschirmschützen-Stahlhelm 38 Jumping helmet
02 – Life
jacket 03 – Kriegsmarine leather jacket, “K-Verband” emblem on sleeve
04 – Leather trousers
05 – Kriegsmarine sweatshirt
06 – “Schiffchen” forage cap
07 – Book of payment
08 – leather- canvas shoes
Sergeant Major of the German Cavalry (Oberwachtmeister), 1939-40
01 – M-35 steel helmet
02 – Feldgrau jacket with gold markings (“Waffenfarbe Goldgelb”) of the cavalry
03 – Steingrau cavalry pants
04 – Black leather belt
05 – P-08 Luger pistol holster
06 – Leather webbing – “Koppeltraggestell”
07 – Cavalry boots with spurs 08 – M-38 gas
mask 09 – Mustard gas cloth 10 – Trumpet
First-class Kriegsmarine landing units (Matrosengefreiter), 1940
01 – M-35 Helmet with Kriegsmarine decal
02 – Privates and NCOs jacket, Matrosengefreiter insignia on sleeve
03 – Standard pants
04 – Boots
05 – M-38 gas mask with canister
06 – Leather main belt with ammo pouch
07 – M -31 canvas bread bag
08 – mess kit with cup
09 – Mauser 98k rifle
Soldier, Luftwaffe, France, 1944
01 – M-40 helmet
02 – Einheitsfeldmütze M-43 cap
03 – M-43 sweatshirt in “Sumpftarnmuster” camouflage
04 – trousers
05 – straps
06 – Mauser 98k 7.92 mm rifle with bayonet
07 – M-31 baguette
08 – Canteen M-31
09 – Boots M-39
10 – dog tag
11 – “Esbit” Pocket Warmer
Lieutenant Panzertruppe, 1939
01 – Officer’s cap with pink Armored Corps band (“Pink Waffenfarbe”)
02 – Officer’s black jacket, Totenkopf of the Prussian Death Hussars on collar flaps.
03 – Gray shirt
04 – Armored troop pants
05 – Officer boots
06 – Headphones
07 – Laryngophone
08 – Goggles
09 – M-34 leather belt
10 – Luger P-08 pistol leather holster
11 – Gloves leather
12 – gray pattern socks
13 – M-31 Meldetasche- maps bag
14 – Zeiss Binoculars 6×30
Luftwaffe Hauptmann (Captain), pilot FW-190-A8, Jagdgeschwader 300 “Wilde Sau”, Germany, 1944
01 – Headphones LKp N101
02 – Nitsche & Günther Fl. 30550 glasses
03 – Drager oxygen mask model 10-69
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 pants
11 – Luftwaffe leather jacket with Hauptmann insignia and Luftwaffe armband
Sargento-mor (sergeant), Air Force, Africa, 1943
01 – M-41 Field Cap with Luftwaffe Eagle
02 – Luftwaffe M-41 Tropical Jacket, Flying Personnel Yellow Collar Tabs
03 – Linen Trousers
04 – Main Belt with P-08 Pistol Holster
05 – “Afrika” Armband of the Luftwaffe African theater units
06 – Leather gloves
07 – Oxygen mask (bomber version)
08 – Linen cap with headphones
09 – Life jacket
10 – Leather boots
11 – Aviation goggles
12 – Kappmesser M knife -37
13 – “Hankart” watch
14 – compass
15 – map
16 – Deutsches Kreuz in Gold – Golden German Cross, founded in 1941
17 – Iron Cross 1st Class
18 – Luftwaffe pilot badge
19 – bomber crew badge
20 – pilot military identification
Corporal, Wehrmacht propaganda company, 1943
01 – M-42 helmet
02 – M-43 summer jacket
03 – shoulder straps with Unteroffizier insignia
and bright yellow signal troop colors
(used by the PK until 1943, later changed to grey)
04 – trousers
05 – Leica camera
06 – infantry assault badge
07 – “Propagandakompanie” armband
08 – belt
09 – Luger P-08 pistol holster
10 – map bag
11 – wool socks
12 – leather boots
Schtzupolizei hauptwachtmeister (Sergeant Major), 1943.
01 – M-40 steel helmet
02 – M-43 Bergemutze field cap with green markings (“Waffenfarbe Hellgrun”) from mountain units
03 – M-40 police jacket, Schutzpolizei emblem on the sleeve
04 – Troop ski pants mountain
05 – leather belt
06 – hoster for P-08
pistol 07 – P-08 9 mm pistol
08 – pay book
09 – dog tag
10 – Meldetasche map bag
11 – M-39 grenade
12 – leggins
13 – hiking boots mountain
14 – 9mm ammo pack
01 – M-35 field jacket with Unteroffizier insignia
02 – M-35 steel helmet with Heeres markings
03 – Zeltbahn M-31 tent fabric in “Splittermuster” camouflage
04 – Gray pants (“Steingrau”)
05 – Belt leather
06 – Anti-mustard gas cloth
07 – M-38 gas mask
08 – M-24 grenade
09 – Black leather ammo cases
10 – M-31 aluminum canteen
11 – Boots
12 – Mauser 98k rifle of 7, 92 mm
13 – Bayonet Seitengewehr 84/98
14 – Wire Cutting Scissors
Afrika Korps private, 1941
01 – M-35 Steel Helmet in Desert Camouflage
02 – Olive M-40 Jacket with White Markings (Infantry)
03 – M-40 Pants
04 – M-40 Shorts
05 – Main Belt and Strap
06 – Leather Ammo Cases brown
07 – Tropenhelm cork helmet with Heeres insignia
08 – M-24 grenade
09 – 7.92 mm backpack
10 – 7.92 mm Mauser 98k rifle
11 – Seitengewehr 84/98 bayonet
12 – Bread bag
13 – Water canteen brown bakelite (“coco”)
14 – M-31 mess kit
15 – M-31 tent cloth
16 – tropical boots
17 – RAF aircraft reconnaissance book
Private USMC, Pacific, 1944
01 – M1 helmet with cover
02 – sweatshirt and pants
03 – dog tags
04 – main belt with two canteens, personal bandage, ammo cases 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 machete knife
Corporal, US Military Police, 1945
01 – M1 helmet, ebonite
02 – wool shirt
03 – M38 jacket
04 – white MP lanyard
05 – whistle
06 – armband
07 – belt
08 – gloves
09 – Colt M1911A1 pistol
10 – pants
11 – “Baush and Lomb” sunglasses
12 – MP Forage Cover
13 – Wooden Stick
14 – “Victory” corresponds to
15 – White Leggings
16 – Boots