The Marine Expeditionskorps Departure from Kiel
1893
Illustration by G
Arnould ©
Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv
Background
The first
deployment of the Marine Infantry to a German colony was a company sized expedition
(formed from elements of the I. and II. Seebataillone) sent to
Cameroon to help defeat the mutiny of the Dahomey Slaves in 1893. They
arrived too late to take part in any action and returned to
Germany early the following year.
Uniforms
I have yet to see any period photographs of the Marine
Expeditionskorps in Cameroon but their uniform regulations do
survive and are listed in
"Die deutschen Marinen 1818-1918"
by R Noeske and C Stefanski)
as consisting of either the on-board blue shirt or a white naval working
shirt. Headdress was a white naval tropical helmet with neckshade, a blue
field cap (in this period the marine infantry had black hatbands
with white piping for other ranks see above illustration) or a white on-board cap.
Trousers for both the blue uniform and white working uniform could
be worn. They were issued long marching boots and short ankle boots
with gaiters. The Marine Infantry grey/black greatcoat was also
issued, presumably only for use at sea. Although the unit did not
see action it did experience tropical climates and showed the future
need for tropical uniforms for the Marine Infantry. |