Figure 1.--These German Scouts are wearing their Scout uniforms at camp. Other images showing German Scouts without their uniforms. Note that the boys are not wearing standard kneesocks. The photograph is undated, but the hair styles suggest the 1970s.

We have only limited information on German Scout uniforms at this time. Early German Scout uniforms were very similar to English Scout uniforms, which was quite common in the early days of Scouting. Scouting was abloished by the NAZIs in 1933 and new uniforms were introduced after World War II when Scouting was introduced. Immediately after the War, conditions in Germany were very difficult. Few boys had the money to purchase a Scout uniform.

Association Uniforms

There is no nation-wide German Scout uniform as there is no one German Scout association. HBU at this time does not have details on the various uniforms adopted by the different German Scout associations. After World War II, Scout uniforms were intially worn, but by the 1970s uniforms began to beconme less popular with German boys.

Chronology

A wide variety of uniforms have been worn by the various German Scouts. In the early years from the 1910s until they were banned by the NAZIs, the German Scouts wore a short pants uniform similar to British Scouts. After the war, German Scouts were restablished and the many different associations adopted a wide variety of uniforms, all with short pants. As German boys began to less commonly wear shorts, the attention to Scout uniforms tended to decline, especilly in the 1970s. Currently Scouts can often be found wearing Scout shirts with badges with jeans or other non-uniform long pants.

Garments

German boys have worn many of tghge same uniform items popular with Scouts in other countries. Lederhosen or leather shorts were especially popular in Germany although boys in other counties have also worn them. German Scouts also adopted Scout items worn in other countries like the French beret.