1956-1975

Austrian Camouflage Uniforms:

Following the Hungarian Uprising in 1956, and concurrent Austrian border security deployments, it became clear that the M 56 Service Uniform was not suitable for a modern army. Consequently, the Bundesheer developed the first iteration of their iconic 'pea dot' uniform, the KAZ M 57 (First Issue). This uniform was originally designed to be worn as a smock, over the top of the woollen uniform, or, in summer, with just the shirt and trousers. These uniforms were complicated and expensive, and incorporated traditional features of the uniforms of the 1st Bundesheer (1920-1938), most notable of which was the sling stop on the right shoulder. The uniforms were white on the inside, so that they could be reversed and used to provide a degree of camouflage in snowy conditions. The camouflage uniforms were not issued out on an individual basis, but were instead given out during times of major exercises or deployment, so as to avoid wearing them out (due to the high cost of procurement). The first versions of the M 57 began to be issued in mid-1957.

Rather quickly, the Bundesheer came to the realisation that this first version of the uniform was excessively complicated, and too expensive. As a result, a simplified version began to be issued at some point in 1958. While there was no formal change of designation in the Bundesheer, these uniforms are often known as 'Second Issue' KAZ M 57s in the collector's sphere. The newer uniforms deleted the separate collar, foliage loops and sling loop of the First Issue jackets, and changed from a rear fishtail to a crotch flap.

To go with the M 57 jacket, a pair of trousers were naturally designed. These do not appear to have been revised like the jackets were, and so no differentiation is made between First and Second Issue M 57 trousers. As with the jackets, the trousers are very well-made and incorporate several complex and expensive features, including an integral waist-belt and elasticated tightening straps on the thighs, allowing the trousers to be bunched up and prevent the loose-fitting fabric from getting caught on foliage, etc.

In addition to the standard uniforms, which were considered bulky and awkward, shorter, lighter versions were issued to tank crews - the 'Panzer' uniforms. Aside from being shorter, and lacking the lower pockets, these uniforms also featured smaller hoods, only needing to go over CVC helmets rather than the M 57 derivative of the American M1. The trousers lack the integral belt of their standard counterpart, as well as waist pockets.  As the camouflage uniforms were designed to be worn over the top of the regular uniforms, pass-through flaps were still included to allow the wearer to reach the waist pockets of his normal trousers underneath. These uniforms were never simplified into a 'Second Issue' pattern.

Following quickly on from the M 57, another updated, further simplified uniform was adopted - the M 59. This uniform replaced the popper fastening of the M 57 with large, grey, two-hole plastic buttons. The internal lower pockets were replaced with a simpler sewn-on design, further reducing the cost.  The trousers differed little from the M 57, aside from the obvious change from poppers to buttons, along with a simplification of the integral leg tightening straps. Nonetheless, the uniforms were still not issued out except for major exercises, and the newly-adopted Drillichanzug M 59 (a uniform made from HBT cotton with a very similar cut to the later Anzug 75) was used for day-to-day wear instead. The Drillichanzug was also worn underneath the Kampfanzug as a more comfortable alternative to the Dienstanzug M 56.

As well as the standard M 59 uniform, a corresponding M 59 Panzer uniform existed as well. These are basically the same as the M 57 Panzer, except for having button fasteners instead of poppers. The separate collar was also deleted. The trousers, which - as with the M 57 - lacked the leg tightening straps of the standard Kampfanzug, were usually issued with a pair of separate tightening straps, with three buttons. Quite why this feature had been deleted on the Panzer uniforms in the first place is unclear.

As time went by, the Bundesheer realised that having two separate uniforms was unnecessary, and the M 69 'universal-model' uniform was developed. This is an intermediate between the standard and Panzer uniforms, with no lower pockets, and simplified fittings (such as unpleated pockets, and no zip). These uniforms were the last in the line of 'pea dot' patterns, and, despite being formally retired in the early 1980s (replaced by KAZ 75), served much longer with the Jagdkommando Special Forces, and, as of 2023, are still in occasional use for Opfor training in the Bundesheer. These items are typically marked with a red 'FD' stamp.

Austrian Webbing

Pre-M 57 Webbing:

Prior to the adoption of the StG 58 and M 57 webbing system, the Bundesheer were mainly equipped with web gear supplied by the US as military aid, to go along with the large number of M1 rifles and carbines (designated as Gewehr-M1 and Karabiner-M1 respectively) donated in 1955. This included a variety of M1936 and M1942 equipment, along with M1923 belts for use with M1 rifle.  US-supplied equipment was also supplemented by limited domestic production, including M1944 Rucksack straps produced by Stolla Wien. These differ from original American examples by their leather fittings on the end of canvas straps (where American ones are wholly canvas).

M 57 Webbing:

The StG 58 was a licensed-production version of the Belgian FN FAL rifle, chambered for 7.62x51mm NATO and firing from twenty-round detachable box magazines. Soldiers would of course need to carry these magazines, and as such the first part of the M 57 webbing setup to look at is the magazine pouch. These were manufactured by Stolla Wien from black leather and each hold two magazines. The back of the pouch features two belt loops and a ring for connecting to Y-straps (see below). 

Each soldier would be issued two of the twin pouches, allowing him to carry a total of four magazines, adding up to eighty rounds of ammunition (plus another twenty in the rifle). However, the right-most pouch would often be left empty and used for grenades or other such specialist equipment instead, according to testimony from Austrian ex-servicemen. It is worth noting that the pouches would be issued regardless of weapon  it would be the same for a soldier issued the MG-42/59 as well as the StG 58. Quite what he would be expected to put in his FAL magazine pouches is anyone's guess, but one can find multiple images of machine-gunners with standard webbing pouches, along with a leather holster (some of which were WW2-German surplus, with the rest being manufactured by Stolla Wien) for a P38. 

A slightly-faded Stolla Wien maker's stamp on a magazine pouch, and the buckle of an M 57 belt. 

In addition to the pouches, Stolla Wien also manufactured belts and Y-straps for the Bundesheer, made from the same black leather. The belt was similar to an ordinary trouser belt, with the kind of buckle you'd find anywhere, and the Y-straps were of a very similar design to the WW2 Wehrmacht style, with the main difference being the addition of padding to the shoulders in order to make them more comfortable to wear. The straps were worn as follows:

• • The rear strap hooked to the belt

  • The front strap with the hook (the outer one) hooked to the loops on the top of the magazine pouch

  • The mid-point strap with the loop attached to the rucksack.

A layout of the M 57 webbing system, with the Brotbeutel worn on the upper hooks rather than the belt. The Entrenching tool is missing in this photograph.

The belt and Y-straps were of course worn as an outer layer, over the top of the uniform. One does sometimes see the webbing belts being worn through the belt loops of the trousers, although this is not universally done. If the webbing was to be worn in training without magazine pouches (which is not seen particularly often, but did happen), simple leather belt loops with metal D-rings on them were issued, which provided an attachment point for the Y-straps. These same loops were often fitted to the clips on canteen covers to allow them to be fitted to the belt.  

Another shot of the Brotbeutel and belt, showing how the Y-straps interact.

The other two essential pieces of kit to be worn on the belt (in addition to the aforementioned magazine pouches) are a canteen and entrenchment tool. Both of these items were issued in K4 ('Pea dot') pattern camouflaged covers/pouches, with loops to allow them to be attached to a belt. The canteen pouch was typically worn on the right hip, just behind the right-hand magazine pouch, whereas the entrenchment tool was normally worn on the left rear side of the body.

Two views of the M 57 canteen cover. The bottle in this photo is a later KAZ 03 plastic example, and would originally have been an aluminium canteen, held within a metal cup.

The final main items are the rucksacks. First is a smaller bag, often referred to in English as a 'bread bag' and in German as either a 'Brotsack' or 'Brotbeutel'. These bags were made by HBA [Heeresbekleidunganstallt, Army Clothing Institute] from plain grey cloth, with a camouflage-patterned top flap. The bags have a variety of metal rings to allow them to attach to the Y-straps, along with a set of belt loops. These belt loops would be used when worn with a larger pack, often referred to as a 'Sturmgepäck'. This is of similar design to the Brotbeutel, but elongated and fitted with three leather straps rather than just two. As well as this, there is an even larger pack, usually known as either a duffel bag or sea sack [Seesack]. This bags were entirely made from plain grey material, and were not intended to be worn in combat. A K4 Zeltbahn would often be rolled and tied to the Sturmgepäck to complete the loadout.

The Brotbeutel.

The large Seesack, which features an internal metal frame. 

Complete Impressions:

Austrian Mountain Troops Driver, c. 1960s-1970s

As well as tank crewmen, the KAZ M 57 and M 59 Panzer uniforms were issued to mountain troops, with the various improvements made to avoid catching on the inside of a tank being just as advantageous in mountainous terrain. The uniform here is an M 59 Panzer set, worn over the top of the M 59 Drillichanzug, an HBT cotton uniform designed to be cheaper and tougher than the camouflage uniforms, and thus save money when they were worn out in day-to-day wear. To top off the uniform, some form of headgear would be worn - here, a Drillichanzug field cap. Often, mountain troops would also wear the earlier M 56 ski caps, adorned with an Edelweiss crest on the left side, and tank crews normally wore grey wool side caps. The belt is a standard Austrian black leather K4 webbing belt, and the shoulder holster is a copy of WW2 American tanker holsters, modified to hold a P 38. They aren't visible here, but the uniform would be worn with ankle boots of a very similar design to those used by Second World War-era Wehrmacht forces.

- Walter

I'll add photos of the actual uniforms as soon as possible, as well as the diagrams.

All photos and diagramsCopyright ©Walter of the London Living History Group.