Tents
Tentage
The Germans had a wide variety of tents - some were general purpose ones, others were designed for a specific use. Original tents are now very hard t find and usually expensive, however we are very fortunate to have 4 original tents, which are shown below. As well as these we also use a variety of 1950s and 60s tents, which are 'in the style of' original tents and high quality reproductions.. This enables us to adapt to any given display area, and also to ensure the more valuable items of equipment can be kept dry.
Small staff tent
This tent is 200cm long, 150cm wide and 200cm high at the ridge. It is designed for sleeping 2 people on camp beds (normally officers, but NCOs had a knack for 'acquiring' these things!). Ventilation is by means of a window in each side wall, and one at the rear.
Large Staff tent
This tent is 250cm long, 250cm wide and 200cm high at the ridge. It has a large number of uses, but is normally seen being used at rear line positions. The photograph above shows it in it's early war 3 colour camouflage scheme of brown and green on a tan canvas. The windows are the same as the small staff tent.
Mountain troops platoon tent
This tent is 250cm long, 400 cm wide and 210cm high at the ridge. Its designed to sleep 8 men. There are 2 small windows in the rear wall to aid ventilation (as can be seen here). The walls are 70cm high and has a small bag sewn in for each occupant to put his belongings in, in order for them to stay dry.
Mountain troops medical tent
This tent is 530cm long, 400cm wide and 250cm high at the ridge. Each wall has 2 mesh windows for ventilation. Our tent was originally grey in colour, but has faded over the years to a dirty white colour.
Small mountain troops signals tent
This tent is 215cm long, 160cm wide and 150cm high at the ridge. This tent was used by the mountain troops signals units in all theatres of operation (as can be seen here in North Africa). These tents could sleep 2 men comfortably. It has a small mesh window in the rear of the tent to aid ventilation, as well as an internal groundsheet. The tent is identical to the 2 in the foreground of the photo.
Unknown square tent
The exact purpose of this tent is a bit of a mystery! Its 400cm square at the base, the walls are 180cm high and its 250cm high at the apex. Its somewhat unusual in that it has a frame, rather then poles. There are 2 canvas windows in each wall, as well as a porch at the front. It has a vent a the apex which can be opened and closed by drawstrings.
The only marking is on the inner wall and says "zelthaut 400x400". It does, however, have an internal wire tensioning system which goes from corner to corner on the side walls.
The photo above is the only example of this type of tent in use that we have ever seen, though it is slightly different to the one we own.
