Danish Army uniforms 1945-2008

by Henrik Clausen, Copyright 2008

Introduction

The uniforms of the Danish Army have undergone a dramatic change during

the 50+ years since the end of WW2 and the liberation of Denmark. During most of the period the main operational task of the Danish Army was the

defence of Denmark in cooperation with the other armies of NATO. But this has changed in recent years with the end of the Cold War and the engagement in a

number of international operations – both “typical UN missions” as well as combat missions, like Danish soldiers fighting the Taleban i Afghanistan.

I will in the following focus on the combat uniforms of the period.

Two soldiers from The Royal Life Guard wearing desert uniform and standard M/84 uniform.

1945-1958

There was a huge stock of uniforms etc. at the end of WW2. So the first combat uniform of the Danish Army in 1945 was the British battledress –

designated Feltuniform M/44 (“field uniform model 1944”) by the Danish Army. It was the typical battledress worn by the British forces during WW2 – some of

it were supplied by the British, some were purchased by the Danish Army and

some came from Sweden together with the “Danish Brigade” (a unit equipped and trained in Sweden by the Swedish government – it was supposed to take

part in the liberation of Denmark in the event of the German forces in Denmark would not willingly surrender – which they did). These different

sources of the uniform meant that there was some difference in colours etc.

1958-1984 The Kampuniform M/58 (“combat uniform model

1958”) was introduced in 1958. It was a more modern uniform like the American M65. The first model was

khaki in colour and did not have shoulder straps. The

second model from 1961 was olive green and had shoulder straps. The latter was used until the

introduction of the M/84 in camouflage

pattern. There was also a

Tjenesteuniform M/66

(“service dress model 1966”) used for

garrison duty - and a Tjenesteuniform M/69

("service dress model

1969") for parade and walking out use.

The M/58 combat uniform was in some ways

not satisfactory and was not up to modern standards, so some soldiers did privately

purchase uniforms (eg. the American M65).

Machine gunner wearing M/58

uniform and M/62 machine gun

(the German MG3)

Feltuniform M/44 – the look of a

Danish soldier shortly after WW2

1984-today

A more modern combat uniform was needed. The Danish Army developed a test uniform (Testuniform T/78) in a camouflage pattern and with a new design

of jacket and trousers. This uniform was used in a troop test. As a result of these tests a number of modifications were made. This uniform

was then introduced to the first units in 1984-85 and gradually it replaced the

M/58 combat uniform.

The M/84 is a whole system of different

garments: shirts, thermo vests etc.

The camouflage pattern of the M/84 is copyrighted by the Danish Army – hence it

can be very hard to obtain this material by collectors. There is, however, copies made of

the pattern – and even a snow pattern (to

my knowledge not used in the Danish Army) has been made by a commercial company.

The pattern itself is based on the German 5-colour camouflage which was tested by the

Danish Army, but they found that only three

colours would be more suitable for Danish conditions.

Soldier wearing M/84 combat uniform along with the old LBE. He is armed with the M/95 Diemaco C7

rifle

Other uniforms and garments

There is a large number of garments etc. made of the M/84 camouflage

material – rain coats, a small bag for the soldier’s hygienic articles (toothpaste, soap etc.), a scarf etc. etc. A NBC suit has also been made in this pattern.

In 2001 a Danish contingent were sent to Eritrea as a part of the UN peacekeeping force between Ethiopia and Eritrea. These soldiers were issued

with a special desert camouflage uniform – the pattern is similar to the

M/84 camouflage, but in desert

colours (tan, brown and green). This uniform was also issued to Danish

troops deployed in Iraq and is also worn by Danish troops in Afghanistan.

Helmets and flak jackets In the first years after WW2 the

Danish soldiers wore British surplus

helmets, but in 1948 the American M1 helmet (designated M/48 in Denmark)

was introduced. This was the standard combat head gear of the Danish

soldier until 1992 when the first

Danish troops in Afghanistan wearing M/01 desert

uniforms prepare themselves for patrol. February 2008. Foto: Per A. Rasmussen. Hærens Operative

Kommando. http://www.hok.dk

Soldiers wearing M/84 uniforms, M/48 (M1) steel

helmets and the old LBE.

troops were sent to the former Yugoslavia as part of the UNPROFOR

peacekeeping force. The Army made a quick decision and bought kevlar helmets produced by Schuberth of Germany and flak jackets. The flak jackets

were – of course – made in the Danish M/84 pattern camouflage... The Schuberth kevlar helmet was only used by the troops sent abroad. The

soldiers back in Denmark were still using the WW2 vintage steel pot. This

changed, however, when the Army bought a large quantity of the French produced CGF Gallet kevlar helmet which is by now the standard combat

headgear of the Danish soldiers.

Load bearing equipment

Until 1996 the Danish Army used a load bearing equipment based on the WW2-vintage

British system. But a new system - based on

the current British LBE system -

has been introduced, including rucksacks in M/84 pattern

camouflage.

National insignia The M/59 and M/84 combat

uniforms had a tag on the shoulder with the word

"DANMARK" written on it and the shield in the red/white Danish colours were

Danish UN soldier in ex-Yugoslavia 1992 wearing

Schuberth 826 helmet and flak jacket. His weapon is the 7.62 mm M/75 rifle (the German H&K G3)

Members of the Home Guard wearing M/96

LBE (based on the LBE used by the British Army)

only worn by soldiers on international duties (in NATO HQs or UN service). This

shield has now been replaced by a Danish flag worn by all soldiers.

Cap badges The normal headgear of the Danish soldiers is the beret. It comes in a number

of colours depending on the military branch of the soldier: black for infantry

and armour, green for signals, artillery, Home Guard, logistics, light blue for army aviation, red for military police and dark red for Jaegerkorpset (special

forces). The insignia of the unit of the regiment is worn on the beret.

Rank badges

Rank badges are worn on the shoulder straps. The NBC suit and flak jacket has

a strap on the front for the rank badge. Professional soldiers wear bars - the number of bars depends on the length of

their service. Sergeants wear chevrons and officers stars.

Rank badges worn by Danish troops. Top row from left: private first class, lance corporal, conscript sergeant, professional sergeant, master sergeant. Bottom row from left: lieutenant, 1st lieutenant, captain, major,

colonel.

Unit insignia

Almost every unit has its own insignia and usually wear it on their upper sleeve. But practise may vary. Some soldiers wear the badge of the parent unit

- eg. the International Brigade - on one shoulder and their unit badge on the other. There is a traditional colour system, which may sometimes be used in

badges etc.: Red for the 1st unit, white for the 2nd, blue for the 3rd and yellow

for the 4th.

Conclusion The period from 1945 until today has seen the change of the Danish Army

from a WW2-vintage army to an army equipped with modern equipment

(armed with Canadian-built M16-rifles) and uniforms. During the Cold War the main task of the Army was to prepare for fightning a

war with the Warsaw Pact forces. But today the main task is - if not officially then in reality - the participation in UN and other international missions and

operations. This has led to a change in the way the Army is equipped.

Different badges that have been worn by Danish Army soldiers

Danish Army tropical uniforms with lots of practical details. Made in the standard M/84 pattern but in rip-stop cloth.