"The basis of this display is the M1909 uniform. Despite the regulations, the tremendous number of uniforms produced, combined with wartime shortages of certain dyes, lead to a wide variety of uniform colors. The M1909 Austro-Hungarian uniforms can range from a gray blue (very similar in color to the French horizon blue) to flat grays, to khaki to dark brown along with every shade in between. The simplified uniform introduced in 1917 was produced in various shades of green referred to as nettle-green. In addition, there were large numbers of Austro-Hungarian uniforms produced during the war in griggio-verde, the gray-green associated with the Italian wartime uniforms. The cloth that was used to produce these unusual uniforms was captured in huge amounts following the Italian retreat from the disaster at Caparetto".
John P Sheehan |
