The "first model parka" better know as the Charkow Parka ( 5 button pullover) and the "second model parka" (full length button down ) were both fur-linded, both plain colored and both were issued only to Waffen SS troops on the Eastern Front.
The 6th Army at Stalingrad was comprised of Wehrmacht soldiers. Most soldiers since not sufficient protective winter clothing & most wore the fieldgray Great Coat and usually covered them with white sheets.
The need for heavier winter clothing was seen by OKH, Hitler approved the first type winter uniforms in April 1942 and they were issued in the Fall of the same year in the reversible mouse-gray/white colors and also green/white and tan/white. They were wide spread during the 2nd winter on the East Front, but unfortunately not all units/troops at Stalingrad recieved the Reversible Winter Uniforms.
The Reversible Winter Uniforms in camouflage were not distributed until the end of 1943 and were wide spread in 1944.
- ralph
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