This 600-page illustrated volume deals first with the history of Germany’s colonial ambition, thus providing a historical and political framework. Starting with the first tentative colonisation projects, this part of the book concentrates on the years between 1884 (the establishment, under Imperial constitutional law, of the first ‘protectorate’) and 1919, the formal end of Germany’s colonial Empire with the Treaty of Versailles. It describes the motives of a country striving to obtain ‘a place in the sun’ and the initial reluctance of Reichs Chancellor Bismarck, who eventually conceded to the idea of colonisation, and then deals in detail with the security organisation in the protectorates as well as the special case of Jiaozhou, China. This introductory section closes with the campaigns and military operations prior to the First World War and the occurrences during the War, 1914 to 1918.

The second part deals with the uniforms and equipment of the Schutztruppen: based on the early uniforms worn from 1889 in German East Africa and German South-West Africa, the universal uniform for all ‘Imperial Schutztruppen’ was established in 1896. Along with the representative grey home uniform, this also included a sand-coloured or white tropical uniform adapted to the climate in the protectorates. In 1913, the field grey uniform was finally introduced. Despite the basic form, uniforms and equipment varied in the protectorates. All the various items, such as pith helmets, caps, tunics and cartridge belts, are described here in great detail. The African soldiers’ tropical uniform is also dealt with in a special section. The troops for East Asia presented a completely different picture. Initially, the East Asia Expeditionary Corps, sent out in 1900, was only issued an improvised uniform, which made quite an exotic impression with its straw hats. By 1901 the troops were issued special field grey winter and summer uniforms with brand new helmets, pith helmets, tunics and equipment. These items were not only worn by the East Asia Occupation Troops until 1909, they also became trial models in the search for a new field uniform and many important elements were later incorporated into the field uniform of the German Army.

With its traditions and diversity the German cavalry represented the most colourful branch of service of the German Empire. To an extent never seen before, this 640-page, magnificently illustrated book shows the uniforms, equipment and armament of the entire German cavalry from the foundation of the Empire in 1871 to the eve of the First World War in 1914. Brilliant colour photographs give the reader a graphic and practically complete picture of the splendid headgear of cuirassiers, Saxon 'Schwere Reiter', dragoons, Bavarian cheveaulegers, hussars, uhlans and mounted Jäger. Numerous photographs of original specimens - from the Bayerisches Armeemuseum in Ingolstadt and supplemented by items from major collections - document the different branches of the service and the state contingents of the German Empire. The mode of wearing individual uniforms and items of equipment is illustrated by contemporary black and white photographs. Based on still extant sources such as clothing regulations or military decrees, the book endeavours to document modifications and alterations to different items of equipment over a period of 43 years. Not only the collector can learn a wealth of new aspects, the military historian can also gain a valuable overview due to the well structured and systematic arrangement of the book.