Short answer
Belgian Army uniforms in 1940 were khaki wool service dress, worn with steel helmets and national cockades in black, yellow and red. Belgium was neutral when the war began, but German forces invaded on 10 May 1940, and the Belgian army capitulated on 28 May. Documented material on Belgian WWII uniforms is thinner than for France or Finland, so the points below are general. Check specific patterns against a dated reference before you rely on them.
The 1940 campaign and what the army wore
The Belgian army fought alongside French and British forces in May 1940 before its surrender. Its uniforms reflected the period’s service-dress fashions. Like the French army, it used khaki-toned wool for everyday wear. Many pieces are described only in general terms in English-language sources.
For the background to why Belgium was invaded at all, see why Belgium did not let Germany through. That article covers both the 1914 and 1940 invasions.
Service dress and field clothing
- Tunic and trousers: wool service dress in khaki tones, worn for field and garrison duty. Cloth quality and shade varied between suppliers.
- Greatcoat: heavy wool, for winter. Cut and buttons differ between makers.
- Footwear and equipment: leather boots or shoes with brown leather belts and straps, which is the common pattern across the period.
Treat these as general features. Specific buttons, collar tabs and insignia varied by unit and year.
Helmets and headgear
Belgian troops in 1940 used steel helmets of several patterns. Adrian-type helmets, which were also used by France, are among those to check. What helmets did they wear in WWII? compares the Adrian with other nations’ helmets. A helmet of French-pattern shape does not by itself prove Belgian issue, because several armies used the same design. Check maker stamps and inspection marks against a reference before making a claim.
National cockades and markings
Belgian cockades and national markings use black, yellow and red. A cockade in these colours on a cap or helmet is a clear Belgian marker. Cockade patterns and their fixing methods varied, so a reproduction may get the colours right and the construction wrong.
Telling 1940 pieces from 1914 and later ones
Belgian uniforms from the First World War look different from those of 1940. Many online pages mix the two periods, so check the date before relying on a description. The same applies to items from the interwar and postwar years. For the question of why Belgium refused passage in 1914, see why Belgium did not let Germany through.
Identifying Belgian WWII items
- Date the item first. Establish whether it belongs to 1914, 1940 or later.
- Check the cockade and national markings before assuming Belgian origin.
- Compare cloth and fittings with dated references. Do not rely on a single photograph.
- Be cautious with reproductions. Helmets and cockades are often copied, and a few mixed items sold as complete sets are not what the seller describes.
For a shorter answer to what Belgian clothing looked like in this period, see what type of clothing Belgians wore in WWII.