To answer this question, you have to understand first what is a uniform? And what is purpose of a uniform?
The first and today primary purpose of modern and older still monochromatic uniforms is rather obvious if you look closely and that is to provide camouflage. And at such the German “Feldgrau”, fieldgrey, did a better job than you might expect. Especially, at larger distances - 200 m and more - and without optics fieldgrey was relatively difficult to spot when your enemy used cover and the surrounding vegetation correctly, which the Germans did.
Spotting them from close up is easy, but do this from far away and while being under fire from God knows where and keeping your head down. I can tell you that you will have your difficulties to identify them.
The second equally important purpose of a uniform is to provide, nomen est omen, uniformity. A uniform is not just a simple piece of clothing from a psychological perspective, it is a part of your affiliation, of your identity, of who you are. But that is not only the case for only you, but also thousands, if not millions of other soldier that fought and died. And as such, every uniform is automatically a part of history and should be also understood as a product of history and tradition, and you don't change tradition without a reason.
Because grey is the colour that had accompanied the German soldier through WW1, WW2 and still accompanies them today. Their fathers wore grey, they wear grey and their sons will wear grey.
Writer: Niklas Kager Kofler (Quora)
