BACKGROUND: HBT, (Herring Bone Twill), uniforms were originally introduced on April 1ST 1933 to be utilized as a drill uniform and save wear and tear on the service uniform and field blouse. Regulations prescribed that the drill uniform was the basic uniform to worn by all new recruits for most daily functions. Originally the drill uniforms were constructed in natural, unbleached cotton with an HBT weave that proved especially durable but impractical due to easy soiling. On February 12TH 1940 the color of the drill uniforms was altered to a more practical reed green coloration. When utilized as a drill tunic the garments were issued with no insignia with only EM/NCO sleeve rank and collar trim insignia applied to donate the wearers rank. The drill uniforms were utilized for the duration of the war with minor modifications and in early 1942 a modified drill tunic was introduced for wear as a summer combat field blouse, and followed the basic modifications of the standard issue field blouse through-out the war. Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the army’s Kleiderkasse, (Clothing Account), system. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s could choose to purchase their uniforms from the armed forces clothing depots or to privately purchase garments of higher quality. Although enlisted personnel were issued their uniforms from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately tailored uniforms although the price may have been restrictive.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Mid-war, (circa 1942), reed green, cotton/rayon blend construction drill tunic with an HBT weave, features a vertical, five button front closure with a single metal hook and eye positioned at the neckline. The tunic has two, non-pleated hip pockets with straight edged button down flaps and no breast pockets. The reverse of the tunic has a short, central, vertical, tail skirt vent. The tunic has straight cut, non-adjustable sleeves. The tunic has no insignia, or any evidence that any was ever applied, as per regulations. The unlined interior of the tunic has horizontal, tunnel looped, fit adjustment drawstrings positioned at the reverse waistline. The front closure and exterior pocket buttons are all the removable, field-grey painted, pebbled alloy type secured by circular "S" rings. The collar liner buttons are the ersatz, tan, pressed cardboard type and appear to have their original stitching. The tunic is roughly size 36" chest.