BACKGROUND: When the Reichsluftwaffe, was officially established on February 26TH 1935 as the third branch of service of the Armed Forces it adopted the shoulder board/strap rank insignia that had been utilized by its civilian forerunner the Deutscher Luftsport Verband, (German Air Sports League). The shoulder boards/straps remained in use through-out the war with minor modifications. Of Note: On March 9TH 1935 the formation of the new Reichsluftwaffe was announced to the foreign press and on March 16TH conscription was reintroduced for all three branches of service. On May 21ST 1935 the Reichsluftwaffe designation was altered to Luftwaffe. The shoulder straps were worn in matching pairs and indicated the branch of service and rank of the wearer. In late 1940, with the impending German entrance into the North African campaign, the army quickly developed and issued tropical uniforms, equipment and insignia in time for DAK, Deutsches Afrika Korps, (German Africa Corps), personnel’s arrival in Tripoli in February 1941. At the same time the Luftwaffe also developed and introduced their own version of the tropical uniforms, insignia and equipment independently from the other branches of service. Originally the tropical uniforms were only intended for wear in North Africa but that was later expanded to include personnel serving in southern areas of continental Europe during the summer months, (May 1ST to September 30TH). The design of the tropical uniforms and insignia were based on the standard continental items but in a different color and material. The different branches of service within the Luftwaffe were allocated specific identifying waffenfarbe, (Branch of Service Color), with golden yellow being chosen for personnel serving with Flieger, (Flight), units which was displayed as piping on the shoulder straps. Of Note: Enlisted flight personnel’s shoulder straps indicate the ranks of, Flieger, Gefreiter, Obergefreiter and Hauptgefreiter/Stabsgefreiter inclusively.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Light weight khaki/tan cotton construction, slip on shoulder strap with golden yellow rayon waffenfarbe piping.