BACKGROUND: In late 1940, with the impending German entrance into the North African campaign, tropical uniforms and equipment were quickly developed and issued in time for DAK, Deutsches Afrika Korps, (German Africa Corps), personnel’s arrival in Tripoli in February 1941. Eventually these tropical uniforms would be issued to personnel serving in southern areas of continental Europe. The design of the tropical issued uniforms essentially adhered to the pattern of the field-grey continental uniforms and also followed the same basic war time modifications. The first Third Reich era shirt was introduced with the newly developed field blouse on April 1ST 1933. Originally the army issue shirt was a white collar-less pattern which was worn as an undergarment with a separate button on collar. In 1941 a more practical, second pattern shirt with integral collar was produced in a reed green fabric and could be worn without the field blouse in warmer climates. On June 23RD 1943 a third and final pattern shirt in a grey/green fabric with an integral collar was introduced for wear. Originally these third pattern shirts were a pull-over design as with the earlier two patterns but later models were produced with a full button up front plaquet. The tropical shirt followed the same modifications as the continental shirt but was produced in a tan coloration.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Second pattern tropical issue, long sleeve shirt as introduced in 1941. Machine woven, khaki/tan cotton construction, long sleeve shirt features an integral, pointed tipped, lay down collar and a vertical, four button front plaquet which runs from the neckline to the mid-chest area. The reverse of the lay down collar has a small pocket at each forward tip designed to insert a small piece of bakelite or cardboard to maintain a neat appearance. The bakelite/cardboard inserts are absent. The shirt has two breast patch pockets with boxed pleats and scalloped edged button down flaps. The sleeve cuffs have three vertical tapering darts and an inside vertical sleeve seam slash with dual fit adjustment buttons. The shirt has a long tail skirt which is considerably longer in the back, with a vertical slash at each side seam. The shirt has dual-ply shoulder yoke with stitched eyelets and fabric loops for shoulder straps/boards but the shoulder straps/boards are absent. Buttons are the ersatz pressed cardboard type and they all appear to have their original stitching. The pocket buttons are the removable, pebbled alloy type and are secured by metal "S" rings. The shirt is roughly size 42" chest. Superb depot and size markings. Scarce tropical shirt.