BACKGROUND: On November 26TH 1938 the first pattern, pointed tip, shoulder straps without waffenfarben utilized by EM/NCO’s were replaced with a rounded tip shoulder strap that included the branch of service waffenfarben. Originally these 2ND pattern straps were manufactured in blue/green badge cloth until regulations in May 1940 altered their construction to field-grey wool. These 2ND pattern shoulder straps were worn for the duration of the war although a third and final pattern was introduced in September 1944. 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. Along with the new tropical uniforms new corresponding insignia, including shoulder straps were also introduced. The tropical shoulder straps were basically the same as the second pattern continental shoulder straps but were constructed in an olive/tan shade of material.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Pair of Heer tropical slip on EM shoulder straps, Panzergrenadier branch of service, correct early brown wool backing. Mismatched but would look great if fitted to a tunic or shirt as they have the same top deck colored fabric and piping. Both look to not have been used. Hard to find.