BACKGROUND: Although the Luftwaffe had utilized civilian female employees in secretarial and clerical positions it was contrary to the NSDAP’s views on women to draft them into active military service roles. As the war progressed and additional manpower was needed at the front more and more women were recruited into service, albeit still retaining their civilian status. Besides the secretarial and clerical positions female civilians were also employed as Flugmeldedienstpersonel (Aircraft Reporting Service), personnel that were tasked with operating assorted aircraft visual and sound detection equipment, and radar stations to warn of incoming enemy aircraft. On February 26TH 1941the Luftwaffe constituted the Luftnachrichten Helferinnenschaft, (Corps of Women Signals Auxiliaries), which incorporated the Flugmeldedienstpersonel and were tasked with aircraft warning and communication services. The Flugmeldedienst and Luftnachrichten Helferinnenschaft personnel were outfitted with uniforms on June 11TH 1940 that included an overseas cap. Of Note: Regulations also instructed that the female auxiliaries overseas caps were to be worn without the national tri-color cockade applied, but the regulation was not always adhered to.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nice quality, Luftwaffe blue/grey, wool/rayon blend construction cap features fold down side and back panels with gently sloping, downward scallops to the front and forward sides. The front center of the cap has a machine embroidered, second pattern Luftwaffe eagle in white threads on a cut-out blue/grey wool base neatly handstitched in place. The interior of the cap is fully lined in blue/grey rayon and is well marked with size inkstamp, "53".  Nice clean original.