BACKGROUND: The Third Reich era, combat Y-straps were developed in April 1939 along with the M39 backpack to replace the earlier M34 backpack with integral shoulder straps. The combat Y-straps were also utilized with other backpacks including the A-Frame Assault pack and were designed to assist in distributing the weight of the equipment carried on the load bearing waist belt to the shoulders. On February 15TH 1940 the army introduced another pattern of Combat-Y straps based on a pre-WWI design, (originally introduced by Prussian Hauptmann Virchow in 1887), designated Koppeltraggestell für Kavallerie, (Belt Support Straps for Calvary), that were intended for mounted personnel, although they saw widespread use by Officers, cavalry, motorcycle, bicycle and paratroop personnel. The Luftwaffe, (Air-Force), adopted this second type of Combat Y-straps for all personnel and re-designated them as Trageriemen für Patronentaschen, (Support Straps for the Cartridge Pouches). Due to leather shortages regulations of June 17TH 1943 limited further issue of the Luftwaffe Combat Y-straps to personnel serving with Paratrooper units, the Hermann Göring units and Luftwaffe Field Divisions. Of Note: Luftwaffe personnel initially utilized brown leather accoutrements but during the war the leather items were generally blackened. Also Of Note: Originally all the Y-straps were produced in a leather until 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 and included canvas web construction Y-straps. Eventually, due to leather shortages the canvas web Y-straps were also issued to personnel serving in southern areas of continental Europe and other theatres of battle. Also Of Note: Although the above introductory regulations, (Army, February 15TH 1940), for this type of Y-strap are valid, from examined examples it appears the Luftwaffe had unofficial adopted the 1887 pattern prior to 1940.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Supple brown leather constructed Y-Straps, consisting of two front straps and a short back strap with natural aluminum alloy fittings. All complete and in nice condition. RBN marking on the backstrap.