BACKGROUND: When the Reichsluftwaffe, was official 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. The Regiment General Göring was formed in September 1935 from the previous Landes Polizei Gruppe General Göring, and became the premier unit of the fledgling Luftwaffe. On March 12TH 1936 the unit exchange their Police uniforms for Luftwaffe uniforms, and it was at this time that personnel were issued the distinctive white collar tabs and white branch of service piping on the shoulder straps. Regulations of January 4TH 1943 introduced additional branch of service colors for personnel of the Hermann Göring units and further regulations of April 2ND 1943 abolished the white piping on the shoulder straps and replaced it with the appropriate branch of service color. The Regiment General Göring went through assorted upgrades and enlargements until October 1942 when it was designated Division Hermann Göring. Of Note: Enlisted personnel’s shoulder straps indicated the ranks of Gefreiter, Obergefreiter and Hauptgefreiter/Stabsgefreiter inclusively.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Late War Luftwaffe Hermann Göring Division Shoulderstraps. These came from the un-issued batch found in Italy some years ago. For use on all HG late war feldgrau uniforms (the 4-pocket tunic, the M44 and the StuG wrappers). This is the late war expedient type with no Waffenfarbe piping on them, and white tape tongues (to save wool fabric in the construction). Rare and desirable shoulder straps.