BACKGROUND: The Reichsluftwaffe, (National Air-Force), was officially established on February 26TH 1935 as the third branch of service of the Wehrmacht, (Armed Forces). 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, (Air-Force). In late 1940, with the impending German entrance into the North African campaign, the army quickly developed and issued tropical uniforms and equipment in time for DAK, Deutsches Afrika Korps, (German Africa Corps), personnel’s arrival in Tripoli in February 1941. At the same time the Luftwaffe also developed and introduced their own version of the tropical uniform and equipment independently from the other branches of service. Originally the tropical uniforms were only intended for wear in North Africa but that was later expanded to include personnel serving in southern areas of continental Europe during the summer months, (May 1ST to September 30TH). The design of the tropical uniform was based on the standard continental uniform but were in tan as opposed to the continental blue/grey and were usually manufactured in light weight cotton. The Luftwaffe tropical uniform remained basically unchanged for the duration of the war with minor modifications. Regulations dictated that collar tabs were not to be worn on the tropical tunics/field blouses and additional regulations restricted mixing the continental blue/grey uniform items and insignia, with the tropical tan uniform items and insignia although period photographs indicate that both regulations were not strictly adhered to. The different branches of service within the Luftwaffe were allocated specific, identifying, waffenfarbe, (Branch of Service Color), with golden yellow being chosen for personnel serving with the Flieger, (Flight) units which was generally displayed as piping on the shoulder strap/boards of the tropical field blouses and service tunics. Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the Luftwaffe’s Verkaufsabteilung, (Air-Force Sales Department), system. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s could choose to purchase their uniforms from the armed forces clothing depots or to privately purchase uniform items of higher quality. Although enlisted personnel were issued their uniforms from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately tailored uniforms although the price may have been restrictive.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Light weight, subtly ribbed, tan cotton construction tropical field blouse features a vertical, six button front closure with small, fold back lapels, a lay down collar and a single metal hook and eye positioned at the forward neckline. The field blouse has two, pleated, patch, breast pockets and two, non-pleated, saddlebag, hip pockets with expanding side panels, all with straight edged, button down flaps. The right breast has a machine embroidered, second pattern, (Circa 1936/37-1945), Luftwaffe eagle clutching a canted swastika in one talon, in silvery/white rayon threads mounted cut-out, light tan cotton base. The eagle is machine stitched to the field blouse. The straight cut sleeves have dual-ply, simulated, French cuffs and a small, vertical, slash to the outside seams with dual fit adjustment buttons to each. The field blouse has a set of three, vertically aligned, stitched eyelets positioned at each side seam at the waistline, which were designed for the belt support hooks. The shoulder strap’s fabric retaining loops are intact. The lay down collar has the typical zig-zag reinforcement stitching to the reverse. The unlined interior has small, light weight, tan cotton, reinforcement panels to the shoulder panels, the armpit openings and down the side seams. The side seams also have short, vertical, tan cotton straps with six, stitched eyelets, to each, for the belt support hooks. The lower, right, front, tail skirt has a tan, linen field dressing pocket with a single button closure. The interior left breast is well marked with black, size inkstamps and Depot marking with a 1942 date. Roughly a size 34" chest. Nice!