BACKGROUND: The Luftwaffe, (Air-{Weapon}, Force), utilized a wide variety of assorted gloves, gauntlets and mittens intended for different purposes that included the standard grey suede gloves for Officers and NCO’s, blue/grey knit gloves for enlisted personnel, reversible and non-reversible, padded winter mittens as well as specialized gauntlets for motorcycle and paratroop personnel and specialized gloves and gauntlets for ground and aircrew personnel including electrically heated models. Besides the above models there were also additional assorted protective garments that included gloves, gauntlets and mittens that were classified as Sonderbekleidung, (Special Clothing). The protective garments were only issued to personnel when engaged in specific functions and were to be returned to a units stores for reissued as required although it appears the order was not strictly adhered to. The protective garments were utilized by a variety of personnel including motorcyclists, armoured vehicle personnel and Anti-Aircraft Artillery personnel. These particular mittens appear to be intended for personnel required to handle hot items.