Luftwaffe Tropical Paratrooper or Flight EM's Tunic

In 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 personnel’s arrival in Tripoli in February 1941. 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.

This is a tan cotton construction field tunic, 6 button front closure. Four pockets with straight pocket flaps. To the shoulder’s is original shirt style shoulder straps buttoned in place. The straps has yellow wool branch color piping for either paratrooper or airborne unit. To the chest is a Luftwaffe EM/NCO’s tropical breast-eagle, machine sewn in place. Inside is marked stamped with faint size markings in black ink. Inside complete with medic pocket and belt hook straps in canvas cloth. The tunic is in clearly worn and sun-faded condidion, showing some smaller stains.

This is actually a Heer tunic, with signs of removed collar tabs. We find no signs of a previous sewn breast eagle. Possibly re-issued war time or later renovated, impossible to say for sure.

Nice looking tropical combat tunic!!