Original Item: Only One Available. Just acquired from a large military show, this is a lovely lightly used rare World War II Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK) Luftwaffe Enlisted Man's Field Shirt, made from medium weight cotton with standard squared weave. Originally intended mainly as work shirts, the hot climate of North Africa, such as in Libya, Tunisia, and Egypt, would lead to them being worn almost constantly, so they started making them able to take rank insignia. It is the correct Dunkelgelb (dark yellow) tan color used by other branches in the Tropical campaigns, and like other field shirts it is a pull over design, with a partial front closure.

The rear inside under the collar is marked with what we believe are the maker and possibly size markings, which read: SCHÖNIGER I 37, indicating the manufacturer, and that it is a size I jacket. The 37 is supposed to indicate the measure of the collar in centimeters, which we have confirmed with a measuring tape. There is additionally MER2 below it, which could be some type of depot marking.

The front features 2 pleated pockets with scalloped flaps, each retained by a tan plastic button. The front closure features 4 tan plastic buttons matching the pockets, correct for these lightweight field shirts, and has a single button on the end of each sleeve for the cuff closure. There are also two non-magnetic pebbled metal tan buttons on the shoulders for rank insignia, which are stitch attached to metal buttons on the interior.

The shirt is adorned with the usual rank and branch insignia used on German Luftwaffe uniforms. The right chest has a lovely machine embroidered Luftwaffe eagle made from silver gray thread on a triangular tan background, which matches the color of the shirt almost exactly. It is machine stitched to the shirt with the correct tan thread, and is 100% correct.

The button-attached style Unteroffiziere Schulterklappen (NCO Shoulder Boards or Epaulettes), are the Fliegerblau (Flyer's Blue) wool type seen on the regular uniforms, which were commonly used in tropical areas when those made with tropical colors were not available. These feature a single row of 10mm NCO tress around the entire perimeter, with no rank pips installed, indicating the NCO rank of Unterfeldwebel, equivalent to a U.S. Army Air Corps Staff Sergeant. They feature Goldgelb (Gold-Yellow) piping, the correct Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) for Aviator troops such as pilots, air crew, and ground personnel, as well as Fallschirmjäger (parachute troops).

Condition is very good, near excellent showing light only light wear from service, with just a few stains and no repairs or major damage that we can see. The main condition issue is the wrinkling of the fabric, which would probably be cured by being hung up in a closet for a bit.

A great example of a rare Luftwaffe Afrikakorps Flight Branch NCO Field Shirt, ready to add to your collection and display!

Approximate Measurements:-
Collar to shoulder: 10"
Shoulder to sleeve: 23”
Shoulder to shoulder: 17"
Chest width: 21”
Waist: 21"
Hip: 21"
Front length: 32"

The Afrika Korps or German Africa Corps (Deutsches Afrikakorps or DAK) was the German expeditionary force in Africa during the North African Campaign of World War II. First sent as a holding force to shore up the Italian defense of their African colonies, the formation fought on in Africa, under various appellations, from March 1941 until its surrender in May 1943. The term "Afrika Korps" is pseudo-German (so-called "cod-German"), deriving from an incomplete German title. The German term referred solely to the initial formation, the Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK), which formed part of the Axis command of the German and Italian forces in North Africa. The name stuck, with both news media and Allied soldiers, as the name for all subsequent German units in North Africa. The unit is known for having been commanded by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.

The Luftwaffe, the air force of the German military during the Third Reich, was established in 1935. Over the next 10 years, Luftwaffe troops wore a huge variety of uniforms. Enlisted men generally wore uniforms issued from military depots. Most enlisted soldiers had wool trousers and a short jacket with two internal lower pockets, called a Fliegerbluse, as well as a dressier 4-pocket tunic, the Tuchrock. Officers wore the same general uniform styles, but as officers had to supply their own uniforms, they usually wore tailor made versions. There were also myriad varieties of specialized uniforms worn by certain units or in specific situations, from the tuxedo-style “gala” formal wear uniform of the pre-war period, to the plain coveralls worn by crews of anti-aircraft cannons. There were work uniforms, tropical and summer uniforms, and camouflage clothing for airborne troops and other Luftwaffe soldiers in ground combat. Flight crews had their own specialized gear, including leather jackets and warm, electrically heated suits. Most but not all Luftwaffe uniform jackets bore the Luftwaffe emblem of a flying eagle holding a swas.