Original Item: Only One Available. Just acquired from a private collection, this is an excellent condition rare World War II Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK) Luftwaffe Medizinisch Offizier (Medical Officer) Model 41 Tropical Field Service Tunic, made from what feels like a brushed cotton or denim like material. It is definitely of higher quality and weave than the later "Drillich" fabrics used, including the "reed green" HBT used by the Luftwaffe later in the war. These were designed to be a more durable version of the Fliegerbluse than the wool versions in use during the beginning of the war, and was specifically designed for the hot climate of North Africa, such as in Libya, Tunisia, and Egypt. It is the correct Dunkelgelb (dark yellow) tan color used by other branches in the Tropical campaigns.

It features four pleated front pockets with scalloped flaps, which identifies this as the early M41 model. The first model, the M41, had pleated pockets with scalloped flaps, the second model, the M42, had flat pockets with scalloped pocket flaps, and the third and final model, the M43, switched to square pocket flaps. There are also variations to this, but in general both the Luftwaffe and Heer tunics conform to this. This particular example looks to be officer's private purchase, and features a lay down collar. The front closure features 4 pebbled olive painted buttons, which are retained by split rings from the rear. The look to be maker marked on the back, and the rings are behind a flap on the right interior. The tunic is not lined, with just some reinforcements around the sleeves, and no inner pockets. There is no maker marking, but we were able to find size information next to the button split rings:-

40 100
70  63

The tunic is adorned with the usual rank and branch insignia used on German Luftwaffe tunics. The metal Luftwaffe officer's breast eagle is the correct type used in Africa, attached to three thread loops on the front of the uniform, though the hook on the bottom of the eagle for the middle loop has broken off. The attached Kragenpatten (Collar Flaps) are in Medizinblau (Medical Blue), the correct Luftwaffe Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) for the Air Force Medical Corps (Luftwaffe Sanitätstruppe). The button-attached style Schulterklappen (Shoulder Boards or Epaulettes) have the same color bottoms, and have four rows of silver "Russia Braid" around the edge. There are two silver rank "Pips" on each along with gold "Rod of Asclepius" medical cyphers, indicating the Medical rank of Stabsarzt (Staff Doctor), equivalent in rank to a Hauptmann (Captain). This is confirmed by the collar insignia, which each show three "gull wing" insignia over an oak leaf wreath.

Condition of the tunic is excellent, showing just a bit of wear to the insignia, and it looks to have seen very little use during the war. A lovely example of a rare Luftwaffe Afrikakorps Private Purchase Staff Physician's Officer M41 tunic, ready to add to your collection and display!

Approximate Measurements:-
Collar to shoulder: 10"
Shoulder to sleeve: 24”
Shoulder to shoulder: 15"
Chest width: 20”
Waist: 17.5"
Hip: 20"
Front length: 29"

The Afrika Korps or German Africa Corps (German: Deutsches Afrikakorps, 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.