Original Items: Only One Set Available. This is a very nice collection of German WWII Luftwaffe Air Force Schulterklappen (Shoulder Straps), all of which look to have been cut off uniforms and brought back from the European theater by a USGI after the war was concluded. Many soldiers traded these on the way back, and would end up with a pocket full of various different collectible items, and this set represents the typical "haul" one might have come back with. It includes a nice variety, including some things we have never seen before!

The shoulder straps are all glued to a piece of gray construction paper measuring 8" x 10 1/2", and could possibly be removed, but we did not want to risk damaging the items, all of which show a good amount of wear from service.

This lovely set includes:

● One Matched Set (Left and Right) of Luftwaffe Unteroffizier Reichsschule für Luftaufsicht Schulterklappen (Air Traffic Controller School NCO Shoulder Straps). These feature embroidered LS cyphers, which are black with white borders, and have an open row of 10mm silver NSO tresse around the edge, indicating the junior NCO rank of Unteroffizier, equivalent to a U.S. Army Air Forces Sergeant. The piping around the edge is Schwarz (black), the Luftwaffe Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) for the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (National Aviation Ministry), responsible for air traffic controllers.

● One Luftwaffe Flak Artillery NCO Schulterklappe (Shoulder Strap), featuring a closed border of 10mm Silver NCO tresse, indicating the rank of Unterfeldwebel, equivalent to a U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sergeant. The piping around the edge is Tiefrot (Deep Red), the Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) for Luftwaffe Flak Anti-aircraft troops and other Artillery.

● One Luftwaffe Flight Branch NCO Schulterklappe (Shoulder Strap), featuring a closed border of 10mm Silver NCO tresse, indicating the rank of Unterfeldwebel, equivalent to a U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sergeant. The piping around the edge is Goldgelb (Gold-Yellow), the correct Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) for Aviator troops such as pilots, air crew, and ground personnel, as well as Fallschirmjäger (parachute troops).

● One Luftwaffe Flight Branch Mannschaften Schulterklappe (Enlisted Shoulder Strap), which is plain with no tresse or devices attached. The piping around the edge is Goldgelb (Gold-Yellow), the correct Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) for Aviator troops such as pilots, air crew, and ground personnel, as well as Fallschirmjäger (parachute troops).

A wonderful totally genuine grouping perfect for a Luftwaffe Insignia collector. Ready to research and display!

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.