Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice German WWII Luftwaffe Flake Artillery Corps Oberfeldwebel (NCO's) Four Pocket Fliegerbluse (Flight Blouse) Service Tunic, made from lovely Luftwaffe Fliegerblau (Flyer's Blue) Blue Gray wool. This example, like many NCO tunics, was depot issued, and is marked L.B.A. (S) 38 on the interior left chest pocket. This indicates it was inspected at the Luftwaffebekleidungsamt (Air Force Clothing Office) in Sonneberg, Germany in 1938. This marking is only seen on pre and early war Luftwaffe items.

The fliegerbluse tunic features a five button front closure with a hook and loop closure at the color, and it has four squared pleated pockets with square button-down flaps. The pebbled buttons on the tunic are all non-magnetic, most likely made entirely of aluminum. They all have maker markings on the back, and are stitched directly to the uniform fabric. The right breast of the uniform has a correct embroidered NCO Luftwaffe eagle sewn in place with the correct stitching pattern. It is only stitched to the outer layer of fabric, so it is the original eagle installed on this uniform tunic.

The collar of this tunic has 10mm wide NCO Tresse flat silver piping going around the entire collar, correct for an NCO fliegerbluse. The attached Kragenpatten (Collar Flaps) are in Tiefrot (Deep Red), the correct Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) for Luftwaffe Flak Anti-aircraft troops and other Artillery forces. The sew-in style Schulterklappen (Shoulder Boards or Epaulettes) have the same color piping, and a single row of 10mm NCO tress around the outside that is closed at the outer ends. There are two rank "pips" installed on each, indicating the Senior NCO rank of Oberfeldwebel, equivalent to a U.S. Army Master Sergeant. This is confirmed by the collar insignia, which each shows four aluminum "gull wing" insignia.

The interior of the tunic is lined with blue gray light canvas around the body and in the sleeves, which shows only light wear. There are the previously mentioned markings on the inner left chest pocket, and there are also faded size and maker markings above this, which are unfortunately too faint to read. It has the canvas straps for belt hooks, however none have ever been installed, and there is a bandage pocket on the lower right waist by the front closure.

The left sleeve of the tunic has a very nice Sound Location Crew specialist badge on it, which features spread wings with bound oak leaves in the center over a swas (hook cross). Over this is a gothic letter H cypher for Horcher (Listener). There is also a very nice two award medal ribbon bar over the upper left breast pocket, which indicates the owner received the Honor Cross of the World War 1914-1918 (Hindenburg Cross) and a Luftwaffe Wehrmacht Long Service award 4th class (4 years). The long service award has an early "droop tail" eagle on it, so it was awarded during the pre-war era.

Overall condition is very good, showing just a few small moth holes, and the insignia showing light wear and age toning. There are no major tears, repairs, or other major condition issues that we can see.

A very nice Luftwaffe Flak Artillery Sound Location NCO's Tunic, well marked and ready to display!

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9.5"
Shoulder to sleeve: 24.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 13.5”
Chest width: 17”
Waist width: 16.5"
Hip width: 20.5”
Front length: 30"

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.