Original Item: Only One Available. This very nice German Luftwaffe Mannschaften (Enlisted Man's) Two Pocket Fliegerbluse (Flyer's Blouse) Service Tunic is in lovely lightly used condition. This great piece is produced in blue grey wool and still retains the original colors very well. It has a "hidden" button main closure, which looks to originally have had 4 dark blue bakelite buttons, however the lowest button is missing, with the attachment threads still present. There is a smaller fifth button for if the wearer wanted to close up the front of the collar. The two hip pockets have forward edge curved flaps, secured with blue pebbled aluminum buttons. It has a silver gray thread embroidered EM/NCO Luftwaffe Eagle sewn on the top of the right breast pocket, which is correctly sewn to the outer layer of fabric, and in great shape.

The interior of the tunic is partly lined with gray light cotton canvas, which shows light age toning and wear, including some small tears. The left inside liner has a complete maker stamp, which gives the sizes of the tunic:-

E. Reitz
41        42
90
63        61

The attached Kragenpatten (Collar Flaps) are in Braun (Saddle Brown), the correct Luftwaffe Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) for the Air communications corps (Luftnachrichtentruppe), usually referred to as "Signals". The button-attached Schulterklappen (Shoulder Straps or Epaulettes) have the same color piping, correct simple style for an enlisted man, and show no attached devices. There are three aluminum "gull wing" insignia on the Collar Flaps, indicating the enlisted rank of Obergefreiter (Senior Exempted), equivalent to a USAAF Airman first class. There are two silver bullion tresse chevrons on the left sleeve, confirming the rank.

Between the right shoulder and top button there is a Grade I Luftwaffe Schützenschnur Marksmanship Lanyard, with no additional "acorns" indicating subsequent awards. The uniform also has a very nice two award medal bar on the left chest, which has ribbons for the Iron Cross 1939 Second Class EKII and the Eastern Front Medal.

Overall condition is really very nice on this tunic, with only a bit of mothing, mostly on the collar flaps. The collar and bottoms of the sleeves, usually the first places to show wear, are in fine condition. It even still retains two black painted steel belt hooks, properly installed into the straps inside the tunic.

A great chance to pick up a great condition Luftwaffe Signals enlisted tunic with a very nice medal bar and marksmanship lanyard. This would display great as is, or could be dressed up with additional items like a cap and trousers.

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.