{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-rare-tropical-afrikakorps-dak-web-belt-with-steel-buckle-2","title":"Original German WWII Rare Tropical Afrikakorps DAK Web Belt with Steel Buckle","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very rare totally genuine service used condition WWII \u003cem\u003eDeutsches Afrikakorps\u003c\/em\u003e (DAK) tropical waist belt with correct EM\/NCO's Steel Painted Belt Buckle (\u003cem\u003eKoppelschloß\u003c\/em\u003e). The buckle is die-stamped steel (magnetic), with a lovely DAK Olive Green finish. The front of the buckle is embossed with Wehrmacht eagle and motto \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGOTT MIT UNS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e (God With Us). It shows only light wear to the paint on the front, with just a few areas worn through, particularly on the eagle and motto. The maker’s mark is far too faint to read anymore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis very good condition DAK olive colored web belt has a leather tab with the usual double row of seven holes for length adjustment, which is a bit stiff due to age. The buckle end has a leather end stitching protector, which is partly worn through on one side, while the other end is secured by olive thread. The belt measures 41 inches in overall length, and is just barely marked at the end with manufacture date 1941. The belt itself is also marked \u003cstrong\u003e95\u003c\/strong\u003e for a size of 95cm (37.4 inches).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall a great used example of a very rare belt and buckle from the Deutsches Afrikakorps, DAK, ready for further research and display.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory of the German Africa Corps\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Afrika Korps or German Africa Corps (\u003cem\u003eDeutsches Afrikakorps or DAK\u003c\/em\u003e) 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 unit's best known commander was Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dry climate of Africa proved to be an issue with much of the standard leather field gear that the German Army usually used. It would dry out and crack quickly, and become unusable. To deal with this, the standard field gear such as belts, Y-straps, A-frames, bayonet frogs, and other items, were issued in special tropical web versions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41846747660357,"sku":"ONSV24NSS057","price":550.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV24NSS057__01.jpg?v=1726276548","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-rare-tropical-afrikakorps-dak-web-belt-with-steel-buckle-2","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}