Original Item: Only One Set Available. This is a lovely early war German WWII Luftwaffe Flight Branch Officer's Four Pocket Fliegerbluse (Flight Blouse) Service Tunic, complete with the correct breeches, making this a great uniform set. Both are made from lovely Luftwaffe Fliegerblau (Flyer's Blue) Blue Gray "whipcord weave" wool, with the color matching nearly exactly. They show only light wear and fading from use, so they were definitely well cared for.

This was brought back by a USGI from Würzburg, Germany, following the Battle of Würzburg, which took place 31 March - 6 April 1945. The uniform was purchased during the 1990s at a military show directly from the veteran, along with other items, as well as some great period photos. The included note written by the purchaser states:

Uniform was taken from Würzburg Castle by vet who captured pilot leaving with suitcase. He was captured with sword and all gear. Uniform has Würzburg on the label.

We assume that they are referring to the historic Marienberg Fortress, which had portions heavily damaged by British Bombing during the war. We unfortunately do not have any information regarding the name or unit of the USGI who captured the uniform, but they look to have previously been in Saint-Tropez, France during September 1944. Another picture shows Marienberg fortress, though it is not dated. There is also a signed picture of a Luftwaffe junior officer, which looks to have been a pilot, however we do not know who they were. They do not appear to have any connection to this uniform, which is for a higher rank, unless they had an older uniform refit after promotion. Definitely some fantastic historical research potential with this set.

The fliegerbluse tunic of this set is a lovely bespoke example, still bearing a hanger loop and label embroidered by the maker, Hans Götz Würzburg, a known tailor during the WWII era. It features a four button front closure, with four pleated pockets with scalloped button-down flaps. The buttons on the tunic are all non-magnetic, made from aluminum, and are all marked on the back with the F L L in circles logo and name of maker FRIEDRICH LINDEN / LÜDENSCHEID. This is a known maker of buttons located in Lüdenscheid, a city with a very large garment accessories industry. These are all sewn directly to the tunic, as is typical for a private purchase tunic. The right breast of the uniform has a correct early "Droop-Tail" bullion embroidered officers 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 officer's tunic has a twisted bullion border, correct for a Luftwaffe officer's fliegerbluse. The attached Kragenpatten (Collar Flaps) are in Goldgelb (Gold-Yellow), the correct Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) for Aviator troops such as pilots and ground personnel, as well as Fallschirmjäger (parachute troops). The sew-in style Field-grade Offizier schulterklappen (Officer shoulder boards) of this tunic are constructed with two rows of fine silver flatware "Russia Braid" double piping, which are plaited together to form a loop around the buttonhole. There are no rank "pips", indicating the rank of Major, a rank equivalent to a Major in the U.S. Air force. This is confirmed by the collar insignia, which each show one "gull wing" insignia inside of a wreath.

The interior of the tunic is lined in fine blue ribbed rayon cotton blend fabric, and does show some light wear. There are no markings that we can see, indicating that it was a bespoke example made for this specific officer, not one issued through military channels. We checked the internal chest pocket, and there unfortunately was not any name tag. The sleeves are lined with striped fabric, standard for the period, which looks to be rayon. There is the correct hanger loop next to the large eyelet for the left lower pocket to hang a dagger.

The owner of this uniform was highly decorated, as expected for someone who reached a high officer rank such as major. We can see many sets of thread loops for awards, however most are unfortunately empty. There is however a very nice Iron Cross 1939 2nd Class Ribbon sewn into the top buttonhole, and there also is a very nice War Merit Cross 1st Class with Swords under the pocket, for merit related to combat. Above the left pocket is a very interesting medal bar, which has a Wehrmacht Luftwaffe 4 Year Long Service Medal, a 13 March 1938 Anschluss Medal, and a Spanish La Medalla de Sufrimientos por la Patria (Medal of Suffering for the Fatherland), almost certainly awarded for actions are part of the "Condor Legion" during the Spanish Civil War.

To top this off, the tunic has an officer's dress aiguillette cord setup on the right hand side, held under the shoulder board and attached to the buttons. These were to be worn on specific occasions requiring formal dress, or at any time on Parade when A H might be present.

Overall exterior condition is excellent, showing only light wear from service. It is remarkably well preserved considering how old it is We cannot see any real mothing, and the colors are vibrant and well retained. The Bullion is still bright, and the buttons are lovely. Really a choice example here!

The included matching breeches are made from matching whipcord fabric, and are show top quality bespoke construction. They have a button fly front closure with four buttons, and there are belt loops around the top, with some tabs on the outside which can be adjusted by resewing their location. There are two diagonal slash pockets on front, with a button closed rear pocket on the right side, and a small horizontal slash pocket next to the fly. The bottoms of the legs have eyelet closures, so that the feet could fit through easier before the bottoms would be laced up and tall boots worn. The laces are unfortunately absent. Condition is very good, with just a few small moth nips here and there.

A really great Luftwaffe early war flight branch officer's uniform set with some great awards and research potential. We very rarely get in such compelling groups as these! Ready to add to your collection and display!

Approximate Measurements:-
Collar to shoulder: 9"
Shoulder to sleeve: 24”
Shoulder to shoulder: 15"
Chest width: 18.5”
Waist: 17"
Hip: 18.5"
Front length: 28"

Pants:-
Waist: 17"
Inseam: 25.5"

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.