BACKGROUND: In late 1940, with the impending German entrance into the North African campaign, tropical uniforms and equipment were quickly developed and issued in time for DAK, Deutsches Afrika Korps, (German Africa Corps), personnel’s arrival in Tripoli in February 1941. Eventually these tropical uniforms would be issued to personnel serving in southern areas of continental Europe. The design of the tropical breeches for unmounted personnel essentially adhered to the pattern of the field-grey continental breeches but were manufactured in a different material and color suitable for tropical climates. The first pattern tropical breeches without a built-in belt proved unsuitable and were soon replaced with the second pattern that included the built-in belt. Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the army’s Kleiderkasse, (Clothing Account), system. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s could choose to purchase their uniforms from the armed forces clothing depots or to privately purchase garments of higher quality. Although enlisted personnel were issued their uniforms from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately tailored uniforms although the price may have been restrictive. Of Note: Although Officers and certain senior NCO’s were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms it seems the majority of the tropical uniform items were issued from the military clothing depots as opposed to private purchase and as a result Officers and certain senior NCO’s quite often wore the same uniform items as EM/NCO’s.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Second pattern, (Circa late 1941), mid-weight, ribbed, (corduroy), khaki/olive, cotton construction breeches feature a vertical, four button, French fly, with an additional two buttons positioned on the waistband. The horizontal waistband has a tunnel loop which houses a built-in khaki/olive, cotton belt with an HBT, (Herring Bone Twill), weave. The belt extends from the right side of the fly with a corresponding, opened rectangular, triple claw, metal buckle and a single, vertical, belt loop positioned to the left side of the fly. The breeches have two, diagonally angled, slash, front pockets and a small, horizontal slash, watch pocket positioned beneath the right front waistband. The waistband also has a small, stitched on, metal loop for securing a watch chain still intact. The reverse of the breeches have two, small, vertical, tapering darts and a single, horizontal slash, pocket with a single button closure to the right seat. The breeches feature outward, ballooning at the thighs and taper inwards down to the cuffs. The reverse of the cuffs each have a short, vertical, tapering dart and the outer cuff seams have a small, opened, vertical slash. The bottom edge of the cuffs are trimmed in light weight khaki/olive cotton and have dual, cotton tie tapes intact to both. The interior waistband lining, the internal pocket bags and a crotch reinforcement panel are all constructed in coarsely woven off-white cotton. The waistband lining has four, evenly spaced, vertical, khaki/olive cotton loops with a suspender button to each and an additional two, vertically extended, cotton tabs with a single button to each positioned at the reverse center. The waistband lining is well marked with faint, blue, handwritten or inkstamped size numerals. The waistband lining also has a faint, black, inkstamped RB number. Of Note: The RB numbers, Reichsbetriebnummer, (National factory code numbers), were introduced in late 1942 and were intended to replace the manufacturers marks on garments and equipment to conceal the manufactures name and location from the allies, to prevent bombing raids on German industrial factories. The breeches are in overall good condition with a few small picks and pulls, one small tear to the upper right leg and light age and usage toning. The integral belt has torn and has a crude, (post-war?), handstitched repair and the buckle and watch securing ring both show moderate to heavy surface spotting. The buttons are all the natural alloy, dish type with light oxidization spotting and appear to have their original stitching. The breeches are roughly size 32", (80 cm), waist.