BACKGROUND: In late 1940, with the impending German entrance into the North African campaign, the army quickly developed and issued tropical uniforms and equipment in time for DAK, Deutsches Afrika Korps, (German Africa Corps), personnel’s arrival in Tripoli in February 1941. At the same time the Luftwaffe also developed and introduced their own version of the tropical uniform and equipment independently from the other branches of service. Originally the tropical uniforms were only intended for wear in North Africa but that was later expanded to include personnel serving in southern areas of continental Europe during the summer months, (May 1^ST to September 30^TH). The design of the tropical uniform items were based on the standard continental uniform items but in a different color and material. Due to the hot climate one of the tropical uniform items developed were short pants. As a safety precaution regulations dictated that the short pants were not to be worn during combat but only when personnel were behind the front lines. Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the Luftwaffe’s Verkaufsabteilung, (Air-Force Sales Department), system. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s could choose to purchase their uniforms from the armed forces clothing depots or to privately purchase uniform items 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. This example is somewhat of an anomaly in that they are produced in blue/grey cotton as opposed to the standard tropical uniform items that were produced in tan material.

GRADE ***                             PRICE $445.00