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 was based on the standard continental uniform but in a different color and material. The Luftwaffe tropical uniform remained basically unchanged for the duration of the war with minor modifications. Originally issues of the tropical uniform included long pants of the same design as the continental long pants but these were discontinued by April 1942 in favor of the more popular and practical Tropen Überfallhose, (Tropical Bloused Pants). 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 Verkaufabteilung, (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 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.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nice quality, private purchase, mid-weight, brushed tan, cotton/rayon blend construction, tropical, straight legged long pants feature a vertical, four button French fly, with an additional two buttons positioned on the horizontal waistband. The waistband has a tunnel loop which houses a built-in, integral, khaki/tan canvas web belt with an HBT, (Herring Bone Twill), weave with the belt extending from the right side of the fly with a corresponding, tan painted, opened rectangular, triple claw, magnetic sheet metal buckle and single, vertical, fabric belt loop positioned to the left side of the fly. The buckle retains about 85% of its original tan paint. The pants have two, diagonally angled, slash front pockets and a small, horizontal slash, watch pocket positioned beneath the right front waistband. The reverse of the pants have two, small, vertical tapering darts and a single, horizontal, slash pocket to the right seat with a single button closure. The pants have non-adjustable, dual-ply hemmed cuffs. The interior waistband is lined in loosely woven off-white linen while the internal pocket bags are in a combination of ribbed white rayon and white cotton. The waistband lining has four, evenly spaced, vertical, tan, cotton/rayon loops and an additional two, vertically extended, cotton/rayon tabs positioned at the reverse center. All four of the internal loops and the extended tabs have stitch holes where suspender attachment buttons had been applied and removed. The pants have no visible size or manufacturer’s markings. The pants are in overall very good condition with minor age and usage toning and a few small picks and pulls. The buttons are the molded olive drab glass type and all appear to have their original stitching. The pants are roughly size 34" waist.

GRADE ****1/4                             PRICE $1,075.00