BACKGROUND: Physical fitness of its personnel was a prime concern of the German Wehrmacht, (Armed Forces), and each new recruit was issued a specific sport uniform that consisted of a white pullover "tank top" style shirt, navy blue shorts, black or green swim trunks and athletic shoes. Additional sports wear was optional. The Luftwaffe pattern national eagle was originally introduced for wear by Fliegerschaft personnel on August 18TH 1934, and adopted for wear by the Luftwaffe on March 1ST 1935. The first pattern national eagle was utilized until a modified second pattern eagle was introduced in late 1936 or early 1937. The sports shirt eagle was introduced on July 4TH 1935 to be worn on the front center of the sports shirt. Of Note: NCO ranks were identified by the addition of a black stripe around the neck of the sports shirt. 

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Stretchy, standard issue, white tricot construction, tank top style, sports shirt with vertical side seams and low, circular, boat-cut neck line. Front center of shirt has a black, machine woven, M35 pattern, Luftwaffe sport shirt eagle on an inverted, ribbed white rayon, triangular base. Base is machine stitched to shirt. This example eagle is the smaller pattern with a 14cm wingspan. Interior neck and sleeve openings are lined in white cotton tape. Hemmed shirt tail with black inkstamped size "II". Shirt is in overall very good condition with minor age and usage soiling. Shirt is quite stretchy and is roughly size 36" (96cm) chest.