Tropical pattern olive cotton twill field tunic : Luftwaffe

Luftwaffe tropical pattern olive cotton twill field tunic without unit or rank insignia. The eagle and swastika embroidered badge of the Luftwaffe is sewn onto the right breast. The swastika part of the badge overlaps the hinge seam of the pocket flap. The patch-style breast pockets have pleated fronts with straight flaps. The bellows-style hip pockets are larger but are not pleated and also have straight flaps. The four removable buttons on the front of the jacket (two are missing), and the individual ones on each of the pockets and shoulders, are 'pebbled' aluminium with no indication of them having the usual painted finish. Above the bottom seam of the right side front panel inside the jacket is a bandage pocket. Three eyelets have been let into the waistband on both sides of the jacket to support belt hooks. A tab with a buttonhole, located under the right collar flap, has a corresponding small button that is adjacent to the top buttonhole of the left side of the jacket. This enables the collar to be worn closed at the neck. Maker's details and sizing are printed on the inside of the jacket behind the left breast pocket.

The tropical pattern uniform was issued to Luftwaffe personnel in North Africa and the Middle East from about 1940 onwards. This pattern of uniform may also have been worn in other 'tropical' regions such as Crete, Italy, the Mediterranean area, and the Crimea.