Original German WWII Luftwaffe Field Division Leutnant Officer Fliegerbluse Uniform Tunic with Medal Ribbon Bar - dated 1939

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice German WWII Luftwaffe Field Division Leutnant Officer's Four Pocket Fliegerbluse (Flight Blouse) Service Tunic, made from lovely Luftwaffe Fliegerblau (Flyer's Blue) Blue Gray wool. This example, like many junior officer tunics, was depot issued, and is marked LBA 39 on the interior left chest pocket. This indicates it was inspected at the Luftwaffebekleidungsamt (Air Force Clothing Office) in 1939. This marking is only seen on pre and early war Luftwaffe items. It also has the sizes marked above this, and there is a supplier name that looks to read A Kohlberg. 

The fliegerbluse tunic features a five button front closure with a hook and loop closure at the collar, and it has four squared pleated pockets with square button-down flaps. The pebbled buttons on the tunic are all non-magnetic, most likely made entirely of aluminum. They all have maker markings on the back, which do not all match, and are stitched directly to the uniform fabric.

The right breast of the uniform has a correct embroidered Luftwaffe eagle sewn in place with the correct stitching pattern. It is only stitched to the outer layer of fabric, so it is the original eagle installed on this uniform tunic. It is not the usual bullion example we would expect to see on an officer's tunic, suggesting that they were originally an officer candidate NCO who rose to become a commissioned officer. The insignia were probably replaced at some point by a tailor as the wearer rose in rank.

The collar of this officer's tunic has a twisted bullion border, correct for a Luftwaffe officer's fliegerbluse. The attached Kragenpatten (Collar Flaps) are in Jägergrün (Hunter-green), the correct Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) for the Field Divisions of the Luftwaffe. These were ground troops (Infantry) raised by Hermann Göring, who disagreed with the Heer Army leadership, and so wanted his own troops. The Schulterklappen (Shoulder Boards or Epaulettes) have the same color bases, and have four rows of silver "Russia Braid" around the edge without any rank "Pips" added, indicating the rank of Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant). This is confirmed by the collar insignia, which each show one "gull wing" insignia over an oak leaf wreath.

The interior of the tunic is lined with blue gray light canvas around the body and in the sleeves, which shows only light wear, though there is overall light speckled staining. There are the previously mentioned markings on the inner left chest pocket. It has the canvas straps for belt hooks, however none have ever been installed, and there is a bandage pocket on the lower right waist by the front closure.

There is also a very nice three award medal ribbon bar over the upper left breast pocket, which indicates the owner received the Iron Cross Second Class 1939 EKII, the Luftwaffe Wehrmacht Long Service award 4th class (4 years), and the Eastern Front Medal. The long service award has an early "droop tail" eagle on it, so it was awarded during the pre-war era.

Overall condition is very good, showing just a few small moth holes, and the insignia showing light wear and age toning. There are no major tears, repairs, or other major condition issues that we can see. Just a nice honest used tunic with some interesting history.

A very nice Luftwaffe Field Division Officer's Tunic, well marked and ready to display!

The Luftwaffe, the air force of the German military during the Third Reich, was established in 1935. Over the next 10 years, Luftwaffe troops wore a huge variety of uniforms. Enlisted men generally wore uniforms issued from military depots. Most enlisted soldiers had wool trousers and a short jacket with two internal lower pockets, called a Fliegerbluse, as well as a dressier 4-pocket tunic, the Tuchrock. Officers wore the same general uniform styles, but as officers had to supply their own uniforms, they usually wore tailor made versions. There were also myriad varieties of specialized uniforms worn by certain units or in specific situations, from the tuxedo-style “gala” formal wear uniform of the pre-war period, to the plain coveralls worn by crews of anti-aircraft cannons. There were work uniforms, tropical and summer uniforms, and camouflage clothing for airborne troops and other Luftwaffe soldiers in ground combat. Flight crews had their own specialized gear, including leather jackets and warm, electrically heated suits. Most but not all Luftwaffe uniform jackets bore the Luftwaffe emblem of a flying eagle holding a swas.