Original German WWII Afrikakorps Olive Green M43 Heer Army Enlisted Tunic – dated 1943 Original Items

Original Item: One-of-a-kind. In early 1941, the German military began their conquest of southern Europe. Due to the warmer climates of these areas, the German Army needed to equip its troops with a more suitable form of dress, and replace the standard wool based feldgrau uniforms. The new “tropical” uniforms were lighter in weight, and dyed in colors ranging from light tan to dark olive. After the liberation of Africa, they continued to be worn during the summer, and during the Italian campaign.

This is very nice a 100% authentic German World War Two M43 Heer Army Tropical Enlisted Tunic. These were used by all branches, but collar litzen insignia are definitively Heer Army. There also originally was a breast eagle, as well as a unit patch on the left sleeve, however these have been removed. The tunic is made out of lightweight cotton Twill weave material which has been dyed a nice olive green, with collar litzen insignia made from tan embroidered on a blue-gray background, correct for tropical Heer issue. They are the simple type used for enlisted soldiers, without any NCO tresse around the collar.

The front of the tunic has five original buttons for the main closure, and four pocket buttons, all of which are in fantastic shape. They are retained by circlips on the rear, and are maker marked on the back. The interior is only lined with reinforcement below the sleeves and on the sides for the belt hooks. The shoulders have the correct loops and buttons for rank insignia attachment. The right inside flap over the buttons has a very faded RB Nr. marking, over size markings that are only partly present. At the bottom is a clear 43, which indicates that it was processed through the army depot in 1943.

A very good service used example of a Heer M43 DAK tunic, ready to outfit with insignia and display!

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9″
Shoulder to sleeve: 22”
Shoulder to shoulder: 16”
Chest width: 17″
Waist width: 18″
Hip width: 19”
Front length: 26.5″

History of the German Africa Korps

The Afrika Korps or German Africa Corps (German: Deutsches Afrikakorps, DAK was the German expeditionary force in Africa during the North African Campaign of World War II. First sent as a holding force to shore up the Italian defense of their African colonies, the formation fought on in Africa, under various appellations, from March 1941 until its surrender in May 1943. The term “Afrika Korps” is pseudo-German (so-called “cod-German”), deriving from an incomplete German title. The German term referred solely to the initial formation, the Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK), which formed part of the Axis command of the German and Italian forces in North Africa. The name stuck, with both news media and Allied soldiers, as the name for all subsequent German units in North Africa. The unit is known for having been commanded by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.

The dry climate of Africa proved to be an issue with much of the standard leather field gear that the German Army usually used. It would dry out and crack quickly, and become unusable. To deal with this, the standard field gear such as belts, Y-straps, A-frames, bayonet frogs, and other items, were issued in special tropical web versions.