Original German WWII Army Heer Afrikakorps DAK M41 Tropical Tornister Backpack with Shoulder Straps Original Items

Original Item. Only One Available. 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 uniforms and equipment, avoiding the heat retaining wool and moisture sensitive leather. Derived from the Model 1931 used by Mountain troops, the M41 Tornister (Knapsack) Backpack or Rucksack also completely replaced the Tornister 39 in tropical zones. Later in the war it became the standard pattern used by all parts of the Wehrmacht.

This is a great example of the Heer (Army) Afrikakorps version of the Tornister M41, in the DAK olive green color, and there are no permanent shoulder straps on this early pattern type. Some types were designed as a standalone pack, however this type was designed to interface with either shoulder straps or the Y-straps and A-frame, with the iconic German quick release attachments at the top and bottom. Included with the tornister is a pair of canvas shoulder straps, which are correct but probably not original to the pack.

Condition is very good, especially considering the age, and the pack only shows light signs of use, mostly wear to the finish on the metal fittings. The various buckles and straps all appear to be functional, and we did not notice any major missing components. The pockets are all intact, and there are no tears in the fabric that we were able to find. There is not any obvious maker marking, but there are markings on many of the components.

A very nice and rare example of a Heer M41 Tropical Tornister Backpack, ready to display!

History of the German Africa Korps

The Afrika Korps or German Africa Corps (Deutsches Afrikakorps or 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.