Original Item: Only One Available. This later war issue WWII German Luftwaffe Flak Artillery Officer Four Pocket Fliegerbluse (Flight Blouse) Service Tunic is in excellent condition, and looks to have only seen light service during the war. This great piece is produced in blue grey wool and shows only fading from age and light exposure. All buttons are silver finished pebbled aluminum and back marked. The pocket flaps are square and not scalloped, as is correct for later war production. However, the bullion embroidered Luftwaffe eagle insignia over the right pocket is an early war “Droop Tail” style, which the officer most likely took from a previous uniform to show how long they had been in the service.
The attached Kragenpatten (Collar Flaps) are in Tiefrot (Deep Red), the correct Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) for Luftwaffe Flak Anti-aircraft troops and other Artillery, and the collar has the correct silver bullion trim for an officer. The Schulterklappen (Shoulder Boards or Epaulettes) have the same color piping, and have four rows of silver “Russia Braid” around the edge with two “Pips” added, indicating the rank of Hauptmann (Captain). This is confirmed by the collar insignia, which each show three “gull wing” insignia over a wreath.
Each of the shoulderboards also has an Abzeichen für Schulterklappen (Shoulderboard badge) in the form of a large letter “L” for Lehrer (Instructor). They are the correct gilt metal used on officer shoulderboards, and indicates that the wearer was an instructor.
The interior of the tunic is lined in fine rayon, and does show some light wear. There are no markings that we can see, indicating that it was a bespoke private purchased example, made for an officer.
Overall condition is very good, with the only issues being some oxidation on the eagle, and some of the stitching holding on the collar trim having failed. There are loops of thread on the left hand side of the uniform, indicating that there originally were some awards and most likely a medal bar attached.
A great chance to pick up an excellent condition Luftwaffe Flak Artillery Officer’s tunic. This would display great as is, or could be dressed up with some medals on the left side.
Approx. Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9”
Shoulder to sleeve: 24”
Shoulder to shoulder: 17”
Chest width: 19”
Waist width: 17”
Hip width: 21”
Front length: 30″
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.