I have been studying some period photos over the past few months, and have noticed that there appears to be 2 distinct types of the later war blue shirt with breast pockets - one is the lighter-weight 'blau meliert' type with trapezoid eagle and shoulder boards in material to match (enlisted), the other has a standard wool-backed breast eagle and was worn with standard shoulder boards...any further enlightenment on this? here is a shot of both types..1st has standard breast eagle, the second has a trapezoid. Although hard to tell in black & white photos, I am pretty sure it is not a tropical shirt in the second photos, judging by the flecked appearance of the material.
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Last edited by Harry; 09-06-2010, 03:11 PM. -
You are right, Harry, second one also is a blaumeliertes shirt. But I do not think that these represent two types of different shirts. The cut is the same, and the variation is only the eagle. What kind of shoulderboard was worn with these shirts was more a matter of personal preference IMO. -
..but I don't think the shirt in the first picture is 'Blaumeliertes' (has a smoother appearance to the cloth), but one of these - same cut yes (as does the tropical version)....so different material as well as different insigniaLast edited by Harry; 09-06-2010, 04:32 PM.Comment
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luft shirt
Hi , Harry can you show more pics of the last shirt, sleeves cuffs ect, I have one very like this Paul has 3 all diferant in colour, due to being washed. No markings on them, all came from good collection, via second hand clothes shop. Jim/Paul.Comment
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The photos in post 3 above are curtesy of Gerard. I will see if I can post more detailed shots later, when the shirt arrives.
Here is a photo from 1942 so these are not so late-war...
ON LEFT IS GEORG DÖRFFEL, KIA 1944 NEAR ROME, ITALY..OBERST ALFRED DRUSCHEL, FIRST LUFTWAFFE COMBAT PILOT TO BE HONORED WITH KC WITH OAK LEAVES AND SWORDS..800 COMBAT MISSIONS..MISSING IN ACTION NEAR AACHEN AT 27..JOSEF MENAPACE FROM LINZ, AUSTRIA KIA IN UKRAINE 1943 AND HEINZ FRANK KIA 1944 IN YUGOSLOVIA - all ground attack pilots.
-Probably taken in September 1942 on the occasion of the awarding of the RKs to Dorffel, Menapace, and Frank, and the Oakleaves to Druschel.Last edited by Harry; 09-07-2010, 04:08 PM.Comment
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Does this look like the same type shirt?
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another one out of the same set of photos, from italian campaign
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Great pic! Thanks for sharing!Originally posted by Harry View Post
Is very interesting the way of the Ostmedaille ribbon is sewn on the flap of the shirt. Is the first time I've seen.
Cheers!Comment
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@ Jouneen - hard to say from your pics what type of shirt is being worn.
Strange - in every photo I have on file of the type of shirt in question, it is being worn with the sleeves rolled up. It seems that, unlike the tropical version, they did not do these in a short sleeve versionLast edited by Harry; 09-08-2010, 01:02 PM.Comment
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Here is some detail of the shirt just in.... faint marks of once having badge loops on Left breast pocket, and breast eagle above right pocket...
The shirt is of very thick cotton, quite a heavy-weight material. It is more of a light grey colour, than light blue...though apears to be a little faded compared with pocket linings.Comment
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.....hard to pick up the faint loop marks..but here is another try, also the underside/inside of the shouldersComment
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Nice shirt ..
The first pic shows a guy with a shirt which probably started as short sleeve, hence the seam maybe ?!
Think your screw buttons for the straps were added later, because your shirt seems to have all buttons being removed ?
Jos.Comment
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Hello Jos,
Yes, all buttons were removed. I don't normally restore items but I have original blue glass shirt buttons, original uniform thread in Luft blue, an original shirt eagle, and correct shoulder board buttons - still with screw backs but in silver pebble finish (like the first pic) rather than green. So I might consider this a restoration project. I'll keep you postedComment
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..looking better already.Comment
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