Tropical shirt cloth straps query

[J Melvin]

John and others, do you have a theory as to why there are so many sets of shirt cloth fabric tropical straps, yet so few sets out of the tunic material? I've never understood that.

[John Hodgin]

John and others, do you have a theory as to why there are so many sets of shirt cloth fabric tropical straps, yet so few sets out of the tunic material? I've never understood that.

No firm theory Jack, but it is a fact, tropical tunic straps are far more rare. Always felt this was because more shirts were worn than tunics in very hot conditions and thus more shirt straps required.

John

[SMP]

Perhaps I can ask an additional question ? Were tropical shirts issued with buttons for the shoulder straps, or did the buttons come with every set of straps issued ?

Regards,
Steve

[Jos L C]

Always felt this was because more shirts were worn than tunics in very hot conditions and thus more shirt straps required.

Shirt straps were even worn on tunics, plus the many blue straps, so I think not that many tunic straps were made actually.

Jos.

[Willi Z.]

Steve, some shirt came with sewn buttons.

I agree with John; while tropical tunics were common in North Africa, they were not as common during the Italian campaign. Far more Luftwaffe troops served in Italy than in North Africa. Most of the straps in collections are unissued and were probably picked up in Italy. Or German factories for that matter.

I suspect Jos is correct as well; I think we collectors like to think tunics had tunic straps. I doubt they really cared in most cases.