I hate to go down this road, as it will likely provide the fuel for more "what ifs". But, how long would a '41 dated cap survive in the North African sun before being sun bleached totally white? One month?
The Luftwaffe role, especially from a ground combat role, was rather limited in 1941. It was only after Flak units were used in an anti-tank role did that change. That changed in mid-42 after Tobruk fell and the FJ units (as the invasion of Malta was called off) were sent into N. Afrika.
As stated before, 1941 was completely different as it pertains to the shortage of DAK clothing, than 1942 and 1943. And once German troops moved into Sicily in the summer of 1943, and the Italian mainland in the fall of 1943, it was a completely different matter.
There was a big learning curve regarding effective clothing after 1941. Pith helmets, overseas caps, and caps with bills. Then came the Meyer caps which were not popular, and then billed caps were most desired by Luft troops.
My Father was in Greece after Russia, in the fall of 1943. Then after Salerno he went to Northern Italy and remained until Nov of '44. He was amazed at the cottage industry for clothing in place in Italy in late '43.
The Luftwaffe role, especially from a ground combat role, was rather limited in 1941. It was only after Flak units were used in an anti-tank role did that change. That changed in mid-42 after Tobruk fell and the FJ units (as the invasion of Malta was called off) were sent into N. Afrika.
As stated before, 1941 was completely different as it pertains to the shortage of DAK clothing, than 1942 and 1943. And once German troops moved into Sicily in the summer of 1943, and the Italian mainland in the fall of 1943, it was a completely different matter.
There was a big learning curve regarding effective clothing after 1941. Pith helmets, overseas caps, and caps with bills. Then came the Meyer caps which were not popular, and then billed caps were most desired by Luft troops.
My Father was in Greece after Russia, in the fall of 1943. Then after Salerno he went to Northern Italy and remained until Nov of '44. He was amazed at the cottage industry for clothing in place in Italy in late '43.
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