DAK blanketcoat

[Tim O'Keefe]

Chris

Thanks for further info. Would like to know if 5th Pz was issued tropical kit and then went to Russia or not ? Along with 11th Pz Div ? That the 5th went towards Moscow does not imply they were issued tropical kit however...

Tim

[MilitaryCollect]

DAK blanketcoat

Tim,

I'm sorry, but I don't know the answer to that question. Judging by condition, this coat appears to have been left behind in Germany and not worn in Russia or in the field for that matter. I''ve seen a variety of clothing in South Russia, including "tropical" issue, but not in the central or northern sectors.

Here's the lexikon link: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/...sionen/5PD.htm which indicates that the division was evaluated & scheduled for tropical service in July, 1941 but then refitted for the Russian front in September.

Interestingly, the tailor's tag in the coat's inside pocket is dated August, 1941. I found the tailor's PAID receipt in the sleeve dated 10.10.42 (along with a slip of paper with his name on it and another with his expenditures) so he must have been home on leave and collected his coat at that time. At least some of the men were issued tropical kit and Obl. Retzlaff left his behind. Therefore, I suspect that the men who were issued their tropical equipment/clothing simply simply turned it in for reissue.

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate...rUrl=Translate

Christopher

[John Huff]

Hello,

Here's the other two DAK blanketcoats. All three were acquired on www.ebay.de for rather nominal sums. Best place to find one!

On left is a chocolate brown example while the piece on the right is an olive/brown. It was formally owned by a member of Heer Fla. 606 who became a POW in the US. I visited his family in 06' and became even fonder of the German people, their culture, the beautiful country and especially the food!

Best,

Christopher

Now THAT impresses the chit outta me!

[MilitaryCollect]

DAK blanketcoats

Hello,

Really gotta work e-bay.de & e-bay.com. I look almost everyday. Got the 1st blanket coat in 05'; the 2nd in 07' & the 3rd in 08'. In fact, all my DAK boards (except 1 pair which were available on this site) came from e-bay.de. Just a fantastic site for "the hard to get".

I always pay with Paypal and only had one problem with a foreign dealer out of hudreds of transactions. The Germans have earned the lionshare of my business. Happy to give a roaring salutation to them as they earned it!

Good luck and good hunting!

Christopher