Luftwaffe Flight/Para EM's M43 HBT Field Tunic

Generally the HBT garments utilized as the summer combat blouse followed the basic modifications of the standard issue wool garments. Regulations of September 27th 1943 abolished the blue/grey and black HBT uniforms replacing them with a reed green HBT uniform as utilized by army personnel. The alteration to the reed green HBT uniforms was a time and cost saving measure eliminating the need for different colored uniforms for Luftwaffe and Army personnel.

“Red green” colored cotton construction field tunic with an HBT weave. M43 pattern with six button, front closure with a single metal hook and eye positioned at the neckline. The field blouse has four, non-pleated front pockets with straight edged button down flaps. To the shoulders are shoulder straps slided and buttoned  in place. The straps are made of red/green HBT cloth with yellow rayon piping for flight or paratrooper branch of service. Above and to the right breast pocket is a Luftwaffe EM/NCO’s national eagle on grey backing cloth. The eagle is original to the tunic and is machine sewn in place in typical war-time fashion. Inside with clear size and Rbnr number all in black ink. There is also an additional stamp which is pretty hard to read, but it’s a date stamp and “44” is visable, which is the year of manufacture. The tunic is complete and is in little used, very good condition.

Really nice tunic which comes complete with very scarce HBT produced shoulder straps!!