History

The German Wehrmacht was composed of three main branches, the Heer, the Kriegsmarine, and the Luftwaffe. The Heer and Kriegsmarine uniforms were based upon the designs utilized by their predecessor organizations, the Deutsches Heer and the Kaiserliche Marine. Conversely, the Luftwaffe uniforms were based upon the uniforms worn in the sports and para-military organizations that were the forerunners of the Luftwaffe. The Luftwaffe uniforms were specifically designed to deviate from the designs of the other Wehrmacht service branches. It was also necessary that the uniforms differentiate between military and civilian pilots.

Special boots were produced for wear by Paratroopers within the Luftwaffe. These Paratrooper (Fallschirmjäger) jump boots were designed to provide additional support to the wearer’s ankle when they were landing from a jump.

There are two models of these boots: the 1st model “side lacing” boots, and the 2nd model “front lacing” boots. The 1st model boots were introduced prior to the beginning of the Second World War, while the 2nd model boots were introduced quickly after the beginning of the war. These two models were actually worn consecutively until the stocks of the 1st model boots were completely depleted.

The general design of both models is similar. Both boots are made from leather, which has generally been blackened, and each has 11 to 12 lace holes.

The boots differ in the composition of the sole and heel sections. The 1st model sole and heel are composed of rubber, while the 2nd model sole and heel are composed of leather.

The 1st model boots are also discernable by their lack of a toe cap seam. The 2nd model boots are slightly shorter than the 1st model boots, and they may feature studs on the sole.

The shoe size and manufacturer may be stamped into the interior leather sections, or stamped on a tag which was sewn into interior cloth lining.