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.

There were two main organizational precursors of the Luftwaffe, the German Air Sports Association (DLV or Deutscher Luftsportverband), and the National Air Raid Protection League (RLB or Reichs Luftschutzbund). The DLV included both a civilian group and a secret military sub-group called the DLV-Fliegerschaft (Pilot Base).

The DLV and the RLB were officially founded in 1933, and they were used to secretly train members for future roles in the Luftwaffe. The DLV became obsolete after Hitler’s official introduction of the Luftwaffe in 1935, and it was disbanded in 1937.

The Greatcoat that was worn by Luftwaffe personnel was carried over from the greatcoat initially worn by DLV personnel prior to the official introduction of the Luftwaffe in 1935. This greatcoat was worn by all ranks of the Luftwaffe during extreme and cold weather.

The greatcoat is composed of several main elements, including the cloth, the pockets, the buttons, the lining, and the insignia.

The greatcoat was produced in blue-grey wool, with higher quality wool such as doeskin and gabardine used for Officers and Generals, and Officials of equivalent rank. For Generals, the lapels feature a white cloth cover and the collar is bordered in white piping or twisted gold-coloured cord.

There are two pockets on the greatcoat. These pockets are located at hip-level, they are cut on a downward angle into the greatcoat’s skirt panel lining. They feature a rectangular flap covering.

There are two parallel rows of six buttons on the front of the greatcoat, and two buttons on the waist belt on the back of the greatcoat. For Generals, and equivalent Officials, the buttons are gold-coloured (gilt). For Officers, and equivalent Officials, the buttons are silver-coloured. For NCO/EMs (Non-Commissioned Officers/Enlisted Men), and equivalent Officials, the buttons are predominantly painted dark blue-grey, but prior to the beginning of the Second World War, these buttons were also frequently silver-coloured.

The interior lining may be composed of silk, artificial silk, or a rayon blend, generally depending on the rank of the wearer. The manufacturer’s label may be sewn into the lining of the greatcoat’s neck.