History

Within the Luftwaffe, women were only permitted to serve as civilian employees. After the Second World War began men in clerical roles were moved to the front line and women were moved into clerical and office duties, as well as non-combative roles. They were still considered civilian employees in these roles and were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms.

Prior to 1940, the uniforms worn by women serving in the Luftwaffe were not coordinated across all divisions, sometimes the women were even provided with male uniform pieces. In 1940, specific regulations concerning the uniforms and insignia of the Luftnachrichten-Helferinnenschaft (Ln-Helferinnen), Female Air Signals Assistance Service, were introduced. The same basic uniform was worn by women in the Luftschutzwarndienst (Ls-Warndienst-Helferinnenschaft/Air Raid Warning Service), and by the Flakwaffenhelferinnen (Falkhelferin/Anti-Aircraft Auxiliary), after their official establishment in 1943. These different groups were differentiated by the insignia they wore on the uniform tops.

The Female Auxiliary Jacket was worn as part of the Female Auxiliary Suit (Kostüm) uniform alongside the Female Auxiliary Skirt.

The jacket is single-breasted and it is composed of blue-grey wool with a cotton lining. It features a three button front closure, buttons on the left side, two external side pockets with rectangular flap covers, and one internal pocket on the left side. Early versions of this jacket also feature a belt to close the jacket. If the jacket's wearer holds a Leader rank, the collar of these jackets is lined with silver-coloured (aluminum) piping.

From 1940 onward, the jackets feature several types of insignia that were machine-embroidered on a cotton backing and then sewn onto the jacket. The insignia types that may be worn on these jackets includes a Luftwaffe pattern national emblem breast eagle, specialist insignia (Tätigkeitsabzeichen) on the upper left sleeve, chevron rank insignia below the specialist insignia, and sleeve rank stripes on both sleeve cuffs.