History

During the Second World War, German troops stationed in northern Africa are generally referred to as the Afrikakorps. Technically, this is not entirely correct, since some German units operating in Africa were not actually part of the DAK (Deutsches Afrikakorps), and some units of it were, in fact, Italian ones. However, for the purpose of collecting so-called “tropical” uniforms and insignia, collectors have simplified the meaning of the term.

The first German troops were sent to northern Africa in February of 1941, to support their Italian allies against the British. The climate of the African continent made it necessary to wear specialised uniforms and gear that not only supported the soldiers in serving in a hot and arid environment, but also helped them in blending in with the landscape, which, in general, presented itself as brown, olive, khaki, or sand/tan in colour. Worn over long periods of time under the blistering desert sun, some uniforms were eventually bleached to white or off-white. Uniforms and insignia in these colours are often referred to as “tropical”, and it is worth noting that they weren’t just worn by members of units stationed in Africa, but in the entire Mediterranean theatre of war, including southern France, Italy, the Balkans, and Greece, as well as in southern Russia during the summer months. Tropical uniforms were worn by members of all three branches of the Wehrmacht: the Heer (army), the Kriegsmarine (navy), and the Luftwaffe (air force). Members of the Waffen-SS stationed in southerly regions also wore tropical-style uniforms, and even though they technically have no connection to the DAK, all tropical uniforms and insignia of all branches of the German military are listed here.

Due to the fact that the SS was originally a political organisation and not a branch of the German armed services, its members were not entitled to wear the army pattern national eagle. To avoid this issue, the SS introduced their own sleeve eagle design. The eagle was placed on the upper left sleeve.

The design featured a rightward facing, tan-coloured eagle with straight wings on a black backing. The most identifiable feature of this eagle is the middle feather which is longer than the other feathers. In its talons, the eagle clasps a circular wreath with a swastika in the centre. Its head now faces to the viewer's right.

The machine-embroidered version was later phased out in favour of a BeVo machine-weave version.

There is a great deal of variety in the appearance of the eagle due to the fact that there was a large number of manufacturers.