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.

The Afrikakorps Luftwaffe boots are composed of a combination of leather and tan canvas. The patches of tan/brown leather are confined to the heel, toe cap, sole, ankle, and up the back of the boot. The rest of the boot is made from tan/brown cloth, with a front lace section that extends to right above the wearer’s ankle. The upper cloth boot section is made from overlapping cloth flaps that are closed by a long tan/brown leather strap and buckle system. The soles are studded.

Besides the strap and buckle system, the boots feature laces threaded through eight pairs of eyelets. Contrary to Afrikakorps Heer boots, Luftwaffe boots don't feature a combination of eyelets and hooks.

While most Afrikakorps clothing items came in different shades of tropical colours, ranging from a light tan to a dark olive-green, Afrikakorps Luftwaffe boots were made fairly consistently of light tan material.

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.