Germany, Luftwaffe. A Tropical Short Sleeve Service Shirt for a Decorated Fallschirmjäger Unteroffizier

(Luftwaffe Afrikakorps kurzärmeliges Tropendiensthemd für Mannschaften der Fallschirmjäger). An extremely well-preserved Luftwaffe tropical short sleeve service short for a Fallschirm, constructed of a khaki-tan cotton/rayon blended cloth. The shoulders are flanked by straps which are constructed of khaki-tan cotton/rayon cloth, trimmed with golden-yellow piping, and bordered by brown rayon tresses. Each measuring 42 mm (w) x 100 mm (l), the straps are fixed in place with loops at the outer edge and with pebbled metal buttons on the inner edge. Each breast has a pleated pocket which closes with a scalloped flap perforated with a reinforced buttonhole, in turn meeting a zink button. Stitched onto the upper right breast just above the corresponding pocket is an insignia consisting of a triangular khaki-tan cotton/rayon cloth base bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika, measuring 95 mm (w) x 45 mm (h) overall. Stitched over the left pocket is a cloth version of the Fallschirmjäger Badge, constructed of a dark grey wool base with multi-coloured machine embroidery, measuring 50 mm (w) x 60 mm (h) and demonstrating the characteristics of a Type 3 variant. Additional sets of threaded loops set over the same pocket allow for the addition of badges with vertical pinbacks. Unmarked, the shirt measures approximately 43 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 21 cm, and an overall length of 76 cm. Demonstrating no notable damage or wear, it remains in an extremely fine condition.