wwii axis reenactment forum

What collar tabs, if any would you find worn on the Luftwaffe tropical tunic? Also can I get away with wearing a regular field grey shirt underneath for a photoshoot (you'll only see the collar) or did they only ever wear luftwaffe shirts. Not my strongest subject I'm afraid but hoping to learn.

There were no patches on Luft tropical tunics.
About shirts: luftwaffe tropical shirt was common. Blue shirt- rather rare, as well as grey.

During service in hot climate soldiers often wore only shirts...

This is a whole study area in itself.

Collar Tabs were rarely worn on LW tropical tunics. Undoubtedly, someone will find a photo showing the exception, but thats what it was - an exception. Usually, senior officers would flout the regs and if I remember, there is a photo of Ramcke or Student with some on his tunic.

Rank was indicated by Shoulder Boards - and on tropical shirts, you'd often see standard blue-grey shoulder boards - rather than tropical boards.

I've seen Standard WH tropical shirts, Lw tropical shirts or indeed, LW Blue shirts!

Horrido!

Thanks guys, that solves the collar tab issue. Might have to get hold of a tropical shirt or Lufty blue one. The uniform is really only to show off Jokis Luftwaffe Tropical low boots but its best to get it as perfect as possible no doubt.

Ramcke Brigade had the scorpion Unit patch

Ramcke brigade were Fallschirmjager, and no, and quote from Yannis
' The Scorpio patch was the tactical sign of the 1st Kompanie of I/.FJR3, not of the whole Ramke brigade, not even the whole 1st Battalion.
The 2nd Kompanie had a 4 leaf clover with 2 on the top right leaf and the 3rd had a sun device stitched on the upper right arm.

I would love to see what those other patches looked like

Photos in this book, 'Fallschirmjager Brigade Ramcke in North Africa' by Edgar Alcidi

If you're opting for any LW tropical unit, my suggestion is to go without collar tabs. They were not according to regulations, and the branch would be solely identifiable via the shoulder board. Having said that, it doesn't mean that there were absolutely no tropical tunics with collar tabs, but I'd stay away from it.

And true, the insignia for the Ramcke brigade varied from one kompanie to another.

As for the shirt, it's advisable to go for the tropical issue. It was the only shirt (to my knowledge) that was distributed to all LW personnel. The early blue grey one was only for officers. if you want to do a walk out impression, go for a black or tan tie.

When you're ready, post some photos for us to see

I dont have many pics on the subject but heres several typical luftie outfit in N Afrika Legal requirement: Permission only granted for personal reference use I retain copyright on these original photograps.

Cheers
Chris

Here's another original photo showing two luftwaffe soldiers in Afrika, one of which is a kriegsberichter. No collar tabs worn.



As seen in both these photos, the most common shirt was the Luftwaffe tan, but knowing the mix of uniforms in Afrika, I would say that the green could have been worn. You could also just pick up a regular mens khaki collared shirt for cheap.

Some great pics there

interesting to see the Afrika Cuff Title worn on your first picture Goethe.
I would say it was taken late 1942 or 1943