WW2 German Heer Tropical Breast Eagle – Uniform Removed – Afrika Korps / Tropical Tunic Original WWII German Army Tropical Heer Breast Eagle – Machine Woven – Removed from Uniform

WW2 German Heer Tropical Breast Eagle – Uniform Removed – Afrika Korps / Tropical Tunic
Original WWII German Army Tropical Heer Breast Eagle – Machine Woven – Removed from Uniform

A Second World War German type Heer Tropical Breast Eagle, removed from a uniform and produced specifically for wear on the tropical tan uniforms issued to German Army personnel serving in warmer climates.

These tropical Heer breast eagles are considerably scarcer than the standard Army breast eagles intended for the familiar field-grey German Army uniform, making surviving examples particularly desirable to collectors of German militaria, Afrika Korps uniforms and WWII tropical insignia.

This example features the distinctive grey machine-woven German Army eagle and swastika emblem, mounted on its original tropical tan backing. This is the characteristic style of eagle factory applied to tropical Heer tunics worn by German Army personnel serving with the Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK) and other German formations operating on the Southern Front and in other warm-climate theatres.

Some small traces of the original tan-coloured sewing thread used to attach the eagle to the soldier’s tunic remain present. The reverse displays the typical factory folding of the backing material, together with the fine details of the machine-woven construction.

This is a genuinely worn and previously uniform-applied example, but the front remains particularly clean, with no significant soiling. There are no rips, holes, stains or other major damage.

Condition

Excellent used condition.

WWII German Heer tropical breast eagle
Removed from an original uniform
Grey machine-woven eagle and swastika
Original tropical tan backing
Original machine-woven construction
Traces of original tan sewing thread remaining
Attractive natural age and wear
No rips or holes
No staining to the front
No significant damage
Historical Background

During the Second World War, the German Army produced specialised tropical uniforms and insignia for personnel serving in warmer climates. The distinctive tan uniforms became particularly associated with German forces serving in North Africa, including the famous Afrika Korps, although tropical clothing was also used in other Mediterranean and southern theatres.

The tropical Heer breast eagle was manufactured with a tan tropical backing, immediately distinguishing it from the standard Heer eagle used on field-grey uniforms.

Because these insignia were originally sewn directly onto uniforms, many were lost when garments were worn out, modified or discarded. Original loose examples with good colour, construction and evidence of previous uniform application are therefore highly desirable to collectors.

This example is particularly appealing because it retains small traces of the original tan thread, providing visible evidence that the eagle was once sewn onto a tropical German Army tunic.

A Rare and Desirable Piece of German Tropical Militaria

A particularly attractive original WWII German Heer Tropical Breast Eagle, ideal for the collector of Afrika Korps militaria, German tropical uniforms, Heer insignia and Second World War textile militaria.

Its combination of the scarce tropical backing, original machine-woven construction, natural wear and surviving stitching makes this a very desirable example of German tropical uniform insignia.

A superb piece of WWII German Heer tropical militaria and an excellent addition to any serious collection.