Luftwaffe Evening Gala Tunic Named to an Oakleaves Recipient

Product Description: A beautifully designed and made Luftwaffe Evening Gala Tunic named to Oakleaves Winner Hauptmann Volprecht Riedesel Freiherr zu Eisenbach. The Luftwaffe Evening Gala Tunic is in excellent condition. The Gala Tunic is made of a fine quality officer grade blue tricot. A fine hand embroidered Luftwaffe Bullion Breast Eagle is neatly, and originally, hand sewn to the upper breast area of the tunic. A single set of award loops, originally sewn to the tunic, are affixed to the left breast area. The silver aluminum pebbled buttons are in near mint condition, and all appear to be originally attached to the tunic. The Luftwaffe Evening Gala Tunic has two sew-in style Flight/Flieger Shoulder Boards bearing two gold pips designating the rank of “Hauptmann”. A silver wire Augillette in excellent condition is still originally attached to the tunic with a piece of cloth under the right shoulder board to protect the tunic from damage. A double twist aluminum wire braid runs the perimeter of the tunics collar. The original waist closure chain remains intact, and functional. The interior of the tunic is lined with a fine blue artificial silk lining which shows minimal wear and retains its high sheen. The sleeves of the tunic are also lined in a fine white artificial silk. A tailor label is hand sewn to the neck area of the tunic and reads “Seb. Leberfing, München”. A tailors name tag is also sewn inside of the interior pocket with hand written information on the original owner, and the date. The name on the tag reads “Freiherr von Riedesel, Flieger Leutnant”, below with “n327”, and the date “Sept 1938”.

A brief research into the name on the interior tag showed that Freiherr von Riedesel was awarded the German Cross in Gold on 11 May 1942, the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross on 7 October 1942, and the Oakleaves to the Knights Cross on 14 January 1945. He ended the war as a Hauptmann in command of Kampfgeschwader 54. Further research is a possibility by by the new owner. This is a highly decorated Flight Officer in the Luftwaffe and surely well respected during the war. This Luftwaffe Evening Gala Tunic will make a center piece display in any Luftwaffe Collection.

Historical Description: The Luftwaffe, the air force of the German military during the Third Reich, was established in 1935. Over the next 10 years, Luftwaffe troops wore a huge variety of uniforms. Enlisted men generally wore uniforms issued from military depots. Most enlisted soldiers had wool trousers and a short jacket with two internal lower pockets, called a Fliegerbluse, as well as a dressier 4-pocket tunic, the Tuchrock. Officers wore the same general uniform styles, but as officers had to supply their own uniforms, they usually wore tailor made versions. There were also myriad varieties of specialized uniforms worn by certain units or in specific situations, from the tuxedo-style “gala” formal wear uniform of the pre-war period, to the plain coveralls worn by crews of anti-aircraft cannons. There were work uniforms, tropical and summer uniforms, and camouflage clothing for airborne troops and other Luftwaffe soldiers in ground combat. Flight crews had their own specialized gear, including leather jackets and warm, electrically heated suits. Most but not all Luftwaffe uniform jackets bore the Luftwaffe emblem of a flying eagle holding a swastika.

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