[~40's] WWII German Afrika Korps Tropical Motorcycle Coat "DAK"

This is the German Afrika Korps "Tropical Motorcycle Coat" issued in 1941.

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The German African Corps (Deutsches Afrikakorps = DAK) is an "expeditionary corps" formed as part of the German Wehrmacht's Army (Heer) during World War II and deployed to the North African Front.

When the Italian army was in dire straits in Libya from the end of 1940 to the beginning of 1941, Germany decided to dispatch troops to North Africa, and this dispatch was planned and discussed under the German name of the operation Sonnenblume (Sunflower).

And in February 1941, "Erwin Rommel (Erwin Rommel) arrives in Libya, and the DAK is put into action with the initial purpose of rebuilding the Italian front.

The North African war was a battlefield where the geographical conditions of the desert dominated not only "tactics" but also "logistics" itself.
Supplies are collected across the Mediterranean Sea, mainly in Tripoli, and from there are sent to the front lines along endless coastal roads.This vulnerability, dependent on one point, continues to constrain DAK's operations.

Nevertheless, in the early stages of the war, DAK (and the Axis forces) used mobile warfare to push back the front lines, and in 1941 the war situation shifted to the Siege of Tobruk.
Tobruk was besieged as a fortified base from April to August of the same year, and the German-Italian army (under Rommel's command) continued to put pressure on it, which became one of the symbolic phases of the North African campaign.

However, in the latter half of 1942, the tide of the war took a decisive turn.
The battle at El Alamein and the Allied landings in northwest Africa (Operation Torch) put the Axis forces in a pincer situation, and forces including DAK retreated to Tunisia.

Finally, in May 1943, with the end of the Tunisia War, the Axis forces in North Africa surrendered, and DAK's activities came to an end in a short period of "about two years".

Items bearing the name DAK are not just unit names, but fragments of history that bear the very conditions of the battlefield, such as ``expeditions'', ``deserts'', ``supply lines'', and ``the dream and reality of short-term decisive battles'', and can be said to lend a strong narrative to their clothing.

Like thatGerman Afrika KorpsIntroducing the "Tropical Motorcycle Coat" that was issued to motorcycle troops in the tropical region of North Africa.

It was also popular within the military due to its stylish appearance, and was also widely worn by soldiers other than motorcycle units as it was highly versatile.

There are probably many people who are seeing it for the first time, as there are very few of them in existence both in Japan and overseas.

Speaking of European military motorcycle coats, I think the French military model is famous and widely known.
Although their purpose is the same in that they were issued to "motorcycle troops," the atmosphere is completely different depending on the country and region of production.

At the top of the front, there are two buttons on each side.

Therefore, you can fasten it with buttons to cover your body, and there are buttonholes on each side of the collar, so I think it would be a good idea to fasten it like a large lapel collar.
Each one can be enjoyed with a different atmosphere, so we hope you can use them depending on your mood when wearing them.

There is a flap pocket with an exposed button closure in the middle of the front, and a slash pocket with a diagonal cut on the right chest.

The overcoat has many vents to allow air circulation and a button closure (slit) at the back of the hem to allow more freedom of movement when riding in a vehicle.

The interior has almost no lining, but there is mesh on the inside of the upper back, which probably played a role in alleviating the strong sunlight on the back while at the same time ensuring ventilation through the large back flap.

Another point that can be appreciated is that it comes with a ``chin strap'' that prevents wind from entering and is designed to be worn with the collar up.

There is a huge difference between one with a chin strap and one without.
The elation and atmosphere when you wear it with the collar up is something special.

The stamp from that time can be clearly seen on the inside, and it is said that in the German military, many pieces were stamped with five numbers (a set of numbers).

・Top left number: Waist length or length to near the hip
・Top right number: Collar size or neck length
・Central number: Chest circumference (chest width)
・Bottom left number: Total length
・Bottom right number: Sleeve length

These are all expressed in centimeters.

Made of a plain-woven "cotton-linen" blend fabric that is relatively thin, lightweight, and has a soft texture, intended for use in tropical regions.
As mentioned above, the fabric is thin, so I think it can be worn in a wide range of seasons other than mid-winter.

The strong A-line that spreads towards the hem creates a very beautiful and elegant silhouette when worn.
No matter what angle you look at it, it has a breathtakingly beautiful silhouette.

Not only is it rare, but I think it's a very cool piece when viewed as a fashion item, so please feel free to wear it.

Size notation is "42 / 49 / 96 / 126 / 65"
I think it corresponds to "L ~ XL" in Japanese size.

Even if you look at the actual size, it will feel like a large size, so even people with large bodies can wear it without any problems.
It seems to be a military item, and the large size makes it look great even when worn loosely.

It was originally made to be used as an overcoat, intended to be worn over a uniform, so basically each item is larger in size.
The armholes and width of the body are generous, so I think people of all body types will enjoy this piece.

There are signs of wear, such as scratches, stains, tears, and missing buttons, which are typical of the fabric, but there are no major damages that would cause problems with wear, so I think you can still wear it.

In recent years, attention to German military items in particular has increased further.
On the other hand, due to historical background, there are very few of them in existence, and the reality is that supply is not keeping up with demand.

It is also a field where there are a certain number of enthusiastic enthusiasts, and there is no doubt that it is a "coveted archive piece" that collectors will find difficult to part with.
Especially considering that he was employed for just two years from 1941 to 1943, it's easy to imagine that he pitched fewer pitches.

This is not something you can buy if you spend money, and we cannot guarantee whether it will be available in the future.

A perfect piece for your wardrobe, as well as a collection item and design source.
I think this is a rare item, both domestically and internationally, so if you've been looking for one or if you like rare items, don't miss this opportunity.