page_title: Uniforms of the Luftwaffe (1935–1945)
section_title: Luftwaffe officers’ sword and dagger
hierarchical_section_title: Uniforms of the Luftwaffe (1935–1945) / Luftwaffe officers’ sword and dagger
caption_attribution_description: English: Luftwaffe dress dagger, WWII era. Fort Lewis Military Museum, Fort Lewis, Washington, USA.
context_page_description: The Luftwaffe was the air force of Nazi Germany prior to and during World War II. Luftwaffe styles of uniform and rank insignia had many unique features between 1935 and 1945. By Hitler's decision on February 26, 1935, the Luftwaffe was to be officially the third branch of the Wehrmacht as of March 1, 1935. The new Luftwaffe was faced with the problem of uniforms, as they wanted a uniform distinct from those of the other two branches of the Wehrmacht and also wanted a clear differentiation in dress of military and civilian flyers.
  The basic uniform consisted of a blue-grey single-breasted, open-collared jacket with four pockets and flaps, white shirt and black necktie, blue-grey trousers, black leather boots and a blue-grey peaked cap, side cap or Model 1935 Stahlhelm. Ranks were indicated by collar patches, along with Army-style shoulder boards.
  While on field service the jacket would often be worn 'collared up', Army-style, without shirt and tie. The flying suit typically consisted of a beige jumpsuit, leather flying helmet and thick fur-lined boots. Black leather jackets were also worn by fighter pilots.
caption: Luftwaffe dress dagger, in the Fort Lewis Military Museum, Fort Lewis, Washington, USA.
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