Veteran Bringback Reversible 'Sumpftarn' Camouflage Parka
Wehrmacht Reversible 'Sumpftarn' Camouflage Winter Parka (Tarnjacke). This camouflage pattern was designated 'Sumpftarnmuster' (tan/water pattern). The winter parka's were a standard issue item and were distributed to all EM/NCO’s for the winter season, (15 September to 15 April), with other winter garments and were to be returned to the units clothing depot in April for storage, repair and cleaning to be reissued the following September. The parka shows some normal traces of usage, there is some staining and some damage to the wearer's right shoulder, see photos. The parka is still showing nice bright colours. The parka is not visible maker marked or dated. Two buttons are missing but two buttons are stored inside the cigarettes tin which I found inside the pocket of the jacket. The lucky strikes tin contains the original capture document with which this jacket and small items was sent home as a souvernir of war by a US Veteran of the 264th Field Artillery Battailon. The 264th Field Artillery Battalion landed at Utah Beach in Normandy 10 days after D-Day. The unit was attached to General George Patton’s Third Army as it fought its way across Europe and took part in the Battle off the Bulge. The original document states that the souvernirs this veteran sent home consisted of "1 - Camouflage coat, 10 - coints, 1 - Iron Cross", the coins and Iron Cross 2nd Class are still stored inside the tin. This grouping has always been together and is a true battlefield pick-up from World War 2. Stunning piece of history!