Description
We are pleased to be able to offer this newly consigned Fliegerbluse of Night Fighter Ace Helmut Lent.
Tunic’s Background: Helmut Lent (13 June 1918 – 7 October 1944) was a German night fighter ace during World War II who shot down an impressive 110 aircraft, of that total 102 of them were at night. Helmut Lent claimed his first nocturnal victory on 12 May 1941. On 30 August 1944 Helmut Lent was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross for 22 victories. His steady accumulation of aerial victories resulted in regular promotions and awards. On the night of 15 June 1944, Major Helmut Lent was the first night fighter pilot to claim 100 nocturnal aerial victories which earned him the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (15th recipient) on 31 July 1944. Lent and his Ju-88 crew died as the result of a non-combat air crash landing in October 1944, and received a state funeral in Berlin. Night Fighter Ace Helmut Lent was promoted to Oberst posthumously.
The offered Fliegerblusen were originally in the collection of the Deutsche Luftwaffenmuseum. The museum, which was initially based in Uetersen, had a vast collection of NS-period Luftwaffe insignia, uniforms, decorations, etc. In 1995, the museum was relocated to Gatow in Berlin, and at that time, refocused its attention on the postwar development of the German Air Force, including the East German Air Force after reunification. It appears that a decision was made to dispose of much of the Third Reich period material, perhaps for political reasons. Many pieces, including a vast number of collar tabs, shoulder straps, and other material appeared on the market.
In 2009, three garments formerly worn by Lent, one four pocket service blouse and two Fliegerblusen, were acquired by a well-known German collector/dealer. He took the precaution of approaching the museum to ascertain that these were indeed pieces worn by Lent and were formerly in the museum collection. This was confirmed, with the information that they had been donated directly from the Lent family. A copy of the original letter from the Luftwaffenmuseum der Bundeswehr confirming that the uniform was obtained from the Lent family in the 1960s will be included. Both blouses offered here are privately made, earlier war quality garments exhibiting overall patina from wear as well as wartime repair and alteration with the purpose of prolonging their service use.
Product Description: This Fliegerbluse of Night Fighter Ace Helmut Lent has the woven tailor’s label of Ernst Litte of Torgau. It is made of soft, finely ribbed blue grey colored trikot wool and is lined in grey colored rayon. It has a single internal breast pocket with a somewhat faded name tag dated 19.3.41 and 2142 (customer order number). There is the provision for suspension of a dagger or sword through the slash pocket. Sleeve linings are of black and grey striped rayon and what may be museum inventory numbers, are inked to the sleeve lining at the right shoulder area. This Fliegerbluse has open collar, four large horn button front closure, and slashed hip pockets without pocket flaps. The shoulder boards are sewn in and anchored with full size pebbled aluminum buttons. The collar patches are hand stitched with blue grey colored cotton thread, but some of the attachment threads have popped and they are loose in areas. The lower collar edge is piped in thick twisted aluminum cord, attached with light grey cotton thread. The hand embroidered, in aluminum wires over paper, Unterlagen national emblem is hand stitched to the breast. It is missing some of the wing thread highlights. There are loops for a single badge to each left and right breast. The faint outline of a formerly applied Narvik shield is discernible to the left upper arm. The Fliegerbluse shows fading to the exposed areas and overall broad soiling/sweat staining. Two sections of the lower internal lining hem have been repaired with rectangular shaped, ribbed cotton patches. The rear collar edge at the neckline has darned by machine sewing. A similar darned area is found at the left rear elbow. Certain areas of the lining seams have been restitched by hand. A copy of the letter from the Luftwaffe Museum stating the Fliegerblusen were donated by Helmut Lent’s family in the 1960’s will accompany the Fliegerbluse.
This is a rare opportunity to own service worn garments by famed Night Fighter Helmut Lent, one of history’s most famous and highly regarded pilots.
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