Stuka - Luftwaffe Rucksack

[Brad Posey]

Just picked this up this weekend in addition to several others . I will post of few of the more interesting ones that I would like comments or opinions.

Unfortunately the straps were cut off the back and the condition is not the best. But, on the inside of the top flap is a little sewn on name tag for: “Flieger Pecher, Stabs Staffel (Sturzkampfgeschwader) 77 Stuka” Then below is a stamp “FL H. Kdt. Schwft” which stands for Fliegerhorst Komandantur Schweinfurt.

I did a little research and found out that the Stab for ST. G. 77 was formed from part of ST. G. 165 which was in Schweinfurt from 1.4.37 to 1.5.39. After becoming ST. G. 77 they were sent to Breslau. Since I live in Schweinfurt I find this interesting because the current US Army Kaserne (now known as Conn Barracks) was where this unit was stationed. Concrete practice bombs can still be found on the old dive bombing practice range near here.

I am having trouble giving this rucksack a name since in some ways looks like a standard Luftwaffe rucksack, just the color is very light brown. No marker marks either. Any comments?

[Brad Posey]

Here is the inside of the front flap

[Michael Kuligowski]

Brad !!!

this pack is hard to judge.... - I dont think its a military issue - rather a private purchase civilian pack....

no clue about Lw markings - I dont know much abou LW

[Vix Steel]

IMHO pack could be an early example as we know there are Army and LW issued packs that look very similar but with different materials used. I do like the name tag so I feel the pack is of the period, if it was an official issue or purchased I dont know.

This backpack design was still used for civilian use way into the 60's I believe.

[LHR1]

Very nice - I agree that this rucksack is likely a very early issue item. It matches the description of the rucksack used by Weimar-era Reichsheer mountain units (upon which the design of the blue canvas Luftwaffe rucksack was based) before the introduction of the large M31 mountain rucksack. I'm not a Luftwaffe pundit, but I can imagine that until the new service branch fully established its own procurement system at least some army cast-offs were issued to its personnel.

Carsten Fries

[LHR1]

Deleted - duplicate post...