Description
You are bidding on a FANTASTIC and 100% ORIGINAL example of a WW2 German Waffen Elite FIRST PATTERN Winter “Kharkov” Parka/Anorak!
In October 1940, winter equipment issued to Elite personal in Norway were inspected and evaluated in anticipation of the inevitable invasion of the Soviet Union. This primary evaluation led to the introduction of experimental, fur lined, field-grey, anoraks with integral hoods in December 1940.
The first pattern anoraks were a pull-over design and were a limited issue item with regulations dictating that they were only to be distributed to 10% of the receiving unit’s manpower strength. The anoraks were originally only issued to personnel serving in occupied Norway and parts of Poland for the winter season, (September 15th to April 15th), and were to be returned to the units clothing depot in April for storage, repair and cleaning to be reissued the following September.
Further testing and design alterations occurred over the next couple of years resulting in the production of the fur lined anorak in January 1943 which were also issued to personnel on the Eastern front. The early, pull-over style anoraks proved unpopular with the troops as they were too heavy and hot without enough ventilation and as a result a new pattern anorak, with a full length, button up front closure, was introduced in early 1944, and manufacture of the earlier pattern was discontinued. The early, pull-over style anoraks were to be returned to the units clothing depots to be altered to the button up front closure style although some remained in use for the duration of the war. Both the first and second pattern anoraks were to be worn without any insignia.
Although the fur-lined anorak was used until the end of the war, the Elite found the Wehrmacht’s reversible insulated winter suit to be superior in many aspects and copied its design. However, they produced the printed camouflaged side in Elite patterns. In the winter of 1942-43, to supplement the shortage of fur-lined anoraks, Elite troops were also supplied with the new Wehrmacht field grey/white reversible insulated winter suit.
The aforementioned anorak also known as 1st pattern Elite anorak was used exclusively by these troops predominantly on the Eastern front. The anorak is also widely known as Kharkov parka or anorak due to photographic evidence of its significant use in the Third Battle of Kharkov.
Made of a water-resistant, 3/4 length cotton, this fur lined Winter Anorak is in AMAZING used condition! Made of a field grey camouflage color, it features a front button half closure (1941 pattern), as well as an attached hood and large hip and breast pockets. There is a central elastic at the waist, as well as storm cuffs. All buttons are still attached, however as this was used in combat, there is some slight wear on the buttons, as well as some various marks and stains from storage. Tie string for the hood is still present. No holes or damage! It is marked as a Size “1” (small), but as these were deigned to fit over the standard uniform and equipment, it does fit big. One of the RARER 1st pattern types, it would make for a PERFECT addition to any collection or display!
