Germany, Luftwaffe. The Service Tunic Of Oberst Helmut Bruck, Stuka Ace & Knight’s Cross Recipient, By Thorn

(Luftwaffe Dienstrock). A scarce and well-preserved Luftwaffe service tunic to Oberst Helmut Bruck, a decorated Stuka ace and Knight’s Cross recipient. Constructed of dark grey whipcord wool, the tunic features a turned-down collar which is trimmed with twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire piping, and which transitions into double breast lapels. The shoulders are flanked by boards constructed of golden-yellow wool with card stock cores, topped by four bands of interwoven silver aluminum wire piping, and pinned with two gilded rank pips. Each measuring 40 mm (w) x 100 mm (l), the boards are secured in place with machine stitching at the outer edge and with pebbled aluminum buttons on the inner edge. The cuff of each sleeve is rolled up to a depth of 15 cm and secured in place with two pieces of stitching. Stitched onto the left sleeve just above the cuff is a Kreta cuff title, constructed of a white cotton-blended base, trimmed along both the top and bottom edges with golden-yellow piping, and bearing a central machine-embroidered golden-yellow inscription of “KRETA” flanked by acanthus leaves. The cuff title measures 35 mm in width. The breasts feature four pleated pockets, all closing with horizontal flaps perforated with reinforced buttonholes meeting pebbled buttons. Stitched onto the upper right breast just above the top pocket is an insignia consisting of a dark grey wool backer bearing a hand-embroidered silver aluminum wire Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika, measuring 90 mm (w) x 48 mm (h). Both of the top pockets are overlaid by threaded loops and reinforced eyelets for the addition of a variety of decorations. The interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece black rayon liner which transitions into beige through the arms. Dual pockets are set into the upper left breasts, with the interior of the right pocket retaining a fully-intact label bearing the manufacturer’s label of the firm of Thorn, Paris, with a clearly-legible handwritten owner’s name of “OBERST BRUCK”. An additional Thorn label is stitched in place over the left pocket. The tunic measures approximately 46 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 59 cm, and an overall body length of 65 cm. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include the removal of the collar tabs (with no notable disruption to the underlying material), some refurbishment of the award loops, and minor soiling through the exterior and interior material. This rare tunic belonging to a decorated Stuka pilot who participated in key Luftwaffe campaigns is in a near extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Helmut Bruck was born on 16 February 1913 in Kittlitzreben, Silesia. Initially training as a police officer, he entered Luftwaffe service in 1935 and was assigned to Sturzkampfgeschwader (Dive Bomber Wing) 165. Bruck was promoted to Oberleutnant on 1 November 1938 and given command of 1./Sturzkampfgeschwader 77 on 1 May 1939. During the Second World War, Bruck participated in many of Germany’s key campaigns, including the invasion of Poland, the strikes on Fort Eben-Emael in Belgium, the invasion of the Balkans, and the air campaign over Crete. He finished the war on the Eastern Front, receiving regular promotions and many awards, including the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (4 September 1941) with Oak Leaves (19 February 1943). He finished the war with a total of 973 combat missions. After the war, Bruck returned to civilian life and worked in forestry, later passing away on 25 August 2001 in Veitlahm, Germany.