German issue Waffen SS M42 Spring-Autumn B camouflaged smock : Fohadnagy (Lieutenant) G Liptak, No.101 'Puma' Squadron, Royal Hungarian Air Force

Reversible camouflaged collarless smock with a different types of patterns on each side, one side for spring and one for autumn. The spring camouflage consists of various shades of mottled green and brown colours, with the autumn pattern consisting of browns, dark tans and fawn. The top half of the smock has a lace up front consisting of five pairs of sewn eyelets with a narrow piece of olive green tape threaded through them. On the shoulders, upper back and upper arms are sewn self fabric bands of material for attaching foliage camouflage. The waist is elasticised and cuffs are elasticised. There is an inset pocket over each front hip with a pointed pocket flap secured by a single 19 mm diameter dimpled metal button. The pocket bags are of heavy green herringbone weave cotton.

This very rare reversible Waffen SS issued M42 camouflage smock relates to the service of George Liptak who was a fighter pilot with the elite No.101 'Puma' Squadron serving on both the Eastern and Western Fronts during the Second World War. With the extremely diverse conditions on the Eastern Front during the war ranging between raging heat in summer to sub-zero conditions in winter, ground and flying equipment worn by RHAF and Luftwaffe personnel was equally diverse to suit the conditions. These smocks were popular with the feared Waffen SS ground troops and it appears that Lieutenant Liptak obtained one at some stage of the war. These smocks could be reversed to show two different camouflage schemes to be used in different conditions.

Gyorgy (George) Liptak was born to Julius and Julianna Liptak (nee Toth) on 7 February 1918 in Debrecen, Hungary in what was then known as the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

He joined the RHAF in 1938 and trained to become a fighter pilot. He served as a Lieutenant with the RHAF during the Second World War. From 1941 he fought on the Eastern Front when the RHAF formed part of the Axis forces fighting the Soviet Union. His unit, the famed No.101 'Puma' Squadron was heavily involved in air to air and air to ground fighting. George flew a range of combat aircraft in action including the Italian designed and made CR-42 and the well known German Messerschmitt Bf-109.

From 1942 the Axis fortunes turned and by September 1944 George Liptak and the elite Puma Squadron were fighting in Hungary itself against the Soviets and US Army Air Forces. With the situation in Hungary failing rapidly for the Axis the remnants of the Pumas withdrew into Bavaria, in Southern Germany to continue the fight against the western Allies.

Whilst in Bavaria the Pumas served alongside the German Luftwaffe in fighting the immense numbers of Allied fighter and bomber aircraft that were operating over Southern Germany in late 1944 to mid 1945. These Allied Squadrons included many Australians serving in Royal Air Force units along with dedicated Royal Australian Air Force Squadrons such as No.3 Squadron flying P-51 Mustangs and No.460 Squadron in Avro Lancaster bombers. A type of aircraft he flew in combat whilst in Bavaria, the Messerschmitt Bf-109G is on display in ANZAC Hall of the Australian War Memorial.

After the Second World War concluded George and his family were unable to return to Soviet occupied Hungary and they stayed in Southern Germany. In 1950 George Liptak and his family emigrated to Australia via Augsburg, Bavaria.