Airborne Equipment

The parachutist in the field wore the standard infantry Pattern 37 web gear. This set of belts, braces, pouches and bags was made of a heavy woven cloth with brass buckles and snaps. The parachutist in the photos to the right wears the basic web kit, including the two basic pouches on the front, and entrenching tool, bayonet, and respirator bag on the back. (Click on either picture for a large size version.) To the right is the complete set of web gear including the small pack. Web Belt Braces Basic Pouches Small Pack Canteen Respirator Entrenching Tool Web gear came in a tan colour for the army (and for the parachutists of the Air Corps). The colour could be changed by painting the gear with 'blanco', a solid block of paste that came in a variety of colours that was wetted and then rubbed into the webbing. The web gear was designed to hold most of the soldier's equipment in a variety of standard setups, although in the field this could be altered to a degree to the soldier's needs and preferences. While in barracks or on parade the web gear set would be replaced by a single web belt around the waist, with a bayonet frog for drill order. Below are several details of the web gear and equipment. The close-up of the basic pouch shown below gives a clear view of the brass snap attachment. (Later versions used a push-through tab closure, these models are not appropriate for WWII reenacting.) One basic pouch was used to carry two magazines for the Bren Light Machingun, and the other to carry either Mills Bombs or mortar rounds. To the right is a picture of a small pack filled in a standard manner. Visible here are a pullover, extra canteen, and 24-hour ration box. Other items that might be carried in the small pack are the mess tin, cup, sewing kit, a holdall (see below), and any other personal items. Basic Pouch Small Pack The groundsheet was a rubberized canvas sheet that was used for bedding or as a rain shelter. It was often carried folded under the flap of the small pack, which can be seen in the photo above showing the complete set of web gear. Also shown below is the entrenching tool, a two-piece shovel/pick combination that was carried broken-down in a webbing envelope on the rear of the web belt. Entrenching Tool Groundsheet Troops were also issued a pair of gaiters or anklets in the same canvas material as used for the basic webbing. These were worn over the tops of the boots with the trousers bloused over the anklets. For parade the trousers would neatly fold over the top of the anklets with the aid of weighted blousing cords inside the trouser legs. In tropical areas the anklets could be replaced by puttees, a throw-back to the earlier WWI uniform. Puttees were a long piece of cloth that was wound around the ankles and tied off. Officers, vehicle crewmen, and soldiers serving crew weapons could forego the pouches and replace them with brace extenders. An officer might also attach a map case or binoculars to their web belt. The binoculars were carried in a reinforced pouch made of the standard webbing, shown in the photo below to the right. They had brass hardware, and as with much of the issued equipment for the British soldier, carried the 'Broad Arrow' stamp. Brace Extenders Binoculars A plain olive green denim oversmock was worn over the parachutists web gear while jumping. (Click on the picture for a large size version.) It was worn over all the kit the soldier would fight in, and was designed to keep anything from fouling the parachute lines during the jump. It was sleeveless with a full front zip, and pockets along the bottom for holding Mills Bombs. The oversmock had a buttoned flap that came up between the legs, much the same as the denison. Also visible here is the X-Type Parachute (click for more info on the X-Type). The large silver circle on the front is a quick-release button that allowed the British parachutist to release all of their lines in one single movement. One of the soldier's most important pieces of gear was his GS shovel. The entrenching tool was not particularly effective, and so infantrymen relied on their shovel to dig-in. It was often carried by pushing it through the web gear, usually so the head of the shovel was over the chest. Shown to the right is the GS shovel and pick. Several items were often slung over the parachutist's gear. A cloth bandoleer was used to carry fifty rounds of .303 rifle ammunition in stripper clips. Airborne troops and commandos also carried a toggle rope for use in the field to construct ad-hoc ladders or bridges It was often worn wrapped around the shoulders and chest or even worn as a belt. Individual ropes could be attached together by means of a loop and dowl on either end. Cloth Bandoleer Toggle Rope The standard Pattern 37 pack could be replaced by the Bergen Rucksack. This was most often seen with glider troops, specialist troops, and commandos. It is similar to the mountaineering packs of the time, and allows for a great deal of gear to be comfortably carried.     Shown below are three other items of equipment for the parachutist. (Click on any picture for a large size version.) To the left is a parachutist in full jump gear. In his right hand he holds a rifle valise, a padded bag for carrying his rifle. The bag is attached to his web gear by a rope, and after jumping he will lower the bag down below him, so that it hits the ground first and does not interfere with the landing. In the center is a parachutists with a leg bag. This large canvas bag was used to hold extra equipment, and was attached to the webbing with a drop rope similar to that used on the rifle valie. The photo on the right shows a parachutist carrying a PIAT supported by a load bearer pad on his shoulder. The PIAT and the sections of the Vickers machinegun were quite heavy, and the pad allowed for them to be carried over longer distances with less discomfort. Rifle Valise Leg Bag Load Carrier Every soldier would carry identification in the form of their military paybook and a set of ID discs. The paybook, which differed slightly for British and Canadian troops, contained a record of the soldier's service and training along with personal information and medical records. The Identity Discs were a set of three fiber discs, each stamped with the soldier's army number (except officers), an abbreviation designating their religion, and their name. A green octogonal disc and a red circular disc were worn 6 inches apart around the neck on a 38 inch string or twine cord. A second red circular disc was carried in the respirator pouch (potentially for Graves Registration). In the small pack the British soldier carried his mess gear. This was comprised of a two-piece metal mess tin (click for more info on British Mess Tins). Do not eat out of a war-dated mess tin, they have lead linings. For the ever-present 'cuppa' the soldier carried a metal mug commonly painted brown or white. The soldier's silverware, shaving kit, brushes, and soap was carried in a cloth 'hold-all', show below. The holdall was carried in the small pack, along with a sweater, and extra canteen, rations, sewing kit, mess tin, and a ground sheet. Hold-All with Partial Contents: Foot Powder, Razor & Razor Blades, Button Polisher, and Toothbrush Related Links What Price Glory (Preferred vendor for all uniform and equipment purchases.) Uniforms of the Paras Weapons of the Paras Canuck (Canadian WWII history site with pages on equipment and uniforms.)