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The M-42 Paratrooper Jacket and the Secret Compartment the Germans Didn’t Know About.
- Thread starter B-Man2
- Start date
B-Man2
Well-Known Member
Thank you for the kind words
Chandler
Well-Known Member
Funny thing about the deployment of so many men in a world war over 4 years of involvement (speaking for the U.S. here, all you U.K. members), there is really no universal standard of equipment recognition or use.
I had a high school teacher who was in the airborne in WW2 -- told me a lot of stories -- even published a book. His experiences were completely different from any I'd ever heard. Did I mention he fought mostly in New Guinea?
He talked about heavy boots and M-1 carbines; helmet liners without the full steel pot; insect netting as combat equipment.
I had 2 relatives (by marriage -- take that as questionable alone), one in the war, the other inducted and served in Germany right after, who scoffed when I talked about U.S. .30 caliber machine guns with full butt stocks (they were equipment, look them up -- I'm sure you've seen them).
Point being, there is a lot of misconception, misperception, memory fog -- not to mention plain ol' it was different here than it was there across time and territory during WW2. I won't rule out any vet's stories, but I take many with a grain of salt.
To be truthful, I'd never heard about lanyards for the jump knife until this thread, but it sounds as ceremonial and ornamental as lanyards for sidearms pre-WW2 -- and more than a little cumbersome for the average Joe to give a shit about.
But here's a question to ponder; how would you zip up that lapel pocket over the lanyard? Seems like the 2 designs were developed separate from each other. I know -- lotta that during the war.
JMHO.
I had a high school teacher who was in the airborne in WW2 -- told me a lot of stories -- even published a book. His experiences were completely different from any I'd ever heard. Did I mention he fought mostly in New Guinea?
He talked about heavy boots and M-1 carbines; helmet liners without the full steel pot; insect netting as combat equipment.
I had 2 relatives (by marriage -- take that as questionable alone), one in the war, the other inducted and served in Germany right after, who scoffed when I talked about U.S. .30 caliber machine guns with full butt stocks (they were equipment, look them up -- I'm sure you've seen them).
Point being, there is a lot of misconception, misperception, memory fog -- not to mention plain ol' it was different here than it was there across time and territory during WW2. I won't rule out any vet's stories, but I take many with a grain of salt.
To be truthful, I'd never heard about lanyards for the jump knife until this thread, but it sounds as ceremonial and ornamental as lanyards for sidearms pre-WW2 -- and more than a little cumbersome for the average Joe to give a shit about.
But here's a question to ponder; how would you zip up that lapel pocket over the lanyard? Seems like the 2 designs were developed separate from each other. I know -- lotta that during the war.
JMHO.
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CombatWombat
Well-Known Member
Guys..... we're all adults here so do you reckon you could both tone down the aggro a bit?
I have a actual "jump jacket" in my collection and it doesn't have this "secret squirrel" pocket at all so maybe like everything else you Yanks have made....that it's a "artistic flourish" between contracts or orders.....the trousers it matches does have a reenforced slot on the thigh for what could be a FS style dagger though
I have a actual "jump jacket" in my collection and it doesn't have this "secret squirrel" pocket at all so maybe like everything else you Yanks have made....that it's a "artistic flourish" between contracts or orders.....the trousers it matches does have a reenforced slot on the thigh for what could be a FS style dagger though
CombatWombat
Well-Known Member
Well not this week mate since it's Tuesday here and my collection is in storage until I get a chance to sort out where to put it in my new place
