Description
Physical description
pad
Oval knee pad divided into 6 padded horizontal 'sausages'; elastic straps designed to cross over behind knee and hook over studs on leather reinforcers.
History note
Soldiers serving in the Luftwaffe paratroop branch (Fallschirmjaeger) were equipped with many special items unique to their role. For example, steel helmets; protective pads; jump smocks; trousers; boots; rifle ammunition bandoliers; gas mask carrying bags and gravity knives.
Germany developed the RZ series of parachutes that were a combination of the Italian Salvatore static line opening system and a modified Irvin harness. The fact that the canopy lines were attached to two main points just above the back of the man's waist via a single ring component meant his control of descent was very limited, his body dangling in a top-heavy forward attitude. With no physical control of steering the German paratrooper adopted a 'swimming' motion with his arms and legs to try and adopt a forward somersault, a particularly violent and unpredictable landing with often severe consequences to personal injury. To counter this, knee pads, leather and bandages were worn as a preventative measure.
Earlier special flat kapok filled knee protection pads had been worn directly to the knees and under the trousers, to be removed shortly after landing, but these were superceded by pads constructed of a horizontal tubular form, made of sorbo rubber. These pads were initially made of leather but more often encountered covered in olive green fabric. Each pad was attached over the trousers and secured behind the knee by two strong elasticated straps that clipped on to small button-hooks on the opposite side of the pad. Evidence suggests that some soldiers used knee pads to their elbows for added protection.
Printed (on reverse)
Karl Helsler D. R. BERLIN Ch. C.M.