Description
Physical description
Sleeveless oversmock of khaki-green denim with a stand collar. The collar is lined with shirt material. Close by a single vertical full-length zipper, there is a tailpiece sewn to the rear of the skirt that is intended to pass under the wearer's crotch, to be held secure by a series of metal press-studs that are located to the lower front. There are two elasticated lower front skirt pockets, large enough to hold a single hand grenade each.
Label
The Parachutist Jacket was designed to be worn over the equipment worn over the Denison Smock, to stop it from it getting caught on rigging lines, as well as to keep it in place during the jump. The jacket was intended to be discarded after landing, but was often kept as it was found to be a generally useful garment. It was worn on operations such as Tonga (D-Day) and Market Garden.
History note
Whilst Germany led the way with the design and development of parachute infantry clothing and equipment, airborne soldiers of Great Britain were initially equipped in a fashion that was heavily influenced by the Fallschirmajäger. The British steel helmet was similar to that of the Germans and so was design of the first British 'Jump Jacket', intended to be worn over the battledress uniform – which was a near copy of the 'bone sack' step-in garment worn by the Fallschirmajäger.
The much simplified sleeveless 'Jacket, Parachutists 1942 Pattern' was a garment worn over the man's webbing equipment and Denison smock and intended to be discarded once landed, its purpose being to prevent rigging lines becoming entangled on the descent. Despite being termed 1942 pattern, this garment was not widely available until after the Normandy Landings.
Inscription
JACKET, PARACHUTIST
1942 Pattern.
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SIZE No. 3
Height 5' 7" to 5' 8"
Breast ... 35" to 40"
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WAREINGS (N'ton) Ltd.
1944
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