What is a Smock, and when is a Smock not a Smock? The military smock is a durable, four-pocket, loose-fitting outer layer garment. Modern smocks often have wind and water-resistant properties and can be found in almost every NATO camouflage pattern – as well as leading commercial patterns like MultiCam and PenCott. Hugely adaptable, smocks […]
Tag: WWII
Searching For A WWII LRDG Patrol In Modern Tunisia
I recently came across this exciting adventure tale that was published in Land Rover Monthly last year. As my own Grandfather served with the British Army’s Light Car Patrol in the Libyan Desert in WWI (a predecessor of the LRDG in some ways), I found it particularly interesting. The article tells the story of […]
Operation Overlord: The OSS and the Battle for France
This is a great short film from The OSS Society that tells the story of Allied special forces, Free French Forces, and the French Resistance. Their daring exploits helped win the battle of Normandy, and change the course of World War II. hat tip to Mykel Hawke for the heads up. […]
The Invasion of Crete – 80th Anniversay
80 years ago, on May 20, 1941, the skies above the Mediterranean island of Crete became filled with the planes and parachute canopies of the Luftwaffe as Fallschirmjäger of the 7th Flieger Division of the 7th Flieger Division dropped from their Ju-52 transport planes – often right on top of the Allied defences. As a […]
ARES Airsoft Announces ZF-4 Scope Replica
An accurate replica of the WWII German ZF-4 telescopic sight is one thing, showing it attached to what is apparently an airsoft G-43 replica is quite another – and its causing quite a stir. The real-deal ZF-4 was quite revolutionary in its day. It offered clear 4x magnification in a compact package with a quick-release […]
Old Time Design Company – WWII British Paratrooper Photo Study
A while back we shared with you a photo series that the Old Time Design Company did in commemoration of the British paratroopers at Arnhem during Operation Market-Garden. Recently they turned their attention to a study of the formation and equipping of Britain parachute troops during the early years of the war… Part I – […]
New Camouflage Uniforms and Equipment for the Dutch Armed Forces – The Backstory
The Dutch Armed Forces are finally starting to receive new camouflage uniforms and personal equipment. But how did this come about, and what is the history of Dutch camouflage uniforms since 1945? Thanks to our friends at Dutch Defence Press we are able to bring you this exclusive English translation of an article by Major […]
Forgotten Weapons: SMG Semi-Auto 1st Pattern FG-42
A very special #SundayGunday today as “Gun Jesus” Ian McCollum gives us a detailed talk-through of the gorgeous semi-auto only SMG replica of the famous Type E (aka, “1st Pattern”) FG-42 (Fallshirmjaegergewehr). The Type E became famous overnight as it was used as one of the primary weapons of the Fallschirmjaeger troops who landed […]
Old Time Design Company Black Armoured Forces Beret
Our friends at the Old Time Design Company have added another collaboration with Compton Webb to their portfolio. This time it’s a 100% authentic reproduction of the wartime British armoured forces black beret – manufactured by the same company that made them during the war. Copied exactly from originals, no detail has been left to […]
Friday Foto
This photo was on the cover of ‘YANK’ Magazine, Continental Edition of January 14, 1945, entitled “PRESENT ARMS”. It featured Pfc. Robert Leigh and his collection of enemy weapons (MP.38 and MP.40’s, an MG.34 and an MG42) taken by the 83rd Infantry Division. The picture was taken in Gurzenich (Düren), Germany, probably just after the […]