Studio Portrait, Italy?

[Dennis S]

Italian Paras attached to the 4FJ do appear to favor a short zippered camo jacket you can see the zip slash upper pockets in this field but
not so formal photo . I have seen others

[Dennis S]

I believe it’s the same para in the foreground but I think his partner may be wearing the same style but it’s hard to see the details.

[John Hodgin]

Good contribution Dennis, thanks.

[W Petz]

I don't believe he is Italian. Smock/jacket he is wearing is Italian camo material but but the slash type pockets is something a German para would want plus the zip with leather pull tab I think is German typically found on German smocks and flight suits. also there are German uniform buttons to fasten shoulder straps. One of my main interests is italian and splinter made jackets/smocks and photos that are in my collection. I'm not an expert but I have accrued some knowledge over the years whatever that is worth.

<table class="tborder" style="border-top-width: 0px;" width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="0" align="center"><tbody><tr title="Post 8642035" valign="top"><td class="alt2" width="125" align="center">Great photo! </td><td class="alt1">imho the soldier at the left side possible is italian </td></tr></tbody></table>

[Raffaello Carola]

the italian paratrooper sometimes during RSI period used german equipments; for the left side
soldier was italian (is only an ipothesis) During RSI period the italian uniforms cut with camo tent
have similar zip. In this photo 2 soldiers have buckles and one without; the italian uniforms have
buttons to fasten shoulder boards.
Best
Raff

[Willi Z.]

I still think he is Italian. The others are wearing belts and buckles.

[W Petz]

I totally understand that Italian paras used German equipment and sometimes wore German jump smocks as well. I keep looking that photo over and what I see is a tailor made italian camo short jacket with German style details to fit the para wearing it and more likely that a German para would have had it made. In the other photos presented it shows loose fitting (especially around the cuffs) of Italian Camo short jackets/smocks on Italian paras. It's just my opinion based on my experience handling field made items and through photograhic evidence of that kind of style. As Raffaello stated it is only a hypothesis and we can only speculate on whether he is Italian or not. Whetehr they are wearing belts or buckles I don't believe is a factor on determining if he is Italian or nor.

the italian paratrooper sometimes during RSI period used german equipments; for the left side
soldier was italian (is only an ipothesis) During RSI period the italian uniforms cut with camo tent
have similar zip. In this photo 2 soldiers have buckles and one without; the italian uniforms have
buttons to fasten shoulder boards.
Best
Raff