Marsh ’44 camo pattern question?.

[Ostfries]

I had a question about Fallschirmj******228;ger knochensack (paratrooper smock) in marsh’44 pattern.<O</O
When came these paratrooper smocks in use?, was it begin, middle or late 1944 when they came in use?.<O</O
For example, can you put a march’44 pattern smock on a “D Day” period German paratrooper mannequin?.<O</O
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Thanks in advance,<O</O

[SMP]

Hi,
I would say late 44, and too late for the hedgerows. Anyone got an early dated 44 pattern ?

Regards,
Steve

[Ostfries]

Thanks for your reply Steve, so no German “Hedgerow” paratrooper mannequin for me, but how late in to 1944?.<O</O
When came these smocks available to the paratroops in 1944, summer/autumn or even later that year?.<O</O
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Thanks in advance,<O</O<O</O<O</O

[John Hodgin]

Hello Ostfries,

These were worn during the fighting in the Ardennes. A "Bulge" mannequin would be a very nice display.

[Ostfries]

Thanks John, this surprises me, where they not in use any sooner that year?.<O</O
I would love to give my mannequin a September/fall ’44 look but with this marsh '44 smock I own that’s not historical correct I belief?.<O</O
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Thanks in advance,<O</O<O</O<O</O

[John Hodgin]

I think they were used sooner, but having photographic confirmation that they were is a different matter.
Regards,
John

[Ostfries]

Thanks again John, so it could be historical correct to place a marsh ’44 pattern smock on a autumn 1944 period mannequin, because that was my intention.<O</O
I know of a picture in the beautiful research book, Camouflage Uniforms of the German Wehrmacht, of a marsh ’44 pattern smock dated October 1944.

<O</OThanks in advance,<O</O<O</O

[SMP]

Hi Ostfries,
Can you post pictures of your smock ? I am sure there are many here who would love to see it.

Regards,
Steve

[Ostfries]

I hope this will work with ImageShack, I only have a picture of it on the mannequin Steve, I got no digital camera for my self, even got the internet only for a month ore so in my crib.

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[Fallschirmjaeger]

Great Looking Fj

That model of yours looks cool Ostfries,i thought they where wearing the water pattern ones or are they called marsh? in normandy as have seen pictures too i cant post them pictures from JYN book im shure,but if you's guys have it the green devils/german paratroopers 1939-1945 book by jean-yves nasse on page 121 it shows a well known photo i have seen in a few books a captured FJ medic wearing one and the other on page 127 of FJ wearing one in august 1944 in fortress brest.
Also the squadron/signal book on the FJ from the 70's has in the pictures on the rear cover a FJ wearing what it says is a splotch camouflage pattern smock,and looks like the water type to me.

[Ostfries]

Thanks for your positive comment Fallschirmjaeger, I also thought that these smocks where in use earlier that year, but still have a lot to learn about the history of pieces like this.<O</O
I don’t have any of the books you have mentioned, I will look for these tough because they sound like good research books to me.<O</O
<O</O

I personal like this mannequin because his young appearances, in my opinion just right for a late young German paratrooper.<O</O
Unfortunately there is no expensive original FJ pants underneath the smooch, just a original pair of straight M40 blue Luftwaffe trousers, brown shoes with Luftwaffe bleu gamaschen.<O</O<O</O<O</O<O</O<O</O<O</O<O</O

[Fallschirmjaeger]

I May Show A Picture Later

I dont have many FJ books wish i had lots,just a couple,if i can work it out i will psot those pictures tomorrow or the following day,unless others do it?And he does look young which is good as there where many young recruits in the FJ ranks in normandy and i have seen some ugly looking ones here in older post's with funny smiles or grins.

[Ostfries]

Thanks again Fallschirmjeager, if you would than certainly post those pictures here, it would be of great help.<O</O
I also would know the titles of those books you have, perhaps you can send them by PM or email if you want?.<O</O
Its certainly a young fellow with no grin on his face, non of my mannequins have smiles or grins on there faces, just serious fighting men .<O</O
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Thanks in advance,<O</O<O</O<O</O<O</O

[Fritz]

I used to own one that was made in march 44 (3 44). I think that it is very much possible that this type of smock was issued to some members of the FJ units in the normandy. Still I think that the majority of these smocks were issued to units that fought in the south (italy) during that time.

Cheers

Fritz

[Ostfries]

Thanks for adding up this information Fritz, it now looks that there are lots of possibilities for me in what time period in '44 to build-up this mannequin.<O</O
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