WW2 US experimental camo smock

[emileverbunt]

Is there any knowledge about this camo pattern? It is said it is a US WW2 experimental design. Probably not issued in any numbers.

It was used, on a small scale in the late forties, by Dutch paratroops in the former Netherlands East Indies, now Indonesia.

I believe it was closed up with a lace and was manufactured with rather thin material.

Thanks for reacting.

Cheers,
Emile

[emileverbunt]

Well, is there no knowledge about this subject whatsoever?

[davejb]

Are you sure these are Dutch paras, The cap badges look British from here and the guy on the far left looks like he,s got a FS commando dagger,plus their webbing looks like 58 version?

[jimpy]

Are you sure these are Dutch paras, The cap badges look British from here and the guy on the far left looks like he,s got a FS commando dagger,plus their webbing looks like 58 version?

Dave,

Sorry mate, I think that you're wrong on this one. The webbing looks AMERICAN to me, therefore, by default, I would tend to swing towards them being Dutch para's as already suggested.

Regards etc

Ian

[ian]

i agree Dutch paras ,,,ian

[emileverbunt]

The Dutch Special Forces in the late forties used US, Australian, Dutch and British kit. The helmet you see in the picture is a British DR helmet, which were used for lack of AT helmets. They used Owen's, .303's and M1 carbines as well.

Motley equipment, but they performed well.

Cheers,
Emile

[jimpy]

I do know that the Dutch forces made use of the British camouflaged windproof oversmock and trousers, but the camouflage pattern looks different to what the troops are wearing in the photo.

[emileverbunt]

They used the British smocks, US jungle coverall's, locally made camo and this one. As far as I heard this was US stuff. Probably from stocks left in New Guinea.


I'll include a photo of the beret and insignia.

[ian]

proved them selfs to be exceptional soldiers in some of the dutch colonial wars through the years and very respected by my self and other british soldiers who have worked with them , and that goes for all the dutch army , from my side especialy the tank lads ,,ian

[ian]

from my experience , scruffy buggers but by god they know how to bar fight
ive had a couple of black eyes and the odd split lip from the gl&^%$gys
damn good soldiers , and very proud lads ,im fond of the memories ,cheers ian