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Polish Para (?) Uniform ID

Article about: Hello, I'm glad I found this place. I'm trying to figure out what these WII Polish Para helmets are called. I think they're from around 1943. I've looked all over but I keep coming up empty.

  1. #1
    MikeC23
    ?

    Default Polish Para (?) Uniform ID

    Hello, I'm glad I found this place.

    I'm trying to figure out what these WII Polish Para helmets are called.
    I think they're from around 1943.




    I've looked all over but I keep coming up empty.
    Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  2. #2
    ?

    Default Re: Polish Para (?) Uniform ID

    They are "Sorbo" training helmets ...
    The colour photo's were taken in Kincraig - Scotland I believe in 1942.

    Have a look here for a few more details ...

    British_Parachute_Forces_1940-45

    Gary J.

  3. #3

    Default Re: Polish Para (?) Uniform ID

    Thanks for that link Gary, it helped me identify the type of headgear worn by the Polish SOE "agents" in this photo with Sikorski (1941) I recently picked up
    Click to enlarge the picture Click to enlarge the picture Polish Para (?) Uniform ID  
    I collect, therefore I am.

    Nothing in science can explain how consciousness arose from matter.

  4. #4
    MikeC23
    ?

    Default Re: Polish Para (?) Uniform ID

    Wow, that was fast!

    Thank you very much, I really appreciate the help.

    The reason I was asking is that, well, I don't know how many members on this Forum are actually interested in the first 3 original Star Wars films, but while searching for Gamaschens and Puttees I ran across those pictures I posted and it looks like this is exactly where they got their reference/inspiration for these helmets...



    It looks like they used a modified Sorbo as a base and then slapped it on a AN-H-15.

    I've never seen helmets like the Sorbo until just recently, I thought they had just made-up the Return of the Jedi versions for the film, but everything has to come from somewhere.

  5. #5
    ?

    Default Re: Polish Para (?) Uniform ID

    4th, ...
    They actually look like members of the "Grenadier Company" .... a tough bunch trained away from the Brigade as more like an SAS unit rather than single agents.
    There are a couple of specialists on this unit, I know one frequents the forum.

    Cheers

    Gary J.


    Quote by 4thskorpion View Post
    Thanks for that link Gary, it helped me identify the type of headgear worn by the Polish SOE "agents" in this photo with Sikorski (1941) I recently picked up

  6. #6

    Default Re: Polish Para (?) Uniform ID

    Hi Gary,

    The press photo has them captioned on the reverse simply as Polish SOE agents 1941?
    I collect, therefore I am.

    Nothing in science can explain how consciousness arose from matter.

  7. #7
    ?

    Default Re: Polish Para (?) Uniform ID

    4th,
    I checked out the "Grenadier" photo I was thinking of, and your right ... totally different ....

    Check out this Sikorski Institute photo of the Grenadiers ... and look at their headgear !!

    Cheers

    Gary J.Polish Para (?) Uniform ID


    Quote by 4thskorpion View Post
    Hi Gary,

    The press photo has them captioned on the reverse simply as Polish SOE agents 1941?

  8. #8
    GFC
    GFC is offline
    ?

    Default Re: Polish Para (?) Uniform ID

    Quote by 4thskorpion View Post
    Thanks for that link Gary, it helped me identify the type of headgear worn by the Polish SOE "agents" in this photo with Sikorski (1941) I recently picked up
    The Sikorski photo was taken in September 1941, on the 23rd, the day that the Parachute Brigade became "official."

    The last man in the ranks with the moustache is Lt Col Jan Kaminski, who played a decisive role at Mokra on 1.IX.39, and was for a long time, the Bde's deputy commander. No longer in this position during 1944, he jumped at Arnhem as an "extra" officer.

    The civilian in the sorbo helmet is Clement Atlee. His smiles in the presence of Poles would change post-war.

    GFC

  9. #9

    Default Re: Polish Para (?) Uniform ID

    Hello
    Exactly - the photo shows Grenadiers a day before departure to Peterborough airfield prior Bardsea Operation (cancelled)
    Greetings
    Rafal

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