German Fallschirmjäger (Paratroopers) at Crete with graugrun knochensack, summer of 1941. The Fallschirmjäger, like all paratroopers from all countries in World War II, had special clothing and equipment that the standard Infantry did not have. The knochensack (jump smock or bone sack) was one of these unique pieces of clothing that only the German Paratroopers of WW2 had. This pictures shows the early green pattern of Fallschirmschützenbluse M1940, intended to be worn over the standard uniform and personal equipment when descending by parachute. The generous amount of pockets and zipper openings made it possible for the man to gain access to his equipment, and if worn at the time of the jump, a side-arm, as in German practice personal weapons were carried in drop-containers. Other variations of jump smocks were those earlier ones of the Army Fallschirmjäger-Infanterie-Bataillon (later incorporated into the Luftwaffe), a light green shorter collarless garment distinguished by having two parallel zips from throat to thigh; a green step-in smock similar to this example; a full front-opening smock with no 'legs'; and one that featured a fitted pistol holster made of fabric attached to rear right. Late-war examples also appeared in tan 'water' pattern camouflage material. Physical description for Fallschirmschützenbluse M40: Single-breasted step-in mid-thigh length jump oversmock made of splinter pattern printed gabardine. The smock has a zipper fitted to the front and is concealed with a fly front, has two deep hip pockets and two diagonal pockets to the upper chest with two deep vertical access slits, one at either side of the low hip, closed by zips with black leather tags. All are fly fronted as is the main vertical closure that has six additional pressure studs. Fitted to the right of the lower front fly is an additional short concealed secondary zip with leather tag that permits the wearer to urinate without removing the garment. The cuffs are closed by a metal studs and have short elasticated inner wind resistant shrouds of brown cotton material. There are a pair of metal pressure studs fitted to the outer legs of the garment, allowing the legs to be adjusted to fit the legs tighter when parachuting. There are large open apertures underneath the arms, with below, a series of six air vent holes. Triple vertical holes are seen at either side of the waist for fitting metal belt equipment support hooks. A machine-embroidered Luftwaffe eagle and swastika insignia in white on dark grey is sewn to the right upper chest.
Source :
https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234984342-lead-sled-morris-cs815cwt-a-pak37-and-13-fallschirmjager/
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30100832
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