AQUILA\'S FALLSCHIRMJAGERS V 1.0

the risk of fouling harness lines. To hold the helmet in position, it was fitted with a chinstrap which divided so as to pass in front of and behind each ear. The helmet’s inner consisted of a dome-shaped pierced with circular ventilation holes. This was held in position inside the steel shell by a band of strong but flexible aluminium, backed with resilient rubber padding, and fixed to the shell by four screws. These screws also served to anchor neck and chin straps to the rear and both sides. Early versions were painted on the inside and outside with a rust-preventative matt blue-grey paint. Helmets issued and worn later in the war, when the Fallschirmjager were being used in the infantry role, were frequently painted dark grey-green, a more practical colour than the blue-grey. Fallschirmjager helmets used in North Africa, Sicily and Italy and other countries with a hot, dry climate were usually overpainted in a sandy-buff colour, sometimes sand was sprinkled on the wet paint that when dried gave a non-reflecting surface. In snow-covered terrain a matt-white finish was achieved by a thick coat of whitewash – preferable to white paint because when spring arrived the whitewash could be scrubbed off with water and the helmet restored to its original colour. Fallschirmjager helmets bore the same pattern of insignia as used on the steel helmet worn within the Luftwaffe, the Luftwaffe eagle on the left side and the tricolour shield on the right. However, in the summer of 1940 orders were published abolishing the black, white and red shield for the duration. Helmet coverings were common and ranged from a professional-looking cloth cover with a sewn on band, to ad hoc attempts to disrupt the helmet’s solid outline, such as chicken wire, sacking or cloth netting, into which camouflage could be inserted. - Note: In my skin, the special helmet has been substituted with the regular helmet because of obvious MODEL limitations. It appears however that at some extent M-35 / M40 / M42 etc... were used, due to the post 1943 shortages that considerably affected the German War effort. B - JUMP-SMOCK - In all, there were three models of jump smock issued to the Fallschirmjager. The first was replaced before the outbreak of war. These garments, which were worn over equipment for the jump, were usually removed as soon as soon as possible after landing and then worn under the belt kit and equipment. The second model was also a pre-war design and was produced in olive-green, waterproof gabardine. To hold the smock in position or to prevent it riding up, this pattern had short legs permanently fastened at the crutch, with a central front opening from neck to crutch secured by a fly-fronted heavy-duty brass zipper, and long sleeves fastening at the wrist. The smock had four large pockets: two diagonal openings on the chest and two horizontal openings on the thigh, each of which was closed by zip-fastener concealed by fly-fronted flaps. The national emblem was sewn on the upper right breast. Rank insignia in the shape of large-size ‘wings’ were worn on both the upper arms. The third model, and final pattern of Fallschirmjager smock, was manufactured from ‘splinter’ pattern camouflage material. It was similar to the previous model in many ways, but, most noticeably, it did not have step-in legs, and so appeared to be longer in the body. The lower edge of the smock had press stud fasteners, which enabled the skirt to be gathered in around the thighs, and secured to form short ‘legs’. Like the second-pattern smock, it had two diagonal pocket openings on each side of the chest and two horizontal pocket openings at the front just below waist level. All were closed by zip fasteners and all were concealed by a fly-fronted flap. Two more openings, one on each hip, gave access to the trouser pockets. At the back on the right buttock was a built-in holster to accommodate a flare pistol. On the opposite rear side of the skirt was a single loop of cloth, set diagonally, to accommodate the end of an entrenching tool handle. Both these innovations reflected the state of the parachute arm since the Crete campaign, as after the severe mauling inflicted on the Fallschirmjager in this campaign, a change in their role meant that they were no longer expected to jump from aircraft, but to fight as normal infantry. Note: The only way to bypass the standard features of EA\'s basic German model was to color both the lower tunic and the upper trousers so they can \"visually merge\" in a decently convincing effect. C - GLOVES These were of black or brown leather and had an extended gauntlet-type wrist, elasticated on the back to give a tight fit to the wrist and lower forearm. They were unlined for summer wear and fur-lined for cold weather wear. D - JUMP TROUSERS The trousers were manufactured from field-grey woollen cloth, loose fitting and gathered at the ankle so that they fitted into the tops of the lace-up boots. This arrangement gave the trousers a loose ‘bagged’ appearance. On the outside of each trouser leg just above the knee was an opening set into the seams and kept closed by three concealed press-stud fasteners. These openings permitted easy removal of the internal knee protectors when these were worn. Additionally, the right leg had an external wedge-shaped flap sewn into the seam and secured by two further press-studs. The Fallschirmjager’s utility knife, known as the gravity knife, was housed in this narrow pocket on the inside of the leg. E - KNEE PROTECTORS & KNEE PADS (Not featured in this skin) To protect their kneecaps from the heavy abrasions or serious injury easily caused by a difficult parachute landing, Fallschirmjager were initially issued with knee protectors. These consisted of a pair of flat, kapok-filled rectangular canvas-covered pads worn directly over the kneecaps inside the trouser legs, and tied in position with tapes or laces. Although they provided sufficient protection for air drops, they proved a hindrance if worn on the march, tending to restrict movement of the knees and rapidly causing chaffing to the skin. The pads were removed as soon as possible after a parachute descent, the two slit side openings in the paratrooper’s jump trousers allowing this to be done. Knee pads soon replaced the earlier knee protectors. They consisted of six rubber horizontal pads formed from sorbo rubber and covered with either black or dark brown leather, or later by olive green cloth. Each pad was held in position by a set of two strong elasticated and adjustable straps which crossed behind the knee and clipped on to small button-hooks on the opposite side of the pad. Unlike the earlier knee protectors, these pads were worn over the trouser legs. It was normal practice to take them off, but not to discard them, once a descent had been effected, since they tended to become uncomfortable if worn for any length of time whilst marching. F - JUMP BOOTS In addition to being issued with normal items of footwear, Fallschirmjager were also equipped with ‘jump boots’. These high-sided boots were intended to give additional support to the ankles, particularly important when landing by parachute. The first pattern boots laced up the side of the foot and ankle, with eleven or twelve lace holes (depending upon the height of the boot), to cut down the risk of fouling the parachute lines or canopy. They were manufactured in black leather and reached to just below mid-calf. The soles and heels were of moulded rubber with a large chevron patterning. They had no toecap seams, but had a broad reinforcing seam running along the front and back. The second model, front lacing pattern was introduced shortly after the outbreak of war, and was worn concurrently with the side-lacing pattern until sometime after the battle for Crete, when stocks of the original boot became exhausted. Of a more conventional design, the front lacing black leather boot was soled and heeled in leather and was usually studded. It was shorter in the ankle than the side-lacing boot. G - FLIEGERBLUSE (Flying Blouse) The fliegerbluse was introduced soon after the Luftwaffe came into being and was available to all ranks of all branches of the Luftwaffe. It was a single-breasted, fly-fronted, short-waisted garment with plain sleeves, manufactured from blue-grey cloth. It was designed to be a tight-fitting jacket, with an open neck and, when not in combat or on exercise, worn with a collar and black tie. Collar patches were in yellow, the Fallschirmjager Arm of Service colour. On the right sleeve of this tunic was worn a cuff title, dark-green for Divisional units and light green for Regiments. There was also a cuff title, worn on the left sleeve, for those who had fought in Crete and yet another when 5th Regiment was transferred to the Herman Goering Division. The former 5th Jager then wore the cuff title on their tunics. Note: The blue/gray collar seen on the soldiers is from the Fliegerbluse. H - CUFF TITLES (Not featured in this skin) The Luftwaffe method of distinguishing elite formations was to authorise its officers and men to wear a cuff title. The one issued to Fallschirmjager units was in green with Gothic lettering. To further distinguish between units, all ranks of 1st and 2nd Jager regiments wore a light green band. The other units of 7th Flieger Division carried a dark green band. In accordance with standard practice, a cuff title that identified the unit was worn on the right sleeve. Upon the declaration of war, however, orders were issued that Fallschirmjager units would no longer carry this distinctive mark. Even so, there were occasions during the war when cuff titles were issued as campaign decorations, and certain Jager were eligible to wear these. The first campaign distinction was the cuff band awarded for Operation Mercury – the invasion of Crete. This was white with the word ‘KRETA’ set between two stylised palm emblems, the whole embroidered in yellow. The second was the cuff band bestowed for service in Africa; in this case the background was khaki-brown, with the word ‘AFRIKA’ in silver thread. Those Jager who were eligible for both awards wore them, Africa above Crete, on the lower left sleeve. When the 5th Regiment, in Tunisia, was transferred en bloc to the Herman Goering Division, its officers and men were issued with the cuff band of that formation. This was dark blue with gothic lettering in grey (silver thread for officers). As a badge identifying a unit, this title was worn on the right sleeve. I - RANK The yellow collar patches with a set of 4 silver wings (the same pattern can be seen on the jump smock sleeve) is indicating an Oberfeldwebel, the equivalent of a Master Sgt. J- BELT BUCKLE The Belt buckle is from the Luftwaffe type (aluminum)![/quote]
[quote]2 -HISTORICAL FACTS / SKIN FEATURES : A - HELMET - The helmet, practical in design, was modelled on the standard issue steel helmet, but without the neck and side shields, to reduce