Interesting topic. 2 pictures of the 52nd Lowland Div wearing snowsuits in Gangelt, Germany prior to Operation Blackcock. Photos: IWM A few more pictures are known with 7th Armoured Division and 52nd Lowland Division troops wearing snowsuits during Operation Blackcock.
Off on a tangent, some Aussie ski troops in snow suits on this thread. see post #4 http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/6204-australian-ski-troops/
I notice the majority of the photos show the version with buttoned pockets. Is there archival of photo evidence of the use fo the light weight version without the buttons?
The pic of guys in snow suits came to me from a friend in America who retrieved it from a Russian website showing captured German archives under the heading British Snipers.and asked for my comments and if I could identify the pouches round their necks,my comments are below,also is the chap on the right wearing issue snow overshoes .Snipers ? Two stens and a Bren perhaps they were the spotters and local protection . Chap on right turned out in a hurry for pic wearing shoes on the wrong feet. The pouches remind me of the Camel drinking packs that are in use now,Those are completely new to me.Looks like two different patterns the pipe on left seems to come from the end of the pouch whilst the one on the right from the front. .Also what's with the Bren gunners hands looks like the have been grafted on pic later or are they gloves?
Looks like inflatable life belts , like those worn by troops invading Sicily. http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205195579 THE CAMPAIGN IN SICILY 1943: OPERATION HUSKY. © IWM (NA 4193)IWM Non Commercial Licence
I like the mukluks worn by the soldier to the right. No they are not overshoes more like winter moccasins that originally derive from North American natives. From the photo as posted on LAC they were with the Lincoln and Welland Regiment: "Infantrymen of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment, who wear British snow camouflage clothing, prepare to go on patrol, Vught, Netherlands, 1 February 1945. (L-R): Privates F.L Russell, J. Sneddon, Corporal R.S. Marshall, unknown." I'll include include a photo of them training in a very nice wooden canoe which most of them would have been familiar with growing up in Canada. Since they were on water perhaps Owen's notion that they are using an inflatable bladder of some kind is correct? A link explaining the Battle at Kapelschel Veer which I'm not very familiar with. I'm surprised that Canuck hasn't been all over this one ... :P http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/northwesteurope/kapelscheveer.htm Regards ...
Oh, but I have! http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/35994-kapelsche-veer/?hl=kapelsche Not much interest at the time.
Ah no wonder I stuck an "L" on the end of Kapelsche making my search useless ... It's interesting the role the Peterborough (?) canoe played here. Major General Voles who ordered them was hoping they would never arrive and thus delay or end the operation entirely before it began. Still they were successful in the end but paid a heavy price. Regards ...
Peterborough Canoes are highly prized today. Their traditional cedar strip versions are a thing of beauty and craftmanship. Sadly, they went out of business in the early sixties due to the new aluminum and fiberglass technology. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peterborough_Canoe_Company