Early Paratrooper Photo

[VMI88]

I found this photo in an antique shop with other official military photos. Although other photos in the group had the standard markings on the back, this one is unmarked. However, the legend "Parachute Troops" is hand-lettered at the bottom in white paint, so I have no doubt it is original.

 

 

It appears to be a very early view of US paratroopers, possibly the Airborne Test Platoon. Note the balloon cloth jumpsuits, the cloth helmets, and the jump boots with ankle straps. Can anyone identify these soldiers?

 

Bill

[Bob Hudson]

My guess is that they are Soviet Red Army paratroopers in early WWII.

[Gregory]

My guess is that they are Soviet Red Army paratroopers in early WWII.

 

They do not have Soviet physiognomy moreover they suits are too good to be Soviet-designed. One baggy Soviet-made para or flying suit may contain 2-3 men. Perhaps Mr. Stalin murdered not only thousends of wise officers, teachers, scientists and other well-educated people but also better tailors? All was possible for this paranoic.

 

Best regards

 

Greg

[VMI88]

My guess is that they are Soviet Red Army paratroopers in early WWII.

 

The boots and cloth helmets match exactly with those pictured in Shelby Stanton's book on US World War II uniforms. It's hard to see the detail on the jackets because of the reserve parachutes, but they appear to be one of the versions of the early parachutist jumpsuit.

 

Bill

[craig_pickrall]

I can't put an exact date on it but it is very early. It could be the Parachute Test Platoon or the 501st. With the reserve chute in the vertical position and the cloth helmet there is a narrow window that this fits in.

 

It is possible it is a still shot from the movie Parachute Battalion that was filmed at Ft Benning in April, 1941 using the 501st. This is the outfit worn for that movie. It was all issue gear they used.

[Bob Hudson]

They still don't look American to me

 

This fairly common photo is captioned "Members of the Parachute Test Platoon at Fort Benning, GA. 1940"

 

This particular version of this photo is from http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/7443/testp1.html where they have more info on the Test Platoon.

[Gregory]

Hello Gents

 

They still don't look American to me

Hmmm,…

 

The Russians have always copied all possible things from the West but in 1940/41 they were so proud of their airborne forces that they did not need – in their opinion – to copy the smallest details of the US paras because they felt world pioneers and leaders of the parachute and gliderborne forces. Moreover they have closer good friends for copying from as the nazi Fallschirmjägers.

 

In my opinion Bill's pic shows so American paras that they can not be other. Their parachutes are static line T-4s. Their heads are protected by A-2 cloth toque helmets. Their boots are early US jump boots. And one more fundamental thing -- their jump suits are American (2nd Pattern, if I am not mistaken) parachute one-piece coveralls with very characteristic small vertical pocket at internal surface of left leg. BTW -- for the airborne gurus the question what this pocket was for?

 

The Russians would be unable to copy so many details. They have more important tasks then as copying Western aero engines for instance.

 

I can't put an exact date on it but it is very early. It could be the Parachute Test Platoon or the 501st. With the reserve chute in the vertical position and the cloth helmet there is a narrow window that this fits in.

I agree.

 

It is possible it is a still shot from the movie Parachute Battalion that was filmed at Ft Benning in April, 1941 using the 501st. This is the outfit worn for that movie. It was all issue gear they used.

Craig, glider in the background may be an indicator where it is. The glider seems to be either TG-2A or TG-4A. I can not find an information if the gliders were based at Ft Benning in 1940/41 but maybe somebody knows?

 

Warm regards for all

 

Greg

[Bob Carter]

Definately early US airborne troops. T4 with vertical reserve, Ballon suits, A4 helmets and note the jump boots with single buckled strap. All very early used US airborne equipment.