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Sicily airborne pictures


Peace
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Hi everybody,

 

I am working on a mannequin display of a paratrooper ready for the Sicily invasion. I checked all my references, but came up with almost nothing!

 

Do you maybe have some pictures of paratroopers gearing up? I would prefer pictures wich show the equipment they are wearing getting ready to go in.

 

The idea would be to put the mannequin together based on a picture.

 

Thx in advance!!

 

Regard

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Charlie Flick

Peace:

 

I think it would be hard to improve on this one. Here we have a couple of 82nd AB guys just before the Sicily Invasion. The photo is from the US National Archives. Hope this helps you.

 

Regards,

Charlie Flick

 

ColorM1916ParatroopersbeforeSicilyj.jpg

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Charlie,

 

thanks for the picture, that is a REAL nice one, and this is exactly what I am looking for!

 

I have one question however; both troopers have their armflag (seem like gauze material) on the LEFT shoulder, and also no divisional insignia. Characteristics wich could place them a bit later in the timeline, specifically just prior to the Dragoon operation...

 

In addition I'd like to share a nice picture from http://www.ww2-airborne.us/pictures/82_pictures.html

 

post-132-1179235236.jpg

Photo of Colonel James M Gavin, 505th PIR Commanding Officer giving last minute instructions prior to the invasion of Sicily. (Photo courtesy of Les Cruise)

 

In this picture you can see that they wear the armflag on the RIGHT shoulder, as they would do in Normandy. I think I can rule out that this picture is mirrored, because the standing trooper on the right has an SSI on his left upper arm.

 

I also found additional attributed pictures wich show the armflag on the RIGHT shoulder.

 

What do you think Charlie?

 

Thx again for the picture, greatly appreciate it!

 

 

And if anybody have additional pictures they would like to share, I invite you to post them here!

 

Regards

 

Stijn

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