capajo02 Posted June 25, 2018 Share #1 Posted June 25, 2018 Hello all. I have been researching equipment, etc. of the 503rd PIR for the Sept. 1943 jump in Markham Valley / Nadzab. I found one high(er) quality film of the 503rd and the Australian artillery volunteers marshaling at the airfield with all of their kit. I have been trying to figure out exactly what kind of helmet net they are using. I assumed it was of Commonwealth/Australian origin, but I cannot find an Australian net like the one these paratroopers are wearing. It looks like the squares are offset, and the nets - in many, but not all cases - are bunched on both sides of the helmet near the chinstrap loops/bails. To me, this is different from the "standard" British 0.5-inch nets seen in the ETO.I will attach a few screenshots. Video source is here: https://youtu.be/6mxhEWfxfLo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capajo02 Posted June 25, 2018 Author Share #2 Posted June 25, 2018 A few more. EDIT: Sorry, for uploading the same photo twice. I picked the wrong on in the upload process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capajo02 Posted June 25, 2018 Author Share #3 Posted June 25, 2018 Final example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king802 Posted June 25, 2018 Share #4 Posted June 25, 2018 That would be the so called Commando net. Australian/ British design - exact origins unknown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capajo02 Posted June 25, 2018 Author Share #5 Posted June 25, 2018 Thanks very much. I had seen it before, but did not know what it was called or how to search for an example. - John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airborneguy44 Posted June 25, 2018 Share #6 Posted June 25, 2018 Those nets are widely seen in the movie "Kelly's Heroes" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GITom1944 Posted June 26, 2018 Share #7 Posted June 26, 2018 A few more photos of the type in this thread http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235395-commando-net-wface-veil-found-at-gunshow/?hl=commando Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted June 26, 2018 Share #8 Posted June 26, 2018 And they are worth more than other nets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtdorango Posted June 26, 2018 Share #9 Posted June 26, 2018 Yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtdorango Posted June 26, 2018 Share #10 Posted June 26, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burning Hazard Posted June 26, 2018 Share #11 Posted June 26, 2018 Cool pics, I've been watching lots of period footage and noticed paratroopers would wear just about every net they could get their hands on; even cut up vehicle netting (shrimp nets). Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patches Posted June 26, 2018 Share #12 Posted June 26, 2018 Yes and they were apprantly worn by certain elmts of the 32nd Inf Div on New Guinea in late 1942. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capajo02 Posted June 26, 2018 Author Share #13 Posted June 26, 2018 Great info and pics. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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