New SS dudes (1 Viewer)

[Blowtorch]

what is the green pack most (early SS) have on their chest? What kind of equipment was it for? This is new to me

 

[Molloy]

Hello, Blowtorch. As far as I'm aware, the pouches featured across the chest on a lot of the early war SS figures are for gas capes - which was apparently simply that: a rubberized cape to be worn in conjunction with the gas mask in the event of chemical attack. Seemingly as the war progressed, it was recognised that this piece of equipment was obsolete, which is why it's predominantly seen more in early war pictures of German soldiers.

*Edited to add: apologies - just Googled that quickly and it seems that it was the pouch itself which was rubberized; according to the information I'm seeing, the actual gas cape was made of chemically impregnated paper?*

Regards,

Molloy.

 

[Blowtorch]

I just saw a few pics in a book I had. Some units were still wearing this pack as of 1941 Russian Campaign. Even the 'Y' suspenders hadn't been fully issued to the W-SS by the invasion time.

About the pack again, it said something about 'rubberized canvas'.