80 Years of British Airborne Forces

[@drbomdaydayboms4890]

The first guy with the crazy looking helmet, he did not look like he had the uniform he wanted on xD

[@BA9000]

Wanted*

[@noahhughes2501]

That uniform looks cool as hell

[@shaunsconfusingmachines8402]

He looks like he’s sulking

[@MRDPG59]

maybe he is a bit worried about boarding the plane behind him with no tail rudder :) :)

[@nucleargaz1]

@@shaunsconfusingmachines8402 They all do Shaun

[@RyanRyzzo]

I'm Estonian. I remember watching a documentary on TV bit over 20 years ago. It featured British soldiers wearing strange uniforms. I thought they looked really cool, but I had no idea what they were because I used to think of Brits wearing wide brimmed helmets back then. A few years later (dawn of affordable internet) I learned that they were from the time of the Suez Crisis. Been really fond of that sort of look (Denison smock, airborne helmet or beret) ever since. This video is awesome!

[@1Selous]

Decision Smock you can still find for say Military Surpluss

[@keithdurose7057]

CNC make a replica Dinison smock. Silvermans Military of London sell them for £199•00. Excellent presentation. Maybe one on Commando uniforms too?

[@RiflemanMoore]

My apologies about the wind noise, that was, unfortunately, out of my control. Also at 13:37 I state the trousers are made of the same sort of material as the smock, what I meant to say was in the same sort of camouflage, windproof trousers are made in gabardine, rather than sateen. The issue with impromptu filming!

[@AnvilAirsoftTV]

Wind is a constant nightmare as my partner will tell you from all my swearing when I start editing!

[@RiflemanMoore]

The chap filming had a windscreen fitted to his microphone but even so this was the result.

[@JohnnyZenith]

You didn't show the latest kit?!

[@BA9000]

do you mean a bit earlier than 17:18, if you meant 17:18 that would be the outro!!

[@addepartment]

the wind is controllable use a proper mic a with a windsheild

[@TheArmourersBench]

What a treat, thanks Simon!

[@RiflemanMoore]

Cheers! Glad you enjoyed.

[@jamesripley9460]

Thanks!

[@RiflemanMoore]

Thank you!

[@henrymann8122]

Fantastic presentation, mate! I rather enjoyed this. Thanks!

[@downlink5877]

13:00 That's interesting, given that decades later, the Paras in Afghanistan went through a phase of putting the old US chocolate chip helmet covers on underneath the scrim

[@RiflemanMoore]

I didn't know that, an interesting bit of information, thanks!

[@exsappermadman25055]

"Scrim"?.....

[@thomashendriks6798]

@@exsappermadman25055 'Scrim' are strips of cloth, sometimes camouflage cloth in Multicam or MTP for example, or sometimes solid color which are woven through a helmet net to serve as camouflage. It's hard to describe without a picture.

[@dbdb9334]

Interesting video on some of the greatest men.

[@mostlymessingabout]

And women

[@dbdb9334]

@@mostlymessingabout Don't think there were any women in the airborne forces.

[@HT-gv1be]

The greatest men*

[@dbdb9334]

@Alex 28 Exactly. Full support to him.

[@billmmckelvie5188]

Excellent video, great presentation of the kit as worn since the inception of the regiment, good to see the progression over the years all in one video. For me the wind noise added to the atmosphere and was rather fitting. However there is one tiny error with the depiction of the Falklands kit, sadly you have forgot the Tri-service all ranks issue of the 'Bandit' 'tache!

[@RiflemanMoore]

That is a very fair point.

[@StuJWarby]

Minor point but I think the field dressing pocket on the rear of the right sleeve was a modification that came in slightly later than the Falklands War.

[@jackr4009]

Awesome video! Love the different eras of uniforms all being displayed at once!

[@RiflemanMoore]

Thanks, it certainly was good to see!

[@michaelamos4651]

Great video. Very interesting to see all the uniforms together.Amazing progression in last 10 years as well

[@sauceymistersausages]

Great vid mate the flap used to keep the wind out in South Armargh with grenade pin on the zipper used only water bottle pouches on the 58 pattern webbing ( used as utility pouches ) sometimes with kidney pouches, sometimes without. Rifle magazines in pockets. Sometimes when it was cold a zoot suit underneath the smock.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Thanks for the kind words Kieran and thanks for the details of your kit.

[@james9311]

Grenade pin on zip Ally

[@anthonythomas1735]

I served in the British Army for 7 years (22nd Air Defence Regiment, Royal Artillery 89-93 then later 16th Air Defence Regiment, Royal Artillery 93-96), we were stationed in Dortmund, Germany as our home Barracks (Napier Barracks), in 1990 we were posted on a United Nations Peacekeeping tour of Cyprus for 6 months then back to Dortmund, in 1993 we were posted to Belfast, Northern Ireland for 6 months and we were allowed to wear either a Para Smock or an SAS Smock for the tour and also allowed to wear Hi-Tech Magnum boots, which made a world of difference considering that 24hr duties at our police station, we would typically be out patrolling for at least 18 hours in that period. The difference in uniform quality that our lads and ladies get today is a massive improvement (as it should be). I had a chance of doing a United Nations tour in Bosnia for 6 months in the last part of my service, which would have taken my medal tally to 4, I regret not doing that tour as it was voluntary but hey I'm proud to have served and had the pleasure of serving with some of the best people that I've ever met. I'm so proud of what our service men and women do for us in Iraq and Afghanistan to this day, thanks guys, YOU ARE AWESOME.

[@FHIPrincePeter]

I was at Camp 10 Neussbaumweg!

[@slin2903]

Dortmund? Poor you Dortmund is a shit place.

[@manonwax8474]

Slightly heavier than a hundred lbs in afghan, old boy I was carrying 122+

[@beryanbeyaan8047]

A small correction maybe...the Indian(Gurkha) airborne troopers parachute brevet was worn on the right sleeve just like the British one. The Para brevet came upfront on the right chest only in the late 1970's.

[@RiflemanMoore]

The parachute troops of the 44th Indian Airborne Division routinely wore their brevets above the right breast pocket during WWII.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Nice shot of soldiers of the 16th South Staffs Parachute Battalion when part of the division www.paradata.org.uk/media/5278

[@argusflugmotor7895]

Underrated channel!

[@gregreeve562]

Nice seeing the uniform through the years, something we did differently to other units was wear our webbing (58patt) in different configurations usually water bottle pouches sown together. Didn’t use kidney pouches or poncho roll. Seems to be a gap between Falklands and Iraq/Afghan as we had the PLCE in green then DPM.

[@steveswitzer4353]

Great channel this cheers me right up

[@JDRELGOR]

I believe on the first uniform the helmet was to protect the head as they dropped out of the plane, they called it the bell ringer, because they dropped from the bottom of the fuselage, that's what I have read it might be wrong.

[@RiflemanMoore]

You're quite right, that was one of the methods used, specifically when jumping from converted Whitley bombers.

[@HO-bndk]

1956, of course, being the last time the paras ever actually jumped into action. The SLR was used by some RM commandos during Musketeer too after very early trials versions of them (effectively just 50.00 FN FALs) had been used in Malaya.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Indeed so on both points. The X8E1 was also on trial in Kenya just prior to Musketeer.

[@seeker1432]

Just came across this video. It was great seeing what my Father would of worn in the 1st Airborne with my uncle Des in the 3rd. Nice seeing this close up

[@bluelion9563]

Great video! My Grandfather served with the Indian Airborne Division in Burma during the Second World War, so any information about them is much appreciated. 👍🏻

[@RiflemanMoore]

Many thanks, glad you ejoyed. Which unit was your Grandfather with specifically?

[@michaelamos4651]

Great video. Good to see all the uniforms together. Amazing changes made in last 10 to 15 years as well

[@RiflemanMoore]

Absolutely so, glad you enjoyed!

[@pablojablo6371]

The old Denison smock . My dad was in B Coy 3 Para from 1972 until 1979 and have photies of him wearing it. I think the smock stopped getting worn just before the Falklands.

[@jmccallion2394]

Great video, but the wind was a bit of an annoyance!

[@tigermoth7580]

Outstanding presentation!!

[@RiflemanMoore]

Thank you!

[@jangreen5618]

My uncle Robert Evison was in the 6th airbourne division, 13th battalion in ww2.

[@nicholasroberts6954]

What happened to the Dakota's rudder - no lockdown ?

[@ytsm]

Kind of related question: why where the Brits (Para incl.) mostly helmet-less during the Falklands conflict? Am I mis-remembering?

[@ad4mkelly]

Excellent video Very professional Struggled hearing some of it thought due to the wind

[@RiflemanMoore]

Yes the wind noise is very frustrating, this was filmed by the media chap from the Parachute Regiment, he did have a wind shield on the mic but it doesn't seem to have helped. Completely out of my control in this instance unfortunately.

[@williambates2812]

Would the 70s one used in operation banner in Northern Ireland?

[@richardspeed7135]

Great video gentlemen

[@motorsphere356]

Great video! Also what about the P42 Bergen? I'm sure they were used during ww2 and a nylon version introduced bring Borneo

[@RiflemanMoore]

I have a 1960s dated example, 1966 off the top of my head and it is still made of cotton duck but the lining is nylon.

[@dionbullman2225]

The video has a lot of information about the British paratroopers in World War 2 my grandfather was in the second Staffordshire parachute regiment in World War 2 he was a combat instructor. Do you guys have a website or a way to contact you guys I wouldn't much appreciated if you guys could help me locate my grandads platoon

[@christophernewman5027]

Who nicked the Dakota's rudder?

[@reecevince2166]

12:15 did he say training in aldershot??

[@michaelwhittaker5432]

Not sure about the formation sign been worn on a smock in W.W.2 ? but great film

[@sailasavakalala4531]

Lived in Williams park and later Salamanca park,Aldershot in the 70s. Dad served in the Brigade proud Para 1963-1974. Younger brother followed dad into the Paras and served with 216 Signals later in 1990. The 1970s Paras uniform brings back many fond memories of dad in his Dennison smock,Wings and DZ flash and rank. Colchester and the Paras...no,no Aldershot.....is where they truly belong.

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

True, Aldershot is/was The Home of the British Army. I was there briefly in 1967.

[@pablojablo6371]

Me too. Me dad was B Coy 3 Para. He was down there a few weeks ago for the Falklands Anniversary. He videod it and sent to me and it now a tescos . I have fond memories from there as a kid .

[@limeyjoe1931957]

Would be better if you used a wireless mike would stop the wind blowing into your main mike on your camera

[@MacChew008]

"Utrinque Paratus". Ps have a list of stuff that is not available, post online, and see what may turn up. Nice Job Simon.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Glad you enjoyed, many thanks!

[@azdigbee]

Where’s the rudder off the Dakota ?

[@TimDutch]

Very nice video!

[@RiflemanMoore]

Thank you very much!

[@andysanger7723]

Great video about the history of the of airborne regiment. Uniform and kit Especially liked the 1944 uniform 👍 Andy

[@RiflemanMoore]

Glad you enjoyed, cheers Andy.

[@waynec.c.5231]

Missed the one with the slr

[@lib556]

Another great video!

[@RiflemanMoore]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JayMac-gh1kx]

AB ALL THE WAY brother from a OLD SWEAT AND PARA

[@arthurrobinson2604]

I was an N/Serviceman In 1 Para in Cyprus in 1956. A patrol led by the CSM wearing faceveils round their heads walked up the wrong valley into an ambush of 3 Para. I think they fired just one shot before someone shouted ' 1 Para' . The shot killed the Sergeant major. After that we all wore the red beret on patrol.

[@Pardus_1970]

My Dad was Airborne during National Service served with the Queens West Surrey Regiment and did the Airborne course in I think around 1953 remember him talking about Suez

[@jakebrowncollection1772]

Really well done mate 👍

[@RiflemanMoore]

Cheers Jake!

[@donxz2555]

Good Vlog only destroyed by a lack of a dead cat for the microphone

[@badrolmusa398]

Is Sten Mark V is standard submachine gun for Btitish ww2 paratroopers?

[@_itz.kenco_9593]

came here for the bloke with the SLR and didn’t see him :(

[@thesmanbrowne4561]

Great vid , use a Mike next time so I can hear you ,

[@RiflemanMoore]

Not my footage I'm afraid. The chap filming did have a wind shield on his mic but it doesn't have seem to have made any difference.

[@nicolasetherton2534]

Good video however the soldier from the Falklands was wearing an early tin helmet and jungle lightweights, the helmet we were issued was made of plastic and provided no protection against high velocity rounds.

[@tigermoth7580]

Many Falklands Paras chose to wear the older metal helmets.

[@johnbrentford2653]

The first one looked like Reinhard Heydrich.

[@cavetreasures5475]

Congratulations! ;-)

[@james9311]

16:00 Elcan sight rather than Susat

[@reddevilparatrooper]

Outstanding presentation! AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY!!!!

[@RiflemanMoore]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@PreparedPathfinder]

Shame the current soldier was missed out. Nice video. l served in Para Regt from 1988-2014.

[@RiflemanMoore]

He wasn't happy to be filmed with his kit, unfortunately. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@PreparedPathfinder]

@@RiflemanMoore roger that, bit of a strange one!

[@zaynevanbommel5983]

That wind damnation ! lol

[@Sinky-06]

What is the music at the start

[@RiflemanMoore]

Colonel Bogey.

[@1Selous]

Just Subscribed. 😁 FYI Ex Army 79-22

[@davidhamilton6612]

How about one on the history of the SAS/SBS? Two other outstanding units borne out of the necessities of WW2.

[@stokesjack]

During ww2, did british airborne forces wear their jump smocks over their equipment during their jumps?

[@RiflemanMoore]

They wore a denim over-smock over the equipment and the Denison smock.

[@stokesjack]

@@RiflemanMoore are there any places that replicate it?

[@alexhidell8022]

All I hear is wind blowing. Terrible audio. Invest in a micrphone

[@faeembrugh]

Ridiculous that ammo/DMS boots were kept in service that long.

[@StuJWarby]

I was surprised how late 1944 pattern webbing was being worn. I would have thought 58 would have been on general issue by Borneo. One other point (I was in an Airborne role late 70s/early 80s) is that two water-bottles were generally worn. 1 x 58 pattern with plastic bottle and mug and 1 x 44 pattern with aluminium bottle and mug. One advantage of the latter was that you could brew up by putting the 44 mug directly onto your hexamine burner. A piece of insulation tape on the rim stopped you burning your lips!

[@1Selous]

In Bornio 44 used as and belive it or not we where still useing 44 in 83 in Belize, over 58 that shrunk and can't get your waterbottle in, further still today some of use use 44 pattern Mugs as mess tin for brewing and cooking than mess tins save weight and space. Now they brought out black waterbottle with black metal mug for cooking

[@gabiedubin]

the israeli paratrooper beret is maroon after the british one

[@gabiedubin]

@Gar yea it is very likely although i bet that they used that as insperation

[@gabiedubin]

@Gar yea i knoe that , i didn't mean that , i meant the the idf uses the color maroon as its paratrooper beret color as an inspiration from the british one , there were a lot of jews who fought in armies and one of the armies where there were the most jews was yhr british army , there was also training an deven jewish units

[@wooderdsaunders6801]

Wind was a problem

[@RiflemanMoore]

It was indeed, the chap from the Parachute Regiment media team who was filming did have a wind shield on his microphone but it didn't do much good unfortunately.

[@pierevojzola9737]

Hi, good try, but you left out the 58 pattern webbing that was used by the regiment in the 60,s, it was a very important part of our kit in Cyprus, Greece, Bahrain, Muscat, Aden and N Ireland. Thats a big gap, is that intentional or just political? Could you not find the 58 webbing, want to borrow mine? Harera.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Not so, if you watch again the Falklands chap in this run-through is wearing 1958 Pattern web equipment so that pattern is represented, the chap representing Aden was wearing it too, you'll see him in the lineup. He was missed out from the more detailed run through in this upload as there was trouble getting that section of footage to me. If you check out the Parachute Regiment's Facebook page I'm pretty sure it's up on there. I have covered Aden elsewhere on the channel though looking at the Argylls rather than the Parachute Regiment, if that may be of interest.

[@leeoien3645]

Couldn't finish-- background noise was so bad! :(

[@luxmid7486]

whenever i hear about the British Airborne they have red boots what is with that

[@davidhamilton6612]

That would be the US airborne of WW2. The Brits and Commonwealth airborne units never wore the red colored boots.

[@pawel_tips911]

Great video, but sound horrible. Please next time put a microphone to speaker t-shirt.

[@AirplaneDoctor_]

Surprised you didn’t mention the tail on the smock was usually cut off when doing Banner tours.

[@RiflemanMoore]

We didn't have an Operation Banner chap to talk about!

[@Peter-lm3ic]

In our Unit the tails of the Denison Smock were never ever cut off as they were essential when operating in high windy peaks.

[@AirplaneDoctor_]

Peter 99 ok Walter, cool story bro....

[@fetucinealfred0]

he forgot to go over the gurkha's kukri

[@norton750cc]

In the early 70`s our gear was shite. Chutes were good thank god.......

[@Apoll022]

Great video but needs subtitles....I don't understand wind

[@SB-sj4uz]

PARA Reg certainly don't use the term "squadie". Hatish.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Well I'm not in the Parachute Regiment I'm simply a civilian using a slang term meaning a private soldier.

[@SB-sj4uz]

@@RiflemanMoore I understand that which is why I mentioned it. Great vid.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Many thanks!

[@tdezyn]

@@RiflemanMoore Actually we used to call all other units crap-hats. Until you passed "P" company we also wore the crap-hat! The 59 webbing we used to lace together so it moulded as one firm unit, didn't slop around. I was from 454 platoon 1979 with Worsley-tonks (Mortar Platoon Falklands) as our lieutenant along with SGT Hurst 1 Para, CPL Meredith 2 Para, CPL Jock 3 Para and another full screws from 1 para. That was back at Browning barracks-Aldershot. Shame you didn't have the SLR!

[@daddydavenport664]

81 today

[@exsappermadman25055]

Airborne forces are learning so much the have a Sapper unit now!....9 Para are wasting the Taliban as we speak....

[@diligentone-six2688]

Airborne Paratroopers are much more faster than Amphibious Marines in my opinion. Since that they can drop behind enemy lines and cause more havoc.

[@vmax42dave]

Er, RM are also para trained,

[@ironhand9096]

Plus airbourne are less likely to surrender. (I’m referring to when they surrendered to the Iranian gunboat in Iraq and not the Falklands when they went above and beyond in the face of overwhelming numbers and orders).

[@vmax42dave]

@@ironhand9096 The RN ordered the guys to not return fire ref the Iranian Gunboats. Rex Hunt the Governor of the Falklands also ordered the surrender - www.forces.net/news/did-royal-marines-really-surrender-after-falklands-invasion

[@LegolasTwinkletoes]

Wind It fucked this entire thing up

[@philheath9854]

I think you should get rid of the sound and over dub the talking...

[@mikeschumacher9715]

Please, could you shove more wind through the microphone? I could almost make out what you're saying. Otherwise would have been a great video.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Yeah, wasn't me filming but I'll ask the chap who was. This was shot by media from the Parachute Regiment, the chap did have a wind shield on his microphone but it doesn't seem to have had any effect, alas.

[@bytheway111]

I gave up. The sound was just too bad.

[@sandraneuser2158]

So sad to see that even a museum makes so many mistakes. The first paratrooper should wear german second model jump boots - as early paras shown on several pictures with high boots nstead of the classic Amo boots. WWII Europe: The sten bamdolier was introducet but raerly worn - the 2nd/ 3rd model basic pouches could carry the sten mags even better, the "gas cape" is a ground sheet. This was worn as a raincape - the gas cap is worn above the small pack for a fast. Indian airborne: the US made tommy gun was a very common in the early years of the war, befor introducing the sten. Most of the smg in far east are tommy guns. The pattern 44 webbing never got the standart webbing. In the 50´s the pattern 37 was common as the 44 was less durable. in the 60s it got obsolet with the new pattern 58 webbing - so after 1960 you find rare pictures of the 44 webbing. The osprey "soft" body armor..... basicly one of, if not the best ba in its time. Its in no way a light body armor. With 2 part soft and hardshell armor in frontz and back plus the ceramic plates its a all around ok nd heavy body armor.

[@RiflemanMoore]

I am afraid you are woefully misinformed.

[@RiflemanMoore]

To reply in more detail to the points you think are erroneous. 1940 Parachutist: The side-lacing boots copied from fallschirmjäger practice were not in use long, the same goes for the knee pads etc. British parachute technology was superior to that of Germany, rendering these items unnecessary. The step-in smock and bungee/Sorbo helmet were routinely worn in conjunction with standard British Army ammo boots. No error here. 1944 Parachutist: The Sten bandolier was issued and used, there are plenty of photos showing this. The gas cape is not a groundsheet, I can assure you it is a rolled and folded gas cape. Often replacing the groundsheet under the flap of the haversack, or otherwise tied to the back of the belt by this stage of the Second World War. No error here. Indian Airborne: The Thompson saw service with British and Indian troops in the Far East into 1945. No error here. 1944 Pattern Web Equipment: It was used at the time and in the situations recreated. No error here. As for the body armour, outside my specific area of knowledge/interest, I’m afraid, though it seems from your comment you are extolling its virtues rather than raising any objection.

[@beansareyum37]

There hands arent real looking

[@MikeyRumi180]

The Green devils showed you the way. cheers.

[@hambahallahdariindonesia9920]

Bren mk3

[@andrewcombe8907]

Great stuff. I liked your candour about the Boots, DMS and their abysmal performance in the Falklands. Absolutely shocking that such poor quality boots were standard issue. I enjoyed being able to see a good example of the SAS/Para Bergen that was the king of rucksacks for a very long time! Thanks for posting.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Glad you enjoyed! My friend Allen took the soles out of a pair to fit on a mannequin. Inside he found a thin layer of fibre board, similar to MDF! We assume this is what led to the reports of them being made of cardboard, not actually that far from the truth. It's a shame as looking at surviving dated examples, when first introduced they were quite well made but quality seems to have dropped off massively in the '70s.

[@alasdaircampbell1863]

👍

[@davidbrennan660]

Unserviceable Airframe. Watching the 59 pattern Denison Smocks bleaching out in the sunlight is a crime, they lost their colour real quick back in the day.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Safely back in its box now.

[@yashgarg6509]

6:02 So the question remains, how much do the Britain owe India ?

[@HT-gv1be]

Nothing

[@yashgarg6509]

@@HT-gv1be a lot more than you could even possibly think of!!

[@yashgarg6509]

@The Richest Man In Babylon wanna try ? 😂😂😂

[@yashgarg6509]

@The Richest Man In Babylon kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGimiGqJZd-rrJY And while you are on your way to India don't forget to bring $45 trillion that you plundered from India from 1765, uptill 1938

[@Terracecasualx5]

Anklets! They are known as puttees Pal.

[@jpgpearson]

get your self a mic

[@RiflemanMoore]

Not my footage in this instance.

[@titanuranus3095]

Poor video, being teased on social media before it is even out. Seems harsh to me.

[@RiflemanMoore]

It's character building.

[@ashaz9053]

Indonesia borneo confrontation? Inaccurate bro.......its Malaysia-Indonesia Confrontation

[@andreinarangel6227]

Here's some free advice: INVEST ON A BETTER MICROPHONE

[@RiflemanMoore]

Not shot with my gear I fear. Otherwise I'd happily take that advice. The footage was provided by the media team for the Parachute Regiment.

[@Phaedsys]

Good Video completely ruined by poor sound. A pity.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Yeah, it's a real shame. The chap from the Parachute Regiment media team did have a wind shield on his mic but it doesn't seem to have had much effect.

[@Justin-mi8py]

this guy looks like elon musk