Mannequin of the Month - British Infantryman, Burma, 1944

[@anselmdanker9519]

Great presentation, thanks

[@Gareth769]

thanks for this vid- currently something I'm researching. My Grandfather was in Burma with the 2nd bn Welch Reg - he never talked about it, but clearly messed him up what those poeple went through. I do have some Welch reg spare unit patches etc from some of his stuff though, if you ever want to recreate a specific unit in theatre and could help - let me know. thanks again

[@RiflemanMoore]

Most kind, thank you! I hope your research goes well.

[@5.7moy]

Jungle greens and slouch hat combo is iconic.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Absolutely.

[@mitchellschmidt7885]

Yeah only because of the Australians

[@threetorches2]

Hi. I’m a militaria fan and have been a subscriber of your channel for a long time. I have a lot of gear myself, modern an older as a lot of our types have! I wondered if you would consider asking subscribers to donate any spare modern tactical gear they may have to be shipped to Ukraine for use by the Territorial Defence forces? All men between 18 and 60 have been compelled to stay and resist the invasion and they need kit. They are defending their homeland, democracy and actually fighting for our freedom in the West too. They are so very courageous, so I think we should do what we can to help them.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Hey, sounds interesting, could you drop me an email with more details?

[@archibaldm]

Hello, I am doing both home guard and early war BEF reenactment and I am looking at gas masks and bags, what one did the home guard use and what one did the BEF use? Or did the home guard just use civilian gas mask? Thank you.

[@calebdenniss7574]

Hi, random question but where did you get your mannequin from???? I have a 1940 pattern battledress blouse size 7 and I have the 37 pattern webbing but I'm struggling to find a good cheap mannequin. Thank You

[@RiflemanMoore]

I bought them from a seller on eBay.

[@janctrnacty1215]

As Czech it never stops amazing me how much stuff was made by Baťa - originaly Czechoslovak company, expanded in to the world and through time it was making tires for Wehrmacht, Webbing for Brits and later Jungle boots used by US military in Vietnam.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Indeed, an exceedingly successful company.

[@stellanstellan8708]

Some web material seems to be greenish painted or dyed but only on the outward facing areas. Back of haversack and inside of belt can be seen as natural kahki colour. Could you please comment some on this and even make a video specifically on the colouring of web material as RAF also seem to have had bluegrey gear? Thanks for all great videos!

[@Baker_7498]

british troops were issued a product called "blanco" which they used to apply different colours to the natural khaki webbing

[@guerrillashadowman]

So why wasn’t the 1944 pattern webbing used? I had assumed as it’s denoted as 1944 pattern, it must have been used in the Far East later in the war. Presumably I’m wrong.

[@RiflemanMoore]

1944 Pattern was indeed intended for the ongoing war in the Far East, troops were equipped with it and were sailing eastwards when Japan surrendered, so it didn't actually see service in theatre before the end of the war. It was subsequently used extensively in Korea, Malaya and Borneo.

[@stevethomas5849]

We must be grateful for the Indians contribution to the war effort. Thier reward was independence.

[@sgtmajorparker4181]

yes and for all those hours working to produce all the equipment and clothing on extremely poor wages. it was light relief to get independence.

[@alfred9895]

When did the first Jungle Green uniforms reach troops in the Far East?

[@RiflemanMoore]

A good question, the first purpose-made jungle green uniform was introduced in 1943. It was likely very common with front line troops by early to mid 1944. It's difficult to put an exact date on when it might first have reached troops after entering production.

[@alfred9895]

@@RiflemanMoore Brilliant, thank you!

[@skyecooper]

Did troops in Burma blanco their webbing?

[@RiflemanMoore]

A good questions, photos show different shades of webbing, suggesting some did not. Though it's also important to note that if Blanco was used, it would quickly weather and wash out in the field in tropical conditions. Hence, 1944 Pattern intended for use in the Far East and the late production Indian 1937 Pattern were dyed green at point of manufacture.

[@skyecooper]

@@RiflemanMoore thank you kindly. I’m a huge fan of your videos

[@crispianbarlow5184]

@@RiflemanMoore Not all Blanco was white. There were a couple of shades of green Blanco available.

[@AndyWhyberd]

I had an Indian Small Pack at one point and it was half the size of the British made one... Was never a fan of the crude Indian made bits. Luckily only ever wore it rarely when portraying 2/5th Queen's in North Africa/Italy.