The British Infantryman - North-West Europe 1944/45

In this episode of Matthews Military Moments, I'll be taking a look at the standard British Infantryman's Uniform and Equipment in Nothwest Europe from 1944 to 1945 or from D-day to VE Day. Thanks to Battlefield History TV (BHTV) for splicing the video segments together.
Hope you enjoy,
Matthew,
Matthew's Military Moments
Instagram: Matthew's Military Moments
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[@knight9149]

i like the three ducks chilling in the background

[@tommyatkins1914]

The ducks were never military issue and were only intended for civilian use only.

[@richardstoker4963]

The DLI, the forefather of the Light Infantry. My Battlion was renamed 7th Battlion Light Infantry ( Durham) in 1989 before I joined the regulars. It's now called the 8th Battlion the Rifles. My great grandfather's unit was virtually wiped out during the Somme and there was only a few men left including my great grandfather and they were transferred to the DLI to replace their losses. He held them with such affection and respect for the rest of his life.

[@lib556]

Look out Rifleman Moore. You've got young competition! Great presentation.

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Thanks 👍.

[@jakey4318]

This is quality entertainment, there are bigger channels with less production quality than this. Hope to see you get bigger in the future, as I love the very informative video, keep up the great work👍

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Thanks really appreciate it

[@ruadhagainagaidheal9398]

It was Jakeys ‘s comment that encouraged me to continue watching. Thanks , I’m glad I stuck with it.

[@williamnm3490]

I like the Durham light infantry bage

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Thanks 👍

[@davidmoore6197]

Promotion to Lance Corporal. Well done !

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Thanks 👍

[@djwoody1649]

Great explanation, mate. Thank you for showing off all the kit, I'm rather jealous. My Great Grandad was in the DLI during the Second World War, excellent choice of regiment!

[@trashdupasse3597]

hi nice uniform i like british troops too and your video is excellent you choose the second brigade dli, i love this unit they were in my village in normandy, many pictures exist about it, "le douet de chouain 7 6 1944 " i began videos too but your video is absolutly excellent and best thing...i understand pratically all you say (i m french) cheers from france

[@AustrianTommy]

Very well prepared and presented video, young man. Way better than many older chaps do it. Thanks a lot for all this information.

[@ruadhagainagaidheal9398]

To be honest , I was going to switch channels when I saw how young you are - what could you know at your age ? Happily for me I stayed with it , you provided an interesting ,erudite and comprehensive commentary on the subject. subscribed. Bravo.

[@NuttyCuts_]

Ayyy he has the Tyne tees badge lets gooo

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

It's clearly the best division 😂😃👍

[@historiaobscurum3308]

This is an excellent video, very well presented, very informative. Thank you for making it!

[@mcwarrington]

Thanks for posting this video! I'm coming at it from the point of view of a modeler/wargamer, but I appreciate knowing the names for various bits of kit. Fascinating to see all the personal items they carried. Cheers.

[@Stan_Marshlow]

This video was very interesting! Thank for your efforts!

[@wes11bravo]

Excellent overview, Matthew. In a previous life (the 80s), I did an impression of a British soldier (51st Highland Division, 42nd Black Watch) so this brings back a lot of memories.

[@Pattern51lover]

Fantastic video. Fantastic display. Keep up the good work sir.

[@Samknstuff]

You should do more vids (there so good)

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Will do!!!

[@d.v.2688]

The uniform is nice, especially the beret.

[@r.s.taylor5273]

Well done Mat.

[@marinedoggo8931]

Your production is really professional. I'm thinking about doing a British kit. Keep up the great work

[@brucehamilton5609]

Comprehensive presentation. Well done.

[@Nyllsor]

Very well made and informative video!

[@laurenscarberry561]

It is crazy how much more advanced war became after ww1

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Yes it is, it's mostly down to war production being pushed into overdrive. Alot of advancements were made as a result of governments finding ways to cut costs but keep equipment that worked or needed replaced.

[@dastealthoperator4138]

I love how theirs just ducks vibin in the background.

[@tommyatkins1914]

The ducks were never military issue and were only intended for civilian use only.

[@paulholloway1447]

Brilliant video

[@Idk-te3se]

Great job, make sure you keep up the awesome work. Hope to see more great production!

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Thankyou! Got some filming in the pipeline!

[@PartTimeBritishGuy]

This is very well presented, well done

[@giovannistirapanny3330]

Great video, keep up the good work

[@A14b19]

One of the best breakdown of equipment I've ever seen .. well done I've subscribed 😎

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Thanks 👍

[@HankD13]

Impressive presentation. Love it.

[@charlesmcknight2541]

Just found your channel, very informative keep the content coming.

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Thanks, will do!

[@ezrabarton8236]

Well done mate that’s a great video strait to it we’ll done

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Thanks 👍

[@kevinofishero]

Very good video... looking forward to more.

[@Jimmysage3273]

Awesome job dude!

[@natelarge]

I loved the presentation. keep it up

[@peterlinz2733]

Sehr Intressantes Video.Gut gemacht.

[@bagualimara6883]

Excelente video! Muy ilustrativo. Saludos!

[@bismarckbismarck6352]

Excellent video!

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Thank you.

[@Tmilitaria]

Excellent content.

[@cplmark29]

Never watched a video about what a English soldier gear was. very interesting, well done!

[@Fran-fv6pf]

This is brilliant. Well done, be proud of yourself. Great diction too.

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Thanks 👍

[@grassic]

Very well done, impressed

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Thank you

[@stretchedout6600]

I miss my Enfield no.4* Savage Arms i sold it in 2012 for another rifle man do I regret that decision everyday 😢

[@fareeqyong3695]

Greetings from Malaysia. Informative presentation! Hopefully there’ll be another similar presentation for the Pacific war theatre soon.

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

It's good to know that my sphere of influence is expanding to an international scale

[@jamesross1799]

It's nice to see a lad of the right age displaying all this kit as well rather than an overweight 45 to 50 year old.

[@gernkmccory3836]

Good show sir, well done!

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Thanks 👍

[@Kingsasch]

Nice and very interesting video. Thank you for that. Nice greetings from Germany

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Thanks 👍

[@WWIIUK]

Exellent video well done.

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Thankyou

[@nghnino]

Well done

[@championjosh3536]

Respect to your enthusiasm for the history mate, really good impression 👍

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Thank you

[@itstommymate]

No way, it's you!

[@nuthutch1]

The nickname Tommy Cooker was given by the Germans to the Sherman Tank

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

However in WW1, a pocket sized cooker was made for soldiers to use in the Trenches and it was branded under the name Tommy Cooker, because it was a cooker for a Tommy. The small folding stove issued to troops in 1944 gained the same name for the same reason. The well known German nickname for the Sherman Tank was a coincidental similarity.

[@nuthutch1]

@@MatthewsMilitaryMoments Interestingly the British troops called the problem with Shermans as Brewing up.

[@sargeanthrs]

7:23 "finally we have miscellaneous and section equipment" *enter cat*

[@quainthypersky751]

Yoooo big up Matthew

[@Infantryprod]

Congratulations 1.100 views!

[@DisabledPrepper]

Absolutely fantastic video mate. Thank you very much. Would you happen to know which brand the watch and wallet were? Especially the one in your video? Thank you so much. Warm regards, DP

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Wallet and watch are original. As with the rest of the kit. But you can get repros off of Soldier of Fortune.

[@Ffhjle]

Thank you so much for this. Now I know exactly what my dad had to carry during the war. My admiration for him and and all of the others that defeated Nazism has been further enhanced. Please keep up the excellent work!

[@reijvillelagrotbotannija2960]

Good job lad

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Thanks

[@BioSoulHumanoid]

hey, big thank you for all your useful informations in all your videos . i have a small question, i'm converting a 1950's belgian leather jerkin to use with my british ww2 reenacting gear but i dont know the sizes of the original british buttons in millimeters . i found a website selling very similar buttons to the original but i need to know the right size before ti can buy them. big thank you for your help :)

[@pimmie_24]

How tug the trousers in for the gaiters? tips or a video? Amazing content keep going!

[@Daan_2000]

Take the fabric and pinch it together to the inside of your ankle. Then fold it around your ankle and press the gaiter against it.

[@mickaeltamion6221]

Super cool ton uniformes ainsi que tous ton matériel 👍👍👍

[@laurenscarberry561]

You just earned a subscriber

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Thank you

[@laurenscarberry561]

Finally a KZbinr that responds to their viewers

[@Infantryprod]

Congratulations from brazil !

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Thank you

[@michaelvalentine4867]

Cool well thanks 😊

[@andrewhammond1949]

Well done young man!

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Thankyou very much, it's amazing to see that after 3 years, people are still watching this and enjoying what I do! Hopefully will have some more up soon!

[@SgtMjr]

"Finally we have miscellaneous and section equipment" "A Cat"

[@shinkoreancookery952]

Thx it great

[@eleveneleven572]

Love the ducks

[@0321man1]

Very well done! I learned a few things here. Also, how was the spare barrel bag carried? By a strap or attached to the pack?

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Sorry for such a late reply. Yes the barrel bag has its own strap, so it could be carried over the shoulder or I have seen it in photos attached under the flap of the small pack

[@0321man1]

@@MatthewsMilitaryMoments no problem. I really did enjoy your video. I build models as a hobby. Mainly German and American armor. Just got intrested in WW2 British armor and infantry. Thanks again!

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

@@0321man1 No problem.

[@Twirlyhead]

Heavy load to be carrying - grab a lift would be the plan I expect.

[@Keefy0558]

Big up the DLI

[@trefoli]

I just clicked on this video to say this but you in the thumbnail sort of looks like that Allison Digby guy from WW2 lmao

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Thanks 😅😂😂

[@jamesross1799]

My grandad used the bren in Egypt in ww2 . He would have been familiar with all of this kit.

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Fantastic! Do you know anything about his time in the Army?

[@hugocontente1815]

I can use hessian cover and scrim on my d day mk3 helmet?

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

From the pictures I have seen and the accounts I have read, I believe you can.

[@Billy_yank1865]

m currenty working on a polish 1st armored outfit

[@edi8850]

Very interesting ciao

[@chrissheppard5068]

As my DL would say if he was unimpressed with the ironing. Did you iron that with a brick. Death by other means would follow.

[@joshuateixeira2709]

1:01 Ducks

[@javeriaqamar9754]

You should do ww1 vs ww2

[@WinstonWenthworth]

Where did you get your GS cap ( cap ridiculous) from ?

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Mines an original but you can get a great repro from Soldier of Fortune (SOF) www.sofmilitary.co.uk/general-service-cap-gs-cap-gs-beret-by-kay-headdress.html

[@WinstonWenthworth]

@@MatthewsMilitaryMoments thanks ! Much appreciated

[@EMIL-pu4lz]

Noice

[@richardwallace853]

I don't understand why the wedge cap was replaced by the General Service cap. That must have meant A million new caps. Why was this a priority in 1944?

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

The pattern that it follows when making it is a lot simpler to follow, making it easier to produce and more cost effective.

[@richardwallace853]

@@MatthewsMilitaryMoments But if every already had a wedge cap, what was the point of making a million different ones? I thought they had higher priorities - like D-Day and stuff. 🤔

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

@@richardwallace853 The Field Service Cap was still in use but the GS Cap was part of new kit reforms which were introduced to A) Save time B) Save money C) Increase the comfort of troops because the FS Cap had to be worn at a jaunty angle. The FS Cap was still in use across the globe by other troops (such as those in India and Burma) but the GS Cap was issued to those who were fighting in North West Europe.

[@richardwallace853]

@@MatthewsMilitaryMoments It seems very much like a discount store Scottish bonnet. I seem to remember a photo of my Uncle Fred wearing one with the RCHA in Italy.

[@mickwarnie8707]

When changes happen like that the item only gets replaced on a need basis, meaning all new troops would recieve it straight away when first getting their kit, and vetran troops only when the old one was lost or worn out. So it does not become a big deal budget wise anyway.

[@winnpierrepoint2939]

how much for the x table behind you mate?

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Mines not for sale. Sorry but you could probably pick one up for around £50 - £90 at the cheapest.

[@winnpierrepoint2939]

@@MatthewsMilitaryMoments coo i hope so mate, one went for 260 on ebay a month ago... jaw dropping, if you find one for 50 to 90 drop a word eh mukka, chin chin

[@1355217]

I thought I knew everything about ww2 until I saw this

[@aphaich6886]

Could you do a German one

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Possibly. Depends if I can get ahold of the kit.

[@harrisonfraser8804]

How did you get the Lee Enfield and Bren?

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

They are both deactivated and are my fathers.

[@harrisonfraser8804]

@@MatthewsMilitaryMoments damn I want one or both.

[@harrisonfraser8804]

can you buy deactivated ones?

[@harrisonfraser8804]

online

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

@@harrisonfraser8804 I'm unsure.

[@mr.fisshy]

forgot the tea

[@eddiegould6091]

The real British army The army my dad was in 1948 1950 National Service

[@charliemeredith-wood9672]

I want to know how you have a Bren gun and a rifle in your back garden😂

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

Simple just wait for your neighbors to be out shopping and get them out.

[@looseunit1615]

Politics aside, the German uniform looked better than the British uniform. The New Zealanders wore the same British type uniform. Many UK and NZ soldiers complained the material used in this uniform itched like crazy.

[@peterhewson3216]

Hairy Marys

[@abbesieyesauralian7816]

Like for the ducks!

[@SuperDonald64]

Nice to see younger generation taki g interest My grandad would of worn all that in Normandy

[@yozmatoz]

I wish i had half your kit at your age! I'm 25 and I still don't own every bit of British kit. I'm trying to build it slowly though!

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

It doesn't belong to me, Its my fathers and he has been collecting for 40 Years. But one day it will be mine 😉😂

[@Infantryprod]

I can use hessian cover and scrim on my d day mk3 helmet?

[@MatthewsMilitaryMoments]

From the pictures I have seen and the accounts I have read, I believe you can.

[@Infantryprod]

@@MatthewsMilitaryMoments ok thank you