Arctic kit

Not really anything specific for generic British and Commonwealth troops was activly seen being worn much, apart from balaclavas, gloves, greatcoats, scarves:

But don't get me wrong, there were dedicated winter clothing for infantry:
(Green Howards reciving winter clothing before being sent to Norway)

And those needing to serve as mountain troops were equiped with particular snow suits, smocks, over-trousers, hats, etc...:
(Snow-suit, cap, etc...)

(Mountain troop smock)

Or improvised with use white sheets:
(Canadian Commonwealth troops on skis in Norway)

I've another great picture somewhere, but I'm having trouble finding it...
EDIT: Found it!!!
(Canadian Commonwealth troops in Norway)

A two piece thin cotton snow camo suit was issued to some units around the time of the Bulge.
There are pictures of 6th Airborne wearing it.

I've just found and added the final picture I was looking for to my first post ^above^
Note the green/black Blanco'd webbing (not Blanco'd white), home-made helmet covers and the inclusion of wearing life belts! (in case they fell through any ice, I suppose). Two of them are wearing odd shoes, they look like clogs - or brouges.

Also here's another nice few showing the two piece suit in action:
(Canadians in Norway)

And finally, there was some webbing Blanco'd white...
(Poor ol' Canadian MP on traffic duty in the snow)

The windproof suit (of various hues) was on general issue from the winter of 43 but in reality not everyone got it.

52nd Lowland Division tended to get a general wholesale issue of them as they were trained as a mountain warfare unit.

Strangely the Hallamshire Battalion (TA) recieved an issue of the camoflage ones (as did most the units partaking in 'op plunder').

Helmet covers seem to have been entirely improvised from bedsheets as far as i can tell.

I'm pretty sure the pics of 6th airborne patrolling in winter suits are purely propaganda. A lot of in the field pcs of the divison that are more cnadid see them freezing their tits off in denisons and captured german reversable snowsuits. (source 'go to it')

Thanks guys, really helps me with my dressing for next weeks WW2-game. Currently here in Finland: 70cm of snow and temperatures around 0 degrees. Will stick out like a sore thumb in my BD.

Another winter-related question.

Is the greek greatcoat how close to the british WW2-model? Our local militaria-shop advertises the only difference is the buttons?

And how much were greatcoats used by brits?

Well it looks close from that photo, but then you can't see the back, or whether the pockets have flaps... or what the material is like.

Here's me in my original brit one.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1112086223 ... dfWjt77tQE

Is the greek greatcoat how close to the british WW2-model? Our local militaria-shop advertises the only difference is the buttons?

The collar and lapels aren't the right shape for the war-time pattern. Looks like that is the Greek's version of the postwar British "Greatcoat, Dismounted, 1950 Pattern". Genuine British issue 1950 Patt' greatcoats are usually only £15-£30 from militaria fairs/decent army surplus shops.

Genuine British issue 1950 Patt' greatcoats are usually only £15-£30 from militaria fairs/decent army surplus shops.

Possibly not in Finland, though, due to the locale, and the weight involved in shipping them.

Possibly not in Finland, though,...

Ah, yes... Sorry Iceman, I didn't notice your location.

No problem. I guess I'll pass the, quite pricey compared to that, 50 euros (~40£). I'll make due in my BD or find one on ebay.