Thought you might be interested in this kit list, as quoted by CSM Harris, 9th Parachute Batallion, in the book "The Day The Devils Dropped In", by Neil Barber.
"A Sten gun, which would eventually be stuffed inside the parachute harness, against my chest. Webbing equipment and small pack which contained so much that I intended to jump with this in my arms with it attached by a length of strong string to the 'D' on my parachute harness... Four Sten magazines filled with 9mm ammunition, a spare small box of 9mm, two '36' Mills grenades, one phosphorus grenade, two sticks of plastic explosive for the anti-tank grenade, mess tin, knife, fork, spoon, 24-hour ration pack, map, message pad, entrenching tool, parachute helmet, maroon beret, mirror, bootlaces, spare socks, singlet and briefs, small towel and washing and shaving kit, pay book, packet (three) contraceptives, toilet paper, boiled sweets, camouflage smock, boot polish / dubbin, blanco 
and brush, comb, plus of course any personal items.
"In addition to this there were the escape gadgets hidden around the clothing - two brass buttons sewn into the flies of my trousers which, one balanced on the other, formed a compass, a small metal saw about four inches long bedded in rubber and sewn into my trousers, a small compass sewn into the lining of my jumping smock together with two silk maps of the area. A bonus tucked into my smock was half a bottle of brandy which had been issued to officers and senior NCOs for 'medicinal purposes' "
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
Not an uncommon load...
Your average rifle man carried:
Rifle, bayonet, 100 rounds of ammo, 2 mills bombs, 2-3 bren mags, a mortar bomb or two, mess tin, towel, washing and shaving kit, mug, respirator, entrenching tool, *full size spade*!, 24 hours rations, socks, cap comforter, gs cap, and all the other issue kit.
Add to that the assault waves on d-day carried ladders, axes, chicken wire, rope and all manner of construction and demolition tools and its a big load!
Now i cant decide whats the tougher job, jumping in with the paratroopers kit for a relatively static operation of around 48 hours on average.... or humping the whole bloody lot about for months in the line.
Eqaully unpleasant I reckon.
While todays infantryman (and indeed para) actually carries about twice as much kit and ammo we thankfully have more ergonomic and comfier packs!
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
Bloody blanco gets everywhere!
Though i was more worried about:
packet (three) contraceptives
I mean, i know it's lonely on stag, but c'mon.
what the hell was the chicken wire for 
theres nowt so Permanent as temporary
Overhead protection when you're digging in, makng beach exits in marshy or sandy areas. Putting over windows and loopholes in defended houses to stop grenades being posted in etc.
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
