American Jeds

[BedsnHerts]

How much difference was there between the yanks and brits in terms of kit?

I've seen the John Singlaub photo and I know that there was an almost infinite variety of webbing and weaponry, but was the Denison and brit para helmet ubiquitous?

[Sgt.Heide]

In a word, yes.

[webby]

The pic of the chap on the banner is a yank, I think the outset the loadout is prodominally British, although the personal equipment (ie bino case, weapon and sidearm are deffo Yank) You can even see his US collar insignia through the open collar of the denny. Leads me to assume that underneath the denny he's wearing US stuff. I have seen pics in a book of US Jeds in M43s, with brit para wings and SF wings sewn on the right sleeve, this wasnt an 'in-country' thing, moreover a publicity thing.

[Sgt.Heide]

Not uncommon for US jed's to wear mustard wools either. Also, many jeds wore civvies after making contact with the resistance cells. Plenty of choice for what to wear!

Edit - picture attached from a US airborne forces museum of an American Jedburgh's kit. Note "corcoran" boots as well.

[BedsnHerts]

Some pics from a bunch who claim to do Jed reenactment.

This one was labelled as American Jed, but I think he means OSS


A brit one. Apparently you kept the headwear and cap badge of your original unit.

[Sgt.Heide]

Hmm, Para and Jed wings together on an American uniform?

I've not seen any pictures of Jed's wearing wings on their smocks on operations. It would be a guaranteed bullet in the head if captured, the same as SAS wings.

[BedsnHerts]

I've not seen any pictures of Jed's wearing wings on their smocks on operations. It would be a guaranteed bullet in the head if captured, the same as SAS wings.

Right. The funny thing is that the kit requirements on this fella's website specifically states that SF wings were almost never seen on Denisons. That's why I'm taking it all with a huge fistful of salt.

[Sgt.Heide]

It's up to you if you want to put them on your denison for the main event. I've got them on mine, purely for the training day, after that, I'll remove them.

[Chomley-Warner]

Funny how a search for Jedburghs on Google turns up info of the CiA event!!

Anyhoo, a better pic:

He's definitely wearing a US shirt and tie, wool trouser and Corcorans. Side view shows he has a small pack too


Chap wearing anklets and ammo boots


Shirt and tie & civvy trousers complete with anti-flap ankle string!

[BedsnHerts]

SOF are selling repro ant-flap ankle string at £14.99 a metre

Is that Rob Brydon on the airfield pic?

[Chomley-Warner]

Don't buy that SOF string! Dead farby 16 thread, 4 cord synthetic mix - OK its strong but the period stuff should be linen thread in 16 thread, 6 cord with an overall breaking strain of 160 lbs. In fact you can get a small ball of very passable WW2 Special Forces string at your local B&Q for £4 (its off-white in colour so no need to age it )

[BedsnHerts]

To quote Lt.Col. Hugo "Thwacker" Featherstonehaugh:
"Show me a man who'll jump out of a plane with a bit of string around his ankles and I'll show you a man whose Oxford bags will be rumpled beyond all salvation".

[HeadShot]

Yeah, it's not authentic. Any German soldier worth his salt would check a pair of trousers for the tell-tale sign of string crumples and arrest him immediately.

[webby]

Hmm, Para and Jed wings together on an American uniform?

I've not seen any pictures of Jed's wearing wings on their smocks on operations. It would be a guaranteed bullet in the head if captured, the same as SAS wings.

Yep, SF wings and British Para wings together. The picture I saw in a book has this, but on the under uniform only, not on the Denny

[Chomley-Warner]

Just in case people feel the temptation to rush out and buy wings or 'SOE' or any other kind of patches - no need, save the cash . The scenario is behind enemy lines and you wouldn't have worn anything to identify yourself as anything 'special' or 'secret'. You probably wouldn't have worn them in training either!

Anyone found with identifying marks will be taken to the most senior German commander to determine the terrorist's/spy's fate!