Camouflage Combat suit-DPM

Green Combats were known as 1960 Pattern, and the first DPM Combats with the 1960 type stiched collar were introduced in 1968 changing to the stand up mandarin type collar in 1972 to cut costs for general issue. The style of the DPM itself changed more than once over it 40+ years use as well.

Re 'Active Edge' and spare kit. I think it was fairly common to have a set of extra gear to keep your Mob Kit packed, and to have a good set of combats & best boots not used on a daily basis, at least it was in most units I served in! and being RAOC did not automatically mean that our QM's were more generous either, the opposite mainly applied.

I also had a set of 58 Pattern Skeleton Order, so I did not need to strip down my pouches for range days & training as well (Good old Army Surplus Stores)

There was an item of camouflage apparel that predated general issue DPM. It was the Denison Smock.

It had its roots in WW2 when it was originally issued to airborne and SOE units etc. They were three colour cam rather than the four of DPM with knitted cuffs and with that strange flap thing that could be fastened between the legs to stop it riding up on jumps.

I think that they were issue up until DPM para smocks etc. became the standard kit. Those who could get away with it (i.e. officers and royalty) continued wearing them long after DPM became standard issue.

They were pretty voluminous as they were designed to be worn over BD.

Apparently, you can still get them privately made to the original spec. by the original supplier. I know that Du Bora in Aldershot sold them. Probably still do.

Yes, the original Other Ranks issue had a half zip and you had to put it on like an anorak! Officers had theirs tailored to full zip, later they all were issued as full zip. The material was a lot thicker than the DPM smock which retained the knitted cuffs and crutch flap.

Still wore one to/from work till around 1975 on my bike but not on exersize where the badge was on the lookout for them LoL
Still have it, complete with its RAOC Red/Blue/Red DZ Flashes.

Here you are, Mike!

http://www.silvermans.co.uk/ProductDetails/tabid/89/Department/Military/Category/JACKETS+++SMOCKS/Description/NEW+DENISON+SMOCK/ItemId/4168/Default.aspx

... and a snip at £195.00.

How many can I put you down for?

Err NONE for me. I keep mine as its part of my overall RAOC insignia collection, its original and not a copy! as is my later DPM Smock with Red/Black Logistic DZ Flash which is still worn by the RLC today.

Speaking of Combat's .. here is one from 1953 in Korea .. notice the wonderful mixture of clothing I'm wearing .. Ammo Boots, 37 style web gaiters, Jungle Green trousers and Combat Jacket .. even my tapes were pre 'brassard issue' ... an RSM's dream come true.

Len (Ciphers)

I got my first issue of DPM in 1972 at JTR Rhyl before we graduated to the grown up world, when i arrived at 10 Ord Sp Bn in devizes, i was given guard duty and i turned up on parade for guard dressed in it, and the Orderly Officer nearly had a fit, as i was the only man in the Bn who had it, i had to explain my second set of combats were the same and where i had it issued, he wanted to charge me for being improperly dressed, until the RSM walked past and had a quiet word in his ear, then it was all forgotten.

I wore the normal OG's in Basic in '72, I don't think I got issued my first DPM until about '73 in 20 Bde.

I was just remebering those silly pull through buttons on the old OG, with the brass clip things at the back to keep them in.

Oh and slightly off topic, the first number 2 shirts I got issued had separate collars.

jim wrote:

I wore the normal OG's in Basic in '72, I don't think I got issued my first DPM until about '73 in 20 Bde.

I was just remebering those silly pull through buttons on the old OG, with the brass clip things at the back to keep them in.

Oh and slightly off topic, the first number 2 shirts I got issued had separate collars.

I did basic in 72 and was issued with them then. Might have run out of your size Jim. I also had shirts with separate collars. Pain in the bum with those daft studs. Was made up when they came with attached collars.

TaffyS, My first RAOC posting was 16 Batt at Bicester and we wore No2 Dress and Best Boots for Guard Duty, but changed over to Combats in 1971 (but still best boots) I seem to remember.

Deepcut was still issuing Green Combats, but the lads being posted in from Field Force units in Germany had DPM Combats, and we would get a mix of both each night. The old SNCO's doing Orderly Sergeant in No2's did not like them and would go out of thier way to pick fault with them, untill Bicester QM's started to get them around mid 1972 [The Depot next door was full of the damn things as well a Green Combats and BATTLE DRESS I may add] and 46 (Shadow) Company, a reserve Field Force Company made up of soldiers who worked in the depot, were the first to be issued them, yet we still had 37 Webbing [who says the RAOC got all the kit?] til later the same year when a deal was struck with returned stores to make up 100 sets.

I left Bicester in 1973 with 2 sets of Green Combats and a set of DPM as well, and 3 BAPD in Germany issued a extra set of Green Combats and Brown Leather Jerkin as winter working uniform for those working outside.

It was not untill 1975/76 that I started to see DPM in general wear in RAOC non Field Force units.

I've seen those leather jerkins Mike, and what about those enormous Parka's

Leather Jerkins GOOD !

Parkas HEAP GOOD !!

Teabag wrote:

jim wrote:

I wore the normal OG's in Basic in '72, I don't think I got issued my first DPM until about '73 in 20 Bde.

I was just remebering those silly pull through buttons on the old OG, with the brass clip things at the back to keep them in.

Oh and slightly off topic, the first number 2 shirts I got issued had separate collars.

I did basic in 72 and was issued with them then. Might have run out of your size Jim. I also had shirts with separate collars. Pain in the bum with those daft studs. Was made up when they came with attached collars.

I was originally issued 2 sets of grot green combats. Must have been '70 or '71 at 1 Div that I swapped them for DPM, but still had 37 pattern webbing, originally blancoed but blackened about the same time as the combats swap. Incidently we also got issued the green HD Pullovers at about the same time, prior to that all we had was the thin V-neck pullover.

Mike

I blackened my webbing in 20 Bde, we were told it was because we were an armoured Bde. Never wore it after 1 (BR) Corps though.

brum wrote:

Leather Jerkins GOOD !

Parkas HEAP GOOD !!

The old fish tail parka with the wire in the hood were like rocking horse s***! I had one for a while and it was brilliant on exercise.

Rocky wrote:

brum wrote:

Leather Jerkins GOOD !

Parkas HEAP GOOD !!

The old fish tail parka with the wire in the hood were like rocking horse s***! I had one for a while and it was brilliant on exercise.

shared a room with our RAOC guy so he always looked after me when i mentioned i was going up to the ski hut for a few weeks he issued me a parka had it for years used it for going fishing when i came out.

a rather cold and fed up driver in parka 1960s even gave me a hat with flaps.




paul.

Those Leather Jerkins were really useful for VMs who had to lay under vehicles in the snow... Brrrrrrrrrrrr!

Anyone ever have one of those WW2 tank suits? I think that is what they were anyway?

Quote :

Parkas HEAP GOOD !!

On top of BD and greatcoat made guard duty nearly bearable..Didn`t do much to keep the feet warm tho`

I had a WW2 tank suit, used it for my motor bike in civvy street, one problem, when it snowed all those bloody zippers froze up.

Len (Ciphers)

We those blanket lined cotton canvas Tank Suits at Combat Supplies Battlion for Eager Beavor Fork Lift Operators along with Leather Dispatch Riders Gloves.

I held on to my Great Coat until the day I was leaving the army. Always carried it on exercise.It was a blanket, pillow,and a windbreaker. The Recce Mechs had theirs shortened to the waist.

Teabag wrote:

Anyone ever have one of those WW2 tank suits? I think that is what they were anyway?

I don't know about WW2, but the 432 drivers in 20 Bde all had them in the '70's.

I had a shortened one I inherited from my Dad Gallahad, I'm surprised no one ever picked me up on it.

jim wrote:

Teabag wrote:

Anyone ever have one of those WW2 tank suits? I think that is what they were anyway?

I don't know about WW2, but the 432 drivers in 20 Bde all had them in the '70's.

I had a shortened one I inherited from my Dad Gallahad, I'm surprised no one ever picked me up on it.

That's where I had mine Jim. Must have got a job lot at Detmold. Lots of zips but did a fair job when freezing in those 432's. Of course my problem being a short arse was that they were all made for six footers or so it appeared?

I had one, I'm not sure what happened to it, maybe they took it off me when I left Detmold? You're right about the size though, luckily I'm 6' 1" so I was OK. LOL

When did you serve in Detmold? I was there from about '73 - '75 Teabag.