Extra Equipment

As well as their weapons, ammunition, explosives, food and other living essentials, soldiers either carried or had transported with them, other items to aid them in a battlefield situation. This page looks at some of these in more depth

MKIII 'Turtle' Helmet

General Service (GS) Shovel/ Pickaxe

In battle situations, the ability of a soldier to be able to find and/ or make cover against enemy fire was very important.

To this end many soldiers were issued with a General Service (GS) shovel or pickaxe in addition to the Entrenching tool they carried as part of their battle webbing.

This allowed soldiers to 'dig in' quickly in any situation. Those men carrying heavy equipment, such as a Bren Gun or PIAT (Projectile Infantry Anti Tank), were not required to carry a shovel or pickaxe but often did anyway.

The Mk III Helmet is a steel military combat helmet that was first developed for the British Army in 1941 by the Medical Research Council. They were issued to troops in April 1944 and then worn in combat for the first time by British and Canadian troops on D-Day. Mk III helmets were used alongside the Mkll helmet for the remainder of the Second World War.

From pictures of the time it appears the 2nd Btn Royal Warwickshire Regiment were issued MKIII helmets for the D-Day landings.

A driver of the Royal Warwicks wearing his MKIII helmet

British infantry stay low with GS shovels attached to their kit in a variety of ways

Leather Jerkin

In cold or wet weather, soldiers would wear a leather jerkin over their battledress and put their webbing on over it. The Jerkin was not as waterproof as a rain cape (see 'small pack' page) but more practical for every day use.

These were not usually carried by soldiers during the D-Day landings but were issued and worn later in the campaign from the Battalion B Echelon (the Battalions 'soft skin' transport vehicles containing soldiers non essential and personal equipment).

Group members at Pegasus Bridge during a charity route march

Mk II 'Light' Anti Gas Mask and Carrier

The Mask and carrier was either slung across the shoulder or attached to the belt. The carrier and it's contents were lighter and easier to use than previous iterations.

The contents consisted of

1. Carrying bag with either a shoulder strap or belt hooks attached to the rear.

2. Eye protectors in a protective case.

3. Respirator with air filter fitted.

4. Anti Dimming stick, for use on the lenses of the gas mask to stop them from misting.

5. Tin containing eight tubes of anti-gas skin ointment.

6. Tin containing anti-dimming rags for use on the gas mask lenses.

7. Cotton waste for cleaning affected areas.

British troops passing a First World War Memorial in Hermanville-Sur-Mer

Pte V Studd of Norfolk (L) and Pte J Rowlandson of Southport (R) enjoy an apple in a slit trench