Eric Queen Posted October 27, 2018 Share #1 Posted October 27, 2018 I think I was around 15 years old at the time. An acquaintance of my father, a collector who lived in Northern California, gave him a call saying that a friend of his from the UK had sent him a German paratrooper training smock. He didn't have much interest in it and would most likely pass on it. He wondered if we had any interest so he wouldn't have to send it back. So, the next day we got in the car and my dad drove me to the collectors place about 4 hours away. When I saw the smock I knew I had to have it. I paid him what his contact was asking for the smock and we were on our way home. Still a great memory of time I spent with my dad. Here is the smock when I got it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted October 27, 2018 Author Share #2 Posted October 27, 2018 So, the question is, is it really a "training" smock? The answer is no but there is a reason why people thought so years ago. This is in reality an extremely rare M38 combat smock which was worn in combat during the invasion of the low countries in April/May of 1940. Here is a photo of paratroopers wearing the M38 smock in combat in Holland May 10, 1940 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted October 27, 2018 Share #3 Posted October 27, 2018 I am going to guess thatis as rare or even rarer than the standard combat uniforms. What a great Dad you had to drive you on an 8 hour round trip to support your hobby and interests. Sometimes it is not about the items you collect, but rather how you acquired them. Great story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted October 27, 2018 Author Share #4 Posted October 27, 2018 Here is a photo of my friend Gerhard Broder wearing the M38 smock just prior to the mid April 1940 combat jump at Dombas (Norway) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted October 27, 2018 Author Share #5 Posted October 27, 2018 After the Operation Yellow (low countries 1940) campaign, the smock underwent a design change based on lessons learned in combat. It was concluded that the garment needed pockets. This gave birth to the M40 step in smock which had 4 (2 upper, 2 lower) zipper pockets. The (now obsolete) M38 smocks still in service or in stock (unissued) were either sent to the jump schools to be used by trainees (thus the misnomer "training" smock) or had pockets added (and reissued for combat wear) Here below is an example of an M38 smock which has had pockets added. You can see a clear difference in the shade of the GM material (pocket flaps vs the body of the smock) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted October 27, 2018 Author Share #6 Posted October 27, 2018 Here is the smock today as part of a little display in my office. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted October 27, 2018 Author Share #7 Posted October 27, 2018 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted October 27, 2018 Author Share #8 Posted October 27, 2018 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted October 27, 2018 Author Share #9 Posted October 27, 2018 I am going to guess that is as rare or even rarer than the standard combat uniforms. What a great Dad you had to drive you on an 8 hour round trip to support your hobby and interests. Sometimes it is not about the items you collect, but rather how you acquired them. Great story. You are absolutely right Gil. The reason the smock means so much to me is not because of it's rarity but rather because it's a reminder of that day with my dad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted October 27, 2018 Share #10 Posted October 27, 2018 Eric, Great piece, better with the story attached. And I always enjoy seeing images or the Norwegian campaign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted November 5, 2018 Share #11 Posted November 5, 2018 agreed....great story.Thats what collecting is about Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony v Posted November 5, 2018 Share #12 Posted November 5, 2018 Eric Super piece with a very interesting story ! Father and son memories do last a life time. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulR Posted November 5, 2018 Share #13 Posted November 5, 2018 I remember those Heer fallschirmjager straps. You have one of the best FJ collections. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted November 5, 2018 Share #14 Posted November 5, 2018 After the Operation Yellow (low countries 1940) campaign, the smock underwent a design change based on lessons learned in combat. It was concluded that the garment needed pockets. This gave birth to the M40 step in smock which had 4 (2 upper, 2 lower) zipper pockets. The (now obsolete) M38 smocks still in service or in stock (unissued) were either sent to the jump schools to be used by trainees (thus the misnomer "training" smock) or had pockets added (and reissued for combat wear) Here below is an example of an M38 smock which has had pockets added. You can see a clear difference in the shade of the GM material (pocket flaps vs the body of the smock) Great photo and thanks for posting the items. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponyradish Posted November 29, 2018 Share #15 Posted November 29, 2018 Killer smock and love the display. Pony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugme Posted November 29, 2018 Share #16 Posted November 29, 2018 What a great piece and what a greater dad! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MECHINF-A15 Posted November 29, 2018 Share #17 Posted November 29, 2018 OUTSTANDING!!! Great story as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RRA227 Posted November 29, 2018 Share #18 Posted November 29, 2018 Great piece! Rich A. in Pa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted December 21, 2018 Author Share #19 Posted December 21, 2018 Here is a nice portrait of the M38 in wear currently on German eBay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted December 21, 2018 Share #20 Posted December 21, 2018 Wooo! That one is going to go high Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted December 26, 2018 Author Share #21 Posted December 26, 2018 Sold for 170 euro. Here is another nice one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted December 27, 2018 Share #22 Posted December 27, 2018 Hmm...a bit lower than normal, but December is a buyers market on eBay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riflegreen297 Posted January 7, 2020 Share #23 Posted January 7, 2020 Superb smock but the story of attaining it is even better. Thank you for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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