Uniforms & Insignia
of
1st Canadian Parachute Battalion,
A Company, No2 Platoon
CASFLHA
Battledress & Boots
Battledress |
The battledress will be the Canadian war time P39 only. We have only seen photo's of 1st Can Para officers wearing the British Battledress. Therefor, ALL ranks will only wear the Canadian made issued P39 Battledress uniform. The P40 will not be considered for our group. We offer alternatives please talk to the Authenticity officer.
**NOTE** The design of the Canadian battledress was modeled on the British P37 Battledress, Canada only started producing this when the war started in September 1939, this is why the Canadian Battledress is referred to as the P39 and not the P37.
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This will be your standard to meet. Study this photo carefully and try to ensure your appearance and badges are like this.
Closed collar, trimmed wings, CVSM, printed titles and Pegasus, 37ptn Canadian Battledress jacket and trousers and polished and blanco'd belt. Follow the instructions below to help you meet this standard. |
After intensive studies of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalions War diaries and photos, we found several time frame changes to the badges worn by the Battalion. To correctly immerse we split theses changes into 4 categories.
1) 1942 to March 1943.
2) March 1943 to September 1944.
3) December 1944 to May 1945.
4) May 1945 to disbanding.
As a Group, we will focus on no3 (December 1944 to May 1945), as this is the time frame we do most of our shows and battles.
1) 1942 to March 1943.
2) March 1943 to September 1944.
3) December 1944 to May 1945.
4) May 1945 to disbanding.
As a Group, we will focus on no3 (December 1944 to May 1945), as this is the time frame we do most of our shows and battles.
Battledress Jacket Pattern 39
The Canadian battledress is not easy for us to find in reproduction. We cannot stress enough that you buy a post war P49 Canadian Battledress jacket and have it converted by our recommended tailor. Normally you can find these jackets from $30 to $85. For the basic conversion it is $60 and a full conversion $100. Below is my Battledress that was converted by C S Historic.
Members can also purchase reproductions of the British P37 Battledress but must dye them to the Canadian colour.
(we can give you instructions on how to dye).
Members can also purchase reproductions of the British P37 Battledress but must dye them to the Canadian colour.
(we can give you instructions on how to dye).
Battledress Badges & Patches
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Gold slip on Tabs for your epaulets.
Check with our Authenticity officer for supplies. |
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1st Canadian Parachute Battalion Printed Shoulder Titles by Oldtimedesigncompany.
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1st Canadian Parachute Battalion Printed Shoulder Titles by Oldtimedesigncompany.
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Jump Wings ( One For The Battle Dress & One For The Denison Smock).
***NOTE THE GREEN OUTER EDGING HAS BEEN TRIMMED 1/8 OF AN INCH*** |
***Use Khaki Thread***
Badge Placement on the Battledress.
The image above gives you the measurements to place your patches. By Ted Harris
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From top
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Service Stripes
Service Stripes
As a member of CASFLHA you will be instructed on how many stripes you have. We aim to have a accurate showing of this amongst the group. You will given instruction.
From left right 1 year, 2, 3, 4, 5 years service.
As a member of CASFLHA you will be instructed on how many stripes you have. We aim to have a accurate showing of this amongst the group. You will given instruction.
From left right 1 year, 2, 3, 4, 5 years service.
Canadian P39 Battledress Trousers
Battledress Trousers(Canadian) P-39
We recommend you purchase post war Canadian Battledress trousers and then attach the FFD pocket. A full example of this will be given soon.
Contact our Authenticity Officer for other options for those who cannot get Canadian Post War trousers.
We recommend you purchase post war Canadian Battledress trousers and then attach the FFD pocket. A full example of this will be given soon.
Contact our Authenticity Officer for other options for those who cannot get Canadian Post War trousers.
Below, is an original example of a 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion of a Lance Corporal's Battledress Jacket for you to study.
Ankle Boots & Gaiters
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Canadian Ankle Boots.
(This example is from What Price Glory) Post war Canadian Parade boots are only expectable for a short time. WW2 British Ankle boots can be used to. We also use a more modern version for training battles. Please contact the Authenticity Officer. |
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Web Anklets/Gaiters X 2 and must be blanco'd
Canadian WW2 Original or Reproduction. British WW2 Original and Reproduction. |
This is a subject that many reenactors fall into the trap of when portraying the Battalion. The Corcoran boots were issued to members of the Battalion at Fort Benning, when they did their training with the US Airborne school. They were issued the full kit of that of a US paratrooper while there. Members kept their Corcoran boots when they returned to Canada. There is evidence in the war diaries that they were also issued the Corcoran boots from the Canadian stores as well.
By the time the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion was handed over to the British 6th Airborne, the division ordered members of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion remove the Corcoran's and not wear then again. This order was again given after the Battle of the Bulge due to some members of the Battalion wearing them in the Bulge.
Due to this, we prefer to be the "normal" and not the rare "exception" to this and our member's will NOT wear Corcoran boots. We want to look regimented and correct.
By the time the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion was handed over to the British 6th Airborne, the division ordered members of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion remove the Corcoran's and not wear then again. This order was again given after the Battle of the Bulge due to some members of the Battalion wearing them in the Bulge.
Due to this, we prefer to be the "normal" and not the rare "exception" to this and our member's will NOT wear Corcoran boots. We want to look regimented and correct.
