Rare WWII Para and SOE Knee Pads

A rare pair of the knee pads issued to both British Para’s and the SOE. They are copies of similar kit issued to German Fallschirmjager. There is an excellent photo of them being worn by troops en-route for North Africa in Hillary St George Saunders' classic The Red Beret, while they are also illustrated and described in the official SOE Descriptive catalogue of Special Devices and Supplies. In this latter publication it is stated that the knee pads were to bear no official markings, this perhaps explains why this pair have manufacturer's dated labels simply tacked in place, clearly intended to be removed upon issue. A seldom encountered item of Special Forces kit.

Code: 10116