Quote:
Originally posted by horsa
Officer's sometimes removed one or both of the front patch pockets from their battledress trousers. This was especially true early during WWII while stationed in the UK while units were in training. They still prefered the smooth front as presented by the previous issues of service dress trousers.
Post war the practise could have been done by other ranks as they often retained their uniforms after leaving the service. These trousers then saw continued use outside the military. One reason you find a lot more blouses than you do trousers. Same thing applied to the German military where released prisoners continued to wear elements of their former uniforms.
|
Dave , this answers a lot except for the post war un-issued trousers that come up for sale sans pockets. As you stated, I'm sure there were lots of pants modified by their owners both during and post war but it seems that somewhere along the line it became official military policy to delete either or both of the pockets, if I'm not mistaken. In any event, make sure to bring a copy of "Weapons of the WW II Tommy" to College Station for me to purchase.
For your next book, how about "Equipment of the WW II Canuck"? I've got some Canadian kit to show you that I didn't see in your "Tommy" book.
CHIMO!