WW2 British, General Service Cap, Badged to Royal Engineers, 1945

As a wartime measure to save on time and materials it was decided to introduce a universal khaki cloth cap made on the beret pattern. Known as the 'Cap-General Service' it was quickly nicknamed the 'Cap Ridiculous'.

Correctly worn with the band in a level position one inch above the eyebrows with the crown of the cap pulled to the right. The badge was worn over the left eye with ...  read more

Code: 33

WW2 British, Royal Engineers, Coloured Field Service Cap

Colloquially called the ‘forage’ or ‘side’ cap this universal pattern was reintroduced into the British army at the same time as the Battledress, 1937. Officers’ models were often produced in barathea whilst other ranks were manufactured from plain khaki drab serge. However, in June 1937 Amendment No.1 to the existing Dress Regulations for the Army, 1934 stated in Para. 31A:

‘The...  read more

Code: 27

WW2 British Universal Pattern Service Field Cap, Badged to Royal Engineers.

Colloquially called the ‘forage’ or ‘side’ cap this universal pattern was reintroduced into the British army at the same time as the Battledress, 1937. Officers’ models were often produced in barathea whilst other ranks were manufactured from plain khaki drab serge.

The cap was required to be worn one size larger than other head-dress in order that
a proper fit was secur...  read more

Code: 25

WW2 British, Officers Dress Service Cap, Badges to Royal Engineers.

Manufactured from khaki drab material with a plain peak and the crown stiffened with a wire former. These caps had brown leather chin strap, unless for rifle regiments which were black, held in place by two small brass buttons. Cap badges for these caps were always produced from a bronze finished metal or, in later stages of the war, the brown economy patterns.

This example is ba...  read more

Code: 24

This Week: ‘Something for the Weekend’!!

This week at Ack-Ack Militaria we delve into the murky world passion.

From stockings and condoms to ‘naughty’ postcards, sex was a major preoccupation for the British Squaddie.

Don’t forget to Register on the Homepage to receive news of further updates.

TTFN and good hunting.  read more

Code: 376

WW2, British, ‘Durex’, ULTRA-RARE, Prophylactic Condom.

Essential for stopping the spread of ‘Venereal Disease’ (VD) throughout the ranks, Prophylactic; a medicine or course of action used to prevent disease, no tunic pocket or wash roll is complete without one.
For example, the rate of venereal VD encountered by the Eighth Army in Italy was more than twenty times that found in Britain. Dire warnings of the dangers of VD were published in the...  read more

Code: 375

WW2, British, ATS, Lisle Stockings.

Often described as ‘passion killers’ these ATS stockings were warm and serviceable but hardly flattering. Grimly unbecoming, compared to the feminine lingerie available on the civilian market, a token effort had been made in the choice of shades of ‘pink’ as the standard colour.

Spike Milligan stated that the top of these could be called the ‘giggle-line’, once passed you were la...  read more

Code: 374

WW2, British, RARE, Prophylactic Condom.

Essential for stopping the spread of ‘Venereal Disease’ (VD) throughout the ranks, Prophylactic; a medicine or course of action used to prevent disease, no tunic pocket or wash roll is complete without one.
For example, the rate of venereal VD encountered by the Eighth Army in Italy was more than twenty times that found in Britain. Dire warnings of the dangers of VD were published in the...  read more

Code: 373

WW2 Era, European, ‘Naughty’ Postcards.

Popular with squaddies when ‘tipsy’ in the back streets, these postcards were frowned upon but often ignored by the authorities and could be found in wallets and small packs. It’s hard for us now to imagine life abroad for a generation who, compared to youngster now, were naive and found these ‘end of the pier’ images racy.

Priced as a pair and would finish of any display of pers...  read more

Code: 372

Airborne Book Week (1)

This week at Ack-Ack Militaria we present a number of rare, hard to source and desirable publications dedication to British Airborne operations in WWII.
Including veteran and author signatures these hard to source publications will enhance any military collection or be of interest to those with a passion for military history.
Next week we will present further titles of interest.read more

Code: 371