Maldon's No.1 attraction

Special Forces Section

Manufactured by Fabrique Nationale Herstal (FN) in Belgium, this Browning Hi-Power was first designed by John Browning in 1923. However, the weapon’s design was only finished by his apprentice in 1935 after Browning passed away in 1926.

This specific Hi-Power belonged to a member of the SAS who was part of the assaulters who stormed into the Iranian Embassy on Prince’s Gate in South Kensington London, during the 1980 Iraninan Embassy Siege. The Browning scanned here, with an extended 20-round magazine, was used in the siege! The full kit of Rusty Firmin, is on display in the museum along with his HK mp5, assault vest, and other assault equipment!

SBS Beret belonging to CSM Stamford ‘Stam’ Weatherall of the N°2 Special Boat Section – SBS

Beret belonging to Stamford ‘Stam’ Weatherall who was a regular soldier before World War 2. In July 1940 he volunteered for duties in the newly formed Commandos. In May 1941 he volunteered for ‘unspecified duties’ with the SBS. He carried out operations with Captain Livingstone MBE. He received a Mention in Despatches, MID, and became operational CSM (WOII), Company Sergeant Major N°2 SBS.

This 3D scan is the beginning of a series of objects that are to be scanned as part of the Combined Military Services Museum’s first steps into the digitization of it’s World War 2 SAS and SOE collections. This project was made possible through the support of the Gerry Holdsworth Trust.

This scan is of a 1939 Pattern Battledress Blouse that is part of the museum’s collection of uniforms. This Battledress blouse belonged to Warrant Officer Earnest Gower, Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of the 1st Battalion Essex Regiment in Burma. The Burmese Dragon formation sign on the right sleeve is that of the 3rd Indian Division, The Chindits. A 3D scan of a Chindits uniform is also a part of our special forces collection on Sketchfab.

General Wingate formed the famous Chindits to raid deep into Japanese Occupied Burma and take on the Japanese in the jungle. The 1st Essex were part of the division, Chindit columns 44 and 56, fighting deep in the Burmese Jungle.

This scan is of a Royal Military Police Close Protection Unit (RMP CPU) Vest in a desert pattern.

The Close Protection Unit provides specialist close protection support to Senior Military Officers and Senior Government Officials to enable their freedom of movement and protection in high threat environments overseas. Within this, Close Protection Teams’ roles and responsibilities include operational planning, conducting reconnaissance, liaison and providing individually assigned bodyguards, personal escort sections, security advance parties and residential security teams. RMP CPU is the NATO lead on Close Protection capability development.

This scan is of a Royal Military Police Close Protection Unit (RMP CPU) Vest in a covert pattern.

This scan is of a Royal Military Police Close Protection Unit (RMP CPU) Vest in a camouflage pattern.

This scan is of a rare surviving uniform of the 14th Army as worn during the Burma Campaign against the Japanese. Worn by Sergeant Bradley of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers who was attached to the 11th East African Division. The Battledress blouse was made in India and the trousers in Australia. He carries a Gurkha Kukri, a popular accessory with the British troops.

The arm badge as seen in the scan is of the 11th East Africa Division. The two-horned Rhino was the formation sign of the division which was involved in pursuing the Japanese on their retreat from Imphal and helped establish bridgeheads across the River Chindwin. The Division consisted of troops from Kenya, Uganda, Nyasaland, Tanganyika and Northern Rhodesia, serving under British officers and with British Senior Non Commissioned Officers providing technical expertise in engineering and artillery units.

This uniform would have been used with the Chindits Jungle Slouch Hat that is part of the special forces collection.

This scan is of a rare surviving Army Jungle Slouch hat with the regimental flash of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers on the left side, belonged to Sergeant Bradley. This hat was part of the British Army Jungle Green Battledress worn by the Chindits (Long Range Penetration Groups) during the Burma Campaign against the Japanese. The Chindits were special operations units of the British and Indian armies formed by Major-General Orde Wingate which saw action during the war particularly from 1943-1944.

During February–May 1943, the “Chindits” entered Japanese-held Burma from the west, crossed the Chindwin River, and, receiving supplies from the air, conducted effective guerrilla operations against the Japanese until they reached the Irrawaddy River. On crossing that river in an attempt to cut Japanese communications with the Salween River front to the east, they found the terrain unfavourable and were forced to return circuitously to India.

This particular body armour vest was designed and issued by the British Ministry of Defence (MOD). The front and back of the vest contain Maxi-K armour plates from Armourshield able to withstand .30” Inch/7mm 166 grain AP (Armour-Piercing) (2880 ft/s) projectilies.

This scan is of a tactical body armour vest made by Bristol Armour. This vest is a variation of flexible body armour (Grade K10). The armour as seen in the scan, has green fabric on the front and has parts of the black protective coating peeling due to heavy use. Armour plates would be inserted in the front and back of the vest from pouches that open from the side.

This black body armour vest is one of the many variations of body armour used by British special forces. This model is the Armourshield REV/25 Plus which was manufactured in March 2005.

This vest was used by the Special Boat Section (SBS) Maritime Counter Terrorism (MCT) forces in the late 1990s. SBS operators have carried out sabotage missions right from the start of their inception during World War 2 and as recently as the 1st Gulf War. MCT operations in particular, in which SBS operators would use this vest, usually involve simultaneous assaults from the air and sea. The vest features various pouches to store equipment and ammunition pouches for Mp5 magazines.

Made of rubber and weighted with lead inner soles, these boots would have been worn over the feet of a Sladen Suit. The left boot has a provision for a diving knife. The boots were weighted to enable the diver to walk on the seabed.

This helmet was used by the “Iraqi Fedayeen Saddam” or “Saddam’s Men of Sacrifice”. These men were an elite unit of his personal bodyguards from 1995 – 2003. The helmet is made from light balistic fibre and painted black to match the Fedayeen uniform. On the right side of the helmet is a silhouette of Saddam Hussein and Arabic inscriptions, “The Lord, The Homeland, The Leader”.

The helmet has a strong resemblance to the helmet worn by ‘Darth Vader’ in Star Wars films. It is said to have been designed by Saddam’s son Uday Hussein who had a fascination with the films. This particular helmet was found abandoned in a building in Al Kut, Iraq, by US Marine Corps Sergeant Francisco Romo during operations in 2003.

The Davis Submerged Escape Apparatus or DSEA was designed by Sir Robert Davis in 1910 to be an oxygen rebreather. It was designed as an escape apparatus for submarine crews.

However, it was then found to be perfect for scuba diving, and was the first breathing apparatus used by Special Forces for Human Torpedos. Rebreathers have continued to be used by Special Forces, as they are lightweight and do not give off tell tale bubbles in use.

This webbing replaced the 1908 Pattern webbing and was used throughout the Second World War by British and Empire Forces as the standard issue webbing until the introduction of the 1958 Pattern webbing. Shown here is the minimal ’skeleton’ set, as used for assaults, keeping weight to a minimum. The pouches were designed to hold two Bren gun magazines in each, or other combinations of grenades and clips of rifle rounds.

This scan showcases a WWII British Commando Rucksack. This design of rucksack was a highly sought-after part of a Commando’s standard equipment as it was capable of carrying heavy loads and with its teardrop frame design, was comfortable to use on long marches.

The rucksack features the 1944 pattern design made from dark green waterproof canvas as opposed to the 1942 pattern which was made from a light tan canvas material. The versatility of the rucksack also saw its use by the Special Air Service during WWII.

This soft cap was a favourite of SAS officers during desert campaigns and was frequently worn on operations. This hat would have been used with the SAS Captain Uniform c.1942 which can also be found in our Special Forces collection here on sketchfab.

This uniform is typical of that worn by a SAS officer in WWII desert campaigns. The shirt has SAS Wings on the breast, and has slip on rank insignia on the epaulettes. The shorts show signs of wear and are oil stained. The soft cap was a favourite of SAS officers and can be seen in our other scan of the SAS Captain’s Hat on sketchfab.

Most of the original SAS officers transferred into the SAS from regiments already serving in the desert. They completed their parachute training and learnt the arts of desert navigation at Kabrit Camp, Egypt, alongside the River Nile before deploying operationally.

This headscarf, called a Shamagh, was a versatile piece of clothing which protects the wearer from both the sun and sand. Like most special forces, the LRDG wore clothes that suited them rather than following Army dress regulations. The full length of this scarf shown here in the scan allows for the trooper to tie it around his neck and face if needed to protect him from the elements.

This uniform would have been worn with the ‘Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) Headscarf’. The LRDG would typically wear this standard issue khaki drill shirt and shorts, with removable LRDG epaulet titles. This uniform would have been used between 1941 – 1944.

As a pairing with our other 3D model of the M33 APERS mine, this bag was used by Rusty Firmin of the British SAS to carry practice or live Claymore mines. One pocket of the bag would fit the mine while the other would hold the M57 “clacker” firing control, and an M40 circuit test kit.

This particular practice “Claymore” Mine was used by the SAS and is part of the museum’s “Rusty Firmin” Collection. Rusty Firmin was one of the members of the SAS who stormed the Iranian Embassy during the siege from 30 April to 5 May 1980. The now popular Netflix film “6 days” depicts this event.

The light blue plastic M33 Inert Anti-Personnel Mine is the training and practice version of the M18A1 Claymore. Some inert mines were green with a light blue band. It does not contain an explosive or pyrotechnic filler of any kind. It is packed in a Claymore bag with inert M10 simulated detonator cap wire, an M57 “clacker” firing control, and an M40 circuit test kit.

A rare example of a Sladen diving suit head piece that was used on board a Royal Navy two man Torpedo Chariot during World War 2.

This particular head piece was originally attached to the main body, but through wear and aging of the rubber, as seen in the scan, the head piece had become detached. The suit was made by the British company Siebe Gorman. It is a type of dry suit made of light weight rubberised twill. A picture of the sladen suit can be found here: https://ww2db.com/image.php?image_id=28972 .

The diver had to enter via a rubber skirt in the abdomen of the suit; this skirt was then folded and tied off before the diver was submerged.

SBS Hat belonging to CSM Stamford ‘Stam’ Weatherall of the N°2 Special Boat Section – SBS

Belonging to Stamford ‘Stam’ Weatherall who was a regular soldier before World War 2. In July 1940 he volunteered for duties in the newly formed Commandos. In May 1941 he volunteered for ‘unspecified duties’ with the SBS. He carried out operations with Captain Livingstone MBE. He received a Mention in Despatches, MID, and became operational CSM (WOII), Company Sergeant Major N°2 SBS.

This uniquely designed helmet, was first used by paratroopers in World War 2 before it was replaced with steel helmets. This soft helmet was then repurposed as a helmet used by parachutists for training purposes. In the front of the helmet there is a visible patch sewn into the helmet. This means that it could have been damaged from being used often, either during training or in missions.

Part 1 of a collection of badges from the Combined MIlitary Services Museum Archive:

(Rows from Left to Right) 1st Row * 1st SAS Regiment troops Shoulder Title (1944-45) * Indian Airborne Paratrooper Qualification Wings (1944-45) * SAS Beret Badge

2nd Row * 2nd SAS Regiment Troops Shoulder Title (1944-45) * 1930-45 British Army Paratroopers Qualifications Wings * Headquarters SAS troops, Shoulder Title (1944-45)

3rd Row * 3rd SAS Regiment Troops Shoulder Title (1944-45) * Royal Marines No.1Dress Paratroopers Qualifications Wings * Raiding Support Regiment Beret Badge (1943-45)

4th Row * D-Force Shoulder Title (1944-46) * Land Forces Adriatic Cloth Formation Sign (1944-45)

Bottom Badge: Royal Marine Swimming Canoeist Qualification Trade Badge

Part 2 of a collection from the museum Archive:

Top Badge : Special Service Brigade, Commando Signals Formation Sign 1st Row * No1 Commando Shoulder Title 1940-45 * 1st Medical Commando Troops 1944-45 * First Commando Brigade Troops 1940-45

2nd Row * No1 Commando Salamander Formation Sign 1940-45 * No5 Commando 1940-45 * 4th Independant Company Formation Sign * Beach Groups Formation Sign 1940-45

3rd Row * Commando Signals 1944-45 * Royal Marines Siege Regiment Formation Sign 1940-45 * Commando Headquarters Special Service Brigade 1940-45
* Royal Navy / Marine Commando Troops

4th Row * Beach Groups Ordnance Troops 1944-45 * 22nd Beach Group 1944-45 * No2 Commando Formation Sign 1940-45 * Commando Trained Personnel * 104th Royal Marines Training Badge, Royal Marine Training Group 1944-45 * 116th Royal Marine Brigade Formation Sign 1944-45

5th Row * Commando Troops 1940-45 * 117th Royal Marine Brigade Formation Sign 1940-45 * Beach Signals Troops * Royal Marines Engineers Formation Sign

Part 3 of a collection of badges from the Combined Military Services Museum Archive:

Top Badge: Parachute Regiment Shoulder Title (1940-45)

(Rows from Left to Right)

1st Row * Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 1st Airlanding Brigade (1940-45) * Border Regiment Shoulder Title 1st Airlanding Brigade * Indian Airborne, 50 (indian) Parachute Brigade, 153 Battalion Formation Sign (1941-45)

2nd Row * Border Regiment Shoulder Title 1st Airlanding Brigade (1940-45) * 44th Indian Airborne Division, Formation Sign (1940-45), A pair of badges worn one on each side * Indian Airborne 50 (Indian) Parachute Brigade, 154 Battalion Formation Sign (1941-55)

3rd Row * Kings Own Scottish Borderers, Slip-on Shoulder Title 1st Airlanding Brigade 1940-45 * Indian Airborne 50 (Indian) Parachute Brigade, 152 Battalion Formation Sign / Pagri Flash (1940-45)

Part 4 of a collection of badges from the Combined MIlitary Services Museum Archive:

Top Badge: Kings Own Scottish Borderers Shoulder Title(1940-45), Airlanding Brigade

(Rows from Left to Right)

1st Row: * Indian Airborne 50 (indian) Parachute Brigade, 151 Battalion Formation Sign / Pagri Flash (1941-45) * Parachute Trainers ‘Light Bulb’, for non-Parachute regiment troops * Airborne Troops Shoulder Title (1940-45)

2nd Row: * Parachute Troops Shoulder Title (1940-45) * Glider Pilot Wings (1939-45) * Parachute Training ‘Light Bulb’, for non-parachute regiment troops

3rd Row: * Glider Pilot Regiment Troops Shoulder Title (1940-45) * Glider Troops Qualification Badge (1940-45) * Glider Pilot, 2nd Pilot Wings (1939-45)

4th Row: * Army Air Corps Troops Shoulder Title (1940-45) * Parachute / Paratrooper Qualification Badge (1944-45) * RAF Parachute Jump Instructor, Indian Made, (1940-45) * RAF Parachute Jump Instructor (1940-45)

Part 5 of a collection of badges from the Combined MIlitary Services Museum Archive:

Top Badge: No.10 Inter-Allied (I.A.) Commando Troops Shoulder Title (1940-45)

(Rows from left ot Right)

1st Row: * Denmark Free Forces Shoulder Title, worn by No.10 (I.A.) Commando * Dutch / Netherlands Marines Shoulder Title (1939-45) * Czechoslovakia ‘Free’ Forces Shoulder Title (1939-45), worn by Czech Free Forces including No.10 (I.A.) Commando

2nd Row: * Poland Nationality Shoulder Title, worn by all ‘Free’ Polish Forces (1940-45) * Dutch / Netherlands Free Forces Formation Sign, worn by all Dutch Free Forces * Dutch / Netherlands ‘Free’Forces Prinses Irene Brigade Troops Shoulder Title (1939-45)

3rd Row: * Belgium ‘Free’ Forces Nationality Shoulder Title * Norway, Nationality, Shoulder Title No.10 (I.A.) Commando (1940-45) * Norway Formation Sign

4th Row: * Norway Free Forces, Officers Headdress Badge (1940-45) * Poland ‘Free’ Forces Cloth Headdress Badges (1939-45)

This canoe was one of the six canoes used on the famous Cockleshell Heroes Raid (Operation Frankton) in December 1942. The canoes were transported by Submarine  to the mouth of the Gironde river in occupied France. They’re mission- to place limpet mines on ships in Bordeaux harbour 70  miles upstream. Manned by Commandos Ellery and Fisher, Cachalots canvas side was damaged whilst passing through the submarines hatch. Cachalots mission was over. The five remaining canoes went on to complete the mission. Sadly only two Commandos survived.
This canoe is the only known example of the early MKII canoe design, built at Saro Works, Isle of Wight for the raid.