UNIFORM & KIT ISSUED TO THE AIF DURING WW2

This pictorial library is devoted to the recording of "Uniform and Kit" issued to an Australian Soldier of any corps, during the Second World War. Consider it a virtual "Q" Store in Australian militaria. It is not exhaustive and will be added to over time. Any reader who wishes to contribute photographs and text will be recognised and credited with such information. I also invite collectors of other nation's militaria to forward content (please see our other countries listed on the drop down menu) - so that a comprehensive list of "Axis" and "Allies" uniform/kit is detailed.

 

Cup Grenade Discharger - Lee Enfield No. 1 Mk. 111 Rifle

The cup grenade discharger for the Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk. 111 rifle. This discharged fired the Model 36 fragmentation grenade. The two lugs evident in this image clipped into the corresponding recesses (slots) on the side of the 'end cap' of the rifle. Image courtesy of the Kokoda Historical Collection.

No. 36M Fragmentation Grenade

The Number 36M fragmentation grenade, utilised by all British Commonwealth Troops. It was more popularly referred to as the "Mills Bomb" and it's origins date back to the First World War. In it's original form as the No. 5 grenade, it was later fitted with a rod to facilitate being discharged from a rifle; this type being designated the No. 23 grenade. In 1918 it was fitted with a 2 and a half inch base plate, to enable it to be discharged from a "cup" discharger attached to a Lee Enfield rifle. In this configeration, it was renumbered the No. 36M. The grenade came with a seven second fuse for use with the rifle mounted grenade discharger. A four second fuse was set down for "hand throwing" of the grenade in combat. The Australians in particular, favoured the use of the 36M hand grenade. A Japanese Sitrep (Situation Report) captured during the 1942 Kokoda campaign describes the use of this particular weapon, by men of the 39th Infantry Battalion AMF (Militia). It stated:- "The Australians are skilled marksman and expert grenade throwers". Regarding this quotation, author Paul Ham (in his book titled 'KOKODA' - page 50) was to make the comment "No doubt there were quite a few good cricketers in the militia". Image courtesy of the Kokoda Historical Collection.


Sergeant Bede TONGS MM of the 3rd Infantry Battalion (Australian Military Forces) won the Military Medal when he single handedly attacked a Japanese Machinegun nest at Templeton's Crossing on the Kokoda Track.  Using two 36M hand grenades, he neutralized the strongpoint and saved the lives of many of his men.  Wish to learn more about Bede TONGS and this attack.  PLEASE CLICK HERE

Thompson Sub-Machine Gun .45 Calibre

The concept of the Thompson Sub-Machine Gun (also referred to by some veterans as a 'sub-machine carbine') was born from the need of a 'trench gun' during the First World War, but it's claim to fame came about as it being a "weapon of choice" by the criminal element in Chicago during the Prohibition days. It was a hard hitting weapon - and used by Australian troops in nearly all theatres, including the Middle East and Malaya. The weapon was used by many forward scouts in the New Guinea campaign, however it was prone to jamming in muddy conditions. In one action fought by a six man patrol of the 3rd Militia Battalion on the Kokoda Track; a Tommy Gun being operated by Private George Webb stopped during a critical moment of the engagement. His platoon Sergeant, Bede TONGS would later say "It was a good gangster weapon, but no good in the jungle". Despite this, the large slug fired by this weapon provided ample 'close range' firepower for the front line troops and it was favoured by many. It was later superceded by the Owen Gun. Australian troops generally loaded carried this weapon with a 30 round box magazine as pictured above.

Owen Gun (Sub-Machine Gun) 9 mm

With a very unconventional appearance, the Owen Gun was one of the most simple and reliable automatic weapons produced during the Second World War. During tests, it out performed the American Thompson Sub-Machine Gun and the British Sten Gun. It could continue to fire, even if dropped in mud or buried in sand; and subsequently it became favoured to Australian troops in jungle conditions. It was loaded with a 32 round box magazine and had a cyclic rate of fire of 700 rounds per minute. It was first used in action by troops of the 2/2nd Infantry Battalion (16th Infantry Brigade) during the "fight forward" on the Kokoda Track and would go on to replace the Thompson Gun in combat. It also saw service throughout the Korean War and even 'Scouts' during the Vietnam War.


Wish to learn more about the Australian Owen Gun?  PLEASE CLICK HERE

Website Development by Quantum Web Solutions