martin goddard  | 15 Jul 2020 6:01 a.m. PST |
Hello all
Here is a request for information.
Any help gratefully received. I am solely interested in the metal cuboid drop canisters used by the German paratroops in WW2. This is what I have so far. Dark coloured canisters (looks like an exercise) letters P,M,E and Z seen on canisters. At least two of Z and two of E in the pictures. White canister with B and diamond symbol used on Dragon figure box. Lightning symbol seems to denote signals equipment. No letter.
Red cross symbol seems to denote first aid/medical. No letter. If you have more info then I (and others I think) would love to have it. Thank you. The drop canisters are made of sheet metal (aluminium?). The "screw thread" cylinders are collapsible aluminium and used to absorb the drop impact ,then removed.
The little wheels and pulling handle are inside the canister when dropped.
Once the canister is opened the wheels and handle can be attached to the canister for use.
The colours of canisters seem to be bit of a mystery.
Most sources when asked , divert the conversation onto some other topic such as canopies, weather or hats. martin |
| Andoreth | 15 Jul 2020 6:25 a.m. PST |
Martin, I assume you have seen this from the Fallslschirmjager net
link |
rvandusen  | 15 Jul 2020 6:40 a.m. PST |
There is a photo in image search showing a white canister full of small arms with a black "K" printed on the side, but it is from a reenactment so can be taken with a grain of salt. Any idea what the stripes on some canisters mean? link |
| Andoreth | 15 Jul 2020 6:49 a.m. PST |
There is a Pinterest page with a small number of photos of cannisters. I must admit I love the one of the men snoozing in the desert.
link |
| 79thPA | 15 Jul 2020 6:59 a.m. PST |
The consensus seems to be that they may have used color coded chutes, and that canister marking changed from operation to operation. Some interesting reading: link link link link |
| martin goddard | 15 Jul 2020 7:04 a.m. PST |
Thanks for the replies
Sadly we are no further forward chaps. Someone somewhere knows.
I think the Germans would have had a definitive system? Maybe something will come along.
Otherwise maybe some educated (?) guesses.
thanks
martin |
| Andoreth | 15 Jul 2020 7:37 a.m. PST |
This adds more to the confusion I think but the Waffenbehakter in the photo mid-way through this German account of the attack on Crete appears to have a chequer board pattern on it. The article has nice maps though.
PDF link |
| Straw Plaiter | 15 Jul 2020 7:43 a.m. PST |
There are a variety of colours here link |
| Andoreth | 15 Jul 2020 7:45 a.m. PST |
Maybe once long distance travel becomes acceptable again this would justify a trip to Altenstadt (in Hesse near Frankfurt).
link |
| martin goddard | 15 Jul 2020 8:48 a.m. PST |
Maybe the information has gone forever?
Looks like no information is around.
Not a crucial issue, but my curiosity was aroused.
Anyway it did get us talking though.
martin
|
| d88mm1940 | 16 Jul 2020 4:45 p.m. PST |
This link has a lot of technical info and a manuel in German:
link |
| Wargamer Blue | 16 Jul 2020 7:20 p.m. PST |
link Martin, you might have to buy "The Technical Manual for the Fallschirmjager Drop Canister". And then let us know the differences. 😀 |
| martin goddard | 17 Jul 2020 5:16 a.m. PST |
Good spot that man.
That looks an excellent book.
I might seriously consider buying it, but suspect that the information I want would not be there.
If anyone has read it and can confirm the colours etc are in it then I will buy it. martin |
| 79thPA | 17 Jul 2020 6:33 a.m. PST |
Perhaps you can ask the publisher? |
