MRC Body Armour

Apologies if this has been mentioned before but just seen a set for sale on ebay (03/06/2011)....starting price £1200.......Looks in good condition with all webbing straps etc etc.....

 

Want to finish the subject/booklet this year, so a final call if anyone has any information or documentation about MRC Body Armour or Airborne Helmets

Thanks in advance

 

Just found 46 files related to body armour at the National Archives-Some are Air crew related but some appear to be Army related.

 

The officer referred to in Blackburns book "The Guns of Normandy" survived the war and is still alive. According to Blackburn it seems that infantry battalions of the 2nd division were issued MRC armor after reviewing the casualty rates of the 3rd CID in after D-Day. There isnt much evidence of it after July 44 because a) the casualty rates of the 2nd CID infantry regiments were nearly 100% by mid-August, therefore; most of the men issued MRC were out of the line by then, and b) those who who were still in the line had for the most part discarded it because july/august 44 was incredibly hot and the infantry men wanted to lighten there loads as MRC had proven not to be effective against MG fire.

 

Thanks for the info, the booklet will be about the use of the MRC at Arnhem

 

Lofty

photo's received from Mr P, thanks very much, will use at least one or two for the publication.

 

1st Airborne Recce Sqn were issued with it, for Arnhem. Not too impressed.
Poor Dickie Minns wore 2 sets and it missed both of them. He was one of the survivors of the Wolfhetze ambush, although badly wounded.

Lawrence

 

British Medical Research Council (MRC) Body Armour in Canadian Use