Leather jacket

[Kenneth]

Here's another off-the-wall topic for all of you experts: leather jackets.

Somewhere I believe I saw something about leather jackets being issued to French Foreign Legion paratroopers. It was styled in exactly the same style as the contemporary camouflage (and plain) jump jacket, only in leather, probably in the same shade as the green leather of rucksacks, with the distinctive pockets. In the one and only photo that I recall, probably from 20 years ago, it was not so full cut as the jump jackets. However, I'm pretty sure this did not come into use until after the Legion left Algeria for greener pastures, which is when 2nd REP became a sort of specialist parachute unit, with one company supposedly being a mountain unit. At any rate, it would definitely be post-Algeria.

Anyone else ever see such a leather jacket?

[lew]

I've never seen anything like that. Where'd ya come across that? I would think an all-leather jacket in the field would be miserable and not very practical. The green leather on the slings, packs, etc... came about in the early '70's. All the post-Algeria 2e REP pictures I've seen have been the TAP camo, OD fatigues, and the current CCE.

[Kenneth]

It would have been a photo in a book, possibly Simon Murray's autobiography. He served in the 1960s. I thought I had a copy of that book but can't lay my hands on it. How practical a leather jacket might be in the field is another question, of course, but leather jackets and coats have been worn as outdoor and working garments for a long time. In fact, the British found that a leather jerkin was a most practical trench garment. But that's neither here nor there. I remember things like this and wanted to check it out with others. It was clearly not something widely issued and was very likely only issued in very small numbers. I don't recall seeing it mentioned anywhere. But it has a high novelty quotient.

[craigtx]

I think I have a copy of Murray's book, I'll see about takin' a look.

Craig

[lew]

I'll check my copy tonight.

[craigtx]

I checked my copy, I didn't see anything that looked like a leather jacket.

Craig

[lew]

Nor did I.