Heer When did M43 Cap come into use in Heer

[Ken MacLean]

The attached photo is of Blenheim MkIV Z6163 of 500 Sqn that went missing over Northern France 28 Nov 41.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f133/bea...sFlugzeugII.jpg

My question is: could this photo have been taken in November1941? The officer on the left appears to be wearing an M43 cap. Was the M43 issued to Heer as early as 1941?

[Guest Rick Research]

Mountain troops were already issued the style, with a shorter bill. That derived from both Austrian and German caps of similar design worn by alpine/ski troops since WW1.

Incongruous as Northern France would seem as a ? location, that is exactly what the officer in foreground right is wearing.

[Ken MacLean]

Thanks Rick,

Subsequent replies to the thread suggest that the a/c had ditched on the day of loss and had been fished out of the drink some time later by the Germans. This would, I suppose, eliminate the incongruity of an M43 being worn in late 1941.

Cheers, Ken

[Guest Rick Research]

But the officer is STILL weaing a Gebirgsj?ger cap-- the difference in profile of the cap's bill indicates that.