Infantry Training Part IV: The mortar platoon

A 4.75 inch by 7 inch booklet on Infantry training procedures for mortar infantry units issued in February 1943. In the 1st Battalion, 48th Highlanders the Mortar Platoon was part of Support Company and employed 3 inch mortars.

Telephone Switch Board UC10 10Line Set 58 M768

The Switchboard U.C. 10 is a 10-line Second World War era switchboard used to terminate tactical phone lines. The switchboard (U.C. standing for ‘Universal Call’) was designed for local office use or at Divisional Signals level and were used throughout the war and as late as the 1980’s in cadet corps. The unit is housed […]

2 Pounder Round

The Ordnance QF 2-pounder (QF denoting “quick firing”), or simply “2 pounder gun”, was a 40 mm (1.575 in) British anti-tank gun and vehicle-mounted gun employed in the Second World War. This round is 2 inch by 12 inch in size. It was the main anti-tank weapon of the artillery units in the Battle of […]

German Anti Tank Round

The Panzerbüchse 39, abbreviated PzB 39, (German: “tank hunting rifle model 39”) was a German anti-tank rifle used in World War II. It was an improvement of the Panzerbüchse 38 (PzB 38) rifle. This round is a 0.75 inch by 5.5 inch round. German anti-tank rifles originated back in 1917 with the Mauser 1918 T-Gewehr, […]

.50 Caliber Round

The .50 Browning Machine Gun (.50 BMG, 12.7×99mm NATO and designated as the 50 Browning by the C.I.P.) is a .50 in (12.7 mm) caliber cartridge developed for the M2 Browning heavy machine gun in the late 1910s, entering official service in 1921. Under STANAG 4383, it is a standard service cartridge for NATO forces as well […]

Warrant Officer Second Class Super Fine Services Class 1921 -1940 Tunic with Sash

This 1921 – 1940 pattern tunic was worn by the other ranks of the 48th Highlanders, 1st Battalion, and the home battalion, during WWII for non-combat periods.  Shoulder straps were sewn on and fastened with brass buttons, with enough space for a brass regimental shoulder title. Rank insignia was sewn onto the upper tunic sleeves, […]

Sergeants 1921 Pattern Sporran

The sporran, a traditional part of male Scottish Highland dress, is a pouch that performs the same function as pockets on the pocketless kilt. Made of leather or fur, the ornamentation of the sporran is chosen to complement the formality of dress worn with it. The sporran is worn on a leather strap or chain, […]

Safe Conduct Certificate for German soldiers

A 5.5 inch by 9 inch paper stating that the German soldier carrying this document wishes to surrender and will comply with a safe conduct behaviour. The certificate, in both German and English, is signed by General Dwight Eisenhower and issued or released/air-dropped by the Allied forces.

Safe Conduct Certificate for Allied Soldiers

A 5.5 inch by 9 inch paper stating that the soldier carrying this document wishes to surrender and will comply with a safe conduct behaviour. These certificates were given to Canadian soldiers beginning with the Sicilian campaign and would be carried by the soldier in his uniform. The certificate was English on one side and […]

Wartime Currency – WWII

Various currencies that were given to soldiers as their pay for duty. Some have signatures of 48th Highlanders on them. Italy When soldiers would return after serving abroad, they would bring back their unused local currency, in part as a memento. Before Italy adopted the Euro, Italy used the Lire. UK During World War II, […]