We are currently improving the navigational structure of the website. This might result in lost links. If you come across a lost link, Please let us know.

Equipment, Special Operations Executive

Page Created
May 5th, 2025
Last Updated
May 14th, 2025
Great Britain
British Flag
Additional Information
Unit
Order of Battle
Commanders
Operations
Equipment
Multimedia
Sources
Biographies
Helmets and Uniforms
Brodie Steel Helmet Brodie Steel Helmet
Airborne Training Bungee HelmetAirborne Bungee Helmet
P Type HelmetP-Type Helmet
Helmet Steel Airborne Troops (HSAT)Helmet Steel Airborne Troops (HSAT)
Special Operations Executive Jump HelmetSpecial Operations Executive Jump Helmet
Tropical HatTropical Hat
Civilian’s Leather Coat, Continental StyleCivilian's Leather Coat, Continental Style
Collarless Battledress ShirtCollarless Battledress Shirt
Pattern 1937 Battledress UniformPattern 1937 Battledress Uniform
Pattern 1940 Battledress UniformPattern 1940 Battledress Uniform
Airborne Paratrooper Battledress TrousersAirborne Paratrooper Battledress Trousers
Jacket ParachutistsJacket Parachutists
Denim OversmockDenim Overscmock
Denison SmockDenisin Smock
Skeleton Assault JerkinSkeleton Assault Jerkin
Special Operations Executive Jumpsuit (SOE Striptease Suit)SOE Jumpsuit
Seat Cushion, SOE Striptease Suit, back protectionseat cushion, camouflage jump suit, Special Forces (EQU 419) a brown rectangular cloth cushion with two white buttons side by side set into the cushion Copyright: ý IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30013167
Amphibian Suit MK II with Mk II Amphibian Rebreather ApparatusSuit, Amphibian, Mk II (with Mk II Amphibian Rebreather Apparatus): Royal Navy
B5 Leather BootsB5 Leather Boots
Canvas Physical Training ShoesCanvas Physical Training Shoes
Desert Boot, Chukka BootChukka Boots
Leather DMS Ammunition BootsLeather Ammunition Boots
Pattern 1937 GaitersPattern 1937 Gaiters
Personal Equipment
Pattern 1937 PackPattern 1937 Pack
Pattern 1937 Binocular Case and 7 x 50 BinocularsPattern 1937 Binocular Case and 7 x 50 Binoculars
Monocularmonocular, miniature (EPH 1152) Small telescopic optical device, cylindrical, black painted metal with glass lens. Copyright: ý IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30081318
Pattern 1937 Case and Orilux TorchPattern 1937 Case and Orilux Torch
Torch, civilian industrial patternTorch, civilian industrial pattern
Hand-Powered TorchTorch, Hand-Powered: British (EQU 12206) Hand-powered torch. Phillips Type 7424 2.5 volt 01A handpump dynamo torch. Metal-cased rectangular palm-sized torch, featuring a glass dome lamp and a top-mounted press-lever along the upper edge of the body. Copyright: ý IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30102578
Pattern 1942 Bergen BackpackPattern 1942 Bergen Backpack
Royal Air Force Type P8 Navigational CompassRoyal Air Force Type P8 Navigational Compass
Sestral hand-held CompassSestral hand-held compass
Hidden CompassesCollar Stud Compass and Button Compass
compass, bar (EPH 1170) Tiny rectangular bar magnet with a red line painted at one end and a brass cylinder in the centre that enables the magnet to be balanced on a pin or similar and rotate freely. Copyright: ý IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30081336
Special Operations Executive GogglesSpecial Operations Executive Goggles
Webbing M37Pattern 1937 Webbing
Field Medical Kitfield medical kit (EQU 12217) First aid kit issued to agent Wing Commander FFE Yeo-Thomas. The kit comprises an assortment of tubes and phials in a tin case. Rectangular flat metal tin with hinged lid painted grey all over (some grey worn away). Contents including EQU 12217 is the same as SUR 750 which contains: 1) white cardboard tube (marked with sticker '3'), with separate lid, containing off-white tablets 2) white cardbo... Copyright: ý IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30102577
Silk MapSilk Escape Map
Personal Weapons
Enfield No. 2 Mk. 1 RevolverEnfield No. 2 Mk. 1 Revolver
Browning FN-InglisBrowning FN-Inglis
M1903 Colt .32 PistolM1903 Colt .32 Pistol
Webley Mk. IV RevolverWebley Mk. IV Revolver
Welrod Silenced pistolWelrod Silenced pistol
Pen GunPen Gun
Faultless Gas PenFaultless Gas Pen
Sleeve Gun Mk. 2Sleeve Gun Mk 2
Shoulder Holster, 9 mm/.45 pistolshoulder holster, 9mm/.45 pistol (EQU 12200) shoulder holster A light brown leather shoulder holster with leather fittings and string for attachments. Copyright: ý IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30103066
Fairbairn-Sykes Commando KniveFairbarn-Sykes Commando Dagger
Smatchet with ScabbardSmatchet
Thumb Knifethumb knife with sheath (WEA 722) This small knife was developed during the Second World War for issue to agents of the British Special Operations Executive (SOE). It was known as the thumb knife, due to the method of holding it between thumb and fingers. An alternative name was 'lapel knife' as it was anticipated that the knife could be conveniently concealed by stitching its sheath to the underside of the lapels of the agent's c... Copyright: ý IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30002920
Spike DaggersSpike DaggerSOE spike dagger
Tyre slasher knife with folding clip-pointed bladeSOE tyre slasher knife with folding clip-pointed blade
Tyre slashertyre slasher, SOE issue (WEA 3040) This device was issued by the British Special Operations Executive. It consisted of a steel disc with a knurled edge, within which was contained a short blade wich could be deployed by means of a lever projecting from its top edge. During a cursory search the device might be mistaken for a coin. However, the blade must have been of doubtful utility against thick-walled military vehicle tyres. Th... Copyright: ý IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30001905
Knuckledusterknuckleduster, SOE
Carbine, Machine, Sten, 9 mm Mk 2 with SOE suppressorCarbine, Machine, Sten, 9 mm Mk 2 with SOE suppressor
Submachine Gun Thompson M1A1Thompson Submachine Gun
M3A1 Submachine Gun “Grease Gun”M3 Submachine Gun
United Defense/Marlin M42 Submachine GunUnited Defense/Marlin M42 Submachine Gun
WelgunWelgun (FIR 6380) The Welgun was designed during 1942 by the British Special Operations Executive, who sought to create a submachine-gun more suitable for their purposes than the standard issue Sten Gun. Its name derives from the place where it was designed - SOE's Station IX, situated at The Frythe, a large house near Welwyn in Hertfordshire. The Welgun possessed some novel features, in that the mainspring was p... Copyright: ý IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30029480
M1 GarandM1 Garand
General Purpose GrenadeGrenade G.P (MUN 277) grenade with Allways fuze Copyright: ý IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30019922
No. 69 GrenadeNo. 69 Grenade
No. 82 Grenade (Gammon)No.82 Grenade (Gammon Bomb)
Smoke grenade
Phosphorus grenade
Heavy Weapons
–
Vehicles
WelbikeWelbike
Ships
Sleeping BeautyMotorised Submersible Canoe "Sleeping Beauty"
Aircraft
Westland LysanderWestland Lysander
Specialised Equipment
Airborne Wicker BasketAirborne Wicker Basket
Central Landing Establishment (CLE) ContainersCentral Landing Establishment (CLE) Container
GQ X Type Statichute (X-Type Parachute)GQ X Type Statichute (X-Type Parachute)
Minox sub-miniature cameraMinox (original model) sub-miniature camera (PHO 85) camera, case Copyright: ý IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30004964
Type 21 Mk III SuitcaseType 21 Mk III Suitcase
Transmitter-Receiver Type 3 Mk IISpecial Operations Executive Suitcase Radio Type 3 Mk II
Transmitter-Receiver Type A Mk IIITransmitter-Receiver Type A Mk III
S-Phone Type WS 13/Mark 1VCommunication Equipment, S-Phone Type WS 13/Mark 1V, British (COM 474) Black Leather suitcase with 2 buckles and a lock on the front. There is a handle attached to the front of the case which is leather. The inside of the case is lined with a straw like material and there is a square area on the lid of this material as well ý presumable for padding. Inside the box there is an army green coloured metal box with a wire attached to the side of it that has a large metal ... Copyright: ý IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30005260
“Sweetheart” Miniature Receiver Type 31/1Wireless Equipment, 'Sweetheart' Miniature Receiver Type 31/1, British (COM 554) Cardboard Box 4 (Brown Plastic block, Circular metal tin, 2 Grey boxes and grey wire): Cardboard Box: Has self adhesive tape along the edges of the box and there is a label on the top of the box saying 'NOT TO BE FLOWN ABOVE 15,000 FEET UNLESS H-METICALLY SEALED' (Some letters missing). 1) A small rectangular box that has been coated in a brown rubber substance and on either side there are wire at... Copyright: ý IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30005785
Miniature Communications Receiver 1Miniature Communications Receiver 1
RBZ ReceiverRadio, receiver, portable, RBZ (COM 969) Portable, body-worn RBZ radio receiving equipment for use by US Navy, SOE and Resistance force during the Second World War. Copyright: ý IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30005891
CaltropCaltrop
Overshoes, Decoy “Sneakers” Pair of matching overshoes made of rubber, cast in the form of bare human feet. Each ‘shoe’ has tying tapes for fitting to the wearer’s conventional boots/shoes.Overshoes, Decoy 'Sneakers': SOE. Pair of matching overshoes made of rubber, cast in the form of bare human feet. Each 'shoe' has tying tapes for fitting to the wearer's conventional boots/shoes.
Trip WireTrip Wire
No. 3 hinge-type release switchNo. 3 hinge-type release switch
Fog Signal IgniterFog Signal Igniter
AC Delay FuzeFuze, Delay Action, A.C. (MUN 3067) fuze body in tin, complete with 12 acid ampules of varying time delays Copyright: ý IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30021350
No. 10 Delay Switch (Time Pencil)Switch, No. 10, Delay (Time Pencil) (MUN 1967) A No 10 delay switch, known as a 'Time Pencil', for use with detonators or fuzes when employing demolition charges. Copyright: ý IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30022958
Plastic ExplosivesPlastic Explosives
Thermit BombIncendiary, Thermit, 2 1/2lbs (Thermit Bomb) (MUN 279) bomb Copyright: ý IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30019924
Sleeping Beauty Magnetic Charge'Sleeping Beauty' magnetic charge (MUN 215) magnetic charge green painted demolition charge with black rubber flotation bag attached Copyright: ý IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30019892
Welmine, Motorised Floating ChargeWelmine' motorised floating charge (MUN 216) floating charge green painted boat shaped charge with propellor & rudder Copyright: ý IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30019893

Leave a Comment