The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Hand made khaki belt with brass buckle and fabric belt loop. Stitched into a pocket next to the buckle is a small escape compass. The tongue of the belt contains a folded silk escape map, possibly of the Middle East.
The history of this escape belt is unknown, as it was donated by the Air Historical Branch in the United Kingdom. The belt is a tropical service pattern. These belts were either supplied by M19 with the maps (and frequently hacksaw blades and miniature compasses) already in them, or instruction were given to squadrons on how to secrete them in an existing belt. The instruction included the line "tear off the hem of the map, tear it in half, and with a flat lath, push each half into the belt so that they lie flat. Slip compass into the buckle end and seal with a few stitches". The map appears to show a section North Africa and possibly the Mediterranean along the 38th parallel judging from the small portion of map that has been revealed.
Chrome-plated Royal Air Force belt buckle with sliding teeth to secure a fabric belt. On the central bar a sliding bracket secures a compass needle. When removed this sits on a small spike which when
Magnetised strip of diamond-shaped steel sheet with 3 small holes, two at one end filled with luminous radium paint, enclosed with a spot of varnish on either side (indicating North), with another sma
Small round floating compass sealed in a yellow plastic pouch. Threaded through the top is a blue cotton tape tied with a knot. This tape is 380 mm in length. Small rotor compasses were sealed in cl
The tan coloured cordura belt has five pouches attached. The three central pouches are designed to each hold two magazines for the M4 carbine and other weapons used by Australian special forces. These
Lampshade and stand. The lampshade is made from a brass frame which is divided into eight curved sections. A cross piece at the base connects the shade to the stand. The frame has been covered in a si
Brass button with RAF crown and eagle motif. The back of the button unscrews to reveal a small glass faced compass with floating needle. Worn by 417230 Flight Lieutenant Neville Wheeldon Pemberton.
