Short Answer
Historical Context
During the Second World War, the Special Operations Executive (SOE) and other Allied organizations faced the immense logistical challenge of supplying agents and resistance networks operating in occupied territories. Because these networks lacked traditional supply lines, the only viable method for delivering heavy equipment—such as Sten guns, explosives, radios, and ammunition—was via clandestine air-drops. To ensure that these supplies survived the fall from aircraft and could be efficiently recovered by resistance members, specialized parachute containers were developed.
The CLE Canister
The most prominent standardized container used by the British was the CLE Canister (or CLE Container). The name originally derived from the Central Landing Establishment, the organization responsible for its development, though it was later backronymed to stand for Container Light Equipment [3].
Design and Specifications
The CLE canister was a cylindrical vessel designed to protect its contents from the impact of landing. Early iterations included different materials to balance weight and durability:
- Mark I: A construction of wood and metal. It weighed approximately 46 kg (101 lb) when empty and 159 kg (351 lb) when fully loaded. Its dimensions were roughly 1.7 meters (5 ft 7 in) in length and 40 cm (16 in) in diameter [3].
- Mark 1T: A fully metal construction that was slightly heavier than the Mark I when empty (61 kg / 134 lb), while maintaining the same maximum filled weight of 159 kg [3].
Deployment and Use
These canisters were loaded into bombers, such as the Handley Page Halifax, and dropped over designated zones [3]. Because of their standardized size, they could be packed efficiently into aircraft. Their versatility allowed them to carry a wide range of equipment; for example, some were used to transport lightweight, folding motorcycles (such as the Corgi) to provide resistance members with rapid mobility [3].
Other Container Types and Variations
While the CLE was a British standard, other designs were employed across the European theater. Evidence from recoveries in the Netherlands indicates that the Dutch resistance utilized various types of containers during 1944 and 1945, including classic cylindrical dropping containers and “stacked” types where drums were held together by long rods [2]. These containers often featured stencilled codes (such as “A3” or “A6”) to help ground crews identify the contents without needing to open the containers immediately [2].
In contrast, German airborne forces used their own standardized arms containers. These featured a cylindrical projection at the top for parachute attachment and were reinforced with radial stiffening ribs and a circular flange at the bottom to absorb the shock of impact [4]. These containers were designed to fall at a speed of approximately 26 feet per second [4].
Operational Context and Limitations
The use of these containers was fraught with risk. Air-drops required precise coordination between the SOE agent on the ground—who would signal the aircraft using torches or radio—and the flight crew. If a container drifted off course, it risked being captured by enemy forces, potentially compromising the entire resistance network. Furthermore, the materials used in some containers were of lower grade, leading to significant corrosion over time, as seen in archaeological recoveries of containers hidden by the Dutch resistance [2].
Surviving Examples
Today, examples of these containers are preserved in military museums to illustrate the logistics of clandestine warfare. The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford holds CLE canisters, showcasing the types of equipment that were essential for sustaining the “secret army” behind enemy lines [3]. Other items, such as general parachute containers, are held in the collections of the Imperial War Museums [1].
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