ScottCollins
Private 1st Class
A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.
Posts: 548
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Post by ScottCollins on Jun 7, 2014 11:59:08 GMT -5
I've looked and looked bit I can't seem to get a clear answer on this. Did paras wear collared shirts or t-shirts under their jump uniform?
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Post by brownien on Jun 7, 2014 13:28:20 GMT -5
Both! Standard procedure would call for paras to wear the standard wool uniform under their jump uniform. I would imagine some did just wear a t shirt underneath though
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Post by aj czarkowski on Jun 8, 2014 20:13:09 GMT -5
Especially in June 1944 I doubt they would have liked wearing the wool shirt underneath their jump uniforms
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Post by patrickl29th on Jun 8, 2014 21:10:12 GMT -5
Every one in the military in that time were issued wool service shirts. Except for the Navy, I don't know much about them.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jun 19, 2014 18:25:49 GMT -5
Paratrooper definitely wore their wool shirt and trousers under their M42s for their jumps and once on the ground decided to keep or remove them. Most of the time they remained on under the m42s. For the holland jump most airborne troops reported wearing their ike jackets as well under the newly issued m43s. They expected parades following an easy victory believe it or not.
The wools provided warmth and layers which are both essential when you are in the elements for prolonged periods.
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Post by aj czarkowski on Jun 20, 2014 10:22:36 GMT -5
I'm not too sure they would have wore them after the jump during Normandy though, it seems like the M42's are heavy enough, they'd probably be sweating bullets if they had to wear wool under that
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Post by LϟϟAH1944 on Jun 20, 2014 15:46:06 GMT -5
You do realize that germans wore knit service shirts and wool tunics all year round, right? Its also a LOT cooler in france then it is I n the USA, by usually about 15-20 degrees.
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Post by brownien on Jun 20, 2014 16:32:50 GMT -5
Lol yea, at that point in time, every army out there pretty much used a wool service/field uniform. It was only a very few who began the transition to cotton/HBT type field uniforms, but by the end of the war, most major militaries had some form of Cotton/HBT field uniform available.
I have actually worn the wool field uniform under my M42's a couple of times. some to events and a couple public displays and you do indeed sweat bullets! It does make things like going prone a bit more comfortable though, the extra layer of wool helps cushion your arms and knees as you drop onto the deck and take up aim.
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Post by patrickl29th on Jun 20, 2014 22:26:32 GMT -5
And if they were issued them, you should get them...
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jun 20, 2014 22:52:59 GMT -5
Keep in mind that when flying in a non pressurized plane at even reasonably low altitudes the air temperature is very very cold. Also evenings and night get quite cold even in the summer. The wool layer was much appreciated for a good portion of the time in the field. Back in the day wool was the most versatile and effective fabric for field use. It handles wet, better then other fabrics of the time and has excellent thermal properties and breaths. An expression of the day was. "cotton kills" as it doesn't provide much protection from exposure (especially once wet)
Wool remains something of a miracle fabric.
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Post by LϟϟAH1944 on Jun 21, 2014 12:01:17 GMT -5
And when youre in france, it rains...a lot. So, between the cooler temperatures overall and the rain, wool was a miracle. T-shirts are more of a reenactorism than something that was don't very much.
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Post by aj czarkowski on Jun 22, 2014 12:22:19 GMT -5
I didn't know it was that much cooler in France then. It makes sense they would still wear them. But here in the US anyways, I don't think it's a good idea to wear them in the summer lol
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jun 22, 2014 15:04:36 GMT -5
The beauty of layers is you can add and subtract. In the heat the wools would be off, folded and stuffed in your mussette bag and put on in the evening. In the aircraft where you were jumpng with everything you might need for a week it was much easier to wear it all. T shirts were definitely issued and worn as well. Cotton briefs were also issued but based on my experience in the field were probably not worn much. They chaffed and we uncomfortable on long marches and runs. (at least in the tropics.)
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