|
Post by gunfreak on Jul 27, 2006 7:22:41 GMT -5
did the 82nd use the M42 in the italian Campaign?
|
|
Nimlas
Master sergeant
grumpy
Posts: 1,594
|
Post by Nimlas on Jul 27, 2006 10:06:55 GMT -5
They certainly did.
|
|
|
Post by gunfreak on Jul 27, 2006 12:03:20 GMT -5
thats what i thought. i want to have 82nd as they were in italy, and fought as normal leg infantry in africa(didn't they?)
but every body over here are 101st so to fit inn i'm 101st
|
|
Nimlas
Master sergeant
grumpy
Posts: 1,594
|
Post by Nimlas on Jul 27, 2006 12:09:51 GMT -5
No, they trained in Italy. The 509th did fight in Africa, but they were independant.
|
|
|
Post by gunfreak on Jul 27, 2006 13:11:45 GMT -5
i'm making an info post over at the norwegian airsoft foumes.
and i need some info about the M41 infantry unfiorm. as i don't know anything about it.
|
|
29ththerealpimps
Private 1st Class
3rd Armored Division 32nd Armored Regiment 83rd Recon Battalion
Posts: 706
|
Post by 29ththerealpimps on Jul 27, 2006 14:21:52 GMT -5
I think the airborne troops in africa and italy wore the m1941 jumpsuit but i am not sure
|
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Jul 27, 2006 14:52:38 GMT -5
To my knowledge the HBT airborne jumpsuit was never worn outside the states. The 82nd wore their M-42 jumpsuits (two part) in every major engagement up to and somewhat beyond Normandy
Regarding the M41 combat uniform worn by leg infantry an common GIs What specifically do you need to know?
Top of mind I'll do the best I can. I'm sure there will be errors here of ommission or misinterpretation.
The uniform itself dates to pre-war and was the first effort by a major military to create a uniform that paralleled so called comfort wear for outdoor sportsmen. The uniform consisted of wool serge field OD pants, (More brown then green and looking alot like contemporary heavy wool dress slacks as oppossed to field pants) There was a somewhat matching wool shirt with twin chest buttoned pockets. Officers shirts had epaulets when enlisted soldiers did not. (this was not strickly adhered to by any means) The pants were to be tucked into khaki canvas gaitors (leggings) that were worn over a 3/4 combat shoe in polished brown with a capped toe (pre-war) and a leather rough out through the early part of the war. OD wool sweaters were available in a sleevless vest, a cartigan design (full button front like Mr Rogers wore) and a four button pullover.
The jacket M-38, later M-41 was a khaki 3/4 length fairly light weight cotton with a thin wool lining not unlike army blanket material. The original jacket M-38 pre-war did not have epaulets and had buttoned pocket flaps over the two front slash pockets. It is often referred to as the Parsons jacket. The later M41 field jacket was a khaki jacket (wide variety of shades from pea green to light tan) It featured slash pockets without flaps and epaulets. Head gear consisted of several options from a field patrol cap (HBT) the infamous jeep cap wool beanie, (Patton hated so much), to a wool garrison cap which was a thin rectangular flat cap with a demeaning pajoritive that usually is used to describe it (pertaining to the female crotch)
Helmets were the tin plate British looking helmet of pre-war America to the classic M1 steel pot front seamer designed by General Omar Bradley's 12 year old daughter. (I'm not kidding!) She made it out of paper mache after hearing him complain over dinner about the hopelessly antiquated tin pot with it's poor protective qualities and tendency to flop down over the eyes. Bradley was so impressed he showed it to General Marshall who almost immediately ordered a million of them.
Field gear was a Khaki haversack with external meat can pouch that held a wool blanket, shelter half, poles and tent stakes that were folded into a long role that stuck downward to the soldiers butt and was stupidly awkward in design and execution. Under the meat can which held a messkit with a spoon fork and kitchen knife you could also place personal items such as change of underwear, a wash cloth and razor, shaving kit etc. The haversack included suspenders that attached to a ammo belt which could be either a Springfield/Garand belt, BAR belt or plain pistol belt for those equipped with carbines. A "T" handled shovel with a carrying pouch was usually attached under the haversack meat can but could also be attached to the belt itself. In addition the belt would have a canteen and cover, first aid pouch, and bayonet and sheath. The longer 16" bayonet and sheath were usually attached to the side of the M1938 haversack where loop grommets and a canvas web flap was provided to keep it from flopping around. Other assorted removable pouches were available such as carabine or .45 magazine pouches, wire cutter pouches, spare bolt pouches, and grenade pouches.
I'm not sure if that provided you the details you were looking for or not. A tutorial with photos showing how all this goes together and was worn would probably be a great resource. I get tired of seeing leggings on backwards or on the wrong legs and I've never seen a haversack display done the text book way by a reenactor (that's probably okay as the GIs virtually never did it the right way once in the field, at last not after N Africa.)
|
|
Nimlas
Master sergeant
grumpy
Posts: 1,594
|
Post by Nimlas on Jul 27, 2006 14:58:56 GMT -5
I think the airborne troops in africa and italy wore the m1941 jumpsuit but i am not sure Not really. The M41 suit was rare in Africa and especially in Italy. It was a horrible design due to the fact the the pockets were sewn close to the body and everything in your pockets got pressed into your chest. The legs of the pants have huge zippers on them that were very expensive.
|
|
|
Post by gunfreak on Jul 27, 2006 15:03:50 GMT -5
2nd Bat as always you are a verry helpfull. thanks exactly what i was looking for
|
|
|
Post by gunfreak on Jul 28, 2006 9:31:04 GMT -5
guess what i have another question.
i'm still workong on the info thread. i've done most of the weapons, alot of the webb gear. and i'm going to do the uniform soon (thats why i asked about the M41)
now i have a question about the M43. around the same time as marked garden the M42 and M41 was traded for the M43 right? that ment that by 45 most troops(leg and airborne) had the M43 and buckle boots? if leg and airborne had the same unfiorm and same boots. was it only the divion patches that made it possible to tell them apart?
|
|
|
Post by T M C on Jul 28, 2006 11:39:35 GMT -5
not all had 43s there would still be M-41 parsonsjackets, wools, and leggings for the leg troops. paratroopers probaly kept the jump boots jump boots :) since the airborne had diferent webing chin cups, rigger pouches, folding stock carbines ect you could tell the diference if you looked hope this helps a bit Tc
|
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Jul 28, 2006 15:08:24 GMT -5
The airborne troops had OD versions of the classic M-42 jump pants and while many were issued the double bucket boots many kept and wore their jump boots if they were still reasonably intact. Many had dug out their stepping out pair which had been intended to be saved for parades and dress use.
The jump boots was a high prestige item.
|
|