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Post by mauser98k on Mar 21, 2006 23:13:15 GMT -5
Did the paratroops ever use rubberized assault gas mask bags?
Thanks, Mauser
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Post by indy on Mar 21, 2006 23:19:38 GMT -5
Yes, they were worn on the left leg and the strap would secure your shovel from flopping around on the jump. Cheers Thomas
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Post by mauser98k on Mar 21, 2006 23:22:50 GMT -5
Danke Indy!
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Post by theshadow on Apr 3, 2006 14:41:35 GMT -5
Another gas mask that the Paratroopers seemed to prefer was the M1A1 Training mask. It was used (obviously) for training and was also often issued to Civil Defense Personnel. However its smaller size and light weight made it a popular item with the Airborne.
The_Shadow
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Post by mauser98k on Apr 3, 2006 16:10:00 GMT -5
nice, i have two of those!
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Post by indy on Apr 3, 2006 16:52:57 GMT -5
Another gas mask that the Paratroopers seemed to prefer was the M1A1 Training mask. It was used (obviously) for training and was also often issued to Civil Defense Personnel. However its smaller size and light weight made it a popular item with the Airborne. The_Shadow Very true...they were used a lot in Africa and Italy...but the majority of the troops used the M5 on D-day and Market Garden. Here's some pictures from Normandy...
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Post by HellRazor on Apr 3, 2006 18:14:56 GMT -5
Most troops also dumbed the gas mask after the first few days, and used it to carry Cigs and food in....since it was water tight....they always had dry smokes!
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Post by Capt. Zak on Apr 3, 2006 18:22:56 GMT -5
Great Pics Indy. Thanks for the photo reference.
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Post by Gordak on Apr 3, 2006 21:05:42 GMT -5
yes nice picts thanks! -Gordak
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Post by Guinness on Apr 3, 2006 21:29:32 GMT -5
Indy-
Where did you get that last one of the troopers from? thats one of the best I have seen of the eagles in Normandy!
-G
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29ththerealpimps
Private 1st Class
3rd Armored Division 32nd Armored Regiment 83rd Recon Battalion
Posts: 706
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Post by 29ththerealpimps on Apr 3, 2006 22:04:57 GMT -5
i saw that pic in a website about easy company the guy with the german helmet on is Forest guth the guy with the camo scarf is Talbert
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Post by indy on Apr 3, 2006 22:12:58 GMT -5
Guiness, I am always searching through google images. I think I've browsed through thousands of photos on there. Now for the million dollar question....."Did paratroopers use these"? Most people would say no....but this 82nd trooper is clearly wearing an assault vest!!
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Post by Gordak on Apr 4, 2006 10:38:20 GMT -5
he could be part of that arty pack howitzer battery than landed via landing craft on the beach 6/6/44 could have easily picked up the vest from the other GIs.
-Gordak
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Post by indy on Apr 4, 2006 16:54:13 GMT -5
The picture was captioned as being in St. Mere Eglise. They actually had a whole display of an 82nd GI wearing an assault vest with this picture next to it at the Greatest Generation Exhibit in St Mere Eglise in 2004.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Apr 4, 2006 17:09:20 GMT -5
His flag is pinned on. He isn't wearing an M-42 tunic (Wind cheater) and his helmet is not an airborne helmet. Are you sure he's with the 82nd? It's certainly possible even though the picture is at the Ste Mere Eglise museum that the picture is mislabelled. I think he's a line doggie or a Ranger.
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Post by indy on Apr 4, 2006 18:52:28 GMT -5
yes, he's wearing an M42 jacket...look at the lower 2 pockets of his jacket. I have a larger version of the photo that clearly shows he has an M42 jacket on....but it wouldn't load. Here's a scan from a book.....
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29ththerealpimps
Private 1st Class
3rd Armored Division 32nd Armored Regiment 83rd Recon Battalion
Posts: 706
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Post by 29ththerealpimps on Apr 4, 2006 19:08:10 GMT -5
I heard paratroopers didn't wear the assault vest. They said it was hot and scratchy. I think I saw a website that said it alsowas hard to fit the mae west and parachut over it.
Please correct me if I am wrong
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Post by indy on Apr 4, 2006 19:19:40 GMT -5
I heard paratroopers didn't wear the assault vest. They said it was hot and scratchy. I think I saw a website that said it also was hard to fit the mae west and parachut over it. Please correct me if I am wrong As a rule no they didn't wear them...but this photo is the exception. Did he parachute in with it? Perhaps not. You are very correct...I've worn the assault vest many times at parades and events. I wore a fully loaded 65 lb assault vest, M5 garmask bag, pistol belt with all of the equipt., and a life belt at a Veteran's Day Parade that was only about 3 miles. During the parade it began to get very very uncomfortable...my back began to ache and the vest made it even more hot. The following weekend at a different parade I wore a haversack instead and it was a million times more comfortable.
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Post by Guinness on Apr 4, 2006 20:50:08 GMT -5
I kind of agree with 2ndBat on this one- I studied that photo for a long time yesterday, Like 2nd says, his helmet is wrong, and even though he has a flag I don't see a 82nd patch on the other shoulder. With the grin on his face, I'm thinking its possible that he was 'clowning' around possibly wearing an assault vest over a jump jacket and saying "Now I'm ready for anything!" and notice he's wearing the 5-button sweater under all of it- so he's loaded! I have several photos from the Signal Corps Archive with men in M41's with the 48 star flag on the sleeve, so as I said in another thread, there are always exceptions to the rule. The caption says Pvt. R(something) M(something) 3rd Btn HQ right? is this a All American book or chapter? I mean there were a few 3rd Bat HQ groups- and that brings up another point I guess- HQ troops weren't so much 'front-line' troops, so its likely they could be wearing anything
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