US Flag

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Related websites

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Useful Reading

The World War II GI. ISBN 978-1-84797-033-6

Government Issue. Volume 1. ISBN: 978-2-35250-080-3

Osprey. US Army Combat Equipments. ISBN 0-85045-842-0

G.I. Collectors Guide, Vol 1. ISBN 978-2-35250-080-3

Osprey. US Army Airborne 1940-90. ISBN 0-85045-948-6

Osprey. US Army Combat Equipments. ISBN 0-85045-842-0

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Many Thanks

Thanks to 'At the Front Militaria', USA for the use of their images.

 


- US WW2 Combat Uniforms (Europe) -

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This page directs to the pages within this site showing how to create each look. (Click on the image to access each page or use the menu.)

The basic WW2 US Infantryman uniform. He wears the M41 jacket and HBT trousers over his M1937 wool trousers. Photo courtesy of 'At the Front Militaria'A 'Screaming Eagle' Paratrooper in the 'Normandy' re-inforced M42 Jump Suit. Photo courtesy of 'At the Front Militaria'After Normandy, the Airborne troops were issued the M43 uniform. The Paratroopers found there were too few pockets, so added cargo pockets to the legs. This was the only difference between this and the Infantry issue. Photo courtesy of 'At the Front Militaria'

Three types of Infantry uniform

Early War (not shown)
When the USA entered the war on December 8th 1941 GIs wore the M1939 serge OD service coat ( which was retained as the Class A jacket) and were equipped with the early 'British type' battle-bowler M1917A1 helmet. This early-war unifom wasn`t seen in Europe, as most US troops started arriving in 1942, long after it had been superceeded.

Mid-war
As the size of the US Army grew rapidly from a pre-war figure of around 175,000 men to around 1,400,000 by the summer of 1941 ( and then to over 850,000 by the war's end), uniforms had to be quick to manufacture and hard wearing.

This led to the introduction of the Herringbone Twill (HBT) uniforms and the M41 Parsons jacket, while the M1937 wool trousers were retained for both combat and off-duty use.

The GI was issued the same webbing throughout the war, being the pre-war M1928 pack and M1936 pistol belt with attachments. Towards late 1944 this was gradually replaced with M1944 pattern webbing, although not all GIs recieved this.

(A page detailing the uniform and equipment for this look is in progress. Dec 12 2009.)

Late-war
By the end of the war, a third uniform began to be seen. This was the M1943 pattern, first issued to the First Special Service Force (FSSF). This uniform however did not reach all front line units until the end of the war in Europe.

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Airborne uniforms

Early & Mid-War
After tests, the US Army introduced the M42 Jump Suit, in which the early war jumps were made. This uniform proved fragile, with many troopers finding that their carefully packed pockets ripped, spilling their contents.

Immediately prior to the Normandy D-Day jumps (Operation Neptune) the Riggers re-inforced the pockets and added knee and elbow pads for extra strength. Even so; by the time the airborne troopers returned to England many of their uniforms were in rags.

Late-War ( Post Normandy)
Upon return from Normandy the US Airborne troops were issued the M43 uniform, which was meant to be the standard issue uniform for all forces, although supply problems meant that it was not issued to all non-specialist troops until after VE Day. The Paratroopers found there were too few pockets, so added cargo pockets to the legs. This was the only difference between this and the Infantry issue.