US gear early WWII

[Harlan]

Below are three images taken during training just after the US entered WWII that I thought some might find of interest. Some of this early gear such as the denim fatigues has become very collectible and expensive.

This soldier is wearing the full M1928 infantry haversack with tail that was only a slightly modified version of the WWI pack and it was almost universally hated because of the difficulty packing it. It had to be disassembled to access gear inside. The old style blue denim fatigues were starting to be phased out as early as 1938 but the changeover to OD HBT wasn't completed until 1941. His helmet is the M1917A1 that was later replaced by the M1 helmet late 1941-1942. The M1917A1 was a modified version of the M1917 helmet of WWI, and it was only sightly improved with a better suspension system, and web chin straps with quick release hook buckle similar to those used on the later M1.




This mortar crew is wearing a mixture of the old blue denim and the new OD fatigues and they're wearing the new M1 helmet. The shells on the ground are painted in the early war yellow.






Early in the war, much of the training was based on experiences from WWI. Here two men attempt to cut their way through barbed wire wearing special gauntlets designed for the purpose. They're wearing the M1917 helmet and the faded web equipment is most likely left over from WWI, much like their bolt action 1903 rifles.

[jmoore]

Thanks for the education! Blue demin fatigues...Fascinating!

[browningautorifle]

The mortar pic has a guy in HBT coveralls, I wonder if he's the new guy wearing the new issue. The first pic also has the cross draw holster for the 1917 revolver. A classic case of drop your gear and I'll just take all of it. The wire gloves in the third pic are something the Canadian army never got rid of. We still have them.

[Harlan]

The guy on the far left also has some of the new OD HBT fatigues in that middle photos. Also notice the different colors and textures for the first M1 helmets. It took them a little while before they standardized the color and the cork texture.

[browningautorifle]

Second from left in the mortar crew is only wearing a liner. That's part of the texture thing.

[Harlan]

Yep, you're correct Jim. I bet it's one of the thick Hawley paper liners too taking into account the time frame. The helmet color/texture on the far left looks like it is closer to how most M1 helmets looked later on. They went through a lot of teething pains at the beginning, before they got the painting and texture procedure sorted out. There were a lot of other early issues but maybe we'll cover it later in a dedicated thread for the M1 helmet.

[frankderrico]

Harlen, thanks for the pics and info on the early gear. Color pictures make a big differance.
I like the G.I. in short sleaves wearing what looks like his hunting knife......Frank

[LimeyCarbineLover]

Can we get a clsoe up of the mortar crew pic on the 81mm....what the heck is that private purchase knife the #4 has got on his pistol belt ?

regards

Lloyd

[jmoore]

Best I can do w/o losing too much resolution:

[Harlan]

Pretty good job jmoore!

I just did a scan of the area in question with full resolution but I'm limited by the small size of the original photo.

It looks to me like he might be wearing a private purchase Bowie knife. He's ready for action!