16-248 Garand Picture of the Day - 101st

[Mark in Rochester]

101st Airborne Division Paratroops Assembling at RAF Exeter

Information

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[Bill Hollinger]

Leggings and no jump boots nor the typical airborne garb. Glider maybe or just early?

[RT Ellis]

No doubt glider infantry, no sign of any parachute equipment, including chin straps on helmets. First intimation for me was the pack on the lower left soldier, but also noticed leggings and etc.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Pre combat? Lots of smiles & no 1000 yd strares.

[Bob Seijas]

Maybe not D-Day, could be replacements later in the war.

[RT Ellis]

The inflatable belt on the soldier lower right suggests an over-water operation, and as far as I can tell they are wearing field jackets (generally identified as M1941) at least doesn't appear any of them wearing field jacket M1944 so most likely involved in the Normandy invasion, but some of the glider troops were air landed D+ and some were transported by vessel. Although the identification of the type troops is obviously erroneous the location may well be accurate and if so these troops may be about to board gliders for the perils of the typical controlled crash upon landing.

The unit markings on the helmets were typical of the Overlord Operation, and the marking on the helmet of the soldier upper right appears to be for the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion (co's A, B, C, and D).

[browningautorifle]

Two men in the top troops have flat slider slings so it's '44 at least. Yes, glider troops...

[Paul S.]

My guess is pre D-Day 'glider riders'.

[browningautorifle]

Whatever's happening, they have bandoleers of ball for the M1s on them.