pre war color photo of a GI in his spider hole with his M1

[BOLO]

a state side photo of a pre WWII GI during training wearing the M1917A1 helmet and armed with his M1 Garand

[Jumpin Jack]

How could this be a pre-WWII photo if he is armed with a Garand rifle? Jack

[Charlie Flick]

How could this be a pre-WWII photo if he is armed with a Garand rifle? Jack

 

Jack:

 

Because the M-1 Rifle was adopted in 1936 and there were thousands of them in use by 12/7/41. (I assume that "pre-WWII" means pre-US involvement in WWII as the war actually started in 1939.)

 

BTW, doesn't that guy look a lot like Spencer Tracy? Is this a Hollywood pic?

 

Regards,

Charlie Flick

[Jumpin Jack]

Many thanks Charlie,

 

I have a hang-up regarding the "start" of WWII. Sort of fixed on the 7 September 1939 date. The guy in the photo does look like Spencer Tracy. Now, if I could only dredge up a wartime movie he starred in, this might help date the photo. The Doughboy helmet was used, especially in the Pacific, well after the US entry into the war. Regardless, very interesting color photo! Jack

[BOLO]

the M1917A1 was also used by the US supplied Filipino Scouts

 

here is a Filipino scout cavalry reenactor wearing the M1917A1

[craig_pickrall]

That pic is from an article in LIFE Magazine dated JULY 7, 1941. This is the complete article.

 

[craig_pickrall]

[craig_pickrall]

[craig_pickrall]

All of the above should be avoided as this is the correct way to apply camo. Again from LIFE dated APR 10, 1944. It took them 3 years to figure out how to do it right.