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WW2 Camo Set


Ricardo
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Hi Folks,

 

One new set in collection!! thumbsup.gif

 

IN ETO

 

uscamo1944ei9.jpg

 

Photo: France, July-August 1944. Troops from 2nd Armored Divison with German POW's.

 

IN THE PACIFIC

 

camouniform375cy9.jpg

 

IMAGE FROM US MANUAL

 

uniformjungle2pc300bd1.jpg

 

The Set:

 

45126226xn8.jpg

 

Best regards,

 

Ricardo.

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craig_pickrall

Ricardo, very nice set. Congratulations!

 

Do you have any additional info on the pic that you ID as Pacific? I think that is a pic taken in training and is the one piece coverall rather than the two piece suit.

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Ricardo, very nice set. Congratulations!

 

Do you have any additional info on the pic that you ID as Pacific? I think that is a pic taken in training and is the one piece coverall rather than the two piece suit.

 

Hi Craig,

 

Thank you Mate!!

 

Photos original legend: "Army patrol in two piece camouflage uniforms".

 

Font: URL: http://www.olive-drab.com/od_soldiers_clot...amo_uniform.php

 

More information by www.olive-drab.com

 

training_27id_hawaii_ww2.jpg

 

Legend: The 27th Infantry Division trains in Hawaii before embarking on the amphibious operation to seize Makin in the Gilbert Islands, Fall 1942. Soldier in camouflage uniform is to the right.

 

A one piece jungle uniform was used briefly for U.S. Army troops in the South Pacific, in late 1942 and part of 1943 after which a two piece jungle uniform was substituted. The jungle suit was reversile with a green pattern outside and a tan pattern inside, suitable for use on a beach landing (sand) or later in the jungle interior (green), typical of the Pacific campaigns.

 

The one piece herringbone twill camouflage univorm was developed expecially to give maximum protection against insects and thorns while permitting the wearer to cool off as rapidly as possible.

 

No underwear or inner garmets were used with this uniform. The long zippered opening gave abundant ventilation when skin protection was not required. It was worn loose as was the cartridge belt, suspenders ot other equipment, and canteen or other articles were carried in the pack to keep away from the body. Internal fabric suspenders created a blousing effect for cooling and also supported the weight of grenades carried in the side cargo pockets.

 

One design defect was the lack of a drop-seat, making it necessary to disrobe for toilet functions, thereby defeating the purpose of any insect protection. Further, it was found that HBT became very heavy and suffocating when wet, often the case in the Pacific. These and other factors brought an early end to the career of the one piece camouflage suit in 1943.

 

Two Piece Jungle Uniform

 

In early 1943 a two piece herringbone twill (HBT) camouflage uniform was issued for Army units serving in both Europe and the South Pacific. The 1943 issue was then replaced with a 1944 HBT pattern that differed in the colors, going to a darker shade in the later issue.

 

In France immediately after the 6 June 1944 invasion, some U.S. Army troops of the Second Armored Division wore the "Jacket, HBT, Camouflage, Army", a reversible shirt-length jacket and its matching trousers. An unfortunate result was that they were shot at by other Allied soldiers who identified camo uniforms with the Germans.

 

In addition to the problem of confusion with Germans in the ETO, in the Pacific Theater it was found that single color olive drab clothing was superior to camouflage for concealment when on the move. Due to these considerations, by late 1944 camouflage uniforms had been largely phased out, except for limited use by snipers and other special purposes.

 

Best regards,

 

Ricardo.

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Johan Willaert

Two piece HBT camo's were not issued prior or just after June 6th in Normandy...

 

Distribution likely took place on or around July 17th thru July 25th, while the 2AD was given a period of rest and refitting before later operations... They were mainly issued to 41AIR troops...

 

Nearly all images showing these uniforms in use in the ETO were taken just after July 25th..... These sets were probably worn until the next 'shower break'.... By mid-August they had nearly all disappeared....

 

Johan

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In the next to last picture of the 2nd batch there appears to be a couple of G.I.s wearing camo helmet covers or at least painted helmets. I've never seen any camo helmet covers used by the Army, only USMC. Does anyone have any info on this?

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In the next to last picture of the 2nd batch there appears to be a couple of G.I.s wearing camo helmet covers or at least painted helmets. I've never seen any camo helmet covers used by the Army, only USMC. Does anyone have any info on this?

 

 

That series of footage is from a dvd of the 2nd AD in Normandy that I have. The helmets are painted wtihout a doubt. :)

 

I've never seen photos of HBT camo covers worn in the ETO either.

 

bfryar44

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Johan W. and I have been searching for all the ETO camo uniform photos that we could find. Here are a few that we've found in the past year.

 

Bfryar44

 

Note the tankers helmet.

PDVD_005.jpg

 

PDVD_003.jpg

 

PDVD_000.jpg

 

camohbts2.jpg

 

HBTCamo1.jpg

 

HBTCamo2.jpg

 

HBTCamo3.jpg

 

HBTCamo4.jpg

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Great uniform!!! ( A bit of a late reply, i've had some difficulties logging in to the forum ) These are seen quite rarely, any idea why the camouflaged uniforms dissapeared from the ETO after a short time? I've been told that it was because of the simularity with SS uniforms, or are there any other reasons?

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I've found no official proof that the reason was because they were mistakenly shot at by friendly fire, but in Bando's book one of the G.I.s says when he was wounded he woke up in a group of Germans. He asked a nurse to move him and she replied that he should count himself lucky that he was still alive and called him a damn Kraut. So at least they mistook him for German at the hospital.

 

Again, I've not been able to find any After Action Reports to verify friendly fire as a result of the uniforms. If someone can produce something I sure would like to settle this ongoing question.

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I am encouraged that the use of one piece in the ETO was documented if not widespread Contemplating getting a set from WW2 impressions due to the scarcity of big original sets. I have pants already and will definately be getting the shirt/ jacket to go with them bu tthe jury is out over the one-peice....

They are well made and sturdy and although the camo is of 'usmc', zigzag herringbone as opposed to the accepted Army weave the stuff is still excellent. I have this to ask:

I have seen many original sets, all being fastened flight suit style with a talon or similar zip (mostly Talons in my experience if not entirely)

I think the ww2imp set fastens with buttons as one would encounter on the OD one piece set. anyone seen a set of camo fastening this way?

Tim.

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Sheikh Al Stranghi

Nice thread, we reenact the 17th Engineers!

 

vught0610.jpg

 

Credit goes to Rick for the picture.

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  • 1 month later...

One of the photo's showing a GI sitting down wearing cammo next to a record player was i believe taken at Brest, Brittany around Sept 9th or 11th so i recall.

The Author of the book 'Battle for Brest, Americans in Brittany' by Jonathan Gawn who has visited many of the archive's for his material and who's pet subject is the cammo question of this uniform being mistaken for SS cammo. He has said that there is no written account or evidence of mistaken identity happening with German cammo. I believe the cammo uniform was used to make up for a shortage of uniforms at that time. If there was a problem of mistaken identity then who would ride around France on a motor cycle as seen in previous photos.

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Quote: "Do you have any additional info on the pic that you ID as Pacific? I think that is a pic taken in training and is the one piece coverall rather than the two piece suit".

 

I agree with Craig that it's most likely a photo taken in training as the individuals are armed with 1917 Enfields. (second photo in the thread).

 

Really some nice photos of these camo uniforms in use. I have one original set and the photos show that they actually did have some combat use. Ray

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi All,

 

That´s my project:

 

camousa2vn1.jpg

 

camousa3mo7.jpg

 

Please, any feedback or sugestions?

 

Thanks! thumbsup.gif

 

Best regards,

 

Ricardo.

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No doubt the Khaki nazi's will say something about a OD7 cartridge belt!

 

I would add,

 

Helmet net and burlap camo,extra ammo bandoliers,wool shirt.Change the side you have the bayonet and canteen,change the etool for a T handle or pick matock.

 

Nice camo's btw.

 

Dave.

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No doubt the Khaki nazi's will say something about a OD7 cartridge belt!

 

I would add,

 

Helmet net and burlap camo,extra ammo bandoliers,wool shirt.Change the side you have the bayonet and canteen,change the etool for a T handle or pick matock.

 

Nice camo's btw.

 

Dave.

 

Hi Dave,

 

Opss...you right! thumbsup.gif

 

Thank you the tips Mate!!

 

Two news images - all stuff dated "1942-1943"... ;) :

 

uscamo1kq1.jpg

 

uscamo2kc4.jpg

 

Best regards,

 

Ricardo.

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