WW2 ANC/PHS/WAC Ike Jacket Versions.....

[JEE3]

After reading a few books on US Army Female Service in WW2 have found the Ike Jackets story really interesting. I did a topic search but no one has apparently covered the story. I'm no expert but I thought about maybe about posting some photos to show the 5 main types 2-British (Department Store ordered/Custom Made), 2-U.S. issues (1945) and 1-authorized private alteration of the issue long jacket. After a while you can ID the types pretty well in all those B&W wartime photos.

 

 

                                                                                                                                              JEE3

[cutiger83]

1 hour ago, JEE3 said:

After reading a few books on US Army Female Service in WW2 have found the Ike Jackets story really interesting. I did a topic search but no one has apparently covered the story. I'm no expert but I thought about maybe about posting some photos to show the 5 main types 2-British (Department Store ordered/Custom Made), 2-U.S. issues (1945) and 1-authorized private alteration of the issue long jacket. After a while you can ID the types pretty well in all those B&W wartime photos.

 

 

                                                                                                                                              JEE3

Sounds like an interesting interesting topic. I look forward to reading it. 

 

...Kat

[JEE3]

The development of the U.S. Field Wool Jacket began on a 2-track series of events. The Air Transport Command requested a short Field Jacket as the 1941 Service Coat wasn't suited for what they were doing and in England, General Eisenhower made a comment to a fellow British General that he liked the 'look' of his Battledress uniform. That General said 'If it fits you can have it"! Thus the beginning of the Men's Field Jacket and it's soon acquired nickname 'The Ike Jacket'. Just as the ATC found, the Service Coat for the WAC's-Nurses-Public Health Services was not the most comfortable and it was first the British that would furnish the early version of the Ike Jacket for Women.

1) The Pleated Patch Pockets (A) are one of the first ID's for the British made Ike Jackets with the scalloped Flaps. The wide belted waistband with a Buckle is the other main feature of the British made Jackets (B) The British always used rougher wool related material and that shows up as well.

 

2) This image shows a nice side-by-side of the same British version that was made available for those Nurses in England. They were a given a receipt to be measured at one of the major Clothing stores like Debenhams Ltd. and in few weeks they could pick up their new 'Battle Jacket'! By July 1944, this was the available system to Nurses. Ireland was willing to make the Jackets at about 2,000 per week (50,000 total) by the Fall with England being able to produce about 6,000.

 

3) Probably the most famous photo of an Ike Jacket was Eisenhower's Driver Captain Kaye Summersby. Note that here Jacket is likely a custom tailored model. She has much thinner lapels. Her Pockets are likely fakes as this was thought by some to be more complimentary to the female figure.

 

4/4a) When the other U.S.  military services began creating roles for women, they all decided to use Female Designers and Women's clothing manufacturers EXCEPT the U.S. Army! This mistake would be a constant issue during the war as the Quartermaster Department didn't understand how to size for women! In January 1945, the 1st U.S. Ike Jacket for women was approved-not very happily by the women, as it was much more 'baggy' than the British copy and NO front Pockets! Unlike the U.K. version, there was no Buckle to close the Left hand waistbelt, instead a button was used. Reportedly, some of the shorter 'full figure' Females liked the new Jacket but for the most part it was a disappointment.

 

5) This image shows 2 nurses in the British made Ike Jacket while the 3rd is wearing the U.S. 1st Issue. Note the Pleated Patch Pockets and the Buckle on the British model. Very easy things to look for in photos!

 

6) Just a few months later, in April '45, the Army Quartermaster tried again, this time taking some of the 'Baggyness' out and adding Fake Pocket Flaps. Note that the Flaps are the same style as the Women's Long Service Coat and the Left-hand Button closure.

 

7) The popularity of the Female Ike Jacket was so great that the Army gave permission to allow conversion to be made, so that the Service Coat became an Ike Jacket! This side-by-side is an excellent image to show what was done. Either hidden buttons or a zipper would now close the front and usually a single button in the center was to secure the newly made fabric belt. Most replaced the Brass buttons with Green or Brown Plastic ones. It was a pretty interesting piece of conversion work!!

 

So this is my way to ID B&W wartime photos of the ANC-PHS-WAC Ike Jackets. The Pockets-Waistbelt seem to be the quickest way to make an ID in B&W. If you get a chance someday, the 1953 report on "The Women's Army Corps-United States Army In World War II" Special Studies  Book 1 in softcover, it's an eye opener had badly the WAC's were treated by the Army! General 'Hap' Arnold really turns out to be a Patron Saint for the WAC's, as he overode a lot of the orders that the Army used to try and destroy them. He had Daughters and that might explain his anger at some of the stuff that was tried.....

[Gear Fanatic]

Wow, amazing work, I really enjoyed reading this! Great information and well presented 👍

[cutiger83]

I agree with Gear Fanatic. Great thread! This one should be pinned in the women's reference section. Thank you for taking the time to post this thread.

 

...Kat

[JEE3]

Thank You! Glad you enjoyed it.....

 

 

                                                                                       JEE3

[Gear Fanatic]

Yah, this would be well appreciated. Hopefully someone pins it, great research 👍