Jump to content

WWII U.S. POW Uniform??


spagg
 Share

Recommended Posts

I'm posting this for a Friend. We are not sure if this is WWII U.S. or what? The numbers and letters on the back of the shirt through some research, this is all we know. (Stalag XVIIIC or 317, was situated at Markt-Pongau, Austria). The area is now known as 'St Johann im Pongau'

It passes the thread burn test & no-glow test. Complete with wooden shoes! Any help would be appreciated.

 

Thank you.

Sal

post-10083-1270673659.jpg

post-10083-1270673671.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm posting this for a Friend. We are not sure if this is WWII U.S. or what? It passes the thread burn test & no-glow test. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Thank you.

Sal

post-10083-1270673726.jpg

post-10083-1270673745.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd say it's a baseball jersey made up for the unit.

Kurt

 

That would be very difficult to play baseball with wooden shoes?

 

Sal

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's definitely something, hopefully someone will chime in. What is the background story? Where did your friend find it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's definitely something, hopefully someone will chime in. What is the background story? Where did your friend find it?

 

It was in a old WWII USAAF Trunk full of U.S. Uniforms, German Uniforms, A-11 Flying Helmet etc.

 

Sal

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Probably not what you want to hear but I have to agree, baseball jersey from the 317th Ord Bn probably made in Germany during the occupation. The shoes look like shower clogs, same time and place.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Eclair zippers were used in high-end French fashions including Louis Vitton. But, they were also used in some items - notably flight jackets - made in France for the Germans in WWII. The flaming bomb symbol was used by the French on their old M26 helmets.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Probably not what you want to hear but I have to agree, baseball jersey from the 317th Ord Bn probably made in Germany during the occupation. The shoes look like shower clogs, same time and place.

 

Ahh... you got it there: 317th Ordnance Battalion:

 

"They received battle credits for participating in the following campaigns while over there: Northern France Campaign; Germany Campaign; Normandy Campaign (2 credits); Central Europe Campaign; Ardennes-Alsace; Rhineland."

 

(from http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/317qm.htm )

 

The shirt and shoes would from France including perhaps the Alsace region. I would think one of our French readers might be able to pinpoint the region for those shoes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

vintageproductions

It screams a base ball or some other type of sports jersey. He probably picked the shoes up at some other point.

I was always told these type shoes were used in German prison camps,

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was once the HHD Commander of the 317th Supply and Service Battalion, in the 89th Army Reserve Command. The unit took their lineage and honors from the 317th Ordnance Bn. While I was HHD Commander, we had a WWII veteran visit the reserve center (located in Lawrence, KS). He was on the Bn baseball team and he showed us a uniform just like the one photographed. Did you get the matching pants with the jersey?

 

I wanted that uniform in the worst way, but the old boy wasn't interested in getting rid of it. That was in 1992. Fast forward 18 years and I am seeing a second one!

 

The vet recalled playing a lot of baseball during the occupation period and actually getting to play against some big names in baseball including Mel Ott. I thought that was pretty cool.

 

Thanks for posting the uniform, it has really brought back some memories for me!

 

Oh yeah- they would have worn baseball spikes or gym shoes with the baseball uniform. The shoes you show are NOT part of the baseball uniform.

Allan

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 years later...

I have a simular pair of wooden shoes, but open toed. These are nothing more than shower clogs. Mine were acquired directly form the Vet complete with his initials carved in the top of the wood. Jack

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...