more photos WW2 (1 Viewer)

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Big site, but I'm sure you will enjoy!

note the US camo in the ETO!
Talk about a subject for a Manufacturer....?

www.stolly.org.uk/ETO/

enjoy
Grant

 

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http://i48.tinypic.com/2edcn6g.jpg

 

[binder001]

There was a limited issue of US Army HBT camo suits in Normandy circa July, 1944. As seen they were worn with netted or plain helmets and standard Army web gear. The suits were issued to engineers in the 2nd Armored Div, and possibly some of the troops in the 2nd Armored's 41st Armored Infantry Regiment, plus to some elements of the 30th Division. The suits proved very unpopular because of their often being confused with German SS camo outfits and were soon discarded.

Gary B.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Gary,

They were issued to the 41st Infantry I have the photos in two of my 2AD books. It was a good idea but needed wider use by our troops to keep the confusion levels down. But because of that issue they were pulled from use fairly quickly IOT keep the fratricide to a minimum.

Dave

 

[binder001]

Right about the fratricide. There was a comment in one book about the 2nd Armored during the Opn Cobra breakout period. One of the infantrymen from 41st Armored Infantry Regiment was wounded while wearing the US camo suit. He commented that at least one medic was making remarks about him being a lousy Kraut $^&%$# because of the camo suit!

The US Army had several challenges like that as it changed rapidly during the war and kept introducing new equipment. The M18 Gun Motor Carriage is often seen sporting full recognition stars in the photos of them in Normandy and France - they were new and didn't look like any other US vehicle. When the M24 light tank came to Europe a couple of them were to be sent around to US units to familiarize the troops with the unusual looking tank (in 1944 it certainly didn't look like a Sherman or Stuart type!). These two demonstrators were among the tanks grabbed from Ordnance depots by the tankless 740th Tank Battalion at the start of the Battle of the Bulge.

Gary B.