US GI's in North Africa (1 Viewer)

[MCKENNA77]

1) The photos that I have seen showed "bare" M1 helmets in use with US troops in North Africa. Helmet nets came later. The only operation that seemed to have a large number of helmets with the scrim in the netting were the initial units into France in June 1944 - mostly the airborne divisions. I'm not sure but the units that used this might have picked it up from the British - note that British Paras were still using scrim in their helmet nets at Market-Garden (and later?). By Market-Garden the US paras were using just nets or plain helmets.

2) re: Dragon Wagon - I'd have to check my references at home, but I don't think these were in North Africa. The Ordnance units in NATOUSA used the earlier M20 tank recovery vehicle (M19 truck with Rogers trailer). The M20 was used into Europe by the US and British.

Gary

Well I guess I stand corrected on the North Africa Dragon Wagon. Gary knows far more then I do about this sort of thing(would still like to see if he could verify it though). Maybe it could be issued as a SL "fantasy" piece. Then everyone on here could debate if it existed or not.

MCKENNA

 

[Harrytheheid]

Well I guess I stand corrected on the North Africa Dragon Wagon. Gary knows far more then I do about this sort of thing(would still like to see if he could verify it though). Maybe it could be issued as a SL "fantasy" piece. Then everyone on here could debate if it existed or not.

MCKENNA

Maybe it could be issued as a SL "fantasy" piece. Then everyone on here could debate if it existed or not.

 

[Capitolron]

Maybe it could be issued as a SL "fantasy" piece. Then everyone on here could debate if it existed or not.

BAD HEID ... BAD HEID ....

 

[Harrytheheid]

BAD HEID ... BAD HEID ....

Oh, I know Ron, I know.....

 

[binder001]

I believe that the M25 40-ton Tank Transporter came into use in Italy in 1943. The vehicle wasn't even contracted until 1942 - interestingly enough based on US Army observers with the British in North Africa noting the lack of specialized vehicles to recover and transport the heavier tanks.

Gary

 

[MCKENNA77]

I believe that the M25 40-ton Tank Transporter came into use in Italy in 1943. The vehicle wasn't even contracted until 1942 - interestingly enough based on US Army observers with the British in North Africa noting the lack of specialized vehicles to recover and transport the heavier tanks.

Gary

Gary

Thanks for looking into that.

MCKENNA

 

[binder001]

Here's another thought - the EARLY 155mm howitzer. While reading a new book on the 155mm howitzers I was reminded that the "new" 155, the M1 howitzer on carriage M1A1 was not ready for North Africa. The US troops used their older 155mm M1917A1 and M1918 howitzers. These were direct copies of the French WW1 Schneider howitzer - here's the advantage to K&C: they could produce a US version (straight gun shield, rubber tires) for USANATO and use the same basic castings to create a WW1 version (curved lower shield, wood spoke wheels) for either French or US WW1 forces. Not often you can get two series out of one basic weapon!

Gary

 

[red devil]

How about the scrim on the helmets of the D-Day figures that Gary mentioned.? Does this make them unsuitable for Tunisia.? Or is this a minor detail.?
While I don't particularly care about accuracy to the Nth degree (just like it to be reasonable), I'd like to know one way or the other.
Thanks
H

Hi Harry
If you ever get chance to read the Osprey Men at Arms series have a look at 'Kasserine Pass' it has lots of photos in there with plenty of GI's wearing netting all over their helmets so I guess K&C figures from D Day would be suitable for a NA dio.
Regards Red

 

[Harrytheheid]

Hi Harry
If you ever get chance to read the Osprey Men at Arms series have a look at 'Kasserine Pass' it has lots of photos in there with plenty of GI's wearing netting all over their helmets so I guess K&C figures from D Day would be suitable for a NA dio.
Regards Red

Thanks for the usual accurate info RD...
Cheers
H