US Airborne, Normandy jump - uniform question

[The_Enigma]

Am plodding my way through Buckingham's D-Day: The First 72 Hours and he notes that the US Airborne troopers preparing for the jump into Normandy were wearing two sets of uniforms, "one worn under the other", but offers no explanation why.

Can anyone explain this, it does seem a tad odd?

[Graham Clayton]

The_Enigma,

Here is a directive issued by the Headquarters 506th Parachute Infantry, United States Army, October 1943

STANDARD EQUIPMENT CARRIED BY EACH PARACHUTIST

1. 1. The following equipment will be carried by all parachutists. The following equipment Will Be Carried by all parachutist.


1 Belt, pistol or rifle, dismounted 1 Belt, pistol or rifle, dismounted
1 Boots, parachutist, pair 1 Boots, parachutist, pair
1 Canteen, cup and cover...on belt 1 Canteen, cup and cover on-call ...
1 Compass, lensatic or watch...on belt 1 Compass Lensatic or watch on-call ...
1 Cap, wool knit 1 Cap, wool knit
1 Drawers, wool 1 Drawers, wool
1 Field bag...Under parachute harness Field Under a parachute harness bag ...
1 Gloves, horsehide unlined, pair 1 Gloves, horse hide unlined, pair
4 Grenades, hand, frag. 4 Grenades, hand fragments. MkII...2 Waist pockets coat...2 hip pockets trousers Waist MkII ... 2 ... 2 hip pockets, coat pockets trousers
1 Handkerchief...Left chest pocket Handkerchief left chest pocket an ...
1 Helmet, steel, M1, mod.(I think), w/liner 1 Helmet, steel, M1, mod. (I think) w / liner
1 Knife, pocket, M2...Center chest pocket 1 Knife, pocket, chest pocket Center M2 ...
1 Knife, trench, M3, w/scabbard M6...on belt 1 Knife, Trench, M3, w / scabbard M6 on call ...
1 Matches, package 1 Matches, package
1 Mask, gas (If required) 1 Mask, gas (If required)
1 Message book, pencil and maps...Right chest pocket Message 1 book, pencil and maps ... Right chest pocket
1 Parachute, T-5, complete 1 Parachute, T-5, complete
1 Pouch, first-aid and packet...on belt 1 Pouch, first-aid packet and call on ...
2 Ration "K" (broken down)...Leg pockets Ration 2 K (broken down) Lay pockets ...
1 Raincoat...Loop over belt 1 Raincoat ... Walk on call
1 Rope, parachutist, 30' x 3/8"...Looped on belt 1 Rope, Parachutist, 30 'x 3 / 8 "Looped on call ...
1 Prophylaxis, mechanical, kit...Right chest pocket 1 Prophylaxis, mechanical, kit Right chest pocket ...
2 Socks, light wool, pair...1 pair in field bag 2 Socks, light wool, a pair ... pair field bag
1 Spoon, M/26...In canteen cover 1 Spoon M/26...In canteen cover
1 Supporter, athletic (optional) 1 Supporter, athletic (optional)
1 Tablets in box, chlorine or halazone...Left chest pocket Tablets in a box, chlorine or halazone left chest pocket ...
1 Tablets in box, bentadine ...Right chest pocket Tablets in a box, bentadine Right chest pocket ...
2 Tags, identification, w/necklace 2 Tags, Identification, w / necklace
2 Tape, ankle (optional) Tape 2, ankle (optional)
1 Tissue, toilet...Left chest pocket 1 Tissue, toilet ... Left chest pocket
1 Toilet set...Waist pockets 1 Toilet Set Waist pockets ...
1 Tool, entrenching...On belt 1 Tool, entre ching ... On call
1 Undershirt, wool Under a shirt, wool
1 Uniform, parachutists, 2-pc. 1 Uniform, paratroopers, 2-pc.

2. 2. Following additional equipment will be carried by Officers: Following Additional Equipment Will Be Carried by Officers:


1 Binoculars, M-13...Over shoulder or on belt Binoculars 1, M-13 over shoulder or on call ...
1 Carbine, cal..30, M1A1 (except field Off)...On belt in scabbard 1 Carbine, cal .. 30, M1A1 (except field off) ... On call in scabbard
1 Case, canvas, dispatch...Over right shoulder Case 1, canvas dispatch About right shoulder ...
1 Flashlight, TL-122-A...Left leg pocket 1 Flashlight, TL-122-A ... Left leg pocket
1 Map, template M2...Dispatch case Map 1, template ... M2 Dispatch case
1 Pistol, auto., cal..45 (Field O's. only)...On belt in holster 1 Pistol, car., Cal .. 45 (Field Os. Only) ... On call in holster
1 Pocket, double web.w/clips (Field O. only)...On belt 1 Pocket, double web.w / clips (O. Field only) ... On call
2 Pocket, mag., carbine, cal..30, M1A1 (except field Officers)...On belt 2 Pocket, mag., Carbine, cal .. 30, M1A1 (except Field Officers) On call ...
1 Whistle, thunderer...Left chest pocket 1 Whistle, thunderer Left chest pocket ...

I don't see how it would be possible to wear another uniform under the first uniform and equipment!

[John Hilly]

1 Uniform, parachutists, 2-pc. 1 Uniform, paratroopers, 2-pc.

This 2-pc. must mean Jacket and trousers in military language?

Greets
Juha-Pekka

[Carl Schwamberger]

From a couple eyewitness accounts, this may be a observation of a one piece coverall worn over the usuall shirt, trousers, and field jacket. The coverall seems to have been favored over the standard uniform ensemble as it took being dragged across gravel, pavement, and brush better than the wool uniform.

In the Marines we occasionally wore a coverall or cold weather parka jacket/trousers over the common utility uniform.

[JamesL]

I might have an answer.

The US Army determined that every soldier in Great Britain be equipped with a chemical impregnated uniform for protection against poison gas - Air Corps and tankers exempted. Troops landing in Normandy on June 6 wore such uniforms.

The rule was retracted on July 24, 1944 as there was no evidence that the Germans were going to use poison gas.

Regarding the paratroopers .....

The First Army plan had provided that woolen protective clothing would be worn and that troops not equipped with woolen protective clothing would wear herringbone suits over their uniforms.
Quartermaster Supply in the European Theater of Operations During World War II – Volume III Outfitting the Soldier.
http://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/cgi-bin/ ... e=2977.pdf

So, the soldier could have his field jacket and pants chemically impregnated which smelled to high heaven and caused rashes, or he could wear the jacket and pants under the impregnated coveralls.

As an aside, the impregnated clothing provided some protection against rain and wind and helped keep the soldier warm.

[binder001]

Basically, each paratrooper wore the standard wool GI shirt and trousers under his M1942 jump uniform. The M1942 jump suit was similar in external appearance to the GI field jacket - being OD #3 (a lighter tan/olive shade than the later dark OD #7 ("modern OD"). I don't beleive that the M1942 jump suit had a warm lining like the field fackets and tanker jackets, so the woll shirt and trousers would have added warmth. I don't know if the gas impregnating layer was added to the shirts or the jump uniforms, so there is second reason to add the extra layer.

[Empiricist]

The_Enigma,

Here is a directive issued by the Headquarters 506th Parachute Infantry, United States Army, October 1943

STANDARD EQUIPMENT CARRIED BY EACH PARACHUTIST

1 Belt, pistol or rifle, dismounted 1 Belt, pistol or rifle, dismounted
1 Boots, parachutist, pair 1 Boots, parachutist, pair
1 Canteen, cup and cover...on belt 1 Canteen, cup and cover on-call ...
1 Compass, lensatic or watch...on belt 1 Compass Lensatic or watch on-call ...
1 Cap, wool knit 1 Cap, wool knit
1 Drawers, wool 1 Drawers, wool
1 Field bag...Under parachute harness Field Under a parachute harness bag ...
1 Gloves, horsehide unlined, pair 1 Gloves, horse hide unlined, pair
4 Grenades, hand, frag. 4 Grenades, hand fragments. MkII...2 Waist pockets coat...2 hip pockets trousers Waist MkII ... 2 ... 2 hip pockets, coat pockets trousers
1 Handkerchief...Left chest pocket Handkerchief left chest pocket an ...
1 Helmet, steel, M1, mod.(I think), w/liner 1 Helmet, steel, M1, mod. (I think) w / liner
1 Knife, pocket, M2...Center chest pocket 1 Knife, pocket, chest pocket Center M2 ...
1 Knife, trench, M3, w/scabbard M6...on belt 1 Knife, Trench, M3, w / scabbard M6 on call ...
1 Matches, package 1 Matches, package
1 Mask, gas (If required) 1 Mask, gas (If required)
1 Message book, pencil and maps...Right chest pocket Message 1 book, pencil and maps ... Right chest pocket
1 Parachute, T-5, complete 1 Parachute, T-5, complete
1 Pouch, first-aid and packet...on belt 1 Pouch, first-aid packet and call on ...
2 Ration "K" (broken down)...Leg pockets Ration 2 K (broken down) Lay pockets ...
1 Raincoat...Loop over belt 1 Raincoat ... Walk on call
1 Rope, parachutist, 30' x 3/8"...Looped on belt 1 Rope, Parachutist, 30 'x 3 / 8 "Looped on call ...
1 Prophylaxis, mechanical, kit...Right chest pocket 1 Prophylaxis, mechanical, kit Right chest pocket ...
2 Socks, light wool, pair...1 pair in field bag 2 Socks, light wool, a pair ... pair field bag
1 Spoon, M/26...In canteen cover 1 Spoon M/26...In canteen cover
1 Supporter, athletic (optional) 1 Supporter, athletic (optional)
1 Tablets in box, chlorine or halazone...Left chest pocket Tablets in a box, chlorine or halazone left chest pocket ...
1 Tablets in box, bentadine ...Right chest pocket Tablets in a box, bentadine Right chest pocket ...
2 Tags, identification, w/necklace 2 Tags, Identification, w / necklace
2 Tape, ankle (optional) Tape 2, ankle (optional)
1 Tissue, toilet...Left chest pocket 1 Tissue, toilet ... Left chest pocket
1 Toilet set...Waist pockets 1 Toilet Set Waist pockets ...
1 Tool, entrenching...On belt 1 Tool, entre ching ... On call
1 Undershirt, wool Under a shirt, wool
1 Uniform, parachutists, 2-pc. 1 Uniform, paratroopers, 2-pc.

2. 2. Following additional equipment will be carried by Officers: Following Additional Equipment Will Be Carried by Officers:

1 Binoculars, M-13...Over shoulder or on belt Binoculars 1, M-13 over shoulder or on call ...
1 Carbine, cal..30, M1A1 (except field Off)...On belt in scabbard 1 Carbine, cal .. 30, M1A1 (except field off) ... On call in scabbard
1 Case, canvas, dispatch...Over right shoulder Case 1, canvas dispatch About right shoulder ...
1 Flashlight, TL-122-A...Left leg pocket 1 Flashlight, TL-122-A ... Left leg pocket
1 Map, template M2...Dispatch case Map 1, template ... M2 Dispatch case
1 Pistol, auto., cal..45 (Field O's. only)...On belt in holster 1 Pistol, car., Cal .. 45 (Field Os. Only) ... On call in holster
1 Pocket, double web.w/clips (Field O. only)...On belt 1 Pocket, double web.w / clips (O. Field only) ... On call
2 Pocket, mag., carbine, cal..30, M1A1 (except field Officers)...On belt 2 Pocket, mag., Carbine, cal .. 30, M1A1 (except Field Officers) On call ...
1 Whistle, thunderer...Left chest pocket 1 Whistle, thunderer Left chest pocket...

Very good post but it needs a few more official and unofficial additions.
• Gloves -- many times were private purchase.
• Webbing -- many paras had rigger-made pouches.
• Pigeon containers -- rigger-made as well.
• Bayonets -- theoretically before D-Day the paras had to change their M1905 16in bayonets for M1 10in bayonets but it was theory. Many paras in Normandy had long M1905s.
• Machetes -- small number of the paras was armed with M1942 18in machetes and M1939 22in ones as used by them in Sicily
• First Aid Packet Pouches -- M1910 and/or M1924.
• Parachutist's First Aid Pouch.
• TE-33 Tool Equipment (CS-34 Pouch, TL-13 Pliers, TL-29 Electricians Knife) -- numerous paras (mainly pathfinders) had it on their belts.
• Luminous disk on helmet.
• Gas Brassard.
• M1916 hip holster or M3 shoulder holster.
• Pistol magazine pouches -- M1912 and/or M1918, M1923.

So, the soldier could have his field jacket and pants chemically impregnated which smelled to high heaven and caused rashes, or he could wear the jacket and pants under the impregnated coveralls.

It was CC-2 anti-gas impregnation.

Basically, each paratrooper wore the standard wool GI shirt and trousers under his M1942 jump uniform. The M1942 jump suit was similar in external appearance to the GI field jacket - being OD #3 (a lighter tan/olive shade than the later dark OD #7 ("modern OD"). I don't beleive that the M1942 jump suit had a warm lining like the field fackets and tanker jackets, so the woll shirt and trousers would have added warmth. I don't know if the gas impregnating layer was added to the shirts or the jump uniforms, so there is second reason to add the extra layer.

You are right with one small remark. There was no such an item as "M1942" jump uniform. This is modern-day collectors' name. Officially the jacket was Parachute Jumper Coat P.Q.D. No. 114 and trousers were Parachute Jumpers Trousers P.Q.D. No. 113A.

I don't see how it would be possible to wear another uniform under the first uniform and equipment!

You are right when it comes to Normandy invasion. During Market-Garden however many US paras wore two field uniforms or combination of USAAF warm clothes under M1943 Field Jacket. For example: 1st Lt. Grace Wilfred Jaubert (chief of the 82nd Abn pathfinders) wore USAAF A-9 trousers and USAAF B-10 Jacket under M1943 Field Jacket.

[LAstryAGAIN]

In regard to the directive that officers carry .30 M1 carbine there were exceptions to the rule:
Airborne Corps Commander Matt Ridgeway carried a 1903 Springfield Rifle
Divisional general Jumping Jim Gavin carried a D----d 1931 Garand Rifle

[ROLAND1369]

I am not sure of the reason but I read that Ridgeway loaded his 03 rifle with 30 Armor Piercing bullets.