American Camouflage Uniforms at Normandy

Forgive my ignorance, but isn't the Brit putting himself
at a slight disadvantage with the combo of a rear slung
MP40 and thick leather despatch rider gloves? Would he
use the bike speed to get out of trouble quick rather than
fight?

The Yank looks far more 'up for contact', as if he'd simply pull
that carbine out while riding, in the style of Terminator 2 or
John Wayne!


AHD.

Your joking....

The Yank will be dead before hes got his Garand (I dont think its a Carbine) out of that sling. Have you ever tried riding a bike without gloves, Ive just gone out the the old Guzzi and its a wind chill of around -30'c out there, No way your firing a gun without gloves on. The chances of hitting anything while rinding a bike are less than zero.

The gloves and the Mp40 are definelty a better option. Plus I wouldnt fancy riding abike off road with a rifle pointed at my balls, soon as you comes off, you'd impale yourself on it. Crazy.

Something about the Brit, makes me think hes an old hand, Despite the lack of proper gear, hes looks very comfortable on his bike, the bike looks well used (the trials tyres look ready for anything), the MP40 was a treasured trophy no doubt, He has the bare essentials (the sign of an expereinced motorcyclist), he not carrying any useless weight.

 

You couldn't fire the rifle even if you wanted too. The right had is used on the throttle so as soon as you took hold of the rifle the bike would slow down and stop. The best thing to do on a bike is make like a small thing and wind the throttle open

Cheers
Andy

 

Have either of you ever tried to fire a weapon from a two wheeled vehicle? Hitting anything, machine gun or rifle is, at best, a problematic proposition. Even on a modern day four-wheeler, accuracy with a weapon intended for two hands is laughble.

I suspect those weapons were carried for self defense when the option of "sh*ttin' and gittin' " * is not possible and the soldier is standing on his own two feet.

*Good Southern phrase you all ought to use to add some flavor to your otherwise bland rendition of the English tongue.

 

Drew,

Thanks for posting these photos. Never heard of this, in Normandy, or ever seen any reenactors wearing it for a Normandy impression.

Interesting to see the British rider carrying a MP40 on his back and magazine pouches on his left hip......I wonder what happened to his issue weapon?

It is a 'well-known fact' that, with regard to the Sten and MP-40, soldiers preferred the opposition weapon. Both weapons used 9mm.

Steve W.

 

I found another picture of American camo in Normandy. From 'World War 2 Combat Uniforms and Insignia' by Martin Windrow.

 

Isn't the one on the left wearing a German Pistol Holster on his hip?

Cheers
Andy

 

I found another picture of American camo in Normandy. From 'World War 2 Combat Uniforms and Insignia' by Martin Windrow.




Rats, no unit patches again.

 

I talked to the gentleman at my church who served with the US 30th ID, in the Mech. Recon Troop. He says that he remembered that the 29th ID had some some troops that tried out the camoflage. He never saw it, just heard about it.

I mentioned that the pic was vexing me because we a good view of the soldiers' left shoulder and they were not wearing their divisional patch. He said that they (the 30th ID) did not wear their divisional patch when in the field and he was willing to bet the 29th didn't either.

 

Jeff,

I wonder if they are reversable jackets? That could be the reason for no insignia.

Cheers
Andy

 

Can't answer that intelligently, Drew. They are wearing matching trousers, so my thoughts would be no.

 

wait...
i can't see anything,
they look similar to the ones the ss use to me,

 

For more information ;-
http://www.30thinfantry.org/
http://www.atthefront.com/us_uni_camo.htm
http://castlemaine-boy.smugmug.com/photos/204163272-O.jpg
http://www.surplusandadventure.com/shop/home/product-information/camouflage/military-camouflage.html



The photograph submitted was taken in July 1944, It is captioned U.S. soldier from the 41st Armoured Infantry Regiment somewhere in France 1944 wearing a two-piece herringbone twill (HBT) camouflage which was similar to those used by marines in the Pacific,It was a different cut from the Marines and not reversible either. They were designed to be worn over the woolen shirt and trousers.During 1944 this mode was quickly abandoned in North West Europe because of the similarity to the uniform of the Waffen SS.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began experimenting in 1940, but little official notice was taken until 1942 when General Douglas MacArthur demanded jungle camouflage uniforms. A 1940 design, dubbed "frog-skin" or "leopard spot", was chosen and issued as a reversible beach/jungle coverall but soon changed to a two-part jacket and trousers. It was first issued to the U.S. Marines fighting on the Solomon Islands and worn by regular Marine units in the Battle of Tarawa. Experiences on the battlefield showed that pattern was unsuitable , and production was halted in 1944 with a return to standard single-tone uniforms.
During 1944, specialized units of the 2nd Armored Division serving in Normandy along with elements of the 30th Infantry Division were issued with "frog skin"/"leopard spot" (frog suit)camouflage pattern uniforms, but again an apparent similarity to the uniform being worn by some Waffen SS troops in the area led to some friendly fire incidents, and it was withdrawn. Full "leopard spot" uniforms continued to be worn by the USMC Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion (whose role was reprised by the USMC Force Recon units from 1954) and by Combat Swimmer Reconnaissance Units (later to evolve into the Navy SEALs).

Regards
Verrieres

 

Good info, Verrieres. Looks like my church-member's memory is a little off where that subject is concerned.

What is the source for the post? I'd like to see if there is anything else there.

 

'Precicate it Adam.

 

OOOoo I wouldn't mind going there on my bike and doing a now shot