I am doing some research for an article and am trying to confirm if the 17th Airborne Division used the light weight British Snow Smock and Trousers. There is photographic evidence of the heavier weight, wind resistant version with pockets being used, but I cannot confirm or refute that they used the other version pictured below. It has been confirmed that the British delivered large numbers of the white camouflage uniforms for emergency use by the Americans during the Ardennes campaign. Most were reserved for use on patrolling and reconnaissance missions. I have seen most of the images of US troops wearing the version with the button, but I am just looking for a bit of additional confirmation regarding the lighter weight version. Here is the only 17th A/B photo that I can find that shows a snow suit, not the type with the button down pockets. The photo is out of the 17th AB Newsprint, "With the Talon in the Ardennes".
Here's the tag in the smock. (just figured out how to do thumbnails...sorry for the large image posts)
Hi 17thairborne There is another topic on the subject here : http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/50332-british-snow-suits/?hl=%2Bsnow+%2Bsuits inc photos Don't know if you have seen it TD
I did see that and posted there a few weeks ago, but the thread seems to focus on the British use of snow suits. I was hoping this post would focus the topic on the use of snow suits by the US 17th Airborne. I probably should have restricted to o a single post here. Sorry about that oz
US Army Tailors shop! http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675043290_99th-Infantry-Division-troops_white-uniform_M-24-tank_now-covered-areas_soldiers-fire-artillery
That's some excellent footage. I wonder how many divisions set up similar shops to make snow camo? With as many photos from different units as exist, I suspect it was many.
