Overcoats...

[connie]

I have images in men boarding ships in the rain. (At least those traveling on the Wakefield boarded in the rain) and of men in rain and snow later. But, my image of what was worn is not clear. Was there anything worn that was waterproof or did you depend on the ability of wool to insulate even when wet?

[floydragsdale]

Hello:

An item, called a poncho(sp) was issued to us. It had a hole in the center of it. To put it on it had to be slipped over your head. If I remember correctly, when spread on the ground it formed a circle and it had a hole in the center of it.

Many of us used it to line a slit trench; next in went an overcoat, blanket, or whatever could be found to keep one warm.

To keep our overcoats dry, we did use it when it rained. When wool became wet it wasn't wasy to dry it out.

Floyd
2nd Btn., 424th Regiment

[gemcmeg]

Connie, dad said all that they had were their overcoats. In fact on 12.16 in the hast of the day, somewhere along the way, he forgot his overcoat and, esp after being captured, surely missed it.

[gemcmeg]

ps these questions are good, helps to remember the little things dad talked about but did not include in his written account. thx!

[bobs1882]

Kept mine till just a few years ago when we moved to Florida. Then gave it to the Salvation Army. Interesting to note - in Sprimont, Belgium I sewed a womens fur collar I found on to my field jacket. It realy helped.

[roger]

Have been reading your posts. Just wanted to add that I am glad you are on this forum....you, as with Floyd, are a wealth of knowledge and personal history. Love reading the stuff you guys remember and talk about!!!

[Carl W.]

I can only agree with what Roger said. Being able to read the remarks from someone who was there and went through it is an enriching experience for all of us here.

Here is a picture of a standard US Army Melton wool overcoat. There was an earlier version which had brass buttons, these are plastic coated. (1943 dated)



Very interesting to read about your adaption to your field jacket with the fur collar. I guess when the weather conditions were as bad as they were in the winter of 1944, a soldier needs to improvise.