Gear Carried aboard Ships

[connie]

I read one account by a fellow from another division. He stated that when boarding the ship for the Atlantic crossing headed toward the ETO he was loaded down with gear. He mentioned a helmet (presumably he wore this.) And then said he also carried a full pack (I'm guessing this is the pack wrapped in the shelter half), a duffle bag, and a rifle.

I'm wondering if this was the experience of all those shipping out with the 106th. I particularly wonder about the rifles. Did you carry these crossing the Atlantic or were they crated and distributed in England?

Did officers tote the same load?

If you have information to add you might also give information on whether your knowledge comes from infantry or field artillery or (??)

[floydragsdale]

Hello Connie:

When the 106th shipped out of Camp Atterbery, Indiana, our weapons (rifles) had been turned in. We didn't see them again until were were in Adderbury England.

When our Regiment boarded ship (on the Aquitania) all that we owned (except the clothes on our backs) was in duffle bags and we carried the bags on board with us.

We boarded ship by Battalians, Co's and Squads; in that order. An Officer stood at the gangplank, holding a roster, & reading off names. As an individual's mame was read, that person responded and was let on board.

I remember that because my name wasn't called; so they put this soldier to one side while until the error was ironed out. The last 2nd Btn., "G" Company G.I. to go on board was me.

They found their mistake and let me go with the rest of the bunch.

I do not believe the Officers boarded ship in the same manner that the enlisted men did.

Floyd,
2nd Btn. Co. G

[connie]

Thanks, Floyd,

The role call bit matches up with what a medic imbedded in one of the field artillery battalions told me.

The packing of the rifle sounds logical, but you are the first to confirm that this was true for you. If the infantry packed rifles, that was probably true for field artillery, too. This could have been part of what service battery people were busy with in England -- un-crating and distributing these items.

You mentioned every thing you owned being in your duffle bag. Did you carry a field pack wrapped in shelter half, too? Or were these shipped?

Thanks, once again for the eye witness help!

Connie

[floydragsdale]

Hello Connie:

There were two different field packs. A light pack contained items with enough things to get a soldier by during the day. Our mess kit was one item that was in it. Another item was our raincoat; just in case. I do not recall the others things; however they would have been light (not heavy) and small enough to put in the pack. The entrenching tool (shovel, or pick) could be fastened on the outside of the pack.

The full field pack, was carried when we went on maneuvers. Every thing was rolled up inside the shelter half; shaving gear, tooth brush, extra socks, a blanket plus all the things a solder needed out in the field for several, or more days. Of course, it was much heavier than the light pack. Last, but not least, was the entrenching tool fastened on the outside.

The only time we wore the full field pack was (1) when we went on maneuvers, or, (2) practiced a march (4) miles, (9) miles, (25) miles, that called for the full pack with full field equipment in it.

Both packs had shoulder straps that one could slip arms in so the pack was carried on the back.

The uniform for the day was usually announced just after reveille (early morning). That announcement usually gave us an indication of what kind of the day we were going to have.

I had "heat rash"while serving in Camp Shelby, MS & those packs irritated the heck out of my back. Ugh! I can almost feel that now. My back felt like a raw piece of hamburger.

We did not carry field packs when we boarded the Aquitania to go overseas.

Hope helps you; not the heat rash but the rest of it.

Floyd
2nd Btn.

[connie]

Floyd,

It does help clear up several questions. Thanks!

Connie

[bobs1882]

If memory serves me correctly, we in the Artillery (mainly because most of our movement was by truck) only carried a knapsack similar to the book bags the kids use these days plus a duffle bag (still have mine) However, knapsacks were worn up near the neck so as to take the strain off the back. Just essentials: raincoat, personal items, mess kit, socks, underwear, wool hat (when not in use), set of fatigues. Sailed on the Wakefield out of Boston. We were on "E" deck (bottom of the ship) and in the bow. When you stood in our latrine to walls of the ship came together to form the bow.

[connie]

Hi, Bob,

What Carl and Roger noted elsewhere, I will note here: It is great to have the voice of people who were there! Thanks for adding your memories to the site. I hope you find or create places to add more. The details-- like the location of your latrine on the Wakefield --- are details that can't be found anywhere else.

You were in the bow. My Dad (field artillery), was in a cabin for 2nd lieutenants at the stern (above the engine room.)

Connie