OPERATION ALSOS - 18th October 2009

Nice one BnH, looks like the lad and I will be there as one of the civvy factions then. By the way, I'm a qualified first aider if that's any help.

Another SS recruit here for this game

Does it have to be 1st inf or would other infantry units be ok?

Does it have to be 1st inf or would other infantry units be ok?

We'd like to set the bar high in terms of having a single cohesive US infantry unit so it will look much better if you could re-badge as 1st US . Patches are £7 and the game is over 4 months away

Scaleyback has a clever way of making a sort of arm brassard to re-badge US jackets without unpicking your existing patches:
viewtopic.php?f=50&t=7591&p=122794&hilit=brassard#p122794

What we're most trying to avoid is a fantasy "Band of Brothers jump on Aachen" type scenario...

er... isn't that scaley method only applicable for parachute infantry?

Yes, it is only for parachute infantry really.

Remember that no badge is perfectly acceptable and was also common place.

Not to mention that you could 'ditch' the M41 (hoping the weather's nice) and wear a wool shirt or HBT's.

Oct 44.... hmmm would M43's be the preferred jacket anyway?

... (hoping the weather's nice) ...

It's October... I wouldn't count on it.

hey, I was only hoping.

M43's, bugger. There is only a slim type of chance that I can get M43's by then...

It was a question... I don't know either... I'd like to stick with M41 to be honest... with 43's I' have to get double buckle boots as well... gah

er... isn't that scaley method only applicable for parachute infantry?

Doesn't have to be a pocket. I'm sure that with a bit of creativity something similar could be finelgled for any US jacket with a sewn-in epaulette.

OK, I did some looking (to try and be helpful) of course anyone can find a picture to show anything if they look hard enough but I have found some pics of 1st Infantry Division around that time.

http://www.history.army.mil/images/matr ... 195463.jpg
A GI machine gun crew (2d Battalion, 26th Infantry) in action against the Nazi Wehrmacht in the streets of Aachen, Germany. 10/15/44. Photographer: Ellett.

http://www.history.army.mil/images/matr ... 198297.jpg
Men of Company M, 3d Battalion 18th Infantry Regiment,1st Infantry Drivision, lay in wait for German paratroopers being driven out of the woods in Sourbrodt, Belgium, by other men of the regiment. 12/18/44.

in these the 'pre-M43s' are quite in evidence so it shouldn't be too wrong to use them, no?

That first pic looks like m43 jacket and leggings to me though... a mix of stuff...???

Yeah, my own investigation shows that the M43 stuff didn't hit all of the Infantry until early 1945.

Some got it, some didn't... depends... the new guys would tend to have '43s, the old soaks would have to stick with '41s.

The airborne divisions got it almost straight after Normandy though.

So M41/wool/leggings/roughouts is probably best for this event.

From what I've read the majority of US infantry continued to use their pre M43 uniform right up until the end of the war. It was only more elite units like paras that recieved wholesale uniform replacements as they were sat out of the line doing nowt so it was easier to do. The infantry only got the new stuff when the old wore out or if they were a new replacement.

Edit; which is basically what Yith just said.

Nice pics Wlad.

I hope they swept up all those cartridge cases. Leaving them on the floor like that is a bit dangerous.\A

That second pic is interesting. 1928 haversack worn without a belt and a very interesting pistol holster.

Anyone got any ideas?

Well there is no marking on the back of the helmet - though I understand this wasn't always done - but given his possession of a pistol and position both somewhat at the back observing and near the camera I would suggest he is a officer. As such a private purchased pistol holster on his trouser belt as it was more comfortable? Interestingly the other infantrymen do not look to have packs on.

My railway worker kit has arrived!

Make sure there is plenty of space in the script for general sauntering and tea drinking - I have an enamel tea can and I am not afraid to use it.

I think I have turned, how can I be so happy at getting blue overalls and a hat?

after speaking to martin, i may be up for this....... not sure if i will be yank infantry or dodgy civvy type yet though.

Pictures please Pepp.

Bonus marks for surly Gallic expression...