101st M1942 Paratrooper uniform and US arm flag

Hardly a rant Tarnish, just good advice, correct me if I'm wrong, but the 82nd did wear flags?

Yes indeed they did, I did mention that above. The intention had been for all invading US troops to wear an invasion arm flag but it seems that only a few units actually issued them in time for them to be used, the 82nd Airborne being the closely identified with use of the flag.

By the time of Market Garden in September '44 things were better organised and arm flags were used right across the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions

Why did they issue them at all? Wasn't it obvious enough they were the invading force!! (They make blummin good targets too. If I had been ordered to sew it on I would have ripped it off at the first opportunity.)

Good question! I guess it was one of those "well it seemed like a good idea at the time" moments.

A bit like painting big white lines on your helmets too right?

I've noticed a lot of people humping around in 101st identi-kit which seems to be standard SoF issue. Bleedin' arm pockets everywhere! Oh, and orange musette bags with tan piping just look weird, and why is the no-buckle slings' metalwork all powder coated black, oh and everyone has hessian in their helmets and a first aid pack tied onto it.

These are things I've had a bit of a hump about but have never mentioned for fear of being labelled a stitch-counter!

Tarnish, you've posted this in the right place. This is the forum for those who want to improve their kit beyond just using it for the odd skirmish and all advice and pointers should be well received.

Like I've said elsewhere, there are many other retailers out there, go to a militaria fair and you'll be amazed at what you all find.

HS

A bit like painting big white lines on your helmets too right?

These are things I've had a bit of a hump about but have never mentioned for fear of being labelled a stitch-counter!

HS

You and I are of like mind my good sir!

But didn't you know that the Earth orbits around E Co. 506th PIR impressions?!

101 airborne again?!?!?!??!?!?!

lol and here i am............... you already know what i think about the boom of 101st so theres no point in me saying it again.

I do 101st and 82nd. I have my M42s and M43s and I've been doing it for years!

Seeing all these 101st carbon copies coming up does make me think of the final scene of Matrix Revolutions somewhat!

I always wandered why there are so little M43 uniforms bieng used, i have an 82nd M43, i know Pete has one, mabe speers but apart from that i have'nt seen many, im going to join PBI soon as il be ready for Huskey with a new South Staffs kit

I know theres lots of 101's out there,but every one has got there own tastes,i am glad i done a team for 2ww airsoft called easy company,all my gear for 2ww and modern is u.s,i know sof gear is brightly coloured,but every one shops there cause its easy to get,its a shame a few more shops didn't open that sell the gear,most of mine came from france and ebay and so on,perhaps soon there will be alot of 82nd,rangers and so on,be nice to see more of them,i think its all to do with the series B.O.B,but as weeks go by people are improving there gear as we speak,its a matter of finding the right gear at a right price,now all these great forums like this one with so much info and where to find things etc,we just have to wait and hope everyone will look great and enjoy them selfs playing 2ww airsoft.

Still regardless about what one thinks of the glut of 101st impressions (the same could be said within re-enacting for British Airborne, Fallschirmjager and other "elite" units, it's what most people are attracted to) at least it has helped get more people interested in the hobby and those that stick with it eventually branch out to cover more impressions. Myself for example although I started out with the 101st I now am also involved with a group representing the 4th Battalion, The Wiltshire Regiment, hence my avatar being the Wessex Wyvern of 43 Wessex Division.

I think it's good you mentioned this Tarnish! I have an arm flag on my 82nd jump suit, but then again a lot of the pics from normandy of the 82nd it looks like they have removed them... prolly because of it being such a big target lik CW said!

Weren't the 101st issued with a flag brassard during Op. Market Garden, something that was detachable?

I used to do 101st, 506th E co. on the back of Band of Brothers, but since I rebadged as 82nd as not many people at the time had it. Good to have a mix though, and the banter between the 2 sets of us isn't too discimilar from the banter between the 2 divisions back in the day!

Yeah the ammount of US Flags on 101 is annoying also lately people have done it for Rangers :S

Also Reinforced Jump Suits in large numbers as 82nd isn't very correct neither. But the odd thing is OD7 Webbing is completely allowed as pictures of the 82nd loading up for D-Day even though they are Black & White the webbing is distinctly darker.

Best advice i ever got was crack open a book hehe

In the various book I have the majority of the 82nd troopers pictured have their flags in evidence right the way through Normandy but yes I'm sure many would have removed them and many more would have had them simply fall off through wear and tear. There were a number of different variations of the arm flag that were issued both for Normandy and during Market Garden. In Normandy they ranged from a lightweight cotton gauze material through to a plasticised fabric. As you say there was a removable flag printed on an arm band during Market Garden but as with Normandy it was only one of a number of differing flags that were issued.

Also Reinforced Jump Suits in large numbers as 82nd isn't very correct neither. But the odd thing is OD7 Webbing is completely allowed as pictures of the 82nd loading up for D-Day even though they are Black & White the webbing is distinctly darker.

Best advice i ever got was crack open a book hehe

Actually the majority of reinforced M1942 uniforms in the 82nd AB during Normandy is totally correct, I've seen very few pictures showing unreinforced uniforms in either of the 82nd or 101st. According the US Airborne historian Michel de Trez in his pre D-Day history "American Warriors" up the 90% of the M1942 uniforms across both divisions in Normandy were reinforced.

I do however agree regards OD-7 webbings, it stands out like a sore thumb even in black and white pictures, the "Khaki Nazis" must be resisted!!

Well personaly i would never pay money for an american flag of any sort, i know its innacurate but hey

Reinforced or Unreinforced Jump Suits depends on unit. Some did some didnt. But the idea behind it was good hehe. Learnt their lessons from Italy.

Infact if you do 504th your M42 is good for Market Garden but thats another can of worms hehe.

Well personaly i would never pay money for an american flag of any sort, i know its innacurate but hey

Well there is that dude!