M43 Uniform Question

Why not just add pockets to your M43 trousers?

http://www.wwiiimpressions.com/riggershop.htm#Pockets , Cargo, 82nd/101st Abn style

Or get someone to make you some, if that's too expensive.

Because i haven't been able to find any until now and you have become my favorite person for today

Question still stands though as i would very much like to know.

Were there any units that wore the M43 Jacket with the plain M43 trousers?

As far as I'm aware the M43 was issued to replace the M41 & M42 uniforms, the plain M43 trousers would have been issued to infantry, the ones with extra pockets to airborne, and at a similar time the jump boots & roughouts were replaced with buckle boots, the idea being to standardise uniforms across the different units.

It's not that simple Pete. The M43 trousers in the plain style without pockets are almost unknown in NW Europe in combat photos. Most men stuck with their wools and the HBT trousers.
Conversly they seem quite common in Italy.
Yet again what might seem logical and obvious is not what went on in theatre.

Were there any units that wore the M43 Jacket with the plain M43 trousers?

As far as I'm aware the M43 was issued to replace the M41 & M42 uniforms, the plain M43 trousers would have been issued to infantry, the ones with extra pockets to airborne, and at a similar time the jump boots & roughouts were replaced with buckle boots, the idea being to standardise uniforms across the different units.

Not 100% sure but dont think that the M43 trs with cargo pockets were an "issue" item but rigger modified std M43 trs?????

Usually by the tonal difference and wools do not crease and fold in the same way cotton does. It's the same with German tunics, wool or HBT?? Often the softer creases in the wool is the only clue.
It's not 100% but it does give you a clue.
Vet reports and various publications which have done the research into QM reports and shipping numbers have been reviewed over the years. The accepted lore is no M43 pants in NW Europe for the infantry. I'm sure some did get them and wore them but they are not easy to find.

So for the sake of acceptability on the skirmish field, if i put some gaiters on over my corcorans, changed my shoulder flash to something like 1st Division for example and popped on a doughboys pack would that be okay as an Ardenne based loadout?

Yup.

Sweet

...although they wouldnt be wearing gaiters with jump boots.

i have 'the gi in combat' northwest europe 44-45 next to me, and every infantryman wearing the 'liberated' jump boots arn't wearing gaiters with them.

and in the ardennes most of the guys in the 101st wore the arctic overshoes. well. whoever could get hold of some.

and i read somewhere that in the ardennes late market garden period m43's without cargo pockets had to be issued due to shortage.
from that i guess that cargo pocketed m43's were issued?

but i can imagine that some 101st guys wore the torusers without the pockets, some even kept their old m42's and jump boots.

What you said....

...although they wouldnt be wearing gaiters with jump boots.
i have 'the gi in combat' northwest europe 44-45 next to me, and every infantryman wearing the 'liberated' jump boots arn't wearing gaiters with them.

And what he asked

So for the sake of acceptability on the skirmish field, if i put some gaiters on over my corcorans, changed my shoulder flash to something like 1st Division for example and popped on a doughboys pack would that be okay as an Ardenne based loadout?

ah.

didnt see that bit

but still, i can't see why you'd want to wear them if you dont have to.

they're a bloody pain in the arse.

Maybe because it's cheaper than buying multiple pairs of boots?

I was just thinking of the gaiters so that i looked less airborne if you know what i mean. I figured that with the trousers over the boots and gaiters over that it wouldn't look too bad. I already have a Doughboys pack and figured that with these few changes to my existing loadouts i'd look more regular infantry than airborne.
I'm trying to have as much variety as i can without spending much money if possible.

I'm trying to have as much variety as i can without spending much money if possible.

Aren't we all? Corcorans with leggings over the top look like the service boot anyway and more than adequate for skirmishing in. I've fallen foul of the "multiple pairs of boots" trap and I've got more WW2 shoes than I have for work or casual wear! The chances to wear them are few and, if I'd thought about it, like you have, I'd have saved a packet!

Thanks for the advice, it's not the cheapest of hobbies is it. The less the wife knows the better

:sarcasm: Maybe because it's cheaper than buying multiple pairs of boots?

i was saying that he doesnt have to buy gaiters. making it about £15 cheaper

and one with infantry wearing jump boots.1945 febuary 29th infantry div.

from gi in combat 44-45

kit list of this guym41 jacket, m43 trousers and jump boots. and to me he doesnt look like someone in the airborne -- attachment is not available ---- attachment is not available --

Interesting picture. Squaddies will be sqauddies, no matter what army, or whatever time period and will always try to get their hands on gucci kit.

Thats cool, thank you. Really need to buy more books on the period