USMC Camo Airborne Jumpsuit ?

Mr Flibble, in his effective camo HBTs as 2nd Armored, and me, in my more-than-completely-useless-in-woodland M42s.

The flamethrower shot has been on at least one front cover, it's a classic WW2 colour shot. Even this small version shows the corner poppers, whatever he is wearing it isnt P42s.
These camo M42 style uniforms DID exist, they are not a fantasy uniform. They were not issued as far as I can see but they did exist.
Not much use to airsofters or re-enactors but handy for fishing?

I have found the picture in one of my books in the loft and while it covers half an A4 size page along the right hand edge it does not make identification any easier. I did also find a book entitled "Marine: US Marine Corps, Heroes of the Pacific War" by Ron Field. On page 50 when discussing uniforms is the following passage:

With the general introduction of camouflage clothing during late 1942 or early 1943, Marine paratroopers received a reversible camouflage smock. Probably never used in combat, it was also a step-in design, being fastened by six plain snaps, but retaining the horsehide elbow pads which in this case were sewn internally. On each breast was a flapped pocket, set 30 degrees to the vertical and on either lower hip a large, horizontal flapped pocket. All four pockets were closed by three glove snaps. A large internal cargo pocket, accessed either end by a flapped and zipped opening again set at 30 degrees to the vertical was let into the back.

There is more text on the matter of para camo smocks and it would appear that the USMC came up with around four different patterns on the theme between 1942 to 1945. My feeling is that the photo illustrates the smock described in the above passage given the mention of the internally sewn elbow pads, a photo in the book showing earlier pattern OD Marine para smocks shows the external elbow pads to be very prominent. While perhaps the USMC "borrowed" some details from the Army's M1942 paratroop uniform it would be incorrect to describe any of the USMC uniforms as an "M1942", yes there were USMC camo para jackets but they were of a unique Marine design. I also find it unlikely that the Corps would have acquiesced to their Marines wearing an Army designed uniform, (as they had had to do in 1918) a trait which has shown itself again of recent times when the Marines ditched the old cross service BDUs in favour of their own MARPAT some time before the Army adopted their ACU pattern.

The US Army did issue a Camo M42 Jump Suit on a very limited basis at Fort Bragg (I believe) but it didn't impress so was withdrawn from testing. Abit like the 2 Piece Camo HBT Set in Europe.

Was'nt there an idea of a pacific game next year or somthing ?

Yep dude, it's in the making. Gadge, Yith and I were discussing it earlier this year. Would give people plenty of notice so they could source their kit

Webby's got a comparison picture somewhere.

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The US Army did issue a Camo M42 Jump Suit on a very limited basis at Fort Bragg (I believe) but it didn't impress so was withdrawn from testing. Abit like the 2 Piece Camo HBT Set in Europe.

That may be the case but unlike the Marine paratrooper uniform I can find no reference to a camo M1942 in either my book collection or anywhere on the net. If you have a solid reference in a book or such like I'd be really keen to know purely on an interest basis, I love finding out about weird & wonderful or short lived ideas from those days.

I'm trying to remember where i saw it, when i remember will let you know mate.

But they are cool, i want one just for show hehe, same with a pair of Paramarines Boots that are rare as hens teeth.

Check out the Coverphoto of Uniforms Illustrated No.18 "US Airborme Forces of World War Two" (Arms and Armour Press,1987).

You'll find it is a camouflage M42 jump jacket and matching trousers on an official Signal Corps photo from 1944.
There is supposed to be one surviving example somewhere.
We can safely assume it does exist as a test/prototype, but was never used in combat.

Camouflaged Para-marine jumpsmocks I'd have to look into. I think there's is a picture of one in "From Doughboy to GI" from Ken Lewis

i don't think they did,flame throwers must of came with gliders or beach landing or supply drops.

Nice one Taffpara! That's the clearest example of that picture I've ever seen and there's no doubting it's an M1942. "Well done" to all those caption writers in the past who labelled it "USMC". As they say "it's a poor day that you don't learn something".

Nice one Taffpara! That's the clearest example of that picture I've ever seen and there's no doubting it's an M1942. "Well done" to all those caption writers in the past who labelled it "USMC". As they say "it's a poor day that you don't learn something".

Scanner is bust so had to take a pic but it came out ok

I dont give a crap if these are correct or not they look damn cool

Also before the internet days i used to get a catalogue from a company in the US around 15 years ago called US CAVALRY and amongst other nice looking repros they also made a camo jump suit-was too scared in them days to order anything from abroad.Will see if i still have one of their cats to post a pic up

Found a small reference to the USMC camo-jumpsmocks in Doughboy to GI, apparently it was the 3rd pattern of smock to be adopted, the 2nd with Camo.Haven't got the book here with me though

I believe the same picture of the M42 camouflage jumpsuit might be in the US Army Photo Album...alas, don't have it here either

nice work

its interesting to learn about these things. makes me even more tempted to buy one

Yer it would certainly be "different" any idea what units or who was actualy issued with them or was it just thoes who could lay their hands on them.

Was talking to Tug Wilson this afternoon.... he mentioned some "frog" camouflage that the US tried in Normandy for about 3 weeks - looked too much like Waffen-SS camo, so they were getting shot at by Brits, Americans and Germans!

That's an often repeated myth. The fact was that everyone was shooting at everyone anyway camouflage or not.
There are no known instances of deadly friendly fire concerning these uniforms, and cases of mistaken identity were no more then usual.

Several units of the 2nd Armored Division and the 30th Infantry Division got the M1942 Camouflage HBTs as a test at the start of Operation Cobra in July 1944. It was their first set of fresh uniforms since landing on D-Day + 3.
At the end of August / begin September it was time for another fresh set of uniforms and most of the Camouflage HBTs disappeared. There simply weren't any more to hand out, and the Corps of Engineers deemed the test completed.

Though I'll give you one case of exception.
A GI named Bohr, wounded in Normandy, accidently ended up in POW-hospital in England because of the camouflage HBTs.