509th PIB Uniforms in Ardennes Campaign
When the 509th PIB jumped into Southern France on 15 Aug 1944 they were well outfitted with M-1942 Parachutist Coat and Trousers and jump boots. The set they wore for the jump was spray painted with zinc chromate green and black in a criss-cross pattern. Many were modified with reinforcing knees, elbows and extra stitching that was unique to the 509. The second issued set was a standard unmodified set packet in their A Bag (Duffle Bag) that would ship over with the 509th rear detachment that would eventually become available to them later in the campaign. Additionally, there were many parapacks dropped during the invasion filled with jump boots and M-1942 uniforms as well as additional M-1942s that came with the rear detachment supply section for later issue. These would be the last M-1942s available to the 509th. Being highly prized and a unique mark of the paratrooper, the unmodified set was well cared for and used for stepping out when they finally got some Rest and Recreation (R&R) along the Riviera. As these uniforms began to wear out, the 509th began to receive and issue the new M-1943 Coat and Trousers as well as the new M-1943 Double Buckle Combat Boots. These uniforms were not unique to the paratrooper and so some resentment and resistance was to be expected. However, the M-1943 were in many ways an improvement. The uniform was a darker OD#7 Green which provided better camouflage, the sateen cotton has better water resistance, they were loose cut allowing room for the wear of wool uniforms and cold weather clothing underneath. There was also a hood that could be buttoned to the collar. The coat and trousers also had provisions to button inside pile liners for additional warmth. The M-1943 boots were not much of an improvement, the leather was rough side out which would absorb water creating problems with trench foot and frostbite. Boots had to be constantly maintained by applying boot dubbing to provide some modest water resistant protection. As replacements were assigned to the 509th PIB many showed up wearing the new M-1943s so by December 1944 the majority of the 509th was wearing the new uniforms. There was no hard fast command directive to switch to the new uniform so as long as M-1942s were available in their size they continued to be issued and worn. M-1942s continued to be worn by a few up until the unit was disbanded in March 1945. In the accompanying photos of the Ardennes Campaign you will also see an occasional 509er wearing a mix of M-1942 Coats with M-1943 Trousers and vise versa. Unlike the paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st, the 509th never modified the M-1943 Trousers with the addition of cargo pockets.
22 Nov 1944 - the 509th PIB received orders to move by truck and rail from Nice, France to Villers Cotterets, France. These 509ers are about to board 40 and 8s meaning they could hold 40 men or 8 horses per box car. They are all wearing M-1943 field jackets and trousers. Note trousers do not have any modifications. Some have five button wool sweaters and jeep caps. Two are wearing overcoats. there are a mix of the Paratrooper Boots and M-1943 Field Boots.
Late Dec 1944 - Capt. Winship and Lt. McCarthy center pose with B Company Officers. Lt. Knight stands in the back with the big mustache and still has his leather chin cup hanging off his helmet. He and another officer on the end are wearing M-1942 Coats, Parachutist while the officer of the end has Wool Field Trousers. The rest of the officers are wearing M-1943 Field Jackets with either M1943 Trousers or Wool Field Trousers. There are no modified trousers. Most have the M-1943 Hood under their helmet however the officer kneeling is wearing a Tanker Jacket and a Tanker Hood. Several have chosen to lose the Field Suspenders and all are carrying their Musette Bag on the shoulder strap across their body for easier access. One helmet can be seen with the Little Man in the Door unit identification marking on the side.
Dec 1944 - Capt. Howland, Lt. Darden, Lt. DeLeo are wearing a mix of M-1942s and M-1943s vicinity Sadzot, Belgium
Dec 1944 - Lt. McCarthy wears M-1943 Jacket with M-1942 Trousers and M-1943 Field Boots vicinity Sadzot, Belgium. Note the custom modified pistol and holster.
Dec 1944 - Cpl. Ed Wojcik, Communications Section is wearing the M-1942 Coat and Trousers and still wearing his French 3rd Zouaves Regiment Bedge on the pocket. His M3 Trench knife tucked behind his holster as was done by many in the 509th. Sadly, Cpl. Ed Wojcik would be killed in action on 28 Jan 1945 on the Last Patrol.
The 509th is pulled off the line at the end of December 1944 to rest and refit. During this time, the 509th acquires snow camo suits. Most were white bed sheets and matress covers modified by the locals. The white bed sheets got wet and dirty easily. They were fine to conceal yourself in the defense but were impractical in the assault as they restricted access to your equipment and could easily be stepped on when crouching or trying to do 3 to 5 second rushes. So they did not last long. The Britsh snow smocks and trousers were much better but limited in availability and you ran the risk of looking like a German in the heat of battle due to the Germans having a greater supply of white snow smocks and trousers. I believe initially, the British white snow smocks were issued to Officers but they appear in some cases to have been handed off to other paratroopers for use.
Late Dec 1944 after the battles of Parkers Crossroads and Sadzot - C Company 509th PIB poses with their newly issued field expediant snow suits in an attempt to provide some amount of camouflage for their next missions. Several are wearing the M-1943 hood under their helmets for additional warmth.
Lt. Mike Reuter and another officer pose in their newly issued British Snow Smocks. Note the weapon is also wrapped with a strip of cloth.
21 Jan 1945 - L to R: Lt. McCarthy, Lt. Reuter and Lt. Knight recon the area vicinity of Born, Belgium to prepare for the assault. Lt. McCarthy Is wearing the British Snow Smock with a uniquely modified pistol and holster, Lt. Reuter wears the British Snow Smock but no helmet cover. Lt. Knight with a non regulation oversized red mustache is still wearing his highly prized M-1942s
21 Jan 1945 - A Co 509th PIB vicinity Born, Belgium. Several wear cotton bed sheets or matress covers that have been modified to by locals to provide some white camo cut up sheets or pillow covers are used to make helmet covers. Note how dirty the sheets have become in a short time.
24 Jan 1945 - 509th PIB vicinity Born, Belgium. There are three 509ers wearing M-1942s and the rest wearing M-1943s with two wearing British white snow suits. All have white helmet covers.
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