VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, [3], 4 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 08:21:27 12/24/03 Wed
Author: TomClegg
Subject: Re: Helmet Markings
In reply to: S Cassady 's message, "Helmet Markings" on 06:39:53 12/23/03 Tue

Helmet markings were, in the 505, "unofficial" and therefore not a matter to which the regulations pertained. Therefore to reconstruct the appropriate marking, to the helmet or any other piece or type of material culture, to an appropriate time one must consult the photographic records.

Please realize there are far more photos of 505 troopers wearing unmarked hemets than marked. None the less the battalion markings do change throughout the war.

In interviewing veterans I have discovered these sorts of "unofficial" things were very much a means of giving or evidencing the "spirit" of a unit. The kinds of things to instill pride prior to or just after an operation when the boys had a little time on their hands the officers and NCOs knew to direct those energies towards good stuff...like tribal rituals or "pep" rallies. Here's where the markings are made, given, etc.

Since the campaigns differed both in character and in company, battalion and even division strength and numbers of replacements it is no surprise the symbols would change. It is easy to understand Sicily and Italy veterans not wanting "just anyone" to have their rampant lion on his helmet...so the changes and it is even easier to understand combat veterans not wanting occupation troops wearing their jack of diamonds, cannonballs and etc.

So pick a time period and stick with it, buy three or four helmets or go without any markings.

Hope this helps and Merry Christmas,

Tom

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[ Contact Forum Admin ]

Forum timezone: GMT-8
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.