Page 26 - All About History - Issue 29-15

USA

THE

M1HELMET Anatomy

HOW TO STAY HEADSTRONG of
This headgear was standard
issue for the US military since
World War II. The helmet’s hard
lining and hefty weight earned
it the nickname the ‘steel pot’ AMERICANGI
and it wasn’t unusual for troops
to customise them with peace
signs or playing cards. While
theJokermeantgoodluck,the VIETNAM WAR, 1964-75
AceofSpadeswasassociated
with death.

BODYARMOUR

NOT JUST ANY ORDINARY JACKET
Loaded with ammunition pouches M16RIFLE
and grenade hangers, flak jackets
also provided some protection. These A HIT-AND-MISS WEAPON
zip-up vests could withstand case
What was meant to be a lightweight, low-
fragments from explosive weaponry,
maintenance successor to the M14 rifle
such as grenades and projectiles, but it
caused serious problems for soldiers. The
was by no means bulletproof.
M16 needed to be meticulously cleaned
otherwise it jammed, leaving troops
unarmed in the heat of battle. Confidence
in it was low, but some modifications
eventually improved performance.
SMOKEGRENADE
SENDING STRONG SIGNALS
If you’ve ever watched Apocalypse M26HANDGRENADE
Now and wondered where the AKA THE ‘LEMON GRENADE’
billowing coloured smoke came
from, it’s the M18 grenade. Used to The successor to the Mk 2 did
mark landing zones and casualty- away with the ‘pineapple’ exterior –
pickup points, it was available earning its new citrus-y nickname
in red, green, yellow and violet, – and featured a smokeless fuse
but the colour actually beared no mechanism to better conceal the
significance. Interestingly, the green soldier’s position. When thrown,
smoke was found to drive away the resulting blast would impact
swarms of bees in Vietnam. a 15-metre radius; if it didn’t kill
the enemy, it would cause serious
psychological damage.

UTILITYTROUSERS

DESIGNED FOR THE JUNGLE
JUNGLEBOOTS The trousers were made from wind-
THESE WEREN’T MADE FOR WALKING resistant material that was lightweight
and quick drying – ideal for the jungle
Thestandardall-leatherbootsproved
environment. Two large pockets hung
uselessinthejungleenvironment
from the sides and they came with leg
and rotted away. More than just an bottom drawstrings called blousing
© TheArtAgency(Jean-MichelGirard) as trench foot). They were replaced with crawlies at bay.
inconvenience,thiscouldleadtoanasty
bands, which would keep the creepy
infection known as jungle rot (the same
canvas footwear that dried quicker, and
featured a steel shaft in the sole to shield
against booby traps.
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