Page 376 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

374 AIRBORNE FORCES ◀ M2 PARATROOPER The airborne helmet had a

1914–1945 UNIFORM AND KIT HELMET D-ring chinstrap holder and a

spray-paint camouflage, applied
Date 1942
by its owner. The “Gingerbread
Origin US
Man” was the emblem of the
World War II witnessed an expansion in the
Material Steel
509th Airborne Battalion.
use of parachute-equipped troops. The strength of
ARS airborne formations was their strategic mobility, chinstrap holder “Gingerbread Unsprayed collar US identification badge
but once the paratrooper landed he became a
heavily burdened infantryman, lacking both tactical
D-ring
mobility and firepower. Miniaturized motorcycles
Man” emblem
ORLD W and simple folding bicycles were used to improve operations)
(covered during night
his capability but had limited success. Light mortars
and shoulder-launched anti-tank weapons, used by
conventional infantry, provided the paratrooper
THE W with portable “artillery.”
▶ M1942 JUMP JACKET
spray-painted at unit level.
Date 1942 The olive green jacket was
The uniform was sprayed
Origin US
while on the body, the soldier
Material Cotton poplin covering his head with a
cardboard box. This left the
collar untouched by paint.

▼ JUMP BOOTS
Date 1942
Origin US
Material Leather, rubber, canvas Waistbelt
to gather in
The coveted status symbol of the bulky jacket
US airborne forces, jump boots
were designed for parachuting
safety, with reinforced toecaps,
internal ankle supports, and
a beveled heel to prevent
the heel from snagging on
the uneven aircraft floor.

Additional
support provided
by high-leg boot

Built-in Pockets double-stitched
canvas to prevent ripping
ankle when carrying grenades ▼ M1A1 CARBINE The M1 Carbine had already proved
support to be popular with soldiers who
Date 1942
Chromed leather Origin US needed a lightweight weapon. For
airborne forces, this special M1A1
1
Weight 5 ⁄4lb (2.36kg) variant was produced, complete
Rear sight Barrel 18in (45.7cm) with a folding stock for use during
parachute drops.
Caliber .3in

Heel beveled
backward

Detachable 15-round Wooden stock
box magazine

Folding stock