Sicily
-Coat and Trouser, Parachute Jumper, M1942 (unmodified)
-Boots, Parachutist
-Belt, Web, Waist, Enlisted Mans, M1937
-Undershirt, Cotton, Summer, Seeveless, OD
-M2 Parachutists Helmet with OD #3 helmet net with 1/2" holes
-Pistol belt, M1936, with Rigger Pouches (OD #3 or OD #7, with Lift-the-Dot closure)
-Suspenders, Belt, M1936
-Canteen Set, M1910
-Shovel, Entrenching, M1910
-Bag, Canvas, Field, OD, M1936
-Training Gas Mask, M1, with M1 Training Mask Bag
Standard Normandy Equipment and Impression, both with Tie-Style Rigger Pouches and Cartridge belt. Although the Sergeant's uniform is not mock-impregnated with CC2 to replicate the anti-gas protection that all Normandy uniforms were treated with, the Private's uniform is, making it darker, stiffer, and to have splotches of a waxy white substance. The vast majority of M1942 Parachutists Uniforms were such treated for the Normandy invasion, and an article will be written on how to replicate this. Also note how the Private's left cuff is painted with a replica gas detection paint. The 505 for Normandy did not use the paper poison gas detection brassards that other units used, instead using gas detection paint meant for vehicles. This paint is also sometimes seen on helmets.
Battle of the Bulge
Same as Holland, with the addition of:
-Overcoat, Wool, Melton, OD, Roll Collar, 32 Oz
-In addition, bare helmets with no nets becomes prevalent
-Trousers could be Reinforced or Unreinforced M1943s, wool trousers,or HBT trousers
Germany and Occupation
The M1943 uniform is still the most prevalent. However, wool trousers instead of the M1943 trousers are often seen as the outside layer.
Class A Uniform
-Coat, Wool, Serge, OD, 18 Oz
-Shirt, Flannel, OD, Coat Style
-Trousers, Wool, Serge, OD, Light Shade
-Boots, Parachutist
-Necktie, Cotton, Mohair, Khaki
-Cap, Garrison, OD, with Blue Piping, with Enlisted Man's Combined Airborne Cap Patch
A Note on Helmet Markings
-Non-Commissioned Officers wore a horizontal white stripe on the back of their helmet, while Officers wore a vertical white strip on the back of their helmet. -In addition, especially in Normandy, Officers rank was frequently stenciled onto the front of the helmet in white.
-Regimental and Battalion helmet markings on both sides of the helmet varied as the war progressed. In North Africa, the Rampant Lion is seen, but the exact unit attributed to the marking is still being researched. More commonly, a black Cannonball is observed for 3/505 in Sicily and Italy, and does show up in Normandy photographs. There are several types of Cannonball markings that have been observed, including: plain, with arrow, with cloverleaf, with star, and with rampant lion. It is unsure what the significance of the additional markings within the black Cannonball is; it is assumed that they denote specific companies or sub-units. The cannonball was chosen because of the nickname of the 3rd Battalion Comanding Officer; Ed "Cannonball" Krause, so named because of his rough-and-tumble attitude. After Normandy, the practice of Battalion/Regimental helmet markings diminishes significantly.
This page is for listing the basic equipment of a United States Paratrooper in the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment during World War Two. Uniforms and Equipment changed through the war, and those changes will be listed below.
Note- these equipment setups are for a Private armed with the M1 rifle.
Italy
Same as Sicily
Holland
-Jacket and Trouser, M1943. Trousers had the addition of thigh pockets and leg ties.
-Shirt, Flannel, OD, Coat Style, Special
-Trousers, Wool, Serge, OD, Light Shade, Special
-Undershirt, Winter, 50% Cotton, 50% Wool, White
-Drawers, Cotton, Special, or Drawers, Winter, 50% Cotton, 50% Wool, OD
-Belt, Web, Waist, Enlisted Mans, M1937
-Boots, Service, Combat. Boots, Parachutist were also used.
-M2 Parachutists Helmet with 1/4" OD #7 helmet net (British Made)
-Belt, Cartridge, CAL .30, M1923, Dismounted.
-Suspenders, Belt, M1936
-Canteen Set, M1910 or M1942
-Shovel, Entrenching, M1943
-Bag, Canvas, Field, OD, M1936
G Company, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division (Reenacted)
Normandy
-Coat and Trouser, Parachute Jumper, M1942 (modified with elbow and knee reiforcements, as well as lower jacket pocket and thigh pocket reinforcemetns, and leg ties. Uniform was also gas impregnated with CC2)
-Shirt, Flannel, OD, Coat Style, Special
-Trousers, Wool, Serge, OD, Light Shade, Special
-Undershirt, Cotton, Summer, Seeveless, OD
-Undershirt, Winter, 50% Cotton, 50% Wool, White
-Drawers, Cotton, Special, or Drawers, Winter, 50% Cotton, 50% Wool, OD
-Belt, Web, Waist, Enlisted Mans, M1937
-Boots, Parachutist
-M2 Parachutists Helmet with OD #7 helmet net with 1/4" holes (British Made)
-Pistol belt, M1936, with Rigger Pouches (OD #3 or OD #7, with tie-style closures), OR Belt, Cartridge, CAL 30, M1923, Dismounted
-Suspenders, Belt, M1936
-Canteen Set, M1910 or M1942
-Shovel, Entrenching, M1910 or Shovel, Entrenching, M1943
-Bag, Canvas, Field, OD, M1936
-Assault Mask, M5, with M7 Gas Mask Bag