Hi mates
Finally I found a correct collar insignia for my 2nd .lt parachutist in the Salerno landing. Now it is complete.
In the early stages of the Salerno landing the military situation deteriorated with each passing hour as German tanks and infantry forces tried to push the Allies back into the sea.
On standby at airfields in Sicily, the 1st and 2nd battalions of the 504th were alerted, issued parachutes, and loaded on aircraft without knowledge of their destination. Receiving their briefing aboard the plane, the men were told that the U.S. Fifth Army's beachhead was in danger and they were needed to jump in behind friendly lines. Flying in columns of battalions, they exited over the barrels of gasoline-soaked sand that formed a flaming "T" in the center of the drop zone. The regiment assembled quickly and moved to the sounds of cannon and small arms fire within the hour. By dawn, the unit was firmly set in defensive positions.
The days that followed were, in the words of Lieutenant General Mark Clark, commander of the U.S. Fifth Army, "responsible for saving the Salerno beachhead." As the 504th (minus 3rd Battalion) took the high ground at Altavilla, the enemy counterattacked and the commander of U.S. VI Corps, Major General Ernest Dawley, suggested the unit withdraw. Epitomizing the determined spirit of the regiment, Colonel Tucker vehemently replied, "Hell no! We've got this hill and we are going to keep it. Send me my other battalion." The 3rd Battalion, held in reserve, then rejoined the 504th, the enemy was repulsed, and the Salerno beachhead was saved. Colonel Tucker and two of his men were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for their actions at Altavilla.
The operation secured the flanks of the Fifth Army, allowing it to break out of the coastal plain and drive on to Naples. On 1 October 1943, the 504th became the first infantry unit to enter Naples, which it subsequently garrisoned. The operation was not only a success, but it also stands as one of history’s greatest examples of the mobility of the airborne unit: within only eight hours of notification, the 504th developed and disseminated its tactical plan, prepared for combat, loaded aircraft and jumped onto its assigned drop zone to engage the enemy and turn the tide of battle.
As you can see the american parachutist in the first combat launches is very different from those from Normandy onward ... He had not the classical reinforcements of the jumping suite and very often He wore an early M1 helmet, not M2 D-bale. He didn't wear the arm divisional badge but had a first pattern american flag in its place. Almost always he had a mix of equipment of the first and second world war, especially favorite was the WWI rifle belt, because It was felt more comfortable for the possibility to integrate the pistol pouches. Finally he wore the Training Gas Mask M1A1 for its small size.
Last edited by zip3120 (23-04-2016 17:45:48)
Offline
Very nice display Marco.
Offline
Very nice Is everything original? Lots of items that would be nice to see close ups of if so, such as the jacket, pants and helmet! What would be the difference in appearance from units that landed in Africa during Tunisian campaign other that regimental markings?
I notice that you have the early leather scabbard M-3 fighting knife. Weren't officers usually carrying an M-1 carbine with the .45 automatic pistol?
Barron
Offline
Hi Barron
yes I believe that everything is original.
Jacket and pants have been bought from the MUSEE NATIONAL DES PARACHUTISTES E.T.A.P. in PAU (FRANCE) and the jacket has yet the property mark of this museum #1412. The label in the lower right pocket unfortunately is washed out and the waistband is missing.
The helmet has a shell made by McCord Radiator with an early lot number “380” and fixed bails to hold the chinstrap. The strap attached to the shell is in olive drab #3 and has the typical early war raised bar brass buckle.
The high pressure liner has been made by INLAND in 1943. It has the early war alu unpainted A-washers and a sweatbands with partial leather. (Afterwards INLAND modified these liner to create the specific early paratrooper high pressure liner).
all these features are for an early helmet correct for the Salerno landing.
I know that M-3 fighting knife and .45 automatic pistol were common in all parachutists ranks
Last edited by zip3120 (23-04-2016 23:54:13)
Offline
I am not an expert...but looks superb !
Offline
Very nice! Thank you for the close ups! Are there any manufacturer tags in the pockets of the jacket or pants? Have you looked at my early jacket (in enemy of the DAK category) with tag in pocket but no insignia? Barron
Offline
yes as I said there is a manufacturer tag in the lower right pocket but unfortunately it is completely washed out.
You have to know that the jacket has an evident trace of the applied insignia as you can see clearly in the pic. It was an 82° AD insignia. The original first pattern flag has been sewed by me over it. ( I know that in Italy campaign paratroopers before dropping had to unstitch the eventual badge and to sew the flag ).
here is a pic of the tag. It has been taken on the dummy.
Here are some original period maps, all dated 1943, correct for the Salerno dropping. They are contained in the M1938 map case, I like to complete the mannequin with original period items.
One is American and three are British.
I have just see your jacket, very nice....
I have another paratrooper complete, jacket and pant. The jacket has its original 101° AD insignia.
Last edited by zip3120 (24-04-2016 19:19:21)
Offline
Awesome! Great to see the manufacturers tag and the appropriate maps! Thank you! Barron
Offline
Hi Barron
thanks for your comments..
tell me if you want more close ups of other items of this mannequin. I will be happy to do it.
Ciao
Marco
Offline
Wonderful and expensive items ! just Bravo
Offline
Grazie Seba
I am very happy you like it, this is one of my best mannequins.
Offline
Superb
Mark
Offline
Grazie Mark
Offline