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Don’t remember this!
- Thread starter johnwayne
- Start date
Shanghai-Mayne
Well-Known Member
Burt,
Months ago I found history pics from an old thread , which posted here like more than ten years ago.
And, Jack is very kind post them in this thread:
Shanghai-Mayne
Well-Known Member
Thank you Jack
Chandler
Well-Known Member
Believe is one thing, source(s) to corroborate?
I guess the question is why? Why would they all be issued A-2s?
I'm still leaning to the "midnight requisitions."
Chandler
Well-Known Member
Yeah, what's that about? Giving out the cool jackets to the Canucks?!
Oh yeah, midnight requisitions.
B-Man2
Well-Known Member
Seeing is believing… there it is in black and white . Hard to refute photographs. They stand up in court so……. I have to believe it.
First time I’ve ever heard of non coms and enlisted outside of the U.S. Army Air Force being issued A2’s . Now I think the question becomes if they issued them to those guys …. Why didn’t they issue them to enlisted and non coms in the 101st and 82nd ?
Anyone have more photos?
First time I’ve ever heard of non coms and enlisted outside of the U.S. Army Air Force being issued A2’s . Now I think the question becomes if they issued them to those guys …. Why didn’t they issue them to enlisted and non coms in the 101st and 82nd ?
Anyone have more photos?
Shanghai-Mayne
Well-Known Member
It’s more easier to find information about their specific needs gear, i.e. their parka, backpack or dagger.Believe is one thing, source(s) to corroborate?
I guess the question is why? Why would they all be issued A-2s?
I'm still leaning to the "midnight requisitions."
Chandler
Well-Known Member
That crazy little snow buggy.
Chandler
Well-Known Member
I don't refute them having the jackets (obviously), I refute issuing a flight jacket to (basically) ground troops.
I honestly think those guys worked the system because they knew the A-2 was too cool -- just like everyone who wanted jump boots.
Well hell, just like us!
Pa12
Well-Known Member
Don’t forget James garners character in the great escape was based on a Canadian. We’re sneaky buggersYeah, what's that about? Giving out the cool jackets to the Canucks?!
Oh yeah, midnight requisitions.
Here's the source you're looking for:Believe is one thing, source(s) to corroborate?
I guess the question is why? Why would they all be issued A-2s?
I'm still leaning to the "midnight requisitions."
Shanghai-Mayne
Well-Known Member
Burt,Seeing is believing… there it is in black and white . Hard to refute photographs. They stand up in court so……. I have to believe it.
First time I’ve ever heard of non coms and enlisted outside of the U.S. Army Air Force being issued A2’s . Now I think the question becomes if they issued them to those guys …. Why didn’t they issue them to enlisted and non coms in the 101st and 82nd ?
Anyone have more photos?
Most possible, FSSF commanders requested (fabric) waist high windproof jacket for parachute training /operation. QM unable to provide that, due to high product cost or low priority at manufacturing facilities (they only need 2000 pieces in total). Finally they get A2s , as it’s only item fulfilled their demand and available any time.
Late, that force never conducted any airborne operation, nobody needs waist high jacket anymore.
B-Man2
Well-Known Member
SM
This has been an interesting discussion. I’m not sure why the FSSF would need that particular type of clothing for training, as none of the other airborne qualified units or the airborne training facility at Fort Benning never requisitioned that type of clothing for training purposes but … I guess it’s possible .
Shanghai-Mayne
Well-Known Member
Burt,
US army created that force , for arctic warfare (at very beginning) plus they need insertion into their operation area with parachutes. As result army allowed them request what they thought it gonna work, and prove (and disprove ) that during training exercises.
Other paratrooper regts, they are not designed for arctic warfare, so army offer less budget for their garments requirement.
ShanghaiJack
Well-Known Member
I worked with an 1st FSSF Veteran in the mid-1990's.
He still had his size 36 Aero A-2 that he was issued,
(IIRC), at Ft. Harrison, MT.
He still had his size 36 Aero A-2 that he was issued,
(IIRC), at Ft. Harrison, MT.
Chandler
Well-Known Member
Okay. What does it tell us?
Chandler
Well-Known Member
"Issued." Off the back of an unmarked deuce and a half.
Chandler
Well-Known Member
An interesting item... of no particular reference to "issue," but still interesting:
www.rockislandauction.com
Identified WWII First Special Service Force Painted A-2 Jacket
Extremely Rare, Identified World War II First Special Service Force Painted A-2 JacketKnown as the "Devil's Brigade", the First Special Service Force was a joint World War II American-Canadian commando unit organized in 1942 and trained at Fort William Henry Harrison near Helena, Montana. The...
www.rockislandauction.com
Pa12
Well-Known Member
Very cool.An interesting item... of no particular reference to "issue," but still interesting:
Identified WWII First Special Service Force Painted A-2 Jacket
Extremely Rare, Identified World War II First Special Service Force Painted A-2 JacketKnown as the "Devil's Brigade", the First Special Service Force was a joint World War II American-Canadian commando unit organized in 1942 and trained at Fort William Henry Harrison near Helena, Montana. The...
