Did you know:
When the US Army landed in North Africa, among the equipment brought ashore were 3 complete Coca Cola bottling plants.
M1 Long Bayonet
The bayonet is a long knife attached to the end of a rifle, it was invented in the 17th Century in the French town of Bayonne. It was originally ment for providing an infantryman with further offensive abilities in an time when rifles required extensive loading procedures, but soldiers still use it today for close combat.
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M1928 Haversack
The haversack was first developed in WWI and the WWII version is very similar to the earlier model. The haversack was used to carry the shelter half, blanket, rations, long bayonet, raincoat, and personnel items. The addition of the carrier at the bottom of the haversack extended the capacity. Haversacks were carried by armored infantrymen and were usually attached to the sides of the halftrack.
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M1910 Entrenching Tool
The M1910 entrenching tool shovel is made up of a curved iron head with a wooden shaft attached, ending with a “T” shape handle. The shaft and handle are held together and re-enforced by a riveted metal frame.
The entrenching tool was held to the belt by means of placing the head of the shovel into a cover made of khaki colored heavy canvas, following the contours of the iron head. On the bottom of the cover, there is a strap attached. This passes around the shaft of the shovel and back onto the cover, passing through a small buckle thus holding the head in place. On the back of the cover, the familiar hook attachment is to be found.
Many paratroopers shortened the shafts of these tools to make them more compact and to avoid damage on landing.
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M1938 Wire Cutters and Pouch
The M1938 wire cutter was issued to every branch of the armed forces. This tool was particularly useful to cut a way through barbed wire and other wire based obstacles. This tool was widely used during the invasion of Normandy. The pouch could be attached to a utility belt or a bandoleer.
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Booby-Trap Wires
Booby-Trap wires were used to set up a trap, usually one was set at foot level in order for the enamy to trip over the wire and set of the trap. Usually these wires were linked to granades or mines.
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Private Issue Pocket Bible with Metal “Heart Shield”
I Pocket Bible usually kept in the front pocket in front of the heart. The cover of the Bible was metal in order to protect the user from a bullet to the heart.
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Bandolier and M1 Clip
Used to carry ammunition and other miscilanious items. The M1 clip is spare ammunition for the M1 Garand Rifle.
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M1 Cleaning Tools
Used to clean the gun. A clean gun is important because it prevents jamming and/or any other gun malfunctions
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M1910 Canteen
The M1910 canteen consists of two stamped Aluminum halves welded together along the sides and bottom. The neck is fixed into the canteen body and is fitted with a threaded neck. The 1qt flask has a screw on aluminum cap. The cap is slightly domed and has a cork gasket inside and is knurled around its sides. It is attached by a small chain, which is fixed to the center top of the cap and to a post located on the neck of the canteen. The flask is somewhat ovoid in shape with a depressed side to help with its fit against the hip while worn on the belt.
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M1936 Pistol Belt
T The M1936 pistol belts were made of thick webbed material. They had three rows of eyelets in them. The top row is designed to take the M1936 suspenders, the center row is used for adjustment of the belt itself and the bottom row is used for various pieces of equipment, such as a first aid pouch, holster, entrenching tool, etc. There was a two-part buckle, one part fixed, the other moveable, which allowed waist adjustment. At the left hand side of the buckle, a female section of a press-stud was found. This was designed for use with either the M1 carbine or the .45 pistol magazine pouch so that they could be securely attached to this position. Both these pouches have the male part of the press-stud.
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