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U.S. Army
Camouflage Uniforms
Last Updated: August 29, 2008
Original photo. France, July-August 1944. Troops from 2nd Armored Divison with German POW's.
The US Army W.W.II Camouflage Uniform
Early in WWII, the Army developed two camouflage uniforms. They were made from HBT cotton cloth, printed with double-sided "Spring" and "Fall" color camouflage. (This was the same cloth used by the Marines for their P42 and P44 camouflage uniforms.) Both a coverall and a two piece jacket and trouser were produced. Unlike the uniforms made for the Marines, neither Army uniform was reversible. Both were green-side out. The coverall was quickly deemed too hot and clumsy to wear and was only issued in very limited numbers in both Europe and the Pacific. However, the two-piece uniform was more successful and was issued for troop trials in the summer of 1944. Unfortunately, the preponderance of camouflage worn by the Germans led to a large number of "friendly fire" incidents, and the uniforms were withdrawn around the end of August. A veteran of the 29th Infantry Division commented, "those guys should have known better than to wear camouflage like damned Germans. We shot the hell out of them." Apparently, troops in neighboring units were not advised of the "new" uniform being worn by their comrades and they reacted accordingly.
For the trials, most information indicates that troops of the 41st Armored Infantry Battalion (2nd Armored Division) were the primary recipients. Some evidence indicates that some units of the 2nd and 30th Infantry Divisons also participated. Lastly, several veterans of various armored battlions serving in France and Italy as well as a few units fighting in the Phillipines have reported that they were issued some camouflage uniforms. More details will be posted if we find any.
ATF's Army Camouflage Uniforms
These are excellent. We have spent 2 years developing and perfecting these HBT uniforms. These uniforms are contracted directly with the manufacturer and specific to our company. Since we can no longer acquire HBT cotton in the USA (the last mill was bought out by a company form India and closed down) these are now made overseas. However, we have been working closely with this company for 5 years and they know what they are doing.
Cloth: The cloth is specific to "our" US made fabric from 5 years ago. 100% cotton herringbone twill, with the "Army" weave. (Both Army and Marine Corps camo uniforms use the same cloth.)
Color: I finally found some original, unissued fabric with a "khakier" base color on the green side. This has been duplicated perfectly. These will never be considered too green. Yes, this is an "original" shade of US camo. Not some blithering nonsense I'm making up to explain away a screw-up. The comparison photo below is our new stuff against original WWII fabric.
There is no "one" shade of US camo. Among my originals I have 3 fairly distinct shades in the base color of the green side. It varies from "pea green" (like the "WT" material), to "pale green" (the most common and like our older US made material) to a "khaki-green" with a bit more gold or yellow in it. The latter is the most sought after by collectors; probably because it's closest to khaki. The pea-green shade also turns this same, more yellow color about 5 minutes after it copulates with dirt.
And, yes, our camo it has the right number of colors, 5 on the green side and 4 on the brown.
Comparison of ATF to original fabric.Pattern and Hardware: We used our patterns, so these are identical to our US Made uniforms in size and fit. The buttons were reproduced from original samples. The jackets have the correct "lipped" coffee colored buttons, specific to Army Camo jackets. Jackets and trousers have realistic spec labels.
Authenticity Notes:
RIGHT. Headgear with Camouflage Uniforms: The historcially correct headgear for this uniform is a steel helmet (plain or with a net), a jeep cap, or the olive drab HBT Cap. There was no specific or matching headgear made or issued with this uniform in WWII.
WRONG. Helmet Covers. For all intents and purposes, the Army did not wear helmet covers! Although one veteran of the fighting in Leyte (24th Infantry Division) reported that his unit did wear helmet covers, I have examined all the photos of the 2nd Armored Division soldiers wearing this camouflage uniform in Normandy that I could find (See Above). In none of them are any soldiers wearing matching helmet covers. I've looked at thousands of other WWII photos and have never seen Army troops wearing camouflage helmet covers. Nearly 100% of the troops were wearing helmet nets with scrim (burlap strips) instead. I don't know that they were NEVER issued, or that Vinny and Butch didn't filtch some from the Marine Detachment on a transport and wear them, but it appears to be very, very uncommon if at all. I realize that re-enactors have a tendency to mistakenly assume that "matching" was the fashion of the day and a very important aspect of a combat soldier's life...but. Army troops wearing a helmet cover is FARB. Just stencil "Meathead" across the cover in bright red 6-inch high letters to help introduce yourself. From all the research I have done and in accordance with conventional collector/ historian wisdom, helmet covers were exclusively a Marine Corps item.
WRONGER. Camo Caps: These were never made or issued in WWII. They are "Maximum Farb". The only reason we made them at all was that we had so many requests for "matching caps". It got so annoying, that for the first (and hopefully only) time, we acquiesced and made a fantasy item. These caps are fine to wear at your wedding, to a job interview or at Christmas dinner with the in-laws, but, like a helmet cover, wearing one for reenacting or living historically as an Army infantryman pegs the FARB meter. It just screams "Special"..."Education"....not "Forces".
The one exception to all this is the 11th Airborne Division which fought in the Phillipines. NOT NORMANDY. Several original tailor or field made camo caps are attributed to this unit and are referred to as "Swing Caps" after the commanding general of that division.
Did Marines wear these uniforms? No. Their camo uniforms are completely different.
If you are looking for USMC camo uniforms, Click Here.
Washing instructions
We recommend cold wash (machine or hand) and hang dry for all cotton uniforms. Although these uniforms will survive washing in warm or hot water and machine drying, such actions will speed up fading and decrease the life of the garment(s).
Note: Machine drying will result in highlighting on camouflage and canvas items. (Highlighting amounts to light streaks where the folds in the garment hit sides of the hot dryer.) We strongly recommend hang drying for these items!
SET,
Army Camouflage HBT Uniform
Jacket and Trousers
$125.00
Add helmet cover or cap
+$10.00
Authenticity Note: The only historically correct cap to be used with this uniform is the M1943 HBT cap.
Please check the availability charts below for current stock of sizes.
Button and Gas flap detail
Spec Labels
Army Camouflage HBT Jacket
The camouflage HBT jacket is very similar in design to the regular olive drab version. Two breast pockets, gas flap, and adjustable cuffs. The camouflage jackets also have hidden buttons and reinforced elbows. Our jackets are identical to the original, down to the specific caramel colored rimmed buttons on the placket. Spec label in pocket. Non-reversible.
Sizing: Just like originals, these are very roomy, being designed to be worn over the field jacket. Most jackets are 6 inches larger than the chest size. Army HBT's were 10 inches larger to allow for this. Europe is cold and wet. It's not Georgia or Alabama.Therefore, if you do not intend to wear a jacket underneath, you can order one size smaller than the chart states for a snugger fit.
Insignia? It now appears that insignia was sometimes worn. I just purchased an original jacket with rayon chevrons that appear to be period applied and have seen another with a 12th Armored patch on the chest which also looked to be done during the War. Both came from veteran's estates, but neither uniform appears to have ever been worn. The available original combat photos show no insignia being worn. My recommendation would be to wear none, but it appears that it did happen. Clear as mud right?
$65.00
Availability
Army HBT Camo Trouser
Matching camo trouser for jacket. Two cargo pockets, button fly, belt loops, and reinforced knees.
Non-reversible.
Authenticity deviation: Gas flap not included! I made a judgment call to throw authenticity out the window after a bit of personal experience. The damned gas flap is the most hateful and annoying piece of crap ever stuffed into a pair of pants. It's only purpose appears to guarantee that you will piss on your leg. If the lack of a wad of fabric that feels like a loaded diaper rubbing your giblets precludes you from having a successful "time warp" experience...sorry.
Sizing: These are not oversized. (This goes for ours and originals). The inseams are 34" which means most people will want to hem them, or roll the cuffs. Order your "normal" waist size.
$65.00
Availability
