D DAY US M41 & CANADIAN INFANTRY WW2

[@natfrog527]

The buttoned collar tabs instead of collar hooks are actually found on late war Canadian BD blouses. Earlier blouses (1943 dated, for instance) still have the British-looking collar hooks. By the way, great work, thanks for sharing!

[@militarymad2840]

Thanks for info I have never heard of the buttoned up type

[@RommelsAsparagus]

I've also noticed this as a feature on certain great coats and trench coats for very cold weather duty. You can pin the collar up.

[@deanbusch2727]

3 Canadian Division was issued with Turtle helmets for D-Day, there is also a slight difference in color of the uniform from Brit to Canadian. Great display.

[@militarymad2840]

Thanks I did know about the difference in colour of the uniforms but forgot to mention it ☹️

[@thehistoadian]

A bunch also used Mk.II helmets. Quite a mix of the two in photos

[@Irishpewtuber]

Excellent as always. Perfect impressions

[@militarymad2840]

Thanks 👍

[@RPMZ11]

Great work..Bless em all.

[@militarymad2840]

Too true it must have frightening to be there

[@robertsolomielke5134]

TY-MM for the great comparative views of allied battle dress. I like your channel.

[@militarymad2840]

Thanks never heard of that 👍

[@timmorrison4117]

The left end of the entrenched tool handle (that is strapped in under the pack horizontally) has a solid steel end that duplicates the shape of a No.4 Lee Enfield muzzle. The spike bayonet could be fitted on there, and the idea was that it could be used as a probe for landmines.

[@militarymad2840]

👍

[@darrengilbert7438]

Very nice displays.

[@militarymad2840]

Thanks it’s always nice when people give good comments makes it worth while

[@SgtMjr]

In contrast to Capa's ordeal and the unfortunate loss of most of his photos the Canadian Photo unit got film of the first wave landings, like the famous sequence of the QOR debarking from a landing craft, back to N America before anyone else. This was shown all over on newsreels in theatres and was the first D Day images the public saw.

[@militarymad2840]

War photographers are either very brave or very mad

[@BarnDoorProductions]

12:55 -- the voice of Colour Sergeant Bourne popped into my head. "Do that button up! Where do you think you are, lad?" 😀Nice video.

[@militarymad2840]

😂😂😂😂👍

[@WWIIUK]

Great video! Just a few small clarifications to share: The MkIII steel helmet was used on D-Day, not the MkIV, which was introduced in 1945. The life belt would typically be worn under the webb equipment, and the entrenching tool helve with lugs for the No.4 bayonet was introduced after D-Day. But othere than that it was an intersting video.

[@lib556]

Good point on the helmet. I thought maybe I was confused as I was fairly certain it was a mk 3. Fun fact: the mk 3 was issued to 3rd CDN Inf Div for D Day. The other divs were still using the mk 2 up to the end. The mk 3 was also issued to 3rd UK Inf Div for D Day and they landed on Sword next to 3rd CDN Div. When historians talk about "3rd Div on D Day... you know the one that was issued mk 3 helmets" one can rightly say, "which one are you discussing?" 13th CDN Inf Bde and 1st SSF participated in the Battle of Kiska prior to D Day and the Canadians in those 2 formations were kitted out with US M1 helmets. If I recall correctly, many Canadians in 3rd Inf Div landed on D Day wearing the experimental battle vest.

[@militarymad2840]

I knew about the life vest but I was struggling to make it work that way so left it like that and left the US one off all together for the same reason

[@edletain385]

We had one of the Mk III in the regimental museum labeled 'Third Division Assault Helmet'. Our regiment was still in Italy in the First Canadian Infantry Division, and were not transferred to NW Europe until after D-Day and retained the WW1 style helmet. Third Division would rag our guys about being 'D-Day dodgers' they would respond that that they had been in combat for a year in Italy while the Third was enjoying life in Aldershot. Soldiers always want to be better than the other guys.

[@josephinekush5056]

@@edletain385 The 1st Canadian Corps, which included the 1st Canadian Infantry Division, the 5th Canadian Armoured Division ("The Mighty Maroon Machine"), 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade & all support units was transferred under secrecy to NW Europe in March 1945, and no one called them "D-Day Dodgers" or made fun of them when they joined the 1st Canadian Army. The real issue was the "spit & polish" the troops, formerly of the British 8th Army, had to endure when joining the 1st. Even to the point of wearing the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal ribbon, which was not commonly seen in the Italian theatre. The troops from the south hated all of the rules & regulations imposed upon them when they reach NW Europe & it became a point of pride to ignore them whenever and where ever possible. Many refused to wear the CVSM ribbon. As a veteran, I can state that Canadians have always been "silly boy scouts" when it comes to such trivial matters. As a people Canadians are rule followers, not rule breakers. - Courtesy, G. Kush, UE,CD. Alberta, Canada. Past friend of the late author & historian Farley Mowat, Hastings Prince Edward Regiment.

[@lib556]

@@edletain385 Which regt/museum. I served in both the PPCLI and the L Edmn R - both 1 Div regts.

[@planes124]

The seams on the helmet were made rear seam by 1944 I believe, and they also started making the swivel bales late war because the fixed bales would sometimes break off and the rim would be made in manganese instead of steel during the later stages of the war If I recall , nice display mate and the service boot whilst sometimes used in combat they would be issued a second pair designated " Boots, Leather, type III, rough-out " which were the main service boots issued to most troops until they adopted the m43 boots with the bucket upper which replaced the need for the Gaiters that were very unpopular by troops and took longer to do up and undo.

[@militarymad2840]

Thanks for the info

[@militarymad2840]

It’s mentioned in the book I show in the video he actually took 106 photos but the technician in the lab dried the film to fast and only 10 survived and Robert Cappa died filming the Vietnam War when he stepped on a land mine

[@steelhelmetstan7305]

Cheers I didn't know how he died , great info 😊😊

[@warrenmilford6848]

He actually died in Vietnam in 1954 when the French were fighting there, before the US were involved.

[@derrickislander]

interesting , I have worn that Canuck outfit in re enactments .it is surprisingly well balanced , I would take the entrenching short spade and handle and strap it to my small pack so it is up high on the back , better balance , and I have pictures of troops wearing it that style .You need to add the ever present tin cup/mug to a pack strap! well done ,cheers

[@militarymad2840]

😂 yes forgot the tea mug

[@militarycollectables3945]

Apparently the dent in the top of the us helmet shell was deliberately done by the soldier to give the shell a flat stable area where it would not topple over if used as a wash basin. Really good vid,cheers

[@militarymad2840]

Thanks for the info 👍

[@stephenhicks7632]

Aha! My Modele 1951 French helmet has exactly the same big dent which I've puzzled over for years. Just got it out... it balances upside down perfectly. Great info.👍

[@militarycollectables3945]

@stephenhicks7632 a lot of people thought the dent was caused by bashing in tent pegs and the like,but nope,its to give the shell a flat base.

[@DavidRichards-z2k]

The Mark 4 helmet was still in service up until the mid 1980’s although the inner was changed to a much more comfortable one, I served in the British Army for 24yrs, I found in particular when Bergen’s were issued as a replacement for the 58 pattern large pack (we retained the 58 pattern webbing) that they were taller especially when fully laden there would be an issue when in the prone position of getting your head up & back to observe & fire your weapon!

[@militarymad2840]

Thanks for the info

[@tomdulski3729]

great work

[@militarymad2840]

Thank you it’s a pleasure

[@davedowling8469]

The Canadian assault troops wore high boots not ankle boots and they had a one piece vest instead of the 36 pattern webbing, similar to today’s load bearing vests. Some time after the assault they turned in the vest and were reissued the webbing.

[@militarymad2840]

You try and find the high boots and have you seen the price of the assault vests, not in my price range I’m afraid ☹️

[@davedowling8469]

@@militarymad2840 was only pointing out inaccuracies. I have no interest in wearing the uniform. I wore the uniform serving Canada for 22 years and served in several theatres.

[@panzerelite7750]

15:54 Wasn’t the biggest invasion Operation Barbarossa ? Great video 👍

[@militarymad2840]

Yes probably I should have said sea invasion 👍

[@jimmcclellan1269]

That is a WW2 Springfield 1903a3 rifle if you look on the barrel behind the front sight you will find a date code such as 6-43 for June 1943 besides that I enjoy your videos

[@brentwalters8921]

The rear sight type and blind magazine floor plate are dead giveaways it's a 1903a3. Post WWI

[@militarymad2840]

I know I do state that in the description of the rifle

[@michaeldowson6988]

The first wave landing at Juno had a casualty rate of about 84%. Second only to Omaha for risk level.

[@militarymad2840]

Thanks not something that gets a mention

[@josephinekush5056]

Canadian battledress was NOT a yellowish shade, it was green. It was of much higher quality than the British uniforms simply because Canada had more resources. Canadian battledress was highly favoured by British officers who wore it whenever they could obtain it & the blouses were often the subject of theft by British other ranks. After 1943, all Canadian soldiers on leave were permitted to wear their blouses open at the neck so they could wear neckties, but only black for other ranks. And black ties for the OR's became an army issue item. From1944 onward blouses could be worn open at the neck from 1 May to 30 September, when not on dress parade. But permission was discretionary. - Courtesy G. Kush, UE,CD, Alberta, Canada.

[@militarymad2840]

It was the webbing I said was yellow colour not the uniform

[@thehistoadian]

​@@militarymad2840I think the webbing may just appear more yellow since this set lacks blanco

[@robertsolomielke5134]

@@militarymad2840 True. Also much of the webbing was dyed to suit theatre conditions. Guessing yellow tint was the basic (issued) color.

[@Kreatorisbackyt]

Reason was Not the Resources as the industrial capacity of canada was not when 10% of UK Not it had any Huge resources The main thing was that Canada was far from War and had time to maintain the quality not just Mass Production

[@guymarcgagne7630]

The US equipment portrayed is not quite what the chaps would have been issued on D-Day, no troops landed with the Springfield rifle unless it was scoped for sniper use. The issue weapons were M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, SMGs were either Thompson or the M3 Grease Gun, so the bandoliers for the Garand 8 round clips would have been standard issue, or the canvas pouches for the SMG mags. Full marks for effort however, got to use what you have/can get. Well done, cheers

[@militarymad2840]

Thanks I do have a Garand but I’m using that in the next video about the M43 uniform so needed to get the Springfield in somewhere 👍

[@steelhelmetstan7305]

The american gas mask almost looks too modern to be of ww2 design....i wonder if it actually was better than say the British type(s). The US M1 helmet is a very recogniable design, and as you stated , loads of countries used a version of in the post war period. I saw the Robert Cappa exhibition in the imperial war museum 5 years ago, they had the actual photos on display....but oddly they didnt mention the account of the lab assistant over exposing a lot of the photos, i found this very odd as its a crucial part of the 'story' of D Day. I too have a MK4 dated 1945 and also a MK3 but the 3 is in a relic condition really. I didnt realise the difference in Canadian and British tunics, all i know is they must have been very uncomfortable when compared to the American clothing of the period....all that wool , especially when wet....anyway good stuff as always, cheers and all the best 😊😊😊

[@alexandercrichton3052]

Wool stays warm, even when wet.

[@michaelamos4651]

Think that must be a Mk 3 steel helmet. Mk 4s came after the war

[@dereckjtbear2175]

It's hard to comprehend how utterly unprepared troops were back WW1/2 with any protection even a thought But purely luck Or divine intervention you were a goner. It was basically kit to eat, hydrate dress minor wounds and ammunition &weapons.

[@militarymad2840]

Truely all down to luck

[@dereckjtbear2175]

@militarymad2840 Or bad.

[@Charles-k9g5y]

My understanding was that the parachutes of the Americans was not as good as the British

[@paulstreet9162]

The Commonwealth paratroopers had no reserve chute as the main was so reliable. Additional ammo and food could be carried instead.

[@billywatts4689]

Oh ay by gum

[@guillaumepare9651]

WHo the heck were using springfield on dday except snipers?

[@militarymad2840]

If you had listened carefully I am talking about what they had in 1941 and only said they were wearing the uniform on D Day I even said the gas mask bag was changed by then

[@paulgough48]

One regiment, I believe.

[@projektkobra2247]

Thank you for the using the REAL and ACCURATE flag of Canada, the Red Ensign in the thumbnail! Nothing peeves me more than when content creators use our new communist flag to show our military movements, like say on a map of Normandy, Vimy, or Korea!!

[@militarymad2840]

My friend who does the editing always does a lot of research to find the right flags 👍

[@morstyrannis1951]

Considering the Canadian flag will be 60 years old in two months, it’s hardly new. The red ensign only became Canada’s official flag in 1921. So it only had a lifetime of forty-four years. As for your communist comment you must be deluded.

[@projektkobra2247]

​@@morstyrannis1951 -Its new compared to the old better one.

[@timmorrison4117]

Communist? Really? What's the matter with you?

[@planes124]

Also I've read online that supposedly some ww2 veterans that went to see Saving private Ryan when it was released in theatres would either walk out or have severe flashbacks due to the graphic and very accurate depiction of the landings in Normandy during D-day.

[@militarymad2840]

It was very realistic 👍

[@stephenhicks7632]

Yep. That was widely reported when the film came out. I was in northern France that summer of 1998 and read the reviews. A very old local chap who had seen the film agreed about the realism... apart from one point which made me laugh. He said the Americans never walked anywhere if there was a tank or jeep or any motorised transport available. Obviously that's not true, but as a general observation it kind of fits in with my dad's opinion of the yanks he knew in ww2. "Scruffy, lazy buggers, but good in a fight."

[@RommelsAsparagus]

SPR was a great movie, especially the opening seen. Unfortunately in the movie the ramp obstacles are pointed in the wrong direction.