THE CORRECT AND INCORRECT WAY OF WEARING THE US D DAY m26 LIFEBELT

[@historicmilitaria1944]

The co2 cannisters didnt auto inflate,the soldier had to press the arrows printed on the belt which would send a wire into the alloy cannisters,piercing them and inflating the belt.

[@WorldWarMilitaria1942]

Thanks for the demo CJ.

[@4192362]

I believe What Price Glory in the USA did make a repro of the M1926 lifebelt for a short while. As mentioned though, most in the UK are original.

[@SomethingAboutRightAngles]

I’m currently watching saving private Ryan and they did indeed use these inflatables. In the scene where the camera hovers over the body of one of the Ryan brothers who died on Omaha beach, you can see an inflated one around an ammunition crate beside the dead Ryan. So it was used at least once from what I saw but not for its proper intended use.

[@ChrisfurrsMilitaria1941]

Nice demo CJ. I've got one and it still does inflates by the mouth piece

[@historicmilitaria1944]

Very nice

[@steelhelmetstan7305]

It's plain to see how the soldiet thought it was easier to put it around their waste....poor fellas that died like that...without firing a shot🤔

[@historicmilitaria1944]

Yep,chances of first wave assault survival were minimal....you either got shot in the landing craft...blown up in the landing craft....shot in the water while in lifebelt.....drowned in lifebelt....and that's before you set foot on dry land!