What did the Band of Brothers wear in Bastogne?

What did the Band of Brothers wear in Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge during the winter of 1944?
In this episode of WW2 Wayfinder I take a look at the M43 uniform and some of the equipment used by paratroopers and glider infantrymen of the 101st Airborne during their time on the line at Bastogne durng the Battle of the Bulge.
It won"t cover every piece of uniform or equipment (it would be a huge episode if it did and I could only bring what I could carry!) and it also won't discuss the weapons used - there are already scores of videos on KZbin about that by people who can demonstrate them in action and that can also have a negative impact on my channel due to KZbin guidelines! Just know, I would if I could!!!!
#bastogne #easycompany #bandofbrothers #battleofthebulge #history #ardennes #wwii #ww2 #ww2wayfinder #paratroopers #101stairborne #101stairbornedivision #germanyarmy #snow
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[@jmace1957]

My father joined the line as a replacement rifleman in Luxembourg as the Bulge was starting to be collapsed. Until the end of his life, he talked about how cold it was. He said he broke into a woodsman's shed and stole a pair of thigh length felt boots (waterproof) as he was in foxholes in the snow that had a foot of water in the bottom. He said the Germans would shoot anyone captured while wearing non-uniform clothing, but he said he would rather be shot than to get rid of those boots.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

They no doubt saved him from a bad case of trench foot! Glad he made it through all of that and I still can’t comprehend how they survived against the weather that winter let alone the Germans. Thank you for watching.

[@chdnorm]

That was one thing my grandfather always mentioned, how cold it was. According to him, they carried blocks of TNT inside their coats, to be able to blow a foxhole in an emergency. The ground, being frozen solid.

[@jeffreycler495]

My dad was with the 35th div 137th regiment. He told me the biggest problem during the Battle of the Bulge was frozen feet . Trench foot that could result in amputation.

[@anarchocyclist]

No one cares. We're here for the video.

[@jmace1957]

@@anarchocyclist Yet here you are, reading the comments.

[@georgeharsin6292]

The amount of research that you put into your videos is remarkable. Went to Bastogne, Dachau, Berchtesgaden, and Normandy a few months ago and watching your videos beforehand gave me a better understanding of what I was seeing. Thank you.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad the episodes have been able to help! That trip certainly sounds like an epic one!

[@Loiyaboy]

I went to Bastogne in 2020 and I agree with you 100%

[@jeanineking7311]

Yes, I agree. Fascinating

[@bobleicht5295]

In regard to the Corcoran boot, Bill Mauldin did a cartoon of two officers eyeing a worn-out airborne soldier in some town; caption said “It’s best not to talk to paratroopers about saluting; they always ask where you got your jump boots.”

[@WW2Wayfinder]

His work is excellent and I think I’ve got his book somewhere. And he wasn’t wrong about the paratroopers! Thanks for watching 😃

[@2104dogface]

Back in the day with E/506th living history unit at the annual Battle of the Bulge reenactment at Fort Indian Town GAP, PA , We had many of the org Troopers from Easy co and a few other units attend the event and hang for the saturday night Prop Blast Bash in the barracks. They would check us on our kit before we went out at time. for example my squad was about to go Walking Out in our M43's Wild Bill comes over looks at us and says "wear r your belts?" then he comes over to me "now Sarg, every trooper in my squad had german belts knives and pistols , and we wore them around base to scare the newbies" w/ a smile. so we scrambled to get some of the items and went back to have him look us over. Bill gave us a smile "Now your looking like we did" then he added "don't forget your swagger, as he lifted his beer with a smile.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Wow! That must have been amazing! I can just imagine Wild Bill doing that! What a cool experience to have had!

[@2104dogface]

@@WW2Wayfinderalso him an Babe would get me to try to out drink them, but as i was the taste tester for the prop blast i was already doomed to loose. as they took turns coming up to me to down a beer. made for some epic hang overs

[@TheReckoningBeginsToday]

My grandfather was at Bastogne. He pulled a long wool coat off a dead krout. Cut the sleeves of and wore them on his lower legs as gaiters. Pulled his reguler m43 over the krout coat to not get shot. It worked. He made it.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh wow! That was a great idea and one I would never have thought of! Thank you for sharing that and glad your grandfather made it through it all!

[@bostonrailfan2427]

gotta do what you gotta do and that was pretty damn smart!

[@TheCatBilbo]

Truly excellent video, as ever. The problem with cold is when you're stuck in it for days...weeks, with no prospect of relief. That saps morale very quickly & you struggle to do anything other than exist. You can endure if you know that in 'X' hours you'll get warmer, have a fire, hot food & drink, dry clothes etc. The poor guys so often didn't know & endured awful conditions - plus, the prospect of having to fight for their lives.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! And you’re absolutely right. It becomes a mental and physical battle just to survive let alone do anything else. I have no idea how they managed it. I’m just glad they did!

[@TheCatBilbo]

@@trex860 What an amazing honour to meet him - the veterans are a small & rapidly dwindling band, so we must take opportunities like yours. I only wish my Grandfathers were still alive, both WW2 veterans in the British Army. Yes, humble is the usual for these people - I'm not a hero; I was only looking after my mates; I did what anyone would do etc. Tells you everything you need to know about who they are.

[@OldMusicFan83]

I went to US Army Basic in 84. It amazing how close my equipment was to the gear issued 40 years earlier. Steal pot, web gear, canteen and cup & e tool. Only difference was BDUs, ruck and M16A1

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I’ve heard guys who joined the British Forces in the 80’s. Some even had pick axe handles to use as clubs while on exercise 🤣

[@OldMusicFan83]

@@WW2Wayfinder The MPs at our site in Berlin carried ax handles. One was marked thumper, ha ha.

[@gmb858]

My uncle was 101st Airborne 506 Charlie Company- one of the "battered bastards of Bastogne." The Airborne had participated in Operation Market Garden and were headed back to Paris for R&R after 6 months of front line battle, including a trip back to London. They were still in their "summer clothes" without heavy winter gear or provisions. They were low on ammo, low on rations and low on energy. Ordered to divert to Bastogne, the winter storm locked them in from receiving air support. I asked him if they felt desperate. He replied, "no, we knew there were 4 million Allied on the ground in Europe and it was only a matter of holding out." He didn't go deep into the stories but said that guys were improvising in the defense of the town. He spent his 19th Christmas (he had lied to enlist) in Bastogne drinking a cold cup of soup and eating a wafer. He smoked his last cigarette that day until the skies cleared and the planes parachuted supplies to the town. He said he still remembered, 50 years later, how cold it was and remembered sleeping in 6 inches of snow in a foxhole.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you so much for sharing that. It's hard to imagine now the hardships they went through that Christmas defending the town. Your uncle and his buddies will always have my enduring respect for everything they acheived there.

[@fazole]

From reading 101AB vet, Don Burgett's excellent book, "Seven Roads To Hell", the troopers were actually given wool overcoats to wear to Bastogne, but were then ordered to leave them behind because they would interfere with movement. Another soldiers account tells of his feet freezing and getting trenchfoot because the boots absorbed water. No one had or seemed to know about putting dubbing compound on the boots. Trenchfoot was a huge problem in the US sectors of the ETO.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thats an excellent book and one I haven't read for the longest time. Sadly never got to meet him but I know many who did and they all said he was wonderful to speak to.

[@cyndiebill6631]

I get the layerings. I do it everyday in the winter. I’m a farmer so I know how cold it can be when there is snow on the ground. Great video. Thank you.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks for watching! Layering is so simple but definitely a really effective way of keeping the cold out isn’t it! I’ve done long distance marches in the Ardennes in February wearing this kit and the uniform is quite effective although I still wouldn’t want to live in it for weeks on end in a foxhole wearing it. Those men were cut from a different cloth to be able to do that!

[@cyndiebill6631]

@@WW2Wayfinder That’s for sure. I’ve done winter camping but I had a nice warm sleeping bag and heavy duty tent to keep me warm.Would not have made it without them. These guys were definitely cut from a different cloth.😃

[@nonamesplease6288]

I just discovered your channel a short time ago. I'm glad I did. As a living historian, I appreciate the research and the investment of time and money that goes into presenting us with examples of the articles of clothing and equipment the men actually used and the travel to historic sites. Keep up the great work!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you and welcome to the channel! I’ve done a fair bit of living history in the past and any excuse to get my kit out and make it relevant where I can! What unit do you represent?

[@nonamesplease6288]

@@WW2Wayfinder I was American Civil War. I belonged to the National Regiment, 96th Pennsylvania Volunteers. The NR still exists but, alas, the 96th has been gone for several years.

[@garychiuminatto917]

My dad was in the battle of the bulge. Your discription of the boots matched his with one difference. He said they were rough leather, like suede on the outside. Maybe they were supposed to get some kind of waterproofing to treat them with but dad said they didn’t get any and the boots just sucked up the moisture and consequently froze on you feet. My dad had frostbite on 3 or 4 of his toes. He didn’t loose them, but he blamed the boots for not being waterproof.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Absolutely right. Without the waterproofing on them they were useless in anything other than dry, mild to warm conditions sadly. With the rough leather they were more akin to a desert boot than one needed for NW Europe.

[@chrispig7748]

This is the best channel for this subject, you put the viewer right there in the field with those guys.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! That’s very kind of you to say so! Hopefully it gives a good appreciation of what those young men had to endure in terms of the weather when they’re were dug in around Bastogne!

[@brakel8r]

Legit. You and SNAFU docs ...I gotta tell ya that the passion and appreciation of the US Gi you both express is very much appreciated. My Grandfathers and great uncles would be very grateful. Have a Merry Christmas🤙😎🤙

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! The team at SNAFU Docs are amazing guys and there work is outstanding. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas too!

[@ThomasDrehfal]

Probably the best and most thorough description by item of their kit that I have ever seen - Bravo!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@91Redmist]

As we say here in the US, to use a baseball term, you "hit that one outta the park." Very well done and super informative. I really do look forward to seeing what you have in store with your uploads! That said, I love the M43 jacket. I have an M65, a derivative, in woodland camo. Not sure how far back my item was issued. I bought it surplus and wear it every chance I get. It's great on 50F temperatures and with the button in liner will make you sweat bullets on the coldest days if you're not outside. I love it to death and get compliments all the time from others. I'm in my 50s and they'll probably have to bury me in it! :)😂

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I’m a huge fan of the M43 jacket, it’s just got such an iconic look to it and you can’t definitely see where the M65 got it’s inspiration from (I’m sure that’s the one John Rambo wears in the first movie?)

[@91Redmist]

@@WW2Wayfinder I believe the M65 is Rambo's jacket in the first film.

[@jeffreygunn3530]

The M65 was first introduced in 1965, of course, but only in OD. The woodland camouflage version wasn't around until the mid-'80s, a couple of years after the BDUs came out. We continued wearing the green jackets with BDUs for quite a while.

[@91Redmist]

@@jeffreygunn3530 didn't know that the olive drab jacket was still in use after the BDU shirt and pants came out. Thanks!

[@jeffreygunn3530]

@@91Redmist Uniform changeovers always take several years. They set a date when you have to have a certain number of the new one, and a later date for when you can no longer wear the old one.

[@afewminutesofhistory]

Fantastic video as always mate. Unbelievable research and videography. I’ve been cold in the military, but I can’t imagine how cold it was in December’44 wearing that, and having the Germans shelling you!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks bud! Amazing isn’t it to think those lads on both sides had to battle not just each other but also the utterly applying weather conditions. How any of them made it through those temperatures is just beyond me.

[@afewminutesofhistory]

@@WW2Wayfinder Absolutely mate, I think that’s often one of the overlooked factors about the winter, it really isn’t just the enemy you’re battling!

[@ukasz-zm9qc]

@@afewminutesofhistory In December 1944, the temperature was around 0°C most of the time, and in the initial period of the Ardennes offensive the temperature was above zero, so it was not as cold as you think. More frost came in January, but also warmer periods, as usual at this time of year.

[@fazole]

​@ukasz-zm9qc Christmas 1944 was very cold. There is film of Shermans sliding across glare ice like sleds. The first days had little snow, but it got progressively colder, especially during the long, foggy nights.

[@stephenarno2032]

My dad was a combat engineer in france Belgium Luxembourg and then Germany and his best friend was in the battle of the bulge.his friend had shrapnel in his body until he passed sometimes the pieces would work their way out of his body on their own greatest generation

[@WW2Wayfinder]

They certainly were the Greatest Generation. Always humbling to think of what they achieved and what they went through post the war

[@gillianshort9125]

Very interesting. I’m pleased to see the uniform was improved. Enjoy your trip.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@huntclanhunt9697]

A common thing troops did (and still do) to prevent the canteen from freezing is putting it inside their jacket.

[@ianfisher7360]

Putting it into the pouch upside down also gives a better chance to have water available.

[@user-dj3mn4pq8r]

Thoroughly enjoyed that, and a really useful and informative aspect of the Battle of the Bulge to hear about.

[@larryburwell8550]

great and accurate description of the field gear. ive collected these items for years. thanks for sharing.

[@michaeld9731]

This was a very interesting and well-done video, (IMHO). Thank you for sharing your knowledge and your equipment. My Dad was in the Battle of the Bulge and, when asked about the experience, he would always emphasize how bitterly cold it was. That cold he experienced was one of the reasons he moved to California after the war!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome. I get the impression that for those veterans who made it through that battle that experience of the cold never really left them. Hard to imagine how any of them did it.

[@marthaterhune9821]

Congratulations on over 100,000. Well deserved.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Was a very welcome surprise last week to hit it! Never expected it when I started 18 months ago!

[@firstcitytraveler]

Another very informative video. There are no other vloggers who do as much research as you do. Great work.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I just hope it helps to add a bit of context to shows like Band of Brothers which has been seen by so many, so it contextualises what’s seen on screen. Plus having done so much living history in the past I always enjoy dragging my kit out when I can!

[@bluedogreddogstumpy5868]

Yet another extraordinarily fantastic presentation! Thank you so much for your wonderful channel.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome! Thank you for taking the time to watch as I really appreciate it!

[@MrSlitskirts]

Great clip and subject. A possible solution ref water freezing in the canteens is that as they were made of metal they could be heated up on a stove (portable stove, like a hexamine stove or similar) to melt the water inside. Then either drunk directly or used to make coffee (poured into the canteen cup). Since water bottles have changed to being made of plastic this can no longer be done if operating in a cold climate.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Very true! The American canteen was defiantly able to withstand that treat as was the cup, as long as you had gloves to handle it of course! Thanks for watching

[@nuancolar7304]

Snow boots and overcoats were what was missing. Regardless of whether the Germans attacked on December 16 the division should have been issued more cold weather gear well before this battle. This is especially true for the 101st since it was not actively deployed prior to the Battle of the Bulge. What better time to get supplies in order. As it was, they had to go with what they had and headed into Bastogne dressed like it was September. Some wartime footage of this battle shows some other units wearing the snow boots and long wool overcoats, which would have made sitting in those frozen foxholes a lot more comfortable.

[@The508ranger]

I’m just 25 min North of Bastogne now. Cheers mate! 82nd ABN GWOT vet 2nd Gen 82nd 508th PIR Red Devil

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Nice! I’m here too but further up north. Actually filming lots of 82nd content this week!

[@CEngineering-pv8uw]

Picked up a used but in excellent condition, authentic M1943 field jacket (dated 1945) with hood, at a garage sale in 2022 for $15. Size (34) was perfect for my son. It is one of the finest made garments i'd ever seen, and such a classic design.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh wow!!! That is an absolute bargain! Love finds like that! Well done!

[@BigTrain175]

The field jacket I was issued when I joined the Air Force in 1973 wasn't much different that the M1943 shown here.

[@rebelscumspeedshop]

My uncle George was in The Battle of The Bulge. He said he couldn't get warm "Fer Nothin!". He said he didn't feel warm again until April. He came home in September of 45 and moved from NY to Florida in 1946 and never saw another snowflake for the rest of his life.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I don’t blame him! I would have done the same I think! I’m always amazed at how those young men made it through that winter.

[@bettylaselli2048]

I really admire your great work! Thanks for sharing ❤

[@bettylaselli2048]

First comment lol 😊 greetings!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome! Thanks for watching and I hope it gives an idea of what those men of the 101st had available to them when they were rushed into the line around Bastogne in December 1944!

[@jeffculp2912]

Thank you so much for what you do to bring us all this amazing stories. And the uniforms they wear it's just really cool to learn what the warriors when though in the war.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome! I’m hoping to do some more in the coming weeks!

[@emmgeevideo]

Holy cow... Outstanding research and excellent presentation. I learned a lot. Very interesting. Thank you!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@SteveMrW]

Thanks for doing this video, I really enjoyed it.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks Steve! Was fun to film but certainly brought it home just how hard it was for those men to fight the elements, let alone go into battle against the Germans on a daily basis!

[@greggriffin1]

Great vid with so much history, thank you very much

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@troykauffman3963]

Absolutely great episode and great information. Thank you 🫡.

[@bettylaselli2048]

Yeah! Excellent content ❤

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@michaeldean1289]

Hi Jon Very interesting and informative video. A lot of people are probably unaware of the uniform types, especially the 2 piece design of the M1 helmet. Not really much different than from what I wore in the Australian Army in the early 80’s save for the webbing which was what they used in Vietnam. Thanks for sharing another great WW2 story ❤😊

[@WW2Wayfinder]

My pleasure! The M1 helmet system was ahead of its time I think and the scenes in the film Battleground is the only time I can really think of where I’ve seen it so well depicted.

[@cyberleaderandy1]

​@@WW2Wayfinder interesting that they had several types of liner materials and manufacturers though. From the "fibre" type to the moulded plastic ones. The collecting and identifying of helmets is a hobby all on its own 😊

[@michaelayers3998]

@@WW2WayfinderI agree. My dad brought home his helmet liner (among other stuff) from WWII and it was of course a wonderful plaything for me as a kid. But I was always confused about it, because although he explained what it was, I never saw it depicted anywhere on the screen (TV or movies) until I realized that Van Johnson was wearing his liner as he was cooking his eggs in his “steel pot” in the movie “Battleground”. I’d missed it the first time or two I saw the movie, but once I noticed I felt vindicated-I finally saw the liner in action! Thanks for a great video; this kind of well-researched presentation really hits home, because the accuracy with which you cover the topic honors the subject and gives us a clear sense of the experience our fathers and grandfathers went through 80 years ago. It’s much appreciated!

[@BigTrain175]

@@michaelayers3998 Since Johnson is portraying a glider soldier he is wearing the standard M1 helmet and liner. Paratrooper helmet liners had additional webbing and a chin strap to help keep the helmet on during a jump.

[@Nyllsor]

really itresting episode! thanks!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@darrenmerritt2744]

Fantastic video, thank you

[@chettbohangles9986]

Well done thank you for making it!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

No worries, glad you enjoyed it 😃

[@wavy.m3]

just found this channel and i am straight up binging all your videos! love the way you present the stories. going to normandy with my father soon and I'm going to use these as references when we're exploring! keep up the great work!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Welcome to the channel! Hope you have a great time in Normandy, it’s such a wonderful place to visit and the connection with the past there will be incredible! Trust me you’ll be hooked and one trip there won’t be enough for you!

[@ncwoodworker]

Great preparation and presentation for this video. Thanks for sharing.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@irishmarine3]

I don't know how you could dislike this video, expert attention to detail. Great work!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@robmisener2786]

Great descriptive video. Thanks!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@jamesross1799]

Absolutely brilliant and informative again mate 👍 i look forward to your next film. Best wishes. James.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks James! Next one will be one from the northern shoulder of the Battle of Bulge!

[@chris.3711]

Recently, to honor those who had passed, Wreaths Across America came to our local veterans cemetery. The temperature was about the same as it was in Bastogne. I wore my WWII kit and even while being used to this weather, my legs and feet were miserable and I was only outside for about 2 hours. It would have been utterly miserable to be out there for the entire Battle of the Bulge.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

It’s amazing isn’t it how quickly the cold zaps the heat and yet we could go inside to warm up yet for the majority of those men they had to tough it out for days or weeks on end. Always amazes me the toughness and determination that generation had. Thank you for watching!

[@jaymacpherson8167]

Excellent that you chose an environment the soldiers would have endured in which to present.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I definitely got lucky with the snow fall! Certainly brought it home that after a couple of hours in it the cold was starting to set it! I have nothing but the upmost respect for the men that had to endure it for weeks on end.

[@danielbeck9191]

THANK YOU for this excellent video!!! I have learned quite a bit.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome! Thank you for watching!

[@danielgiusti6649]

Really cool episode thank you !

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@roland.j.ruttledge]

Great job, fascinating stuff, many thanks.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome! Thank you for watching 😃

[@xxlxpman]

My father was at Bastone, I have a photo of him standing with the elderly couple he billeted with on Dec. 24th and 25th.

[@alantoon5708]

Excellent, as always.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@stevepritchett6563]

Excellent and informative video, thank you 👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@thenoworriesnomad]

Excellent as always.. 👍👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@dtaylor10chuckufarle]

Outstanding! Excellent and detailed research on the subject along with spot on photos and videos to show your points. Bravo Zulu from the Colonies. 🗽

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Although I think the snow stole the show in this one!

[@dtaylor10chuckufarle]

You are very modest, Old Boy!@@WW2Wayfinder

[@foxtrotromeo25]

Great episode!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@hangin-in-thereawesome4245]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video as my dad had 5 brothers that fought in WWII!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it! Do you know what units they served it at all?

[@johnsteele2986]

A lot of the features of jump boots turned out to be a bit of a gimmick. We jump in all manner of boots today and none of them resemble jump boots. The 11th Airborne and the 503rd PIR got along just fine with canvas leggings in the pacific. Photos of the 503rd jumping on Corregidor show them in a mix of Leggings, double buckle and jump boots. Mind you they were undoubtedly the best boots on offer in WW2 and led the way to most armies adopting high leg boots the world over.

[@HugeSweetTea]

just stumbled upon your video, outstanding research. i will be subscribing.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Welcome to the channel!

[@pb68slab18]

My Dad was in the artillery. He had frost-bitten toes from the BOTB. He had the latest boots, but some officer who didn't ordered him to trade with him!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Sorry to hear that, and what a bad officer to order one of his men to do that!

[@rsfaeges5298]

Nice to hear that so much of their kit was good!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

To be fair most of the equipment the allies had was very good, given the time it was made and the materials and production techniques. It always amazes me the Germans stuck with leather for so much given the time and cost to manufacture items. Good thing they did of course as it all helped cripple their wartime economy!

[@33rdusa]

Another detailed and informative video. And "field testing" it in the snow goes above and beyond the call of duty!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Was definitely one of those days I just had to get out there and do it with such a perfect backdrop! Also was a good reminder of just how cold it was in and around Bastogne but at least I could go in doors and get warm and dry! Brings it into stark focus when you think those men had to tough it out for weeks on end like that with very few chances to warm up!

[@duanelawrence78]

Thanks for sharing this great information about all the things they did uniforms and equipment God bless you brother!!✌️🇺🇲

[@WW2Wayfinder]

My pleasure!!

[@mikemiller5052]

I was in the 101st for a couple of years in the early 80s and our kit wasn’t much different from what the video shows.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I think a couple of others have commented in a similar way! The British Forces in the 80’s were too far removed from their wartime counterparts either! I think it’s really only been Iraq and Afghan that have seen huge changes in equipment and uniforms, for the better. Thanks for watching!

[@bostonrailfan2427]

@@WW2Wayfindersimilar base load-outs, the difference between then and the 80s was the harnesses: ALICE replaced the earlier straps attached to belts system in use for decades. ALICE got replaced by MOLLE in the 2000s so even better load-bearing capabilities

[@jbellos1]

Very well done. Only things missing - the M1, the ammo bandoliers, and maybe a grenade or 5. Lol. Nicely done, thanks. My Dad was 99th ID 393 IR, 1st Bn, B Co. on the North shoulder of the Bulge, face to face with the 6th Panzer Army and 276th Volksgrenadiers, 16 Dec 44

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I was at Lanzerath yesterday looking at the I&R of the 394th! I would love to be able to have the complete array of weapons but KZbin gets weird about it so it’s knowing what to show and sadly what I can’t get away with (if I had my way I’d have an M1 and all the associated gear!)

[@neilwilson5785]

Great video, thanks!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you liked it!

[@rtk3543]

Excellent, thanks 👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome, thanks for watching!

[@paulp7365]

Nicely done and very informative

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@Mrbumbons1]

Great description!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@frankmarullo228]

This video is awesome my friend ! THANK you Frank from montana......

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome Frank! Thanks for watching and hope it gave you a bit of an insight in to what those young lads endured in the Bastogne perimeter during that very cold winter!

[@jasonmaccoul]

As always, great attention to detail. Very informative. Your skillset should be utilised by anyone making a WW2 movie.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I just hope it helps to show just how tough those men who went into the perimeter around Bastogne had it.

[@johnbar1]

good job mate, great video

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@jhernandez8830]

very good information. enjoyable to watch.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tomw324]

Excellent program. Remember getting some slightly later era army winter gear from surplus in the 70s. Well designed and although heavier than the nylon and gortex jackets then in vogue, a lot more comfortable and the material breathed much better. Did just fine with my army jacket and liner on the coldest snowy days.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@peterhulse1064]

As a teenager I was digging around in my parents garage and found my dad's buckle boots from WWII. He let me wear them until they wore out. Now I wish I had set them aside to go with his uniform. Oh well.

[@whiggins101]

I just found this channel, and very impressed. This answered a lot of question about their kit. Thank you for the most excellent information. I wonder what did their ammo load look like? I've read they carried much less than a modern soldier.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Welcome to the channel! Normally for the ammo they’d carry as standard 9-10 enbloc clips (8rounds per clip) if using the M1 rifle. Plus 2 bandoliers each with capacity for 5 enbloc clips. However, Carbine and Thompson would be different and I’m sure they tried to cram as many into pockets as possible!

[@BigTrain175]

@@WW2Wayfinder Riflemen who carried the M1 "Garand" usually wore the cartridge belt that held 10 enbloc clips.

[@m1m3rmedia]

Top notch as usual. Got a complete '42 uniform, now I'll use this video as a guide when getting a '43 as well.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh nice! The standard issue 42’s are my all time favourite I think. Always thought they looked smart but functional all at the same time. Feel free to drop me an email if you need any advice on the 43 uniform too. I’d recommend WWII Impressions or At The Front for the trousers as size wise original jackets pop up on eBay often enough and prices are fairly sensible

[@m1m3rmedia]

@@WW2Wayfinder How much of your kit is original?

[@matthewwilkes8054]

102k great work Jon... Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉🎉 keep the great content coming

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks mate! Been quite the journey over the past 18 months!

[@matthewwilkes8054]

Did you have a goal in mind when you started...

[@matthewwilkes8054]

Well you should feel very proud... Growing your channel with great content and knowledge and the hours of research you must do is brilliant

[@giljeep]

vidéo très détaillée et clair, bravo et merci, and merry chrismas!!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you and a very Merry Christmas to you too!

[@simonrooney7942]

Merry Christmas Jon- great story - stay warm

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Merry Christmas to you too!

[@ronaldlucas5360]

Enjoyed the video

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@celticnorthman3615]

Nice solid review!!!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@BigTrain175]

I am a WW2 reenactor. Specifically a 101st paratrooper and your video is right on.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@mikemerritt1756]

Great video

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@behindthespotlight7983]

OUSTANDING. Sharing on twitter

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh that you!

[@michaeldbhawker3556]

Well done sir. Very well presented. I subscribed.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you and welcome to the channel 😃, I’ve got lots of Battle of the Bulge content to come over the next few weeks so hope you enjoy those episodes!

[@timothyfinn905]

very interesting, good job, thanks.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you liked it!

[@ncwoodworker]

Love the deep snow too👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

The snow definitely stole the show! But really brought it home to me how tough those men had it during that winter trying to survive outside in it! Thank you for watching.

[@llq4ever309]

Great Grandfather Palmer Beaver Davies stormed Normandy, fought in Africa and Sicily, and the battle of the bulge. Truly the greatest generation of men. God bless these men and anybody who has served. Thank you. 🫡🇺🇸

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you and I’m grateful for your grandfather service!

[@the-primered-thumb]

Great video mate 😉👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@garygoins2280]

This is an excellent video. As a point of interest (to me at least) my father fought in the Battle of the Bulge with the 551 PIB. He had shoepacs which were not mentioned here. This does not take away from the video at all. Keep up the great work!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! As I type this I’m near to where the 551st PIB fought during the Bulge! Sadly I don’t have any snowpacs in my collection (yet) but yes many did have them fortunately!

[@ukasz-zm9qc]

@@WW2Wayfinder Rather, you are referring to the Overshoes that were commonly supplied to soldiers in the 1st Army sector. Shoepacs were at that time much more common in the 7th Army sector in Alsace and the Vosges because, unlike other armies, supplies were sent to it from the port of Marseille. Soldiers received them already in November, while in the 1st Army they appeared in larger quantities in January 1945. By the way, although I already knew almost everything you said in this video, as a collector of M-43 jackets, I watched it with pleasure because interesting way of presenting and wonderful winter scenery in the background. I will be waiting for such videos about uniforms and equipment.

[@garygoins2280]

The 551 had taken part in Operation Dragoon. That is probably why my father and others in his unit had shoepacs.

[@ukasz-zm9qc]

@@garygoins2280 Come on. One has nothing to do with the other.

[@pyronixe]

I just looked up the boot you mentioned. It is 250 USD for the CORCORAN HISTORIC 10" SOFT TOE JUMP BOOT. They are really nice looking.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

When I first bought mine they were 100 GBP! Got to love inflation… They often come up for sale second had via eBay fortunately so if you do want a pair I’d keep an eye on there to see if you can find a bargain!

[@mikeburch2998]

That was a really great video and demonstration. Well done. Greetings from Arizona.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@mikeburch2998]

@@WW2Wayfinder You deserve it. You put a lot of effort into that.

[@sleepingninjaquiettime]

I can't believe it took the military 60 years to get rid of the dumb side pocket on the pants right next to the knee. If you have anything in those pockets/pouch while you're running it just slams into your knee repeatedly. The first time I seen the military change this was on duel mission with SF guys in 08. I asked them if they wanted to trade pants but they just looked at me like I was a weirdo.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Crye definitely got it right with their combat pants moving the pockets to the rear of the upper thigh to prevent that, plus all the other cool features they added like integrated knee pads etc.

[@sunnindawg]

Excellent

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@Calligraphybooster]

As a regular outdoor camper in these parts I would have loved to hear a critique on the performance of this kit under winter conditions…

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I’ve slept out in it, in below freezing conditions and it’s chuffing cold!!! The wool overcoat definitely helped but as I’m sure you know when your cold outdoors and can’t have a fire, trying to warm up can be a near impossible task.

[@Calligraphybooster]

@@WW2Wayfinder thank you! -and oh yes…I know!

[@huntclanhunt9697]

Another thing: the 101st was ordered to remove their Screaming Eagle patch at Bastogne to try and trick the Germans into not realizing they were up against an elite unit. The fear was that, if the Germans knew they were elite paratroopers, they wouldn't be willing to risk encircling and bypassing them... But if they thought it was just stragglers they would be more likely to try and just go around. At the end of the battle, right before the breakouts, they put the patches back on. There's also a lot of cases where men refused to take the patch off, and the officers don't seem to have enforced it particularly well. The HQ companies also didn't bother doing it. Also, a lot of men who did take them off didn't get them back on in time for the attacks at Foy and other areas. As for helmet markings... A lot of replacements didn't get helmet markings, and one of the regiments never had any because they were transferred from another division and joined the 101 only a week before DDay. They were never given a card symbol for their helmets and kept that as a tribute to their parent division (82nd, I think).

[@BigTrain175]

The four infantry regiments of the 101st were 501st PIR (Diamond), 502nd PIR (Heart), 506th PIR (Spade) and the 327th GIR(first and second battalions) plus 401st GIR (first Battalion) combined (Club).

[@Weptek911]

Great video and thank you for the American AND British pronunciation of Aluminum and ‘aluminium” :-)

[@WW2Wayfinder]

My pleasure!

[@davidstoddard9160]

I was a member of the 101st Airborn Division in Viet Nam, and I actually have a brand new pair, maybe worn a couple times and they are the actual paratrooper Corcoran boot . So my boots are now 50 years old, but of course look brand new.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh cool! They’re now worth a bit of money with collectors!