WW II Trivia
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:pdt40: :pdt40:

 

 

Thanks for the Promotion !!

 

Some trivia you may no know about the 101AB Div. Thought of this in a conversation about the Band of Brothers.

 

Its important to remember when we talk of E/Cos regiment that we get the Battalion correct. I was reading up on a website about helmet markings of the US Army during WWII, including the Infantry regiments that stormed the beaches. It was just as important, if not more important for E/co to have a Spade on their helmets as it was for them to have a Screaming Eagle on their right shoulders. However its not as simple as a Spade.

 

There were seven companies in their Battalion to be wearing the same markings, and then 2 more Battalions of the 506th to wear a Spade on their helmets, this is how it works.

 

We have the 501st PIR, of which there are three battalions and a HQ, their helmet insignia is a Diamond.

 

The 502nd PIR of which there is three battalions and a HQ, their helmet insignia is a Heart.

 

The 506th PIR, of which there is three battalions and a HQ, their helmet insignia is a Spade.

 

The 327th GIR (Glider infantry Regiment) of which there was three battalions and a HQ, their helmet insignia was a Club.

 

That was the 101st Airborne, but it still is not as simple as that, there were dots position around the insignia to signify what Battalion they were in and also the HQ.

 

HQ had the dot above the insignia, the 1st battalion to the right, 2nd battalion below (E/co would have that) and 3rd battalion to the left. It worked with all the PIRs and the GIR. When you watch BoB you should notice what I've said, especially when members of HQ come to visit E/co (like in bastogne).

 

 

Sgtleo :pdt34::pdt12:

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