Womens uniforms

What do we know about the topic? Mariea is interested to know a little about what the well dressed US ARMY woman might have been wearing back in 1944/45. It's mainly so she can put together a 'look' for the forthcoming visit to Normandy.

murph wrote:What do we know about the topic? Mariea is interested to know a little about what the well dressed US ARMY woman might have been wearing back in 1944/45. It's mainly so she can put together a 'look' for the forthcoming visit to Normandy.

I think this one may be for Ben to answer, and not because he wears women’s clothing lol!

Do you have the GI Collectors guide Ian?

Sam

Hi Murph,

As with anything, it largely depends on what she wants to portray. There are several options available, and each one has a different uniform regulation:

- Women's Army Corps (WAC)
- Army Nurse Corps (ANC)
- American Red Cross Volunteer (ARC)

You then need to decide on impression / time period. Female uniforms and equipment were almost as varied as the male soldier's.

Cheers,
Ben.

I think a basic warning order (in addition to one of us) for the forthcoming Normandy trip would be handy.

I'm kind of in the same boat, I've bought HBT's for Clare along with original M36 pistol belt, canteen/carrier and carlisle pouch/dressing... beyond that i need advice to complete her basic impression and of course guidance as to which impression the girls are doing???? easiest? simplest????

Jeanettes got a HBT shirt and two pairs of HBT trousers, be good ideas as you say that they all look the same -pistol bely, canteen, aid pouch etc. Benjamin? thoughts?

Johnny_Costino wrote:Jeanettes got a HBT shirt and two pairs of HBT trousers, be good ideas as you say that they all look the same -pistol bely, canteen, aid pouch etc. Benjamin? thoughts?

I don't think the ladies will take too kindly to wearing pistol bellies

Ben's Dad wrote:

Johnny_Costino wrote:Jeanettes got a HBT shirt and two pairs of HBT trousers, be good ideas as you say that they all look the same -pistol bely, canteen, aid pouch etc. Benjamin? thoughts?

I don't think the ladies will take too kindly to wearing pistol bellies

Tike!!

Well, easiest thing for a Normandy impression for the ladies is as Nurses with an Evac Hospital. I will post two separate Warning Orders in due course; one for the guys, one for the girls.

Cheers,
Ben.

BenM wrote:Well, easiest thing for a Normandy impression for the ladies is as Nurses with an Evac Hospital. I will post two separate Warning Orders in due course; one for the guys, one for the girls.

Cheers,
Ben.

Good man! I doubt very much the girls will have much interest in who/what they are portraying, but its important to us , and its key that they are all "uniform"....

(are we creating Stepford wives!!??)

BenM wrote:Well, easiest thing for a Normandy impression for the ladies is as Nurses with an Evac Hospital. I will post two separate Warning Orders in due course; one for the guys, one for the girls.

Cheers,
Ben.

Cheers Ben!

Johnny_Costino wrote:Good man! I doubt very much the girls will have much interest in who/what they are portraying, but its important to us , and its key that they are all "uniform"....

Maybe it's better to wait for them to find their own way and interest in the hobby then, rather than trying to shoehorn them into an impression they don't really feel passionate about? Let's face it, if a bloke came to the group and wanted to join, but didn't have any interest in who / what he was portraying, would we have him as a member?

Cheers,
Ben.

Agreed, but women being women I'm sure that they will be happy if they look uniform. I can hear it now otherwise, "Paul, why has Marta got two bags and I can only have one..." and "Clare's a LT, and I'm only a corporal..."

What makes you think Marta's going to be wearing a uniform? I very much doubt she'll be in uniform...

Cheers,
Ben.

BenM wrote:What makes you think Marta's going to be wearing a uniform? I very much doubt she'll be in uniform...

Cheers,
Ben.

Now you've done it... I can hear it now"Paaauuuuuuuuuuul!! Marta' not in uniform why do I have to wear this shite collectable clothing?" !!!!

BenM wrote:What makes you think Marta's going to be wearing a uniform? I very much doubt she'll be in uniform...

Cheers,
Ben.

*naughty thoughts*, stop it now Richard!!!

Camel1815 wrote:*naughty thoughts*, stop it now Richard!!!

I've already told you - it's not that kind of holiday, Richard!

Well thanks for the input. I can now report that M. is the proud owner of HBT trousers and jacket/cap and roughout boots. I have a gas mask bag (not repro!) and can sort out a pistol belt and canteen etc. She will be doing Army Nurse I guess. Would the US and Medical Corps. DI pins look out of place? Oh also have a Medic pot and RC arm band. It's taken me four years to get her to this point and I don't want to put her off but we may well be on the way to starting a womens section.

Sounds good Murph. There are a few shots of Army Nurse Corps members wearing the Caduceus collar insignia with the "N" adorned, but very few actually in the field (most are publicity shots for Yank, Life, or somesuch).

Just an advisory note, ANC were NOT issued with GC-marked M1 Helmets. Better off with an unpainted M1 shell.

Cheers,
Ben.

Can this website help ?

http://www.history.army.mil/books/wac/appendix-d.htm

Pat

Hi Pat,

That site is for the Women's Army Corps. I think the main impression the guys' better halves are working on is the Army Nurse Corps (separate organization). The following page from our website might help, though:

http://med-dept.com/anc.php

Cheers,
Ben.

Ach so why women have to be so difficult !!! Indeed if they want to portray ANCs, a good source of information is your site ben !!

Cheers

Pat

BenM wrote:Sounds good Murph. There are a few shots of Army Nurse Corps members wearing the Caduceus collar insignia with the "N" adorned, but very few actually in the field (most are publicity shots for Yank, Life, or somesuch).

Just an advisory note, ANC were NOT issued with GC-marked M1 Helmets. Better off with an unpainted M1 shell.

Cheers,
Ben.

Wilco....

Heya,

Best website i know of, and the host is happy to help with questions...

http://blitzkriegbaby.de/homepage.htm

Daz

I see in his sources and links section the first link is Bens website, on which he says. "This homepage is an excellent research source to anyone interested in WW2 United States Army Medical history. Includes a detailed article about the ANC."

Chris.

Warning Order for Normandy has now been posted. For clarity, I included the Ladies' section in the same one:
https://a-i-m.forumotion.co.uk/t1212-wo-normandy-trip-2011-3-11-june-2011

Thanks,
Ben.