| U.S. Army Sergeant Engineer Special Brigade Omaha Beach - Normandy France June 6th 1944 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| This Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) illustrates the equipment that was worn by a Sergeant assigned to the 37th Engineer Battalion, 5th Engineer Special Brigade during the invasion of Normandy France June 6th 1944. The 5th and 6th Engineer Special Brigades landed on Omaha Beach. The first elements of the Brigade that landed were from the reconnaissance party of the 37th Engineer Battalion. The unexpected enemy firepower coupled with the confusion resulting from misplaced landings resulted in a delay for most of the plans for the engineers at Omaha. |
| The Gear: |
| M-1 Helmet M-1 Helmet Liner, made by Westinghouse M-1941 Jacket with Engineer Amphibian Command patch on left sleeve M-1923 Dismounted Cartridge Belt, made by H.S.CO. 1943 M-1928 Haversack M-1910 Dismounted Canteen Cover, made by JEFF Q.M.D. 1942 M-1910 Canteen, made by R.S.E. 1943 M-1910 Canteen Cup, made by INGERSOLL PRODUCTS M-1942 First Aid Pouch, made by B.B.S.CO. 1943 M-1943 Entrenching Tool, made by AMES 1943 M-1943 Entrenching Tool Cover, made by D.A. BROWN MFG. CO. 1943 M-1 Bayonet, made by PAL TL-122B Flashlight, made by BRIGHT STAR Wire Cutter Pouch, made by SCHELL LEA. GDS. CO. INC. 1944 M-1916 Holster, made by SEARS 1942 M-7 Assault Gas Mask Carrier USN Life Preserver, made by DURKEE-ATWOOD CO. MK-II Fragmentation Hand Grenade M2 Irritant Gas Grenade M1 Demolition Chain Block Bag |
| Front left and right, above photos. |
| Rear left and right, above photos. |
| Engineer Explosives and Equipment, left photo. M1 Demolition Blocks Chain Bag AN-M14 Incendiary Grenade Tube (2 shown) M2 Irritant Gas Grenade Tube Blasting Cap Box TNT 1/2 Pound Block TNT 1 Pound Block Trip Wire Spools (3 shown) Bangalore Torpedo Clips (3 shown) |
| Left side of the M-1941 Jacket, left photo. The Engineer Amphibian Command Service Sleeve Insignia (SSI) is sewn to the top of the sleeve with Sergeants stripes sewn to the center of both sleeves. M-1 Helmet, right photo. The 5th and 6th Engineer Special Brigades marked their helmets with a large white arc over the Engineer Amphibian Command insignia. |
| M-1 Helmet and Liner, left photo. The 5th and 6th Engineer Special Brigades marked their helmets with a large white arc over the Engineer Amphibian Command insignia. These markings were sometimes applied to both the helmet and liner. M-1 Liner, right photo. This liner was made by Westinghouse. The suspension is made from Single Herringbone Twill (SHBT) and is held to the liner with black brass "A" washers. |