| U.S. Army Corporal 2nd Ranger Battalion Omaha Beach - Normandy France June 6th 1944 |
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| This Soldier illustrates the equipment that was worn by a rifleman assigned to Force B, Company C, 2nd Ranger Battalion during the invasion of Normandy France June 6th 1944. The responsibility of Force B was to secure the smaller cliffs to the west of Pointe de la Percee. C/2 Rangers landed on the Charlie Sector of Omaha Beach at H+1 (H-Hour plus 1 Minute). After they eliminated the German strong points and gun positions from the right flank of Omaha Beach they were instructed to link up with Force A: D, E and F Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion at Pointe du Hoc. |
| The Gear: |
| M-1 Helmet and Camouflage Net M-1 Helmet Liner, made by Westinghouse M-1941 Jacket with "Rangers" Diamond Patch on left sleeve M-1937 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) Magazine Belt, made by BOYT -42- M-1910 Haversack, made by PENNING CAMPBELL 3-18 M-1910 Dismounted Canteen Cover, made by J.A. Shoe 1942 M-1910 Canteen, made by P.P. INC. 1943 M-1910 Canteen Cup, made by FOLEY MFG. CO. 1943 M-1942 First Aid Pouch, made by J.S.&S.CO. 1943 M-1916 Pistol Holster, owner marked J. HARRIS 3rd BN HQ M-1910 Entrenching Tool Cover, made by W.L. DUMAS MFG. CO. 1943 M-1910 Entrenching Tool M-7 Assault Gas Mask Carrier USN Life Preserver, made by EAGLE RUBBER CO. INC. ASHLAND OHIO Service Boots, soles made by NEW JERSEY RUBBER CO. M-1938 Leggings, made by MEYERS & SON MFG CO. 2-25-42 TL-122C Flashlight MK-II Fragmentation Hand Grenade |
| Front left and right, above photos. |
| Rear view, left photo. Close-up view of "Rangers" patch, above photo. This patch was specifically designed for the Invasion of Normandy to replace the earlier Ranger Battalion "Scroll" patch. |
| Rear view of M-1 Helmet, left photo. This helmet has been painted with the 2nd Ranger Battalion "Diamond". Inside view of M-1 Helmet 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 green "A" washers. |
| Service Boots with M-1938 Leggings, left photo. The M-1938 Leggings shown here were made by Meyers & Son MFG. Co. 2-25-42. Service Boots, right photo. The Service Boots were all leather with eleven eyelets and featured a full capped toe. The rubber soles were made by NEW JERSEY RUBBER CO. These boots are a size 10 1/2 EE. These boots are marked by the owner H-1061 HIGGINS J M. |
| M-1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle or BAR, above photo. The M-1918 BAR was introduced at the end of World War One and was a favored squad level automatic rifle during World War Two. In 1940 the weapon was re-designated M-1918A2 by the removal of the semi-automatic firing capability and the using of a rate-reducing buffer mechanism, activated by engaging the "F" position on the selector toggle. In 1942, a bakelite buttstock replaced the earlier wood version. The detachable bipod and barrel-mounted carry handle shown on this BAR were introduced in late 1944 and would not have seen service in Normandy on June 6th. The M-1918 shown above has a non-firing solid aluminum BATFE compliant receiver. |