401st Glider Infantry Regiment Uniforms

401st GIR Minimum Requirements

In the early training stages and on the D-Day operation, Glider troopers wore the same uniform and equipment as the standard infantry soldier. But, after D-Day he was issued uniforms and equipment like his Airborne brother do to the fact of the Divisions clothing and equipment allocations.
Below are the uniform and equipment standards for 1-401st GIR. Please note the that there are minimum required items.

The minimum needed to do a 401st impression is relatively simple and inexpensive to gather. Please note that these are only the minimum required for a "Battle Event". For a public display you will need to make additions to your kit. You may also subsitute Wools or M1943's inplace of the HBT's. Also the type of cartridge belt may be changed for the needs of the type of weapon carried.
With these items you'll be able to go out and have good time at a "Battle"! You'll have a BLAST!

1. HBT shirt, Type 2 or 3, with large chest pockets
2. HBT trousers, Type 2, 3, or 4 with side upper leg pockets
3. T-shirt, white or Lt. peagreen, absolutely no brown!
4. leggings, Type M-1938, Khaki with 17 eyelets and 8 hooks
5. Boots, Ruff-outs, captoe service shoes, 2 buckle, or jump boots
6. Overseas cap with Glider patch or HBT short bill cap
7. M1 Helmet complete, please follow 401st GIR details
8. Cartridge belt, M1923, 10 pocket, Khaki
9. Cover, Canteen, M1910 or M1923, Khaki
10. Canteen, M1910 or M1923, with metal or plastic cap
11. Cup, Canteen, M1910, flat handle
12. First-aid pouch,M1910 or M1942, with Carlisle bandage
11. Weapon and blank ammunition

Eco 506th PIR Minimum Requirements

The paratrooper uniform is very distinct. It was designed with bellow pockets so troops could carry extra items on their person and were held closed by heavy snaps so the items carried could not be torn away when exiting the plane. After much wear and tear on the uniform in the field during training, the uniform was "Modified" by the unit riggers, "Reinforcing" the elbows, knees, and the bottoms of the pockets.

1. M42 jump uniform, un-reinforced or reinforced
2. T-shirt, White or Peagreen, NO MODERN BROWN
3. Jump boots, Russett Brown
4. Overseas cap, with or with out Blue Piping, Parchute Patch
5. M1c Jump Helmet, Please follow 506th PIR Details
6. Cartridge belt, M1923 (10 pocket), Khaki
7. Suspenders, cartridge belt, M1936, Khaki
8. Cover, Canteen, M1910 or M1923, Khaki
9. Canteen, Aluminum, M1910 or M1942, with metal or Plastic lid, cap chain
10. Canteen Cup, Aluminum, M1910, flat handle
11. First-aid pouch,M1910 or M1942 with Carlisle bandage
12. Musette Bag, M1936, Khaki
13. Entrenching tool, M1910 "T" handle or M1943 Folding
14. Entrenching tool cover, M1910 Khaki or M1943 Khaki Or OD
15. Weapon and Blank Ammo

Wearing of the 101st AB SSI, Rank and Flag

* Shirts and jackets will display the 101st AB SSI on the left shoulder approximately 1/2" down from the shoulder seam, Rank will be placed sleeves between the elbow and the shoulder on both sides. Right side sleeve will have a 48 star flag placed between the rank and the shoulder.

There are many different 101st AB patches out on the market, Please look over the Trigger Time web site, Eagle Patch Corner for further info on the types of patches worn during WWII.

The 48 star flags worn by Airborne Troopers were used to identify themselves to the locals as well as to friendly troops. Men were issued several different types of flags to be worn on thier uniforms. The bassard type was often cut, 3 7/8"x 5 7/8",so that the flag portion only could be sewn or safty pinned onto the uniform sleeve. Other types veried between the type of cloth used or the a small difference in size of around 3"x5" - 3 1/2"x5 1/2".

Silk Style

Eco 596th PIR will not wear the 48 star flag on their uniforms during a Normandy Event, however, Eco 506th PIR can wear a 48 star flag for events after D-Day. For re-enacting the 401st on D-Day, members can choose to wear the bassard type or not at all. If the bassard flag is worn, it can be worn in the standard way by wrapping it around the right arm and safty pinned in place, or the flag portion can be cut out attaching it with safty pins or sewn on.
Folding or cutting the Brassard type of Flag and using the safty pins is probably the most accurate form of wear for both units.

Cloth style

Cut out flag from brassard

Flag Bassard worn by Troopers was attached via a safty pin.

The M1 and M1c Helmets

The 101st had a unique system of symbols painted in white on the sides of their helmets. This system of symbols was developed in England to aid in the quick assembly after a jump or landing. The average size of the symbols for the D-Day landings were between 2 1/2" to 3". For later operations the symbols were reduced to about 1 1/2" to 2". Helmet symbols were either stenciled on or, more commonly, hand painted on.
The helmet symbol for the 327th/401st unit was a "Club" with the "Tick" at the 9 o'clock position to designate the 3rd Battalion.
The "Spade" symbol is used for the 506th PIR, with the "Tick" at the 6 o'clock position to designate the 2nd Battalion.
Helmet symbols are required for the 401st GIR, however, it is an option for troopers of Eco 506th PIR.

Also listed below with the units identification symbols are thier radio call signs.

Chart taken from a photograph at the Don F. Pratt museum at Ft. Campbell, KY.

Check out Chris Armolds Web Site

Helmet with 327th "Club" symbol and the "Tick" at
the nine O'clock postion disignating the 3rd battalion.

Original 101st AB helmet symbols.
Symbols were sometimes painted on by troopers who were on punishment detail.

Helmets worn by the standard Eco trooper
are constructed of khaki colored "A" starps and chin straps, a leather liner chin strap and chin cup. A khaki or OD colored chin starp my be added for late war impressions.

M42 Jump Uniform

The M42 Parachutist Jacket and Trousers are normal wear for Eco
506th PIR. M42's can be worn in reinforced or un-reinforced and
with or with-outarm pockets. The only requirement, are the leg ties.
Please read through Mark Bando's Trigger Time web site,
Uniforms Section. Many detailed pics and descriptions on how
the 101st AB modified it's uniforms!!
Re-inforcement material is about the same as a OD shelter half.
So if you have a ragged old shelter half....... but more then likely
there is some re-inforcing material around the unit some place!
For complete details of the proper wear of this Uniform,
Please contact Greg Lee at buggnkat@cs.com

M1943 Field Uniform

1. * M43 field jacket, repro or Norwegian copy
2. M43 field trousers with or with out rigger pockets
3. * HBT shirt or wool shirt of any OD/mustard shade
4. Helmet my have OD sewn on chin straps and T-1 fittings
5. Helmet may also have OD or brown 1/2" net
6. ** 2 buckle combat boots (russet) (Preferred style #2) or
7. ** Jump boots (Russet) (style #3)
    ** Note; Service shoes and leggings ( Preferred style #1)
        After all we are Glider troopers not Airborne!
8. Some OD colored gear is preferred with the M43 uniform
    but, don't over do it. Items like M44 suspenders, first-aid
    kit or the cartridge belt. Try to get the transitional colors
    khaki and OD combo stuff. Mix it up!!

* Note; see patch description

2 Buckle Combat Boots

Paratrooper Boots

M-43 Field Jacket

M-43 Field Trousers

Wool Field Uniform

1. Wool trousers, M1937 (dark mustard shade)
2. * Wool Shirt, M1937 ( light mustard shade)
3. *Field jacket, M1941 (OD/Tan)
4. Service shoes, with or with out cap toe (russet)
5. M1938 leggings with 17 eyelet's and 8 hooks (khaki)
6. Web trouser belt (khaki) with open face buckle (black)
7. Under shirt, either white "T" or OD Green, No brown!
8. Overseas cap with lt. blue piping or no piping.
With either Parachute, Para/glider or Glider patch on left side.

* Note, please see discription under the Field Equipment section