Merci...
The HBT's, if worn at all by most of the 29thID asault troops (116th Rgt), would have been worn underneath the wools....
there's no real account 'why' this was the case...but the 29th wore their wools (gas impregnated)...the 1st ID and Rangers mostly wore gas impregnated HBT's, and the 4th ID at Utah wore Gas impregnated HBT's over their Parson's Jackets!
Actually, I think the more seasoned units (1st and 2nd and 5th Rangers) didn't want to wear the heavy wools WITH the noxious concoction that made them gas impermeable...preferring to wear the 'lighter' HBTs treated with the stuff...the 4th followed suit...
the 29th, on the other hand, although inexperienced in combat, but VERY well trained (over trained some would offer)...did their best to maintain a unique identity among the US infantry divisions....pioneered by their division commander, Gerhardt, who was a 'stickler' for the GI way...chinstraps had to be buckled at all times, jeeps were never allowed to have the canvas tops put up and were to be kept meticulously clean, etc...They wore their GI issue wools (impregnated against gas) onto Omaha Beach....
Bruce
