Headcovering in the ETO - A Case Study
Published: Spring 2008
Author: Mike "Squirrely" Ellis
From over 1,000 original images, below are posted 90 representative shots of troops in a "relaxed" situation. Specifically excluded are GI's in the following situations:
Under Fire
Shaving, or doing something else where NO head cover is the only option
Religious ceremonies (no head cover was the norm)
In a garrison environment, where a helmet would not be worn
Those under inspection or at ceremony
Repeated images of the same individuals
The images chosen have been specifically selected to best duplicate the situation commonly faced by reenactors at the average air show or public display - there is a lull in action, and the actors face a choice as to which head cover to use. They are by no means a complete study, but the following figures are a great general guide.
Basically, it comes down to the following numbers:
Total images - 90
Total GI's observed - 670
Head covering breaks down as follows:
M1 helmet - 383
no head covering - 167
Helmet Liner - 63
Overseas Cap - 28
Jeep Cap - 19
HBT Cap - 8
"Daisy May" Cap - 2
By percent:
M1 helmet - 57%
Nothing - 24%
Helmet Liner - 9%
Overseas Cap - 4%
Jeep Cap - 2%
HBT Cap - 1%
"Daisy May" - 0.2%
---------Margin of Error +/- 3.79%
These numbers are pretty clear - the average GI, by far, wore the steel helmet as his only head cover. If you factor in taking off the shell (liner only) or simply removing the helmet (nothing at all), you account for 90% of all headgear combinations. The most obvious conclusion is that most GI's possessed no other form of head covering for the Normandy invasion. While explanations for this may vary, they include that it was not issued, discarded, or left in a barracks bag somewhere out of reach.
For some specific examples, see the following:
05. Note how these four GI's are wearing their steel shells in a small cafe. They are attempting to conform to military tradition, but any logical person would have worn a lighter head covering, if they had it. These four must not.
09. These look like combat GI's. Apparently, they have enough time to sit down for a meal, but have all declined to put on lighter headgear. Again, it's likely they have nothing else.
15. A sporting event. Note how even some of these GI's are wearing helmet liners - the closest thing they have to cloth head covering. Others wear the overseas cap.
20. Graves registration. About as far in the rear as one can get, and it's clear that this is why he's wearing his nice, light, comfy HBT cap. Only he's not. Another M1 steel pot is all he has, apparently.
23. Cooks. Wearing a steel pot, and a liner, while in an obviously rear area.
32. Two GI's pluck chickens - in steel shells. Note again that this is not a 'combat' photograph.
Here's the ratios:
M1 helmet - 1 in 1.7 reenactors - when in doubt, WEAR IT
Nothing - 1 in 4
Helmet Liner - 1 in 10
Overseas Cap - 1 in 23
Jeep Cap - 1 in 35
HBT Cap - 1 in 83
"Daisy May" - 1 in 335
Think of it this way: Reenactor Smitty would like to wear his HBT cap to the next public display. He brings out his steel pot, as well as said cap. Before donning said HBT cap, he should look at the 83 reenactors next to him. If even one of those men is wearing an HBT cap, it would generally buck statistics for a second man to do so. For a third, fourth, or fifth man to do so would be pushing things, indeed, unless there is evidence to the contrary. Additionally, if one unit has historical basis to wear only a certain type of nonstandard cap, this should be taken into account by other nearby units, as it affects the overall event ratio. Self regulate, or risk looking like a stereotypical fresh reenactor.
Further analysis on individual caps:
Helmet Liners:
Examples: 13, 14, 22, 26, 53, 58, 63, 67, 77
These are the third most common configuration. It appears that the helmet liner was worn in those situations in which head cover was required (by regulation), but a steel pot would be ungainly. They show up more often than one would think in original images, probably because of the fact that the steel shell has multiple uses, leaving the wearer with only the liner.
13
14
22
26
53
58
63
67
77
Overseas Cap:
Examples: 15, 22, 62, 63, 69
It is surprising that these make so many appearances - but they show up in 'clumps'. It is probable that they were worn by those in the rear, and made a showing when these groups entered more forward areas. It is fairly rare to spot one being worn around others with a full helmet, supporting the consensus that it was a 'leisure' item, not carried by those on the front lines.
15
22
62
63
69
Jeep Cap:
Examples: 04, 10, 22, 30, 40, 62, 64, 65, 70, 72, 81
Especially notable on invasion craft, as well as being worn by mechanics, air crews, and other rear-area specialists who had the time to look around for something better. It was not well-regarded for its warmth. These occasionally found their way in one's or two's to front line units, and can be seen in small numbers being used as such. In no image are they seen being worn by the majority of any unit - as a standalone head covering, their use was extremely limited.
04
10
22
30
40
62
64
65
70
72
81
HBT Cap:
Examples: 17, 64, 69
This cap is worn to death by reenactors, which is why I was surprised to find very few original shots of it in the ETO. Most of those sighted were worn by Navy personnel, including ship's crews and dock workers with USN deck jackets. They are also relatively common among mechanics. Among infantry units, there is only one image where more than one man is seen wearing one. If your unit absolutely must wear them, please consider the use of HBT fatigues, and putting on a PTO impression - they were extremely common there.
17
64
69
The 'Daisy Mae':
Examples: 02, 40 (note context)
There is such scant usage of this cap in the ETO as to hardly warrant its' presence at a Normandy reenactment. With only two sighted examples, it is impossible to state an 'average' soldier who carried it, but it is clear that the Infantry would not be in that group.
02
40
The A4 Knit Cap:
Example: 72 (note: worn by USAAF personnel)
As a side note, there was one instance in which the US Army Air Force A4 knit cap was sighted. In this case, it was being worn by (surprise, surprise!) United States Air Force ground crew. As only ground crew members have been observed wearing this type of head covering, the A4 knit cap is not included in the total tally. It is likely that they were worn in the same general amounts as the ‘Daisy Mae’, meaning that even seeing multiple individuals wearing them would be outside the norm.
72
“Hawley” Helmet Liners:
Examples: 52, 77
The low pressure M1 helmet liner did not hold up well during field use, and was considered a poor design. Original examples are prohibitively expensive, but as reproductions come onto the market it is important to take note of the actual amounts used. As it is difficult to spot such liners in use from much distance, they have not been included in the tally for this study. During the course of observations, however, two bona-fide examples were noted, and have been included as hard evidence that the liner did make it to Normandy, at least in small numbers. It is unlikely that they ever composed more than 2-5% of total liners in-theater.
52
77
Conclusion:
The United States Army was famous for being one of the few militaries to issue a steel helmet to all branches, regardless of actual work performed. Even generals wore their helmets, and woe to the Enlisted man caught without one. In areas where regulations were relaxed, it appears that GI's continued to wear their steel shell, or took it off to rest the neck.
Additional items of headgear were virtually non-existent - remember that more than 90% of the equipment used and carried by our Army in Europe was shipped in from the continental US, via England at that. Care and thought was given to which items were issued, and further paring down was done by the GI's as they acclimated to carrying the combat load. The AEF in the ETO habitually missed shipping targets for even basic supplies such as ammunition, PLO, and ration/foodstocks. The situation was so severe that it forced the use of the overcoat for cold-weather operations during the winter of 1944/45. To think that extra space was allocated for redundant head cover is absurd.
The purpose of this article, however, is not to state that reenactors may never wear any head covering other than the m1 steel shell. Above all, this article should help others in keeping the proper perspective at events. As usual, it is a general guide for the general reenactor, and it is up to you to find images of your specific unit to make a specific decision on what to wear.
-Squirrely
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