| Asteroid X | 02 Jul 2019 11:31 p.m. PST |
What is the difference between the uniform worn by the army of the USA during WW2 compared to that worn by the marine corps of the USA during the same war? I have seen the camouflage helmet covers, but other than that? I am looking to see if I can use any 1/72/1/76/20mm figures of US Army infantry for the Pacific Theatre. |
| haywire | 03 Jul 2019 6:47 a.m. PST |
For the most part, its the same uniform. The differencse is that in the Pacific you are wearing the least amount of layers and no leggings where as in Europe they are wearing the leggings and the wool jacket and maybe even another jacket on top of that. |
| Pan Marek | 03 Jul 2019 7:44 a.m. PST |
the Pacific uniform is the olive green herringbone cotton twill. the pants have side cargo pockets. In Europe, the shirt and pants were usually wool, with a distinct brownish tone. no cargo pockets. the jackets were initially a olivish tan and short, replaced in late '44 by the classic olive green field jacket. |
79thPA  | 03 Jul 2019 11:09 a.m. PST |
You could also use your soldiers as soldiers instead of Marines; there were plenty of army infantrymen in the PTO. Personally, in 1/72, you could paint them to look like anything you wanted. |
| Marc33594 | 04 Jul 2019 6:23 a.m. PST |
The two piece herringbone twill suit was often used in the ETO in warm weather. |
| Big Red | 05 Jul 2019 5:11 a.m. PST |
I've seen photos of soldiers in the Pacific wearing leggings, both over and under the pants as well as no leggings. The Army developed camo covers for helmets but in Europe there was a concern about looking too much like German camo covers so they were discontinued. |
| Bismarck | 05 Jul 2019 8:10 a.m. PST |
Lighter shade of OD, no cargo pockets on trousers. Shirt had one patch pocket on left chest and two at bottom of the blouse. IIRC, the Army HBTs were more tapered and had more buttons. Reverse camouflage utilities worn only on limited basis, predominately by Raiders and Para Marines. Hope this helps. |
| Asteroid X | 05 Jul 2019 3:33 p.m. PST |
Thank you all for your responses! Yes, at 20mm/1/72/1/76 they are rather small to see all the details so I won't have to worry about the USMC logo on the chest pocket, at least. Now I'll have to research the Marine Para uniforms/gear … (which will be a good thing to learn). |
| wargamingUSA | 06 Jul 2019 12:56 p.m. PST |
On the herringbone twill the difference between USMC and US Army (conventional forces) was pocket placement on jackets and trousers and the stenciled USMC emblem on the marine uniforms' jacket pocket… so not a big worry in 20mm. Even less distinction when you talk about Merrill's Maruaders or Alamo Scouts vs USMC because of actual availability – the reality of mix-n-match whatever was available. Even the patrol cap vs the USMC soft cap is pretty much a non-consideration at this scale. The most common color is just "faded" which Vallejo Gray-Green replicates nicely. Actually very few camo uniforms were issued… and there is nothing like a dark OD green seen anywhere but a parade field. The bigger distinction is helmet covers… no cover vs camo cloth patterns vs faded plain burlap vs netting. Depends on year and unit. Two cents worth. |
