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M1942 US Army Herringbone Twill (HBT)
Fatigues
US Army Herringbone Twill (HBT) Fatigues
Every soldier was issued with two sets of this utilitarian work uniform.
There were two patterns of fatigue; the first type was the 1941 type,
which was a light, sage green colour and had two small chest pockets
with an adjustable waist band. The trousers were made of the same
cotton material, and were cut identically to the OD wool trousers.
While it wasn’t intended to be a combat uniform, the cooler
cotton fabric and more spacious cut meant they were often used to
substitute the heavier, OD wool uniform in warm and tropical
climates.
As the prevalence of fatigues in combat increased, they were re-
tailored accordingly. The resulting 1943 pattern was simpler in
construction, included a gas flap and featured two large cargo pockets
on the chest and both hips of the trousers. Regrettably, they were also
made in the light shade material, which had the disadvantage in that it
tended to bleach with repeated washing. This was a tactical concern as
from a distance it tended to resemble the German fatigue uniform and
stood out against dark backgrounds or at night.
To get around this, in mid-1943, the army adopted a much darker
shade material (OD#7). However, stockpiles of uniforms meant both
shades of uniform continued to be issued and mixes of fatigue
patterns and shades were common place.
Fatigues
US Army Herringbone Twill (HBT) Fatigues
Every soldier was issued with two sets of this utilitarian work uniform.
There were two patterns of fatigue; the first type was the 1941 type,
which was a light, sage green colour and had two small chest pockets
with an adjustable waist band. The trousers were made of the same
cotton material, and were cut identically to the OD wool trousers.
While it wasn’t intended to be a combat uniform, the cooler
cotton fabric and more spacious cut meant they were often used to
substitute the heavier, OD wool uniform in warm and tropical
climates.
As the prevalence of fatigues in combat increased, they were re-
tailored accordingly. The resulting 1943 pattern was simpler in
construction, included a gas flap and featured two large cargo pockets
on the chest and both hips of the trousers. Regrettably, they were also
made in the light shade material, which had the disadvantage in that it
tended to bleach with repeated washing. This was a tactical concern as
from a distance it tended to resemble the German fatigue uniform and
stood out against dark backgrounds or at night.
To get around this, in mid-1943, the army adopted a much darker
shade material (OD#7). However, stockpiles of uniforms meant both
shades of uniform continued to be issued and mixes of fatigue
patterns and shades were common place.