1st ID at Omaha Beach -- helmet question

[BillyTucci]

Hello all,
I'm working on the new Sgt. Rock graphic novel for DC Comics. I want to portray the men and machines as accurate as possible. I've got tons of questions, but the most pressing is whether all men of the 16th wore helmet netting during the initial assault on Easy Red sector.

I've seen photos but it all looks like they did.

Can anyone confirm this for me?

thanks for your time and assistance.

Billy Tucci

[Jim O]

These are army photos of the 16th:

316a.jpg

316b.jpg

They appear to still be on the beach and so it was not likely to have been long after the initial assault.

A larger version of the first one can be seen at http://www.history.army.mil/matrix/1ID/189932.jpg.

Clearly there are men on the beach without helmet netting.

See Cross-Channel Attack-Chapter 8 for the origin and documentation on these photos. One source puts the first one at D+2 but I do not find that source reliable.

I hope this helps some.

[lufttiger]

Everybody, Billy here e-mailed me over the weekend looking for information
on certain German and US units. I mention to him to come here as many of
you have greater resources than i. Please don't him down i said you guys
could do it, so come on....Paul, Pzr bob and others help out if you can.

[lufttiger]

Good post Jim, thanks!

[BillyTucci]

Hey all,
Here's a working double-page spread of Easy Red Sector on D-Day. I hope you like it and thanks for the help!

[BillyTucci]

I'll be making the Thunderbolt's a bit smaller. The moment is H-Hour plus 1 minute. The smoke screen is beginning to clear revealing the bluffs ahead and the men of the BR1 to defenders.

[McCoy]

Wohooo, that's talent! Great job n' it's just in it's bud...

[lufttiger]

WOW, i love it, you sir are a true artist, i like the fact your not affraid to
show some graphic images to convey just how rough it really was.

Do let us know when it is finished, i wouldn't mine getting a copy.

[gi-rene]

Yeah if you can find evidence that a large majority of troops used helmet nets then expect a mix. The 34th ID was big on their Red Bulls on their helmets (though I don't know if the 442nd took them off when they transferred to France, the 34th Remained in Italy until the end of the war) but looking through pictures you find a few Soldiers that don't have one painted on. Just like the 9th ID was helmet net mad (in fact they started wearing them before most other US units, and in large numbers), they still had their "anomalies" I know a few 1st ID experts and I can ask them as well to see what they know.

[BillyTucci]

Originally Posted by gi-rene

Yeah if you can find evidence that a large majority of troops used helmet nets then expect a mix. The 34th ID was big on their Red Bulls on their helmets (though I don't know if the 442nd took them off when they transferred to France, the 34th Remained in Italy until the end of the war) but looking through pictures you find a few Soldiers that don't have one painted on. Just like the 9th ID was helmet net mad (in fact they started wearing them before most other US units, and in large numbers), they still had their "anomalies" I know a few 1st ID experts and I can ask them as well to see what they know.

Thanks Gi--

What's the soldier running "Always forward" from? It's inspired me to do a drawing.

B