101st A/B -- Which unit sported war paint in Normandy?

[BillyTucci]

Hey all,
Do any of you know exactly which Screaming Eagle unit sported "war paint" during the drop into Normandy? I read it somewhere, but can't find it now. I recall it was a company of engineers? Or maybe some pathfinders?
Thanks!
Billy
Also if anyone has photos that would be a big help too.

[BillyTucci]

I found this picture...


Where the soldier's got the custom "sleeve pocket". I also understand that this was used by only one regiment (506th).

Again, any assistance would be a big help.

B

[Dallas]

Hi Billy,

IIRC it was some Engineers from the 101st that wore war paint into battle. The custom made sleeve pockets were made by the Division Riggers. Whether or not just the 506th wore them I don't know. The link below is to an excellent website (with lots of info) dealing with the 101st in WWII. The guy who runs the site and forum is a published author with several books dealing with the 101st on the market. I highly recommend you look at the site and then post on their forum if you can't find your answers.

TRIGGER TIME - 101st Airborne WW2

[gi-rene]

I wouldn't know about war paint in particular, but I can see them at least griming up their faces to reduce the reflection of light against their faces. And for that exact reason they'd wear helmet nets, pieces of foilage or burlap, or the more field expedient rubbing mud on the helmet and letting it dry, takes the sheen right out of it.

[Tom Houlihan]

Dallas beat me to it. It was the Filthy(?) Thirteen, or somesuch name like that. I can't recall right at the moment. Cruise through Trigger Time, though, and Mark will have it in there!

[gi-rene]

82nd Pathfinders, you can see the smearing is pretty random...

Prior to the Battle of the Bulge, McNiece and the other pathfinders had been members of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment's demolition section. Their antics on and off the battlefield had made them regimental legends. They wore Mohawk haircuts and war paint when they jumped into Normandy in June 1944. They were proud to be called the "Filthy 13." Combat during the 101st Airborne Division's grueling 72 days on the line in Holland in the fall of '44 had reduced the 13 to three.

From TheHistoryNet | World War II | World War II: Pathfinders Resupply 101st Airborne Division Troops in Bastogne Via Daring Parachute Drop

[Dallas]

Tom,

Are you a Trigger Time junkie too?

gi-rene,

As a clarification I believe Billy Tucci is refereing specifically to those paratroopers who painted their faces like wild indians, using reds, yelow, whites, blues, etc.

[Tom Houlihan]

gi-rene, that stuff those guys are wearing is basic black camo. I'm not specifically sure what they used, but it was just to darken their mugs in the night.

Dallas is correct in reference to the One-Oh-Worst guys that did the Indian look prior to the jump.

No, Dallas, I'm not a T-T junkie. Actually, I haven't been there in a while. I can go one better, though. I've done the maps for two of Mark's books, and I've gotten to spend time in his basement/museum!!!

[BillyTucci]

Originally Posted by Tom Houlihan

gi-rene, that stuff those guys are wearing is basic black camo. I'm not specifically sure what they used, but it was just to darken their mugs in the night.

Dallas is correct in reference to the One-Oh-Worst guys that did the Indian look prior to the jump.

No, Dallas, I'm not a T-T junkie. Actually, I haven't been there in a while. I can go one better, though. I've done the maps for two of Mark's books, and I've gotten to spend time in his basement/museum!!!

Thanks guys, your help and that of others and a couple a days away from working and after tons of research I found out a lot on the "filthy thirteen". I ordered the book from Amazon and can't wait for it to come. Funny thing also is that I got the green light from the boss here at home to allow me and my two boys (5 and 2) to all get mohawks this summer. When that happens, I'VE GOT TO kit myself out as one of the one-oh-worst jumpers and take some pictures. Who knows if I'll ever get one again!

[BillyTucci]

Originally Posted by Tom Houlihan

gi-rene, that stuff those guys are wearing is basic black camo. I'm not specifically sure what they used, but it was just to darken their mugs in the night.

Dallas is correct in reference to the One-Oh-Worst guys that did the Indian look prior to the jump.

No, Dallas, I'm not a T-T junkie. Actually, I haven't been there in a while. I can go one better, though. I've done the maps for two of Mark's books, and I've gotten to spend time in his basement/museum!!!

What's a T-T?