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The Premier Northeast World War II Ranger Living History Association |
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CHARLIE COMPANY The
5th Ranger Uniform
Since the foundation of Charlie Company, 5th Ranger Battalion in 2003, we have continued to strive towards accuracy. At first we were just another re-enacting unit trying to get our feet off the ground. As our ranks grew, so did our research. The beauty of re-creating World War II G.I. impressions is that we still have wonderful veterans to tell us their experiences as well as the photography boom of the 1940s. So, unlike earlier wars, we can document our impressions not by generalities or a few scrappy photos, but by individual units and by photos that are not only official, but were privately taken as well. As a member of the Military History Preservation Association and of the 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion, our entire approach has always been in this way; photographic documentation. We research the unit, never molding to generalities. It's way too easy to simply throw up your hands and say "I'm just going to do G.I." than to actually research a specific unit and their individual practices. Researching your unit is the way it must be done, and as a living historian you will find that by researching the specific unit you portray, you will not only be closer to history but to the veterans and to that specific unit you portray. This article was written principally due to our very strict uniform and equipment standards, and as the author and the Executive Officer of the unit, I felt that this article would be best to accurately describe why we do what we do. Additionally, many serious living history organizations post articles on their websites. As such it is essential that our unit does the same, and these articles will remain a guide for new members just deciding to join the unit. Before the article continues, it needs to be stressed that in no way are these articles to be written or presented in a “soap-box” format. They are meant for education only and all of the facts placed throughout are backed through documentation (which is listed at the bottom). NOTE:
This article should be read as a direct guide to our “uniforms”
page.
The 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion was created as a Ranger Training unit in 1943 in Camp Forrest, Tennessee. The post, named after General Nathan Bedford Forrest, was located in the balmy south (fitting for Forrest) and was also the location for the formation of the 2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion. Initially, this Provisional Ranger Group (part of the 1st Army, and it should be noted that the 1st Army shoulder patch is the first shoulder sleeve insignia worn by the 5th Rangers) was under the command of Major Rudder. Rudder came to the 2nd and 5th Rangers to find a bunch of “roughens” and “heathens”. It was his duty to take these tough farm boys, city slickers, and volunteers and turn them into Rangers. Rudder had studied the tactics and standards set by Colonel Darby, the commander of the 1st and then 1st, 3rd, and 4th Ranger Infantry Battalions and decided to carry on that proud tradition through his men.
The
Basic Uniform
HBT’s? No. Simply stated, they didn’t wear them. The only photo documentation of the 5th Rangers wearing herringbone twill (HBT) fatigue uniforms is post war on occupation duty, where personal comfort and choice was more plausible. What about the fatigues issued to them in training? The 5th Rangers trained in a backwater, southern camp in 1943. The fatigues that would have been issued to them would have most likely been the first pattern and probably would not have even gone overseas with them. Even then, fatigues were reserved strictly for fatigue duties such as striking up camp, cooking, etc. Unlike Colonel Rudder who allowed his men to wear their gas impregnated HBTs for the invasion, Schneider appears to have seen to it that the 5th wore their gas impregnated wool uniforms. The Army issue fatigues were never meant to be a combat uniform, but became one by certain specific units such as the 2nd Rangers (in some quantity) and the 4th Infantry Division. The massive usage of HBTs by re-enactors is simply due to their personal comfort and is, in many cases, historically incorrect. What about D-Day? The 2nd Rangers wore HBTs! That is correct. The 2nd Rangers did wear HBTs in some number. But, they were the 2nd Rangers. Though both units were part of the same Provisional Group, the 2nd and the 5th Battalions had two very different missions and were two very different units. There has been years of speculation that the 5th Rangers wore wool uniforms for many reasons to include discerning themselves from the 2nd Rangers, due to their chain of command, for durability of the uniforms, etc. In truth, there is no real reason other than that is what the TOE called for and Colonel Schneider was very strict when it came to his officer’s and men’s physical appearance. Colonel Rudder, now full commander of the 2nd Rangers, is noted for breaking his strict policies of uniformity for the invasion simply due to the mission of his men, and he felt they would need to modify their equipment for the assault on the Pointe. Schneider, an old Ranger and executive commander of the 4th Ranger Battalion with Colonel Roy Murray, did not break his uniform policies. But Saving Private Ryan? Saving Private Ryan is a wonderful film. In terms of a spectacle, it is simply amazing. In terms of the historical accuracy of uniforms, not so much. Though Spielberg certainly got the 2nd Rangers right, the Naval Beach Battalion and the 29th Infantry Division on the beach were grossly wrong and out of uniform. The majority of units that landed on D-Day wore M1937 wool uniforms, not herringbone twill fatigues. The only units that were authorized, per TOE, HBTs for the landing, were the entirety of the 4th Infantry Division (who wore the gas-impregnated fatigues over their entire uniform) and the 2nd Ranger Battalion (who wore them for personal preference, if they desired). Throughout the war, from the photos that exist of the 5th Rangers, Schneider (and then Sullivan) kept with a policy of uniformity amongst their Rangers. This uniformity and soldierly look led to a very high espirit de corps that remains today with the veterans. But for hot weather? Even in the heat, we wear wools (unless one is truly allergic to wool and is irritated by it in high temperatures, then, for health reasons, it is permissible to wear fatigues). A classic reason that some units give for use of herringbone twill fatigues during hot weather is because “they are cooler”. In actually, they are not cool at all. Herringbone is tightly woven cotton and it does not breath. Wool, however, does. Additionally, it is a fact that World War II Army-weave herringbone twill gains twice its weight when wet, more than the wool uniforms do. So sweating will eventually make the fatigues more uncomfortable than wools would be. So, in truth, wearing wools is much more healthy in the heat. HBT Caps? Definitely a re-enactor-ism. HBT caps were a rarity in the European theatre during the war, and today they are more prevalent in re-enacting than they were in the real war in all theatres of operation. Contrary to popular belief, they were not standard issue with the fatigue set and in actuality were only issued to armored crewman, mechanics, Air Corps ground crew, and in some cases Pacific theatre troops. So, it is not advisable that you buy a pair of herringbone twill fatigues unless you want a pair to hang in your wall locker to complete a barracks display.
Winter
Combat Uniforms
As previously stated, the 5th Ranger Uniform didn’t change
much in Europe. The biggest extra item that someone needs to purchase
for their kit is an Insignia The first, authorized World War II Ranger insignia was the black, red, and white scroll insignia. Designed by a Ranger in the 1st Battalion, this shoulder patch was synonymous with the early Rangers, however with the inception of the 2nd and 5th Battalions, for whatever unknown reason a lozenge-shaped insignia was issued. Some claim this patch was meant as a sort of “Ranger-trained or Ranger-qualified” type patch, however, there was a specific red and white horizontal tab that denoted this. For whatever reason it was issued, the first Ranger diamond patch, issued in Tennessee, was dark blue with two very small gold lines bordering the field, with a thin “RANGER” text in the middle. The next patch, issued before shipping overseas, was a more royal blue color with a solid yellow edge and the corrected “RANGERS” in the center. For reasons of espirit de corps, Colonel Rudder proposed the patches be produced with a “2nd or 5th” and then “Bn.” below and under the “RANGERS” to signify the specific unit. This request, however, was denied and the 2nd and 5th Rangers would wear non-specific Ranger diamond up the beach on D-Day and until late 1944. Most Rangers were itching to get their hands on unit specific scrolls, reminiscent of the original Rangers of whom they admired greatly. This patch was never authorized during the war (in fact it would not be authorized until 1947) and the un-authorized scroll insignia for the 5th Rangers was first made in convents in Belgium and France during the winter of 1944. These hand-sewn, very ornate scrolls (one of these scrolls is actually in the possession of Charlie Company) were then reproduced in mass quantity and finally in 1945 were issued to the whole Battalion and were universally worn.
In 1944, with the issue of the new scroll insignia, many Rangers felt
anxiety towards removing their “Sunoco”” diamonds. These patches
signified that they were D-Day veterans, and this was their identity.
Many Rangers in the 5th Ranger Battalion took to the practice
of trimming the top and bottom corners off of their excess diamond
insignia and making tabs, which would in turn be sewn on their overseas
caps. This can be documented by several photographs and is permissible
in this unit. Another headgear related insignia practice is that of the
painting of the orange-diamond on the rear of the M1 Helmet Shell. Both
the 2nd and 5th Rangers painted the orange-diamond
on their helmet with interior “2” or “5” so that one could
easily spot the rear of another Ranger moving up the beach. Contrary to
some opinions, these were not painted for use in “night fighting”.
Dark orange is not exactly the most visually popping color amongst a
dark olive background, especially with a black number painted in the
center. The 2nd Ranger Battalion, by photographs, seems to
have abolished this practice after D-Day and replacements coming into
the unit wore standard, plain M1 helmets. The 5th Rangers,
however, by every photograph the unit has studied, show the orange
diamond from D-Day to post-war occupation duty. Again, this was most
likely due to an espirit de corps amongst the Rangers and Sullivan’s
strict uniform policies. There are photos that even show the M1 helmet
liner as being painted with orange diamond.
Non-Commissioned
Officer and Commissioned Officer Insignia In World War II, in the European theatre, it was common practice for NCOs and Officers to not wear any form of identifying insignia in the field. In the 5th Rangers, however, this was not the case. All photos of 5th Rangers from their inception until VE Day show full insignia being worn in garrison and in the field. The first reason for this is that when Rudder arrived to Camp Forrest in 1943, the first soldier he saw was wearing an un-buttoned wool shirt with no insignia. The soldier did not snap to attention when the Major drove past in his MB, and when he backed up, and soldier shoddily saluted the officer clad in pinks and chocolates. When Rudder asked, “what unit are you? What is your rank?” the man replied, “Rangers sir, I am a Lieutenant.” Rudder severely reprimanded the officer and after that required that his Rangers always wear full insignia. NCOs were to always wear chevrons and Officers were to always wear their insignia on their shirts, jacket epaulettes, and on their helmets. This practice started with the 5th Battalion in Tennessee and continued on throughout World War II. The second reason for this practice was tenacity. The World War II Rangers wore full insignia as a snubbing of the nose to the German Army. It was announced before D-Day that each Ranger was worth a bounty, hoping to strike fear amongst the Rangers. When they landed at Normandy wearing full insignia, they struck fear in the hearts of the Wermacht and this fear would continue throughout the war.
Closing Statement It is with my sincere wishes that you found this article both informative and helpful for building your 5th Ranger impression, and I hope that this fairly and accurately reciprocates our required uniform page. Many photographic documents are available on the Charlie Company website’s photo gallery.
-Numerous Interviews with Ranger Veterans (specifically 5th Ranger Infantry) -Jerry
Styles, son of Ranger Clarence Styles (through text and photograph
documentation) -“5th Ranger Battalion” by Ranger Clarence Styles -“The Battalion” by Col. Robert Black -“Spearheading D-Day” by Jonathan Gawne …and
by the numerous hours of research provided by many members of this unit
online, in libraries, and talking with the unit veterans Written by Thomas Edmund Frost, 2007 Revised with Added Photographs on July 12, 2007. Compendium
managed by Thomas E. Frost
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