Customer Reviews

Grunt Gear: USMC Combat Infantry Equipment of World War II

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am quite pleased with this book. The author has done his homework and, unlike far too many collector books, has not relied on second hand "collectors facts". As always being a Bender book it is well laid out and printed. I am pleased they decided to move to a larger format at last.

All in all this is now THE book on USMC equipment in WW2. It will be very hard to surpass.

Mr. Tulkoff definitely took extraordinary measures researching this book and it seems well documented. The writing style is matter-of-fact. Not necessarily a good relaxing bedtime read, but well written. Anyone desiring a very complete and detailed history of Marine Corps equipment of WWII should look here first.

I missed Jim Morans WWII USMC Militaria book when it came out 10 years ago. I was just a kid and would have rather spent the money on an item than a book. When I became savy to the fact that having a grand reference library is the corner stone to any collection it was too late to buy the Moran book(Jim, please reprint that book!).

But years later when I desperatly needed a USMC book, I was hightly motivated to buying it fresh off the press.

First what I wished the book had: Dress uniforms. I'm still out a good book on dress uniforms. Not just USMC but Army, Navy and Army Air Corp. This subject one of my favorites but is constantly being left out of Militaria books.

Now What I like about the book: Eveything! I have never read a more detailed book on the subject. Not only did Alec photograph just about every USMC GRunt items WWII items but he included the contracts that the USMC used in WWII. As stated above, it's more than just photographs and word of mouth "facts" but a highly detailed and researched book.

Also included are Rifle and Machine gun information, and the knife and bayonets section has already netted some great finds.

I also love the "collector" notes at the end of each section, that puts the previous facts into relevent information for todays collector. Information on fake items is highly welcomed.

If you don't have a USMC book, this one is it. This book will reward you for a lifetime. Thanks Alec!

Alec Tulkoff has penned an extradanory book. His research is impeccable and backed up by DOCUMENTED facts, unlike any other USMC book before or after. Alec disputes and dispells many of the collector myths that others have based their books upon. If you are looking for an acurate USMC book on WW2 uniforms and equipment this is the currently the olny book you will need, if you want a book with good pictures and wrong or questionable info pick up the others.

GRUNT GEAR: USMC COMBAT INFANTRY EQUIPMENT OF WORLD WAR II

ALEC S. TULKOFF

R. JAMES BENDER PUBLISHING, 2003

HARDCOVER, $79.95, 336 PAGES, CHARTS, TABLES, PHOTOGRAPHS, DRAWINGS, APPENDICES

Before examining U.S. Marine Corps uniforms and equipment, some information must be given in regard to the manufactruing facility at the USMC Philadelphia Depot. The U.S. Marine Corps maintained a large facility at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in which resided three divisions: Depot, Manufacturing, and Administrative. Between World War I and World War II, the U.S. Marine Corps manufactured the vast majority of all equipment it used as well as taking on some U.S. Navy manufacturing contracts. The facility consisted of seven buildings used for storage and other operations. The facility itself fell under military supervision, but the employees were civilian. An undated letter found in a World War II subject file noted that the Depot employed 1,800 civilian employees at the present time.

The Depot served an important role in the development, manufacture, and distribution of U.S. Marine equipment. The same document went on to say the following about the Depot: "It furnishes the technical knowledge necessary to maintain and improve the specifications for the purchase of all standard articles used by the U.S. Marine Corps; develops and maintains the standard samples, patents, dyes, drawings, and blueprints necessary in the procurement of U.S. Marine Corps equipment; and provides the technical knowledge and the mechanical equipment necessary to test a large proportion of its purchases under practical operating conditions. It also does a great proportion of all the experimental work in developing suggestions for the improvement of equipment used by the U.S. Marine Corps." Unfortunately sometime between the end of World War II and when the U.S. Marine Corps Depot in Philadelphia closed and moved to the U.S. Marine Corps Logistic Center in Albany, Georgia, just about all the records and materials were thrown out. Relatively few items survived this move.

The U.S. Marine Corps purchased much of its gear under separate contracts than the other services due to the unique mission requirements of the Corps. This is reflected in some of the vast differences, not only in style but also in color, of the U.S. Marine gear of the World War II-era:

*Combat Utilities, P1941-The standard World War II U.S. Marine combat uniform, approved as a general issue replacement for the blue denim and khaki field uniforms in November, 1941 and issued in mid-1942. It was two piece and made of sage green herringbone twill (HBT) cotton. The jacket had three pockets, one upper and two lower, without flaps or closures. On the upper pocket was stenciled in black, the USMC insignia: an Eagle, Globe, and Anchor, with the legend "USMC" above it. The jacket was loose fitting and closed by four blackened steel buttons with 'U.S. Marine Corps' in relief. The trousers had two front slash pockets, two rear patch pockets, and a watch pocket, with buttons the same design as those on the jacket. An issue cap was made of the same material, often being worn reversed underneath the M1 helmet.

*Combat Utilities, Camouflage, P1942-The camouflage uniform was made very similar to the sage green HBT, except the material was printed with a reversible green to brown camouflage pattern. The first issue of the camouflage HBT uniform, in mid-1943, was to U.S. Marine Corps Raider units and scout snipers. By late 1943, the camouflage was being worn by some infantry units.

*Undershirts and Drawers-Part of the standard uniform issue was white undershirts and drawers. It was common practice, although not regulation, to dye the underclothes a forest green or brown color, for camouflage purposes.

*Combat Boot, 'Boondocker'-The standard World War II U.S. Marine Corps combat boot was made of rough-side-out leather and black composition rubber soles, and called the 'boondocker'. The standard issue was two pair. These ankle-high boots were generally worn with khaki canvas leggings.

*M1941 Field Jacket-The standard issue field jacket to all the services throughout World War II until replaced by the Model 1943 Field Jacket.

*M1 Helmet-The standard issue helmet, from mid-1942 onwards, was the M-1941 (better known as the M1). The manganese steel shell was worn over a hard plastic liner of identical shape. The camouflage helmet cover, first worn at Tarawa in late 1943, was made of HBT material and had a reversible green to brown pattern designed for use in tropical environments.

*Poncho, Camouflage-The camouflage poncho was first issued in 1943. It was made of double weight material with a green camouflage on one side, and brown on the other. The poncho could also be used as a makeshift shelter.

*Tent, Shelter Half-Each U.S. Marine was issued one shelter half, one pole, five pegs, and one guy line. Up until 1943, only khaki shelter halves were issued. After late 1943, camouflage shelter halves began being issued, but only to new troops or as replacements to damaged halves.

*Web Gear-The standard issue web gear for the U.S. Marines in World War II after mid-1942 consisted of the M1928 cartridge belt, Model 1941 U.S. Marine Corps belt suspenders (designed to support the weight of the cartridge belt and the pack), canteen and cup with cover (often worn in pairs, one on each hip), first aid packet and pouch, mess gear (consisting of a meat can with cover and knife, fork, and spoon), a pack (Model 1941) consisting of a haversack and a knapsack, a blanket, an entrenching tool-shovel (M1912 T-Handle or M1943 Folding Shovel-issued after late 1943), or pick mattock. Although issued, the service gas mask was rarely carried.

*The research and compilation of the information contained in GRUNT GEAR: USMC COMBAT INFANTRY EQUIPMENT OF WORLD WAR II is truly a magnificent tribute to the U.S. Marine Corps. In researching this book, it was found that most of the purchasing contracts of the USMC during World War II have either been misplaced or in most cases destroyed. In accessing the records at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland, only the Commandants General Correspondence Records and the Quartermaster Records from 1940-1942 were located.

Much of the manufacturing information contained in this book was taken from a government publication called Alphabetic Listing Of Major War Supply Contracts: Cumulative June, 1940 Through September, 1945, Civilian Production Administration Statistics Division. This four-volume set includes every government military contract for all U.S. Armed Forces that amounted to $50,000.00 or more. This comprehensive listing covers items from Tanks to Toilet Paper. A CD-ROM version of this book maybe purchased from the author.

Lt. Colonel Robert A. Lynn, Florida Guard

Orlando, Florida

This is a good book that has a lot of pictures. It even shows the proper way the Marines marked their gear. There were a few things left out like what went into the 782 pack. Overall very good and can help anyone out there wanting to reenact or collect.

Mr. Tulkoff has penned what must be considered THE reference on Marine uniforms and equipment in World War Two. I have other reference books in my library on the same subject by various authors, but now that Grunt Gear is in my collection, I rarely refer to them. Grunt Gear is well-referenced and Mr. Tulkoff includes rare contractual information for many of the items manufactured during the wartime years. The text is to-the-point and written without conjecture or opinion, unlike other so called "reference books" that have emerged recently. If you want an honest reference book on an often overlooked subject, look no further. And while you're at it, pick up "Equipping the Corps, Vol. I" while it's still in print! It won't be long before these books become harder to find and higher in price.

Semper Fi,

usmcski