WW2 USMC HBT JACKET.....part2 THE P44

The part2 of the WW2 USMC sage green utilities  saga ,showcases today the P44 jacket/shirt . Even if first introduced in 1944 ,it's really by the summer of 45 that these utilities can be seen on the Pacific's battle fields.Rarely seen on period photograph,that might explain why few collectors are into them...

P44 jacket with cap

large chest pocket stenciled with the iconic  EGA  logo

Rare example with factory riveted "econo" steel buttons instead of the usual USMC marked ones .Was done by only one manufacturer to finish off a contract .....[sorry forgot his name] 

Often removed anti gas flap

One of two cargo pockets originally intended to accommodate large inflatable flotation bladders  for amphibious operations 

WW2 USMC HBT JACKET.... part1 THE P41

typical P41 pocket with stenciled EGA...

the ww2 P41 pockets are squared compared to the post war/Korean war issued aka P47

another easy way to spot a P41 from afar is its Khaki colored thread

on the right, the early war brass button . the painted black steel buttons ,on the left,are commonly seen  on later models and also on the P44 model...

Today's post will feature the iconic USMC HBT sage green jacket/shirt .I won't spend too much time telling you the history of the item,as numerous forums and blogs have already done the job,i'll just do a 3 parts kinda "photo essay" just to display the fundamental differences between the models .

In 1941 ,before the US officially entered the war, the U.S. Marine Corps introduced their HBT uniform,initially intended as a fatigue uniform to be worn on work and training duties,it quickly became their main combat uniform. during the early Pacific battles,like Guadalcanal and on early Marine Raiders,it's not uncommon to see pictures of Marines wearing Army HBT even khakis. It's really by 43 that the sage green utilities became such an unmistakable signature look for the Marines. In 1944, along a newly designed set of utilities, a fatigue cap was introduced. By summer 1945, both patterns could be seen on the Pacific's battle fields....

June 6th 1944.....as French we will never forget

REMEMBERING THE FALLEN

Back when the Second World War broke out, the matchbook industry landed its biggest client - the United States Government. 

There was a sudden need for patriotic and military advertising. Matchbook's industry asked the public to support the war-effort and to buy war bonds, asked people to boycott German-made goods and so on.....

Naval bases ,forts ,air fields,even U.S. warships had their own matchbooks.Overseas soldiers were given matches as part of their K-Rations that proclaimed, "I'm Proud Of You and So Are The Folks At Home." 

By the end of 1945, over 200 billion matchbooks had been printed.

THE GREAT ERICH SOKOL

During the 1960s, Playboy magazine employed some of the best cartoonists around at the time… Eldon Dedini, Gahan Wilson, Jack Cole, Doug Sneyd and today's featured artist ....Erich Sokol and his remarkable ability to caricature…

Sokol (1933-2009) was a talented Austrian cartoonist best known for his humorous and often sexist cartoons published in Playboy. His use of light, atmosphere and color brought to life even the smallest of his works. Sokol was arguably the most gifted artist who ever worked for Playboy, with a keen eye for all of the elements of good drawing- composition, clear silhouettes in the great tradition of Ben Shann and David stone Martin to name a few . Just like his forerunners his drawings had an interesting staging and a keen sense of light and shade. There’s a lot to be learned from his masterful cartoons. His style evolved as time went by, and his images became more and more beautiful.....

PERFECT FOR SUMMER NIGHTS

Just found this beauty that'll come handy for these cold SF nights ...the moleskin lining will keep me warm .perfect for that 30's longshoreman look....