This area of the 808 tank destroyer website will help you understand the issuance
of the gear used by soldiers, the vehicles used by the battalion and the
never ending short supply.
On induction a soldier is issued the basics, when deployed to an area that
requires something different than what was already issued, something
additional is issued. The US soldier does not have anything
he doesn't need.
Personal Gear
The following is the gear issued at induction. The links will lead you to information about the particular item. You can always return to this page by clicking on the link near the top of the page.
| 2 tags, identification | 2 trousers, wool, olive drab | 2 caps, garrison, khaki |
| 1 tape for Ind. tags, cotton | 2 trousers, cotton, khaki | 1 cap, wool knit |
| 1 raincoat | 2 trousers, herringbone twill | 1 meat can |
| 1 shaving brush | 1 belt, web, waist | 1 knife |
| 1 tooth brush | 1 coat, serge, olive drab | 1 fork |
| 1 comb | 1 overcoat, wool, olive drab | 1 spoon |
| 1 razor with 5 blades | 2 jackets, herringbone twill | 1 liner, helmet w/ neckband |
| 2 towels, huck (huckaback) | 1 jacket, field | 1 manual, basic field |
| 1 towel, bath | 2 shirts, wool, olive drab | 2 neckties, mohair |
| 2 barrack bags | 2 shirts, cotton, khaki | 3 pr socks, wool, light |
| 5 drawers, cotton | 1 hat, herringbone twill | 5 pr socks, cotton, tan |
| 5 undershirts, cotton | 1 headband | 2 pr shoes, service |
| 1 pr. leggins | 4 handkerchiefs, cotton | 1 canteen |
| 1 pr gloves, wool | 1 cap, garrison, olive drab | 1 canteen cover |
| 1 cup, canteen |
Personal Weapons
Each man carried a weapon, different ranks carried different weapons. I may need to be corrected and if you know different, please email this webmaster, my source is questionable.
- m1 g
- Garande carried by grunts
- BAR - Browning automatic rifle carried by 1 -2 men per squad
- Thompson sub machine gun carried by Sgts and officers
- Colt 45 the 1911 model carried by Sgts and officers and some enlisted men.
Batallion Equipment
While in combat there were other items needed...
Guns, ammo, gas mask with covers, protective eye ointment, protective
ointment, eye shields, 2 detectors with sleeve, food and clothing
changes to suit the environment.
The quartermaster filled the needs of the troops both in the states and overseas, often there were complaints about needs not being met in a timely manner.
Shortages were a common problem. The December, 1944 After Action Reports
indicated
the following shortages.
- 24 tires, 600 X 16
- 8 tubes, 600 X 16
- 2 tubes, 825 X 20
- 10 lb acid core solder
- 1,000 hot patches
- 500 cold patches
- 12 half-track winch cable
- 6 seal beam units, 1/4 ton
- 6 seal beam units, 2 1/2 ton
- 18 ft radiator hose, f/1/2 ton
- 1 battery charger, 2d Echelon Set #2
The reason for these shortages is explained here. The link will open in a new window or tab, just close it to return here.
Vehicles
Vehicles were also needed to fight a war, vehicles that tow weapons, vehicles that are weapons and vehicles used to transport and equipment.
When American forces landed in Normandy it was already evident that the towed weapons were very difficult to work with effectively in the terrain found in Europe. This is an important point when we realize the 808 was never fully self-propelled and were the most effective TD battalion serving in WWII.
You can view a slide show with pictures of many of the vehicles used by the 808. Some vehicles are identified. The slide show will open in this window but does supply a link to return here.
I do not know how many of the different anti-tank vehicles and weapons each platoon had, but we do know that each platoon had the following capabilities:
- 4 self propelled guns
- an armored car section for security
- and an antiaircraft section
These links will open in a new window close it to return here.
The content and pictures found on this site are the property of the 808 TD Btn and their webmaster. You may not use any content or images without the express permission of the webmaster for any project that would or could end in any type of publication, either hard copy or internet.
