!["The Army's cold climate combat uniform developed by the Quartermaster Corps along [the] lines of the "layering" principle of body protection. The outer layer of field jacket and trousers are made from a nine-ounce cotton fabric known as five harness sateen, with excellent wind resistant and water repellant characteristics. These are are worn over regular woolen trousers and shirt. In very cold weather, a pile fabric under jacket is added for more warmth. A pile-lined cap in the sateen fabric completes the uniform. In this photograph, the soldier is wearing trigger finger shell mittens, with the trigger finger on the back, and shoepac boots with rubber feet and leather tops. April 1944."](https://i0.wp.com/www.menofthecentury.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/1-3.jpg?w=740)
“The Army’s cold climate combat uniform developed by the Quartermaster Corps along [the] lines of the “layering” principle of body protection. The outer layer of field jacket and trousers are made from a nine-ounce cotton fabric known as five harness sateen, with excellent wind resistant and water repellant characteristics. These are are worn over regular woolen trousers and shirt. In very cold weather, a pile fabric under jacket is added for more warmth. A pile-lined cap in the sateen fabric completes the uniform. In this photograph, the soldier is wearing trigger finger shell mittens, with the trigger finger on the back, and shoepac boots with rubber feet and leather tops. April 1944.”
Based off of Combat Lessons, Rank and File In Combat: What They’re Doing, How They Do It series from World War II, this series will offer guides for reenactors for fairly common problems. The topics are drawn from questions that we have received, mostly from new reenactors, over the years. This one will examine how the M-1943 Field Jacket should fit.
During World War II the US Army had 24 stock sizes of the M-1943 Field Jacket ranging from 34 Short to 48 Long. Having a correctly sized field jacket was a key part of the function of the overall M-1943 Uniform as it was based on the layering principle. Each part thus had to fit as designed or would not work as well as designed. To quote using War Department Supply Bulletin SB 10-191 Fitting and Issuing of Jacket, Field, M-1943 published February 1st, 1945:
“The issue of improper sizes of [the M-1943 Field Jacket] will cause soldiers discomfort by preventing them from wearing adequate clothing under jacket and will result in ill-fitting clothing.”
For our guide we will be using War Department Supply Bulletin SB 10-191 Fitting and Issuing of Jacket, Field, M-1943, written December 1944, published February 1st, 1945, as well as War Department Technical Manual TM 10-275 Principles of Cold Weather Clothing and Equipment dated October 26, 1944.
While not every soldier’s M-1943 Field Jacket fit “perfectly”, according to the regulations, it appears that most got jackets that fit fairly close. It should also help illustrate the difference in fit between the early M-1943 Field Jacket and the later ‘Pattern B’ fit jackets.
What You Will Need:
-A Tailor’s Tape
-Drawers, Cotton, Shorts & Undershirt, Cotton, Summer Sleeveless
-Drawers & Undershirt, Wool
-Shirt, Flannel, OD, Coat Style
-Trousers, Wool, Serge, OD
-Jacket, Field, Pile, OD
OR
-Sweater, Highneck
AND
-Jacket, Field, Wool, OD
-A Friend
Step 1:
The individual when being measured should be wearing Drawers, Cotton, Shorts & Undershirt, Cotton, Summer Sleeveless; Drawers & Undershirt, Wool; Shirt, Flannel, OD, Coat Style; and Trousers, Wool, Serge, OD. In this case he is wearing the late war variants of the Flannel Shirt and Wool Serge Trousers. For information on how those were fitted, see our article on the fitting of the service uniform.
Step 2:
The individual to be fitted should stand in a natural manner while his chest is measured with a tape well up under the arms across the largest part of the chest. Approximately 1 inch over the snug measurement should be allowed. The length of coat: short, regular, long, or extra long required for the induvial being fitted should be selected according to his height.
Generally:
-Under ~5’6”: Short
-Between ~5’6”-6”-Regular
-Over 6”: Long
Generally an individual’s Overcoat size is the same as their size for the M-1943 Field Jacket.
Step 3A(1):
The M-1943 Field Jacket should be tried on over the cotton and woolen underwear, the wool shirt and trousers, and the pile field jacket. The field jacket should be tried on and should be buttoned in front and pulled down in order that the collar will fit snugly at the back and in front.
Note 1:
PQD No.370C Jacket, Field, M-1943 dated October 11, 1943, has a slimmer cut.
Step 4A(1):
The M-1943 Field Jacket’s fit is appraised in 3 locations:
(a) Width- There should be sufficient room across the shoulders and chest to permit free use of the arms without discomfort. The width of the M-1943 Field Jacket through the waistline and across the hips should be sufficient to permit comfort and present a neat appearance.
(b) Length- The length of the M-1943 Field Jacket should not be shorter than the crotch line of the wearer.
(c) Sleeve Length- The sleeves of the jacket should extend to a point approximately three inches from the ends of the thumbs. Buttons are provided on the cuffs for length adjustment when necessary.
Note 1:
PQD No.370C Jacket, Field, M-1943 dated October 11, 1943, has a slimmer cut.
Step 3B(1):
The M-1943 Field Jacket should be tried on over the cotton and woolen underwear, the wool shirt and trousers, and the highneck sweater with the wool field jacket. The field jacket should be tried on and should be buttoned in front and pulled down in order that the collar will fit snugly at the back and in front.
Note 1:
PQD No.370C Jacket, Field, M-1943 dated October 11, 1943, has a slimmer cut.
Step 4B(1):
The M-1943 Field Jacket’s fit is appraised in 3 locations:
(a) Width- There should be sufficient room across the shoulders and chest to permit free use of the arms without discomfort. The width of the M-1943 Field Jacket through the waistline and across the hips should be sufficient to permit comfort and present a neat appearance.
(b) Length- The length of the M-1943 Field Jacket should not be shorter than the crotch line of the wearer.
(c) Sleeve Length- The sleeves of the jacket should extend to a point approximately three inches from the ends of the thumbs. Buttons are provided on the cuffs for length adjustment when necessary.
Note 1:
PQD No.370C Jacket, Field, M-1943 dated October 11, 1943, has a slimmer cut.
Step 3A(2):
The M-1943 Field Jacket should be tried on over the cotton and woolen underwear, the wool shirt and trousers, and the pile field jacket. The field jacket should be tried on and should be buttoned in front and pulled down in order that the collar will fit snugly at the back and in front.
Note 2:
PQD No.370C ‘Pattern B Jacket, Field, M-1943’ dated February 3, 1944, and PQD No.370D ‘Jackets, Field, M-1943’ dated February 23,1944, have a fuller cut.
Step 4A(2):
The M-1943 Field Jacket’s fit is appraised in 3 locations:
(a) Width- There should be sufficient room across the shoulders and chest to permit free use of the arms without discomfort. The width of the M-1943 Field Jacket through the waistline and across the hips should be sufficient to permit comfort and present a neat appearance.
(b) Length- The length of the M-1943 Field Jacket should not be shorter than the crotch line of the wearer.
(c) Sleeve Length- The sleeves of the jacket should extend to a point approximately three inches from the ends of the thumbs. Buttons are provided on the cuffs for length adjustment when necessary.
Note 2:
PQD No.370C ‘Pattern B Jacket, Field, M-1943’ dated February 3, 1944, and PQD No.370D ‘Jackets, Field, M-1943’ dated February 23,1944, have a fuller cut.
Step 3B(2):
The M-1943 Field Jacket should be tried on over the cotton and woolen underwear, the wool shirt and trousers, and the highneck sweater with the wool field jacket. The field jacket should be tried on and should be buttoned in front and pulled down in order that the collar will fit snugly at the back and in front.
Note 2:
PQD No.370C ‘Pattern B Jacket, Field, M-1943’ dated February 3, 1944, and PQD No.370D ‘Jackets, Field, M-1943’ dated February 23,1944, have a fuller cut.
Step 4B(2):
The M-1943 Field Jacket’s fit is appraised in 3 locations:
(a) Width- There should be sufficient room across the shoulders and chest to permit free use of the arms without discomfort. The width of the M-1943 Field Jacket through the waistline and across the hips should be sufficient to permit comfort and present a neat appearance.
(b) Length- The length of the M-1943 Field Jacket should not be shorter than the crotch line of the wearer.
(c) Sleeve Length- The sleeves of the jacket should extend to a point approximately three inches from the ends of the thumbs. Buttons are provided on the cuffs for length adjustment when necessary.
Note 2:
PQD No.370C ‘Pattern B Jacket, Field, M-1943’ dated February 3, 1944, and PQD No.370D ‘Jackets, Field, M-1943’ dated February 23,1944, have a fuller cut.
Note 3:
The drawstring of the jacket is used to adjust the size when other heavy clothing is not being worn. To adjust the waistline, the drawstring should be pulled to a comfortable position and a knot and loop should be tied at the point where it emerges from the lining. Fullness should be distributed toward the back to keep the front flat.
Final:
Now you are ready to wear your M-1943 Field Jacket from the Appenines to the Vosges, from Eindhoven to Cologne.