This impression is of a US Army 1st Division Staff Sergeant in Europe Winter 1944. The US First Division fought in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, D-Day, France & Germany.

He wears an M1 Steel helmet & liner with camo netting, an M39 Greatcoat, (British Contact Manufacture) Service trousers, Flannel Service shirt, M41 ‘Parsons’ Jacket (Unseen), M38 canvas leggings, M41 ‘service shoe’ boots, M36 Combat suspenders, m23 cartridge belt, M42 bayonet, M41 canteen; cup & cover, m43 First Aid pouch.

He carries an M1 Garand self loading Rifle that loads a 30-06 size round.

The Sergeant is wearing a uniform that was basically pre-war in its design and issue, but worn throughout the entire war.  This impression is very typical of the hard battles of ‘The battle of the bulge’ and “Hurtgen Forest”.
 
The greatcoat (with its brass buttons) was good for sentry duty at the base but not for field combat. However, it was all the US Army had to offer as the new M43 service jacket was in short supply.

The M38 lace up leggings /gaiters went back in US army history to the Mexican-Indian Wars of the 1890’s as they offered cheap protection from rattlesnake bites.

They were tedious to lace up and not popular with the troops. They were replaces by twin buckle boots with built in leggings.

The NCO has stripped off his field pack as he is in ‘fighting order’ defending his trench-line on the winter frontline.  He is wary of German snipers that look for men carrying Thompson submachine-guns as they know they will be Officers or NCO’s, so he carries a standard infantryman’s Rifle.