WW2 Red Cross Reproduction Knitting Patterns for WW2 Reenactors
During World War I and again during World War II, the American Red Cross launched nationwide, volunteer-driven knitting campaigns to supply soldiers and war refugees with warm clothing. These volunteer knitters belonged to a Red Cross unit called the Production Corps that also produced bandages and sewn garments (such as pajamas) for veterans and civilian hospitals.
Military knitting patterns were designed to be compatible with soldiers’ and sailors’ uniforms and were required to be knitted in olive drab or navy blue. Production Corps volunteers would also knit from patterns designed for convalescing soldiers, such as the “Walking Cast Toe Sock,” the “Cap for the Bandaged Head” and the “Man’s Coat Sweater.”
The chart below shows some different patterns for knitting. The Wristlets pattern comes courtesy of the Estate of Ray and Anita Sexton, Oneida, TN (*).
During World War II, the Red Cross Production Corps was by far the most popular unit with over 3.5 million members, spread throughout 3,304 chapters. Unlike other volunteer jobs, there was no prerequisite training, and recruitment and task assignments were accomplished quickly. The women, and in some cases the men, that volunteered enjoyed the camaraderie and the fact that workrooms were set up not only at chapter buildings, but also at schools, churches, and other public or private facilities for their convenience.
From 1939 to 1946 the volunteers of the Production Corps made: 63,552,649 garments for civilians and the military 1,403,158 infant garments 31,237,900 kit bags containing cigarettes, playing cards, soap etc. 2,481,951,637 surgical dressings Production Corps volunteers were broken down into committees organized by task. They included surgical dressings, sewing, and knitting.
Detailed instructions, patterns, and supplies were issued by the National Headquarters to chapters and each was assigned a quota to fill. Chapters had volunteers in charge of inspection, planning and supplies, workrooms and equipment, instruction, and packing and shipping
Men’s Sweaters at Work and Play Book No.188
This was a knitting booklet made in 1942 by Chadwick’s Red Heart Wools, a knitting company. It’s 22 pages long and has knitting instructions for the following garments
The “Blueprint” for America Button-up Sweater
The “At Ease” Sweater
The Champion V-neck Sweater
The Grandstander – a scarf and glove set
The Match Play Sweater Vest
The Victory Sweater Vest
The Defense Worker Button-up Sweater
The Practical Worker Button-up Sweater Vest
Top Flighters Sweater Vest
The Double or Nothing Sweater Vest
The Football Heroes Pullover Sweater
The Standby Sweater – which is illustrated on the cover
This was a knitting booklet made in 1941 by Chadwick’s Red Heart Wools, a knitting company. It’s 22 pages long and has knitting instructions for the following garments. It has instructions for the following patterns
Round or Turtleneck Pullover
Crew Neck Pullover
Plain gloves and scarf
Chest Protector
Helmet with or without ear flats – designed to go under an M1 Helmet
Mittens
Sleeveless V-Neck Pullover
Square Neck Pullover and Cap
Sleeveless High-Neck Pullover
Trigger Gloves – gloves that have slots just for your thumb and index finger
Marksman’s Gloves – gloves that stop at the 2nd joint of a finger
Plain Sock
Spiral Sock
V-Neck Pullover
Knit for Defense a 1941 kitting guide by Chadwicks Red Heart Wools
Practical, Warm Hand Knits for Service Men WW2 Red Cross Knitting Patterns
This is another Red Cross knitting pattern. The booklet is Volume 318, dated 1940. Below are some images from the booklet and external links which explain more about the patterns.
External Links
The links below are a digitized copy of the content found in the Red Cross knitting document, Warm Hand Knits for Servicemen. Read Me First: WWII Knitting FAQ
Hand Knits for Service Men – 40 Garments for Men in the Armed Forces
This is a 26-page book that includes 40 different knitting patterns. It was copyrighted in 1944 by Book Productions Industries Inc and published by Ethel Evans.
Ethel Evans is actually the pen name of Ethel Rodman. She is a minor celebrity in the world of knitting and crocheting, as she published several authoritative books in this manner. Her brother is Edward Ray Goetz, a Hollywood producer, songwriter, and musician, who at one time was married to actress Irene Bordoni.
This is a knitting guide made in 1947 by the Jack Frost Yarn Company. The company itself may have first started in 1928 according to the date it was trademarked.
Jack Frost Two Needle Mittens Vol.56 1947 Front Cover
The booklet contains the following patterns. Much of it seems to be kid-focused and there may not be much use for WW2 Reenacting but the Men’s or Lady’s mittens might work
While this page covers US knitting instructions you can find a listing of British Knitting instructions: 1940s knitting patterns. It includes the following patterns
Fatigue Cap
When you’re “off duty” jumper
The balaclava helmet
Knitted Turbans
Spiral-spun waistcoat
Gloves for women
Fair Isle gloves and cap
Bed socks
Victory jumper
Pants and vest in mesh stitch
Men’s mittens
Mittens for women
Fishnet stockings
A practical pullover
“A Happy thought” tea-cosy
Canadian Red Cross Knitting Patterns
The book was issued by the Canadian Red Cross Society in Feb 1940 and is 16 pages long. It contains at least 17 different patterns for the Army, Navy, and Airforce.
Army Talks was a series of short works published for GIs in the European theater of World War II “to help them become better-informed men and women and therefore better soldiers.”
Army Talks began publication in 1943, and continued through the end of the war in Europe. Issues were usually published on a weekly or biweekly basis, and each had its own title and topic. The pamphlets contained articles, combat tips, proclamations, maps, drawings, cartoons, news, updates, and other general information.
Some links download from this site while other links go to my dropbox account. If DropBox gives you errors or cannot connect, please try clearing your browser’s cache, and cookies and disable any third-party plugins (such as adblocker or Privacy Badger) as they may interfere with the ability of DropBox to render the pdfs. Special thanks to the 90th ID for making some of these available.
If you would like to purchase copies you can do so through Wartime Press. It looks like you get a digital copy as a pdf.I’m not sure if the copies are exact reproductions. If they are, it would be very neat to see these in the field.
ย Army Talks Vol. 3 No. 12 April 7th 1945 – What The Germans Told American Prisoners
ย Army Talks Vol. 3 No. 13 April 14th 1945 – What Homefolks Think
ย Army Talks Vol. 3 No. 14 April 14th 1945 – War and Peace after 1918
ย Army Talks Vol. 3 No. 15 April 17th 1945 – What About Manpower
Army Talks Vol. 3 No. 16 April 24th 1945 – What is America?
Army Talks Vol. 3 No. 17 May 1st 1945 – Five Points of US Foreign Policy
Combat Lessons
The Rank and file in combat, What they are doing, How they are doing it. The suggestions in Combat Lessons are drawn from the experience of the World War II American Soldiers in both Europe and the Pacific.
This article was written by a friend of mine Corey Hodgson, reprinted as permitted. If you have any specific questions you may contact him: chodgson1945@gmail.com, with the subject line โGI camera guideโ. You may also download a copy of this article in a pdf format here.
The following guide is an attempt to inform WWII reenactors, portraying typical US soldier in Europe. While the guide can be used for those portraying infantry and Marines in various other parts of the global conflict, be sure to research what cameras would be available to a soldier (for example: a Leica or other German made cameras would be next to impossible to obtain for a Marine on Tarawa).
This guide is not meant to be a guide for those wishing to portray a War Correspondent or a member of the United States Signal Corps. While some did choose to use 35mm and 120mm cameras (Like Robert Capa, who chose to use Leica, Contax, and Rollei branded cameras throughout his time in the Mediterranean and European Theater of Operations), the primary choice for the Signal Corps was the trusted Graflex Anniversary Speed Graphic (this was standard equipment), with its massive 4×5 negative.
Signal Corps Photographic Units used wide-angle lenses and 10in. telephoto lenses on Speed Graphics. This helped to take the correct images. See: History of Signal Corps photography in the Luzon operations April 1945, pg. 29.
There was also the Combat Camera PH-501/PF produced by Simmons which Signal Corps Photographic units used to a limited extent. Only about 250 were made before the war ended. See TM 11-2364, Dec 1944.
One ended up on Corregidor and “…proved superior for that type of operation because of its lightness and the protection of its working parts. Disadvantages of it reported by the cameramen were inadaptability for filters (he taped on a Graphic filter on the second day of the operation), bad paralax on closeups and the difficulty of getting used to the log ride of the shutter release, a plunger that appears to lave exposed when i;; [not sure what’s said here] has only opened the interior blind. Most photographers disliked the combat camera, chiefly because the negative is only 2 ร 3ยพ instead of 4 x 5. ” See: History of Signal Corps photography in the Luzon operations April 1945, pg. 29.
There are also video cameras such as the Model Q Eyemo which was quite heavy and sometimes converted to Model Ks via aluminum parts made by Ordinance. Photographers also liked the Compact Turret Eyemo as a second chance since it was lighter. These were used by Signal Corp Photographic Units and wouldn’t have been available to regular infantrymen.
Please research your specific impression before purchasing any cameras, as you can easily spend a great deal on something you cannot (or rather should not) use.
Cameras we obtained in three major ways: Gifted to the soldier, purchased by the soldier, and stolen by the soldier.
Rollei
A twin lens reflex is a camera that has two lenses, stacked one above the other, that allows the user to focus using the top one, and expose a 6x6cm negative on 120mm film. The Rollei has, and still is, a rather expensive camera. The build quality is above average, being created for professionals, most lasting longer than the original owners themselves. Robert Capa was known to use a Rolleiflex โOld Standardโ (made before 1939) during his WWII travels.
Appropriate for use would be the Rolleiflex Original, Standard, New Standard, Baby 4×4 (all pre-war models made from 1931-1943) Automat Model 1, and Automat Model 2. Also appropriate would be the cheaper entry level Rolleicord, any models manufactured between 1933 and 1949 (The Models Ia Type 3 and IIc were both manufactured through the war and continued for a few years after the war).
A word of warning though, the average GI attempted to reduce weight as often as possible, and a Rollei TLR is not the smallest or lightest camera available. Therefore I highly recommend that you avoid taking this camera in the field, instead using it as a โpre-invasionโ camp camera. These cameras would have also been very expensive, costing far more than the average GI could afford.
A cheaper alternative would be the Ciroflex Model A, manufactured in Detroit, Michigan prior to the war and then in Delaware, Ohio during the war. Only the Model A was made during the war. Also available would be the Primarflex I made in Germany prior to the war.
Original (New and Old Standard made between 1932-1941) Rolleiflex cameras look like this:
Rolleiflex Camera
While Rolleiflex Automats (Models 1 and 2 made between 1937 โ 1945) look like this:
Rolleiflex Automats
Leica
Just as it is today, the Leica brand was one that was known world wide for quality and an enormous price tag. There are two types of Leica cameras to look at: With a Rangefinder and without a Rangefinder.
Unlike todayโs cameras, which allow you see what you shoot before you shoot it, a rangefinder shows the photographer only what will be in focus. A rangefinder splits the image and when the photographer makes the two images overlap perfectly (creating one image on the item you wish to focus on), the focus is set and the picture can be taken. Without a rangefinder, the photographer has to either know or guess the distance between the camera and the subject.
Leica cameras load from the bottom, and I would highly suggest you do independent reading on cutting and loading film for any Leica or Leica copy (the Soviet made Zorki and FED cameras) as the film leader must be cut to load film into vintage Leicas.
Acceptable models for use are Leica I, Ic, IIc, IIIa, IIIb, and IIIc. Avoid all gold versions, or ones marked with Luftwaffe markings (and other Nazi markings on the top). 9 out of 10 times, these cameras are going to be fakes and while they might be mechanically sound โ they usually arenโt due to them being bastardized Soviet copies (A Soviet Copy of a German camera, made to look like a German camera).
Leica cameras are relatively expensive, and again, the average GI would not have ordinary access to any of the cameras โ unless they stole them or found them.
Soviet models, that would be acceptable for just playing around with, include any of the FED 1โs (not the 2, 3, 4 or 5!) and the Zorki 1 and 2.
Made in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Argus A and Argus C3 popularized the 35mm format in the United States. These cameras were relatively inexpensive for consumers to purchase, and were very common. The cameras take 35mm film, are built like bricks (the C3 was, and still is, affectionately named โThe Brickโ), and are very durable. These would be more common amongst the average Joe. For more information on the Argus:http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Argus
Typical Argus A:
Argus A
Typical Argus C3:
Argus C3
Kodak
Kodak produced many inexpensive cameras, made to encourage everyone to enjoy photography (and purchase the film that Kodak produced). Cameras were manufactured in two primary locations: The Rochester, New York factory, and the Kodak AG factory in Stuttgart Germany.
Acceptable Models: Kodak 35, Kodak 35 RF (not very common due to the $48 USD pricetag – $700 USD in 2007), PH 324 (Very rare and not suggested because of that. Due to the US governmentโs contract with Kodak, the PH 324 cameras were collected and bulldozed as to not flood the commercial market), Retina I (Types 117, 118, 119, 126, 141, 143, 148, 149, 167), and Retina II (Types 122 and 142). Retina cameras were made by Kodak AG in Germany, and after 1941, the production ceased for the remainder of the Second World War.
On the success of Leica, another German company (Zeiss Ikon) created the Contax I to compete with Leica. These high-end models were known for their wonderful focusing abilities, a removable back for loading film, a quick and reliable brass shutter, and a new bayonet mount lens system (as opposed to Leicaโs screw mount lens system).
There are three acceptable models for the time period: The Contax I, II and III. The III has a selenium light meter on the top to calculate exposures with. While this feature was revolutionary at the cameras creation in 1936, today this feature is at best, barely accurate. It is best to use a different form of metering for your exposures, as over time the selenium cells have grown to be less accurate than at their creation. After the war, Contax began production in West Germany of the Contax IIa and IIIa. These cameras are also acceptable for use as they are hard to distinguish between the pre-war models (the rangefinder window is smaller, but these cameras are still recommended over the Soviet Copies).
These cameras would not be common amongst the average GI, instead being common in the hands of professional photojournalists like Robert Capa.
There are Soviet copies of the Contax II & III, as the Soviets had taken the machinery from the factory and brought them back home as war spoils โ in fact, the Soviets brought back not only the machinery used to make the Contax cameras, but they brought back ALL the parts the remained. This actually resulted in the first batch of Kiev II cameras having the Contax logo on the inside โ with the Soviet KIEV printed on the front. Models that are suggested are the Kiev II and the Kiev III. The Kiev 4 features a different appearance and it is generally not suggested you purchase one for reenacting. The author has used the Kiev II in reenacting previously, and while the camera performed well, the KIEV print on the front stood out rather well. Soviet copies should be avoided if you are looking for a 100% authentic impression.
In Germany the two major producers of optics and camera equipment were Zeiss and Leica. Zeiss Ikon was the product of four major German camera companies in 1926. Known for innovation, quality, and for their excellent medium format cameras, Zeiss Ikon cameras were fairly common โ in the authors view they were along the lines of Kodak in America.
Zeiss Ikon produced many 120mm folders, including the Nettar, Ikonta, and Super Ikonta (an Ikonta folder with a coupled rangefinder). Acceptable models for the use by reenactors include the Nettel, Super Nettel I & II, Nettax, Nettar (510, 510/2, 515, 515/2 and 515/16), Ikonta (A, B, and C models that begin with 520 or 521), and Super Ikonta (A, B, and C). For specific information on the many models, please do research on Camerapedia or on Pacific Rim Camera.
The Challenge record label was a budget label for Sears. It was produced from 1926-1930. It was pressed by the Starr Piano Company and would duplicate recordings found on Gennett and Champion records. Most were of anonymous recordings.
The Challenge Label sold for 24 cents and is generally of inferior quality. Starr struggled to produce records and, in its final years, Sears used The Scranton Button Company to press the records using master records from Plaza Music Company.
Music Genres: Waltz, orchestra, race records, blues, country, popular, reprints of Gennett and Champion records.
Pre-WW2 Label: This was the only label design for the record production: 1926-1930. Green and Gold with a Knight in Armor imagery. Note: Wikipedia for some reason has the record below but in black and white which is inaccurate.
Challenge Record Label by Sears: 1926-1930
1939-1945 Label: None by Sears
Post-WW2 Label: None by Sears.
Numbers from start to 1945: 101-810 The Challenge Label has an unknown number of recordings but the series consists of 3 digits.
101โ271, 301โ431, 501โ506 = Gennett
532โ698, 763โ793, 811โ999 = Plaza and successor American Record Corporation;
700โ760 and 801โ810 = Miscellaneous sources
Note: Many of the country artists were pseudonyms.
Armed Forces Edition Books: A Reenactor’s Perspective and Analysis
One of things I like to do at reenactments is read. Once, after digging a slit trench with a fellow reenactor, I dug out a book I had on 1940s science from my pack and began to read it. We soon broke out into a wonderful discussion on the merits of of what-was-then 1940s science and technology. Fortunately, the Germans attacked way down at the other end of the line.
For the bibliophile reenactor there was not many options in terms of reading material.
You can use period printed books such as Purple Heart Valley, Guadalcanal Diary, or any other WW2 era book. However, you run the risk of damaging these books. Indeed, the paper they are made with is of a lighter material (due to a War Production Board ruling in 1944) and more prone to tearing.
WW2 Printed Books. BAD do not take into the field!
Original magazines such as Yank or Saturday Evening Post are also an option. Again, same problem. These were printed on cheap and non-durable newsprint. Therefore, they are not designed to last and taking them out in the field is asking for trouble though soldiers at the time did use it for a variety of shall-we-say “hygiene solutions”. Reenactors have access to more modern cleanliness solutions.
1944-1945: Yank and Newsweek. BAD do not take into the field
For the soldier who had access to travel material or likes to sing there are city guides and army song books. Again same problem. All original, all cheaply printed, all designed not to last.
WW2 Soldiers City Guide Florence. BAD to take into the field! GOOD to take on leave to Florence!
WW2 Army Song Book. BAD, singing in the field attracts Germans
Alternatively, you could brush up on your language skills. Though you run into the same problem. Cheap books, not durable, and very limited copies produced compared to others.
WW2 Language books: Top-Left to bottom-right- Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Persian, French, German
Finally, one could read your copy of FM 21-100 for the dozenths time. Though, this manual was printed by the millions and there enough copies around that you mightactually be able to take this into the field, destroy it, and be able to find another one cheaply.
Yay! FM 21-100 great late night reading material…
However, there are some reenactors who do want to take out original copies to trash in the mud, dirt, and rain. Indeed, some individuals have reproduced newspapers and magazines but those are very costly to print especially in small numbers.
When I attend a reenactment I bring a copy of of FM 21-100 and some “trashed” magazines. These are magazines that have covers ripped off, pages missing, and are in a general state of disrepair. In other words, perfect for getting destroyed. I rationalize the possibility of destroying these artifacts of history as:
“They made millions of these magazines and enough are still around that preserving a WW2 magazine with a defect makes no sense when others can still be bought cheaply and in much better condition”
Trashed WW2 Magazines that I take into the field. Some have pages ripped out, covers missing, or are generally defective in someway that warrants risking destruction in the field.
The current option that blends an economical advantage with historical accuracy are the books produced by The Legacy Project. The Legacy project is a non-profit that seeks to distribute stylized-Armed Forces Edition books to soldiers stationed overseas. Obtaining the books can be a bit tricky. I would suggest three places: Amazon Ebay Shop Goodwill
I was able to find my copy: Man in the Arena on Amazon. The books prices can range anywhere between 8-14 dollars (without shipping). Compared to trashing a mint condition original book the price is worth it. The book looks like this:
Front Cover Legacy Project Armed Services Edition Book: Man in the Arena
Inside Cover Legacy Project Armed Services Edition Book: Man in the Arena
Preface Legacy Project Armed Services Edition Book: Man in the Arena
Similarities between Original Armed Forces Edition and Legacy Project’s Armed Forces Edition
1. Hip-sized style still the same
2. Cheap pulp paper
3. Back of the book is similar
4. Similar in a side-by-side comparison Note: The War Time Production Board limited the the margin of books to conserve materials and space. Books produced by the Legacy product do not need to adhere to such rulings and hence there books are longer and thinner.
Front of Book Armed Forces Edition and Legacy Project Comparison
Back of Books Armed Forces Edition and Legacy Project Comparison
Side-by-side Armed Forces Edition and Legacy Project Comparison
Differences between Original Armed Forces Edition Books and Legacy Project’s Books
Note: The reason, I would guess, has more to do with modern printing costs and technology.
1. The Legacy Project Armed Forces edition books have a glossy cover. The original ones do not.
2. The size of the Legacy Project’s books are not 100% accurate when compared to originals.
3. Included in the Legacy Project’s books are facets of modern publishing such as Web address, modern printing dates, and modern addresses.
4. Originals had staples that kept the binding together. Staples were along the binding and either included the the books cover in the staple punch OR skipped the cover and started at the first interior page. The books cover would then be glued. The Legacy Project’s books lack the staple and it appears that the binding is glue only.
5. Original books included on the first interior page an outline of the books title in dotted, solid, or double-solid line.
6. Original books have a listing of other Armed Forces Editions on the back interior page.
7. Original books have an Armed Forces Edition statement on the back of the front cover.
First Interior Page Armed Forces Edition and Legacy Project Comparison. Note the Armed Forces Edition statement on the top book.
Back Interior Page Armed Forces Edition and Legacy Project Comparison. Note the listing of other Armed Forces Edition books.
As a reenactor I value historical accuracy but realize that we are not living in the past and must strike a balance between what is practical and what is ideal. The Legacy Project’s Armed Forces Editions look very good close-up and are within the unofficial reenactor rule of 3-feet. Though there are some things that can be done to help “de-farb” the book. More on that later.
A collaborative effort between historical reenactors of how to use the SCR-300 Radio for World War Two Reenactments.
The SCR-300 Radio is a backpack (or manpacked) FM radio designed during WW2 as an inter-company or regiment radio. I purchased several in the late 1990s during the heyday of Cold War surplus sales.
SCR-300 Radio
Several years ago I worked with a buddy of mine to make available a resource that World War Two SCR-300 enthusiasts could use to analyze and learn about the radio. The article is posted on his website:
The SCR-300 came in two types, an A and a B. The different models are identified on the data plate. There’s no operational difference between the two types. The differences lie in the parts. For example, different resistors are used and parts are moved around or dropped. Page 5 of TM-11-4024 Radio Receiver and Transmitters BC1000-A and BC1000-B Repair Instructions (Aug 1945) describes this more (note that this TM doesn’t seem to exist as a PDF on the internet) –
SCR-300 Organizational Placement
The Infantry School Mailing List, Oct 1946 has a chapter on the Infantry Radio Communication and describes usage of the radio, pros and cons (particularly as it relates to range and batteries) as well as where the radios get placed in an organization.
On page 149 it describes the SCR-536 (BC-611 aka “Walkie Talkie”). While not the SCR-300 (BC-1000) it’s often seen in conjunction with it –
“The SCR- 536 is a low-power voice radio set. It is designed for two-way communication up to ranges of one mile. Total weight of the set, including batteries and all equipment necessary for transmission and reception contained in one aluminum case, is five and one-half pounds. The set is crystal controlled for both reception and transmission and operates over frequency range of 3,500 to 6,000 kilocycles . Each unit is adjusted to work on only one frequency. (A radio technician can alter the frequency of the set by changing crystals and certain other parts. ) The distribution of the SCR- 536 within the Infantry regi- ment is seven per rifle company and six per heavy weapons company. The principal employment is for maintaining communications from platoon headquarters to company headquarters ; however, they are also suitable for maintain- ing contact with observation posts , outposts and patrols if distances involved are not too great. This set is simple to operate and takes no special training other than learning the correct voice- radio procedure. It is automatically turned on when the lower section of the an- tenna is extended . It should be operated with the antenna fully extended and in an upright position . ( Operation of the set is seriously hampered when the antenna comes in contact with foliage of trees . ) Life of the batteries is normally fifteen hours. When either battery runs down, both should be replaced . The set should be kept as dry as possible at all times as excessive moisture will render it inoperative. While rugged in construction, the SCR- 536 should be handled with care as it is not shockproof.”
On page 152 it describes the SCR-300 usage
“The SCR-300 is a low- power, portable radio set designed for two-way voice communication over short ranges. The set comes equipped with two types of antennas which are commonly referred to as the long and short antennas. The rated range of the set with the long antenna is three miles or over, depending on operating conditions. The range of the set with the short antenna is slightly less . The short antenna should always be used while operating on the move as the set may be seriously damaged if the long antenna catches on low branches or other obstructions . When operat- ing from a fixed position, however, the long antenna will produce the best results. The short antenna has a flexible section which enables it to be adjusted to an upright posi- tion. The SCR-300 has 41 channels operating over a frequency of 40 to 48 megacycles ( 40,000 to 48,000 kilocycles ) . Each set is hand calibrated at the time of manufacture, thus assuring a high degree of accuracy of tuning by channel setting. The distribution of the SCR-300 is as follows : Oneโฆโฆ. per rifle company. Fiveโฆ ..per heavy weapons company. Fiveโฆ ..per antitank company. Fiveโฆ.. Threeโฆ per cannon company. per battalion headquarters company. Twenty-threeโฆ.. per regimental headquarters company. In the rifle company, the SCR-300 operates in the battalion command net. The five SCR-300s of the heavy weapons company may be used in several different ways, depending on the communication requirements of the company and battalion . The following is an accepted disposition :
A. One with the company commander who is usually near or with the battalion commander. B. One at the mortar position of the 81 -mm mortar platoon. C. One with each of two forward observers for the 81-mm mortars. D. One with the gun platoon. In this case the five heavy weapons company SCR- 300s would be on the same channel and would comprise the heavy weapons company net.
The three SCR-300s of the battalion headquarters company may be distributed as follows : A. One set at the battalion command post. B. One set with the battalion commander. C. One set to be used as a utility set and sent where needed. The battalion command net will then consist of the three rifle companies’ radios, the battalion command post radio, and the battalion commander’s radio. All sets will necessarily operate on the same channel setting.
As the SCR-300s in both the antitank and cannon company are employed in a like manner, only their normal dis- distribution in the antitank company will be discussed. The five SCR-300s may be used to advantage in the following manner : A. One set with the company commander. B. One at the company command post. C. One with each of the three platoon leaders. The command nets of both antitank and cannon companies will then be composed of the company commander, company command post and the three platoon leaders . ( Each of the nine tanks and the tank recovery vehicles are equipped with AN/VRC-3’s . )
The 23 SCR-300s of the regimental headquarters company may be employed as follows : A. One with the counterfire officer and three with each of the three counterfire squads. This accounts for ten sets and would comprise the counterfire net. B. The regimental S-2 net requires five sets ; one with the S-2, one with each of the three squads of the I & R pla- toon and one utility set. C. The air-ground net is made up of the ground set at the regimental command post and the set mounted in the liaison plane. D.
The above allocation leaves a total of six utility SCR- 300s to be employed as required or used as replacement sets. The SCR- 300 has proved to be of outstanding merit. It is the first of the Infantry sets to use FM ( frequency modulation). Although the subject of frequency modulation is beyond the scope of this article, it is worth noting that FM is finding even greater application in newer military radio sets. “
BC-1000 Control Panel Fasteners – This is a pdf that covers how to add new washers, seals, nuts, and screws to the front panel. Looks to be about 8 different screw assemblies.
Notes from TM 11-242 on the SCR-300 Wired Loops and Battery Case Catches
The SCR-300 originally came with wired clips. This is according to TM 11-242, 1943. See below
SCR-300 / BC-1000 Original clips, TM 11-242, 1943.
A work order was made in Nov of 1944 for spring catches
Work order for Spring Catches for SCR300/BC1000 World War II Radio
This was then replaced with a New Latch Directive in Jan 1945. The wired loops would fail to hold down the clip so a spring catch was added.
SCR-300 Radio Set: The Development, Operational Employment, and Details of the Famous โWalkie-Talkieโ
Mike Roof, SGM, USA (ret.) wrote a 200-page guide on the development of the radio set which includes great discussions of some of the early war development and post-war variants. As well as new images of the SCR-300 in WW2. Worth checking out to learn a bit more about the unit. He originally posted it in the G503 forum but it looks like space might be an issue for him so I re-posted it here.
Below is a listing of some lessons reported in various after-action reports. Some sources are unknown. You can download the image files they were pulled from here. Most of the lessons involve dealing with the antennae, batteries, resupply.
*The 300 radio has been very useful. It was excellent at Hollandia and did fairly well here. But spare parts are lacking and much care is necessary. A division radio repair unit, not too far behind the regiment would help. The 5lls and 536s were not of much value. As I indicated before, the bazooka ammunition was poor, but the bazookas themselves stood up. Carry plenty of sound power wire, as it is used extensively”
“We make rain covers for the antenna base on our SCR-284 and SCR-300 radios by punching a hole in the bottom of an empty fiber shell case, then shoving the antenna through the hole and sliding the case down to cover the base.” –S-4, 298th Engr Combat
“We found the SCR-300 very satisfactory. The operator should carry the hand set inside his shirt to prevent its freezing.”
“SCR 300 ANTENNAE. 1. Using wire. “We avoid, breaking SOR 300 radio antennae when in heavy brush or woods by substituting a three or four foot piece of German wire from the antenna socket to the strap on the operator’s steel helmet. This gives excellent reception and transmission,”–CO, Co 4, 333ฤ Inf Regt. – 2. Using lead-in, “When setting up in buildings we get better reception by putting the aerial of the SAR 300 out of a second-story window and running #-130 wire from the base of the aerial to the aerial socket in the radio. The radio can then be placed anywhere in the building.”–Com Sgt, Co D, 3330 Inf Regt. (Notes Other similar reports have been received on improvised antennae for SCR 300 radios, The Signal Section, European Theater of Operations, United States Army, points out that the SCR 300 has a tuned antenna and any variation in length will not affect reception by may reduce the transmission range of the set.)”
“Watch that Antenna Staff Sergeant George J. Bromwell, 29th Infantry Division, FRANCE: “I was carrying our SCR-300 during one attack, and had put it on the ground behind a hedgerow. While waiting for the attack to jump off I had to change from short to long antenna. Inside of 2 minutes Jerry started dropping mortars down my neck. It was called to my attention that the top of the antenna showed above the top of the hedgerow. That’s a point to remember when you’re working close to the enemy.” Communication personnel should always make sure that antennas are concealed or camouflaged. Many radio vehicles, OP’s and CP’s have been spotted by the enemy through carelessness on this point.”
“Improvised Antennae for SCR-300. Replacements being scarce we improvised an aerial for the SCR-300 by soldering to the original base of the AN-130-A a length of French transmission wire, gauge 8 or 10, equal to the original antenna. To support the transmission wire in the base, the seizing wire was wound 2 inches above and below the third solder.” Reports from units of 9th Int Div.
“Antenna repair. Used lengths of open circuit telephone wire have been found valuable for repairing damaged antenna on the SCR 300 and SCR 536 radios.”
“Additional Aerial. Improved range and reception with the SCR 300 resulted whenever we were able to use local material as antenna extension. Broken telephone or electric lines worked well — and we even used water pipes and radiators in houses with good results.”
“Communications; – a. The communications officer stated that infantry communication. units lack parts for SCR-300 radios, thus handicapping this means of tank-infantry communication.” Comments of 70th Tank Battalion Officers.
“…we worked it 12 miles on Saturday just for a little test and the signal was good. It worked until the other set had gotten way down into the valley of the Severn under cover. Also like other high-frequency sets, it is almost line of sight, It weighs 38 pounds. That is quite a load for e men to carry a distance. The set itself is in the top part of this carrier and has 18 tubes. They are varied little tiny tubes as big as the end of your finger. The lad 195 had one tube. The bottom of the carrier contains a battery which lasts from 20 to 25 hours of operation. Well, that’s the 300, Any questions? GENERAL WEAVER: Then it has no key? It is all voice? GENERAL RUMBOUGH: It has no koy. it is voice. I forgot to mention it does have a relay, Any officer Any officer can operate it from a truck or wherever he is at some Jittle distance. from the sot. The set can be placed, for example, up on a little hill while the man operates from cover. COLONEL RAINES: Question. Won’t the battery supply be rather difficult if it is only & 20 hour operation? GENERAL RUMBOUCH: Absolutoly. The battery supply of any radio set is rather difficult. It is expensive and we are wasting lots because we just have to have a supply of reserve batteries in case something should break. You just can’t solve that without having your reserve and wasting your reserve to have this battery. I have forgotten what it weighs, but it weighs more then the rest of the set altogether. You have the great big battery in a tin case. GENERAL WELVER: Thank you.”
“COLONEL NEIL: Chief Signal Officer. GENERAL RUMBOUCH: We have just received the first shipment of a new radio set that I think could be interesting to everyone. This is the SCR 300 that replaces the 194 and 195, It looks very much like them except that they were in a canvas bag. They revolutionized field radio because the 194 and 195 were the first sets that could be carried by a man, walking alone and communicating as he walked. General Danford said of the 194 that it simply revolutionized fire control of artillery. It was as important as the first use of the field telephone for that purpose. Now we are getting these in small lots and we have already supplied one complete division, We are going to supply the others in accordance with the priority set by the Connending General, First Army. This has two antennae. The first one is a small one for communicating short distances, Tho other is for use when you get beyond ranges of about two or three miles. If I were selling this, as an automobile salesmen say, or fishing rod salesmen, there is a little wire cable in there which makes it impossible for a man to lose a section of this rod unless he cuts or breaks the cable. It has a handset which the operator can use as he moves alone. Of course, if he is stationary he put the set upon the ground. There is also a handset which has the new type earphones, instead of having the big cup that used to get in the way. It used to be impossible to get a headset small enough to fit under all types of headgear. This is similar to the thing that goes into the ear of the men who are hard of hearing. It fits in very close with & a little rubber cap which blocks out the outside noises. It makes him quite efficient. The tuning is very simple. It is calibrated and has 40 channels. which means that 40 of these pairs of sets can operate within ranges of each other on 40 to 48 megacycles. This requires a good deal of closer tuning. The books say it has a range of three miles at least.”
“Replacement factors on certain items of Signal equipment had greatly exceeded the percentage planned for by the War Department. The SCR-300 and SCR-536 had an exceptionally high rate of mortality, for example. As it was evident from the number of requests from the…”
“Replacements of AN 130 and AN 131 should be speeded up. These items are to fragile for combat. We now have 64 radio sets tied up because we can’t get antennas.”
“SUBSTITUTE ANTENNA FOR SCR-300 RADIO. The flexible steel antenna from the German pack set mounted on the antenna base for the SCR-300 radio has proved more efficient and durable than the AN-130. It is not affected by the weather” CO, 116th Inf Regt.
“The SCR 300 provides adequate lateral contact if the country is not too wooded, but we like to keep it off the air as much as possible. Cos of adjoining bn or regts maintain lateral contact during an attack by obtaining the frequency of the adjacent bn, and making contact through the bn comdrs, who often have an additional SCR 300 radio for this purpose.” –CO, 313th Inf and Exec 0, 314th Inf
“First Army units have reported unheard of losses of smell radio sets, including the hand carried SCR-536 and the somewhat larger pack set SCR-300. Detailed investigation justified additional demands on the States and to have just had confirmation from New York Port that the required substantial quantities of each set will be available, shipment to be made by air and fast boat.”
“Upon the completion of their task in the Ardennes battle, Signal units had to be refitted for combat. Signal equipment losses were heavy and replacements of these items from the Communications Zone were insufficient to meet demands. By the end of January 1945, the supply of signal equipment, with the exception of field wire, had improved. Wire W-110 and w-130 were rationed to First Army and subordinate units except in cases of operational necessity. Bad weather during this period also caused difficulties in the maintenance and operation of Signal equipment. Due to the absence of standard waterproof bags for radio sets.. bags had to be improvised by “on the spot” means. The supply of pole line equipment was decidedly inadequate to meet the increased requirements for this material. The delivery of radio sets SCR-300 and SCR-536 was very slow, and until the end of February 1945, the flow of Signal equipment left a great deal to be desired.”
“The small front line radio sets (The SCR-536 is used within the Infantry Company and the SCR-300 is used within the Battalion) greatly exceeded the 15% per month. which war Department expenditure factors provide, and even the larger figures that the North African and Sicilian campaigns had found necessary. As the Chief Signal Officer reported at the Commanding General’s conference on 20 July, “Red Ball” requisitions from the First US Army had by ll July exhausted the entire Theater Reserve, and the Signal Corps in the European Theater of Operations was faced with an emergency. Immediate steps were taken to procure additional quantities from the United States. On 13 July a cable was sent to PEMBARK coordinated by General Harrison, Lt Col Wilde, and Col Shearer requesting 1,1ll SCR-300’s and 5,914 SCR-536’s required over and above previous requisitions, based on combat losses. Sixteen days after this cable requisition had been placed on the United States, five tons of these sets were delivered to the Far Shore, and on 31 July a teleprinter message was received from Advance Section on the Continent stating that up to 31, July, 2,198 SCR-536’s and 571 SCR-300’s had been received on the Continent via air shipment from the United States.”
“Air shipment of the following shortages should be made, as signal communications are critical and vital. shortages are real, stocks are not excessive. Honor our figures and adjust later if necessary. Do not delay in furnishing total requirements in common items waiting Air Corps check as these can be adjusted later and utilized to fill authorized reserves if excess in these Items develops but existing data shows they are short. Items tรฒ be airshipped: Headset HS-30, 1228; Radio set SCR-195 or SCR 300, 549; Rodio set SCR-536, 880; Test equipment I-56,89; Telegraph set TC-5. 107; Public address set PA-4 (A), 5; Converter M-209 (A), 214; Test set splicers portable, 20; 21 test set splicers, portable, WE CO 43 A.”
“Functioning in the jungle a. Expect radios to fail to function in the jungle. Reception and transmission is best in North Burma during the middle of the day. b. “Communication for this task force (Merrill’s Marauders) was entirely by radio or liaison-type planes until the airfield at Myitkyina was taken. Radios used were the SCR- 536, 300, 284, and 177. The SCR-536 was not satisfactory due to the type of terrain and the distances between units. The SCR-300 proved very satisfactory but is heavy and uncomfortable to carry for long distances. To lighten the load, the battery sometimes can be carried by another soldier and plugged in when needed. The SCR-284 was found suitable for air-ground work and for working in the regimental net. It also was used between battalions and reconnaissance platoons.” – Col. Charles N Hunter, Burma.
“Subject: SCR-300 for Tank-Infantry Communications Action: In the Daily Journal, 14 June 1944, of the Technical and Liaison Division, the work done by them to fit the SCR-300 into tank M-4 was outlined as follows: “At the initiation of Lt Col Hessel of the London Office, Capt Kusterman of the Cheltenham Technical Liaison Division investigated the possibility of installing the SCR-300 in the turret instead of in the sponson of Tank M-4, and found that it could be done. He is also trying to so arrange it as to permit the retention of the ammunition rack. Sketches of the installation are being prepared.” A cablegram from the WD states that Tank Company T/O and E 17-27 is to be revised to provide seven radio sets AN/SRC-3 at the rate of one per Company Headquarters and two per Tank Platoon, this new set being an adaptation of the SCR-300, The WD message says the new set will be available in about one month. This Office has informed the Armored Force Section, ETO and others concerned, but has reminded them that the one month availability refers to the US” – 16 June 1944, Daily Journal of Chief Signal Officer
“Subject: Air Shipment of SCR-300 and SCR-536 Sets from U.S. to U.K. to Continent. Action : Major Edwards made arrangements with the Allied Expeditionary Air Force to trans ship 10,000 lbs of the above sets daily as they arrive by air from the U.S. and to deliver this equipment by air to the Continent. These sets will be delivered to the Advance Section Communication Zone on the Continent and will, in turn, be delivered to First Army.” – 26 July 1944, Daily Journal of Chief Signal Officer
“Subject: Emergency Supply by Air. Action: Emergency Air Shipment requisition was received from G-4 under requisition number OMAHA SPEEDORD VETG 385 at 1100 hours, calling for 200 each Radio Sets SCR-300, stock number 25300. 192 each SCR-300s and 200 each Batteries BA-80, stock number 3A80, were shipped from C-47 at 1525 hours, 21 June 1944โข 8 each SCR=300 and 400 each Batteries BA-70, stock number 3A70 were shipped from G-25″ – 22 June 1944, Daily Journal of Chief Signal Officer
Below are some nuggets of information regarding Radio Security and Lessons Learned while using Radios in World War Two. It was taken from Hardscrabble Farm and reposted here.
Combat Lessons 3
The snippets below come from this guide. You can find the full guide via a pdf which contains a variety of information at my Combat Lessons and Army Talks Post.
Common Violations of Radio Security– Brigadier General Richard B. Moran, Chief Signal Officer, Fifth Army, Italy: “Use of proper names, Christian names, nicknames, etc. to refer to an officer or enlisted man defeats the object of daily changing code signs and helps to identify groups. The authorized code or codex must be used.
“Use of unauthorized code names or codewords may cause confusion. Units may not allot them without permission.
“Long transmissions give the enemy plenty of time to tune in and increases his chances of gleaning information. Keep ‘off the air’ if possible. Keep transmissions short.
“An encoded map reference must not be accompanied by a description of the place referred to.
“Administrative reports must not be sent in the clear. The enemy can often obtain valuable information from them.
“Codex is more secure than the reference-point code and its use should be encouraged.”
Disclosed by Your Code – Official Report, Signal Operations, Sicily: “The continued use by an organization of a code of their own making will easily identify that unit wherever and whenever it moves. Members of a unit captured by the enemy disclose the unit designation. As long as the unit uses its special-type code its identification is certain.”
This looks like regimental-level radio traffic as the operator interacts with different units such as Nudge, Notorious, Red, Blue, Nomad etc. Many have a numbered suffix at the end like “Nutmeg 3” or “Blue 3” suggesting they are part of the same radio traffic net and are either a specific person or unit (like a battalion or company) within the said net.
In looking at it I think when they mention Nutmeg Red or Nutmeg White or Nutmeg Blue (etc) it’s likely the regimental or battalion and Nutmeg Blue 2 (for example) is some additional subdivision like battalion or company?
The 84th Infantry Division Signal Operation Instructions for Radio and Telephone standard operating procedures goes into a bit more detail about how call signs work on both radio and telephone. It approximates the radio log of the 60th. Namely, the Signal Officer assigns the code names, frequencies, and effective dates, and provides for the radio and telephone equipment. If a subdivision is needed they refer to it as a color and if an additional subdivision is needed, they use a letter.
So if I’m using an SCR-536 at the regimental level and I want to contact the D company of the 1st battalion of the 334th Infantry Regiment I could tune to the frequency and say something like ” This is Chow contacting Chisel Blue D”
Note that telephone would be utilized over radio (but uses a similar communication style) unless the officer thinks radio warrants it or they need it for an emergency.
For a listing of Military Code Names in Europe see: Military Code Names for the full listing or this Excel sheet for a breakdown by division. I’m not sure if it’s all of them or if these were dynamic and changed but it’s a piece of paperwork someone would’ve had. These codenames were likely at an Army or Corps level echelon as opposed to a division or regiment or battalion or company.
They also describe the various positions of the units as they move forward clearing out bunkers and pill-boxes. At one point they make mention of losing the slidex which is a handheld encryption device.
For reference the following units are
Nutmeg = 60th Infantry Regiment
Nostrum = 9th Medical Battalion
Notorious = 9th Infantry Division
Noxema = 15th Engineer Battalion
Nudge = 39th Infantry Regiment
Nuptial = 60th Field Artillery Battalion
Nostril = 47th Infanry Regiment
Omaha = 3rd Armored Division
Jacket = 4th Cav Group
Jingle = 438th AAA AW Bn M. Meaning it’s the 438th Anti-Aircraft Artillery, Auto-Weapon Battalion, Mobile. I’m not sure what the “auto-weapon” the unit had is supposed to be.
Jungle = ?
Batteries
The SCR-300 batteries came as a BA-70 which is the standard model and a BA-80 which is a lightweight model. There’s no difference between them only the BA-70 has a longer life. The battery would be plugged into the bottom case.
Orignal BA-70 photos
Reproduction BA-70 Photos
There is a guy out of Italy who makes them. If I recall who it is I’ll post the information. The reproduced batteries look like the following –
Hardscrabble Farm has a write-up on Batteries: BA-23 and BA-30. These aren’t used in the SCR300 but I posted them here as they are commonly used with various Signal Corps telephone and radio equipment. BA-30 is the equivalent of a D battery. These would’ve seen usage in the EE-8 field phones and switchboards like BD-71 and 72.
Crystals
Radios in WW2 and in some post-war models like the PRC6 used crystals. CR is the Army nomenclature for the crystal. Several different kinds existed such as CR-18U and CR-23U. The numbers at the end likely refer to the type of crystal structure.
The crystal structure would give an indication of how well the drive, power, ohm level, and oscillation of the crystal would perform. For a complete breakdown of the science behind it, you can refer to: HANDBOOK OF PIEZOELECTRIC CRYSTALS FOR RADIO EQUIPMENT DESIGNERS by John P. Buchanan, Philco Corporation, October 1956. It’s a 700-page tome!
The crystals were then cut to oscillate at certain frequencies. They were then stored in signal corp metal cases typically starting with CS or CY.
For an excellent short history of the crystal industry in the US up to the end of the Korean War see: A History of the Quartz Crystal Industry in the USA published by the Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control Society (UFFC) the organizing body to set standards for crystals today.
WW2 SCR-300 Original Photos
The link below takes you to a page that includes a collection of original WW2 photos of the SCR-300 in operation.
I’m occasionally asked where to purchase the radios. Ebay is a good online place to find it. You could also look around on Facebook Marketplace or use an older one like Craigslist.
PRC68 is a website that lists military communication equipment and has loads of links for surplus dealers. A lot go to a 404 but you might get lucky and stumble across a website that has one for sale. International Military Antiques is another place but you’re likely to pay above market value for it.
Online forums like the G503 is a place to find equipment. You’ll need to make an account.
You can visit surplus dealers either brick and mortar (the US Militaria forum has an active list) or follow a bunch of online-only stores on Facebook and hope one shows up.
Lastly, you can visit shows such as your local militaria show or the larger ones like Show of Shows or The Max.
US Marines take a break during the fighting on Peleliu
This article originated after observing a disagreement between two reenactors. One was arguing that the buddy system did in fact exist in World War Two. Another reenactor argued the exact opposite, that such a system was yet another example of a modern military concept grafted onto the World War Two hobby. After all, this individual pointed out, the buddy system is not mentioned in FM 21-100. The truth of the matter is somewhere in the middle.
World War Two games were an important part of a soldier’s life. As a Second World War enthusiast and historical reenactor, I thought I might share an especially small and unknown historical niche in the history and hobby: Games.
