|
|
Post by bulldawg on Oct 31, 2007 7:13:52 GMT -5
|
|
Woodard
Global Moderator 
Posts: 379
|
Post by Woodard on Oct 31, 2007 9:06:51 GMT -5
Stanton, the best source available, in his Korean War book says: "The Eighth Army prescribed the Overshoe, Rubber, Men's high, 5 buckle fastening, M1945 over other WW2 models. In order of preference it's alternatives were the Overshoe, rubber, men's high, 4 buckle fastening; the Overshoe, Rubber, men's high, 5 buckle fastening; or the Overshoe, cashmerette, men's high 4 buckle fastening" (P128)
No pictures are shown for any of them. They were mainly for non- frontline types based in Service areas, Airfields, and semi-permanent areas. Shoepacks should be issued to troops living in field conditions.
|
|
|
|
Post by foxholetom on Oct 31, 2007 14:17:08 GMT -5
I'm going to pack my shoepacs for the event coming up. I highly doubt I'll need them, but they'll be in my cargo pack, probably with my field jacket liner.
|
|
|
|
Post by foxholetom on Dec 7, 2007 14:48:33 GMT -5
Interesting note...in the book "East of Chosin", Lt. Colonel Faith of the 31st Infantry Regiment preferred overshoes and combat boots instead of shoepacs, and surviving accounts say his men did as well.
Why this is interesting...the Army quartermaster department attributed the majority of cases of trenchfoot in the ETO to men wearing overshoes, and that shoepacs alleviated this.
My theory is that the ETO, being wetter (with all the rain) soaked the guys overshoes, while the rubber shoepacs kept them relatively dryer. However, the shoepacs were known to make people's feet sweat, so perhaps in the relatively dry mountains of Korea (keep in mind that just because there is snow in the winter it can still be relatively "dry", especially in sub freezing temps), overshoes worked better.
To counter this of course, 8th Army on the whole preferred shoepacs for frontline troops.
|
|
Woodard
Global Moderator
Posts: 379
|
Post by Woodard on Dec 7, 2007 14:57:50 GMT -5
Yea, having wet boots with overshoes to trap in the moisture sounds pretty crappy. I see the overshoes being worn in the rear like civilian ones, leave them at the door when you come in the tent and all. PS I hope these are proper, they're probably already on the way to my house.  |
|
|
|
Post by pop401k on Feb 23, 2008 15:56:59 GMT -5
Actually, what you're showing in the picture are the "Mickey Mouse" boots, which might have been available in the later part of the conflict, if I'm not mistaken (and I might well be) but not early on.
John C.
|
|
|
|
Post by foxholetom on Feb 23, 2008 16:52:04 GMT -5
I wore the WW2 canvas and rubber overshoes at the Gretna event. They kept my feet quite warm.
|
|
|
|
Post by pop401k on Feb 24, 2008 1:07:02 GMT -5
Re: shoepacs... I remember reading in One Bugle, No Drums that they had 2 sets of felt liners for the shoepacs. They changed them every day, putting the worn ones next to their body to dry out.
Shoepacs (correct style) are nearly impossible to find now, so I'm thinking the 5 buckle rubber galoshes will do for our purposes...
|
|
|
|
Post by foxholetom on Feb 24, 2008 16:42:47 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by pop401k on Feb 24, 2008 17:13:10 GMT -5
Thanks Tom!! I've been looking for quite some time... there was a size 5!? By the by, Mishawaka is only about 12 miles from my front door.
|
|
|
|
Post by jonprince on Feb 25, 2008 15:03:33 GMT -5
There's a very interesting after action report from 1st Marine Div. on the campaign in late 1950 that goes into detail on various aspects including clothing and footwear. It makes it quite clear in there that the 'shoepacs' (as opposed to the canvas/rubber overboot which was to be worn in conjunction with regular footwear) was found extremely lacking in the climate. Many cold injuries resulted from moisture collecting and often freezing inside the boot in the sub-zero temps.. Providing men with the opportunity and resources to dry feet, socks, change felt insoles etc. was found to be difficult especially when units were moving. The leather upper was also found to freeze and split,the boots were uncomfortable to march in, generally a bit of a disaster and largely the reason for the introduction of the 'Mickey Mouse' boot, though shoepacs show up well into the following winter or 51-52 and beyond. Makes very informative reading and is available to download for free online somewhere, just can't remember where  Men issued with 'shoepacs' were also issued 2-3 pairs of heavy white wool socks and these can often be seen being worn in photos from that period. In practice I find 'Shoepacs' will often fit at least 1 full size above what their marked as because of the space left in them for insoles and multiple layers of socks, so you can often go at least 1 size down when buying them unless you really plan on wearing LOTS on your feet, I can get insoles and at least two pairs of heavy socks on in mine and their at least 1 size down from what I usually take, possibly two! EDIT: here you go (I think!) www.kimsoft.com/2002/oro-kw.htmTowards the bottom, Section 3 'Combat Personnel', PDF doc. titled Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) in the Attack - Part II by Marshall, S. L., January 27, 1951. |
|
Woodard
Global Moderator
Posts: 379
|
Post by Woodard on Feb 27, 2008 11:40:27 GMT -5
This was in Marine a report on Cold weather operations from early 1951. If I find more elaboration on who had overshoes and who had shoepacks I'll post it.  I'm gonna go through the logistics report for November looking for winter footwear stuff, but it's 90-some pages and I might miss it. |
|
Men issued with 'shoepacs' were also issued 2-3 pairs of heavy white wool socks and these can often be seen being worn in photos from that period.