Military Model Scene

Title: US Marine Corps

Author: Jim Moran

Publisher: Frontline Books

ISBN: 978-1-52671-041-3

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First published back in 1992, this is a new edition of a book which stills provides the best basic groundwork on the subject of US Marine Uniforms and Equipment of WW2. The author has his own collection of uniforms and equipment but he worked with the US Marine Corps Museum. He helped the museum establish a recording system for all the artefacts they held at the time and had the dedication to see it through in creating this book as well.  In the Forward to this new edition from Frontline Books, the Senior Curator for Uniforms and Heraldry at the National Museum of the Marine Corps tells us of the continuing value of this record in helping him get settled in his role. There will have been elements of new information that have come to light since the original publication date but this is still the groundwork on the whole subject.

From a relatively small organisation, Embassy Guards etc, the Pearl Harbour attack and the US entry into WW2 saw a huge expansion of the Marine Corps.  The six chapters of the book take us through the evolution of the uniforms and equipment they used throughout the war. From the early days, when they used British pattern steel helmets, through to the later and well known US style helmet and the camouflage covers which became common to the Marines later in the war.  Using a selection of archive photos which show the equipment in use, the bulk of the illustrations show colour images of preserved examples of the while range of items.  From field jackets and trouser, dress uniforms and the later camouflage uniforms there is so much to see.  Personal equipment shows us the various items of webbing gear, various patterns of water bottle and knives, just to pick out a couple things. There are some short lived items, such as things used by Raiders and Paramarines.  Throughout there is also coverage of the various badges, both metal and cloth patches. The final chapter looks at uniforms and equipment of the USMC Womens Reserve, an element of the Corps which had existed in WW1 but disbanded afterwards, and it was reformed during WW2.

This is a welcome return of a classic reference which is ideal for anyone with an interest in the history of the US Marine Corps, and an ideal reference for the figure modeller and for re-enactors.

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Thanks to Pen and Sword for this review copy.

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Robin