Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps
(WAAC)
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Women’s Army Corps
(WAC)
. ...III. Uniforms
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-- Insignia
-- Medals and Ribbons
-- Service and Dress Uniform
-- Work Attire
-- Cold/Wet-Weather Clothing
-- Miscellaneous
-- Dress Regulations
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Cold-Weather Clothing
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From the beginning of the WAAC and throughout the following years, the women experienced serious problems with the supply of cold-weather work garments. The winter service uniform, the utility coat and a heavy winter overcoat were the only winter clothing provided initially. However, many WAAC members did not receive them during the first winter of 1942. They were sent overseas in their summer service uniform before specifically-designed cold-weather clothing was available for women. Therefore, whatever was available in men's warm clothing was issued as substitution garments. Although often ill-fitting for the female figure, this was the only possibility to give the women some protection against the cold weather at all. 
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WAC Utility Coat
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY

Coat, WAC Utility, Officers'

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The coat was made of wind resistant, water repellent, cotton poplin with a removable liner.
It has a double-breasted front with belt, convertible collar and slit pockets. A parka hood could be buttoned on the collar (like shown on the photo). The ample hood space was provided in case a WAC needed to wear a large helmet.
The field overcoat for enlisted WAC personnel had no shoulder loops.

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WAAC/WAC Wool Overcoat
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
Overcoat, Wool, WAAC, Officers'
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in same design as the overcoat for enlisted personnel but made of olive drab wool doeskin and equipped with shoulder loops.
WAAC overcoats had plain olive-drab plastic buttons or WAAC eagle buttons like the overcoat shown on the photo. Early versions for officers had shoulder straps instead of shoulder loops.
Overcoat, WAC, Enlisted Women
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made of wool serge in double-breasted style. The WAC overcoat was equipped with gilt Army buttons. It is worn with the WAC scarf and brown leather gloves on the picture. 
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY

Storm Tab
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The coat could be closed high with a storm 
tab that was buttoned underneath the collar

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Back View of Overcoat 
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The inverted box-pleat in the middle of the back is held by a half belt with two buttons. It has two slash pockets, a convertible collar and storm tab
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WAC Field Overcoat
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Considerations were taken to replace the WAAC overcoat and WAAC utility coat by a special designed field coat with detachable lining. However, problems appeared to obtain sufficient material and procure this item in time for the next winter period. Additionally, binding contracts with the manufacturers of the overcoats and utility coats had to be fulfilled. In the end, a field overcoat was added. For a short time, it was issued to enlisted personnel, but later it was only authorized for wear by officers. While enlisted personnel were then still issued with both, the overcoat and utility coat, the field overcoat was the only coat authorized for officers. 
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Overcoat, Field, Women's
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
 
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Overcoat, Field, Women, Officer's
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
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The field overcoat was a double breasted trench coat of wind resistant, water repellent, cotton poplin. It had a convertible collar and slit pockets.The field overcoat for officers was equipped with shoulder loops.
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
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The field overcoat had a buttoned on parka hood
for use in stormy weather.


Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
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v
The buttoned-in wool liner had a rayon shoulder lining
and binding around all edges. It was designed for use
also as a dressing gown.
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Since this officer's coat for all occasions was deemed insufficient, many female officers started wearing unauthorized overcoats of various designs and color. Especially coats in a "pink" color similar to the ones worn by male officers (likewise unauthorized) were popular.
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
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WAC Officer's Field Overcoat
(Unauthorized "Pink" Model)
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
Back view
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Therefore, in the end of 1944, measures were taken to stop this practice and standardize the overcoat for all WAC personnel and Army nurses. 

An overcoat for female Army officers was introduced cut exactly like the enlisted women's, but equipped with shoulder loops. 

Note many of these overcoats for officers were equipped with plain plastic buttons.

...... Picture Source: One Woman's Army by Charity Adams Earley, p.143

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Authorization of New Cold-Weather Items
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The winter service uniform, the utility coat and the overcoat could not provide enough protection for outdoor work. Additionally they were impractical to wear for many jobs. 
Despite unavailable field jackets and trousers with woolen liners for extra warmth, the women also lacked underwear that was as heavy and protective as those for men. Therefore, warmer panties, vests, long-sleeved undershirts, wool shirts and wool stockings were urgently requested. Nevertheless, the Army Requirements Division refused to approve new items and delayed the adoption of additional cold-weather attire. 

After receiving authorization, a small number of WAC members was issued with the new clothing. The supply was limited to those WACs who served in areas with cold winters and whose job was classified as outdoor work. However, many WAC members who were assigned to outdoor work in warm climate regions required these garments as well (for example, drivers in colder nights who had no heater in their vehicles). In addition, many women did jobs not classified as fieldwork but had to perform active work outdoors or in unheated buildings. In sum, many WAC members experienced continuous problems being equipped with these garments although definitely needed. 
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Trousers
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
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Trousers, Women's, Outer Cover

made of wind resistant, water repellent cotton fabric. They were worn over the wool liner for fieldwork and outdoor wear in cold climates. The trousers had adjustable button closing on back of waistband and on the left side. Tapered leg closure for close fit under overshoes and leggings. The pattern was introduced in July 1943.
 
 

Details of the
Outer Cover Trousers

Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
left side
Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
back view
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Trousers, Wool, Liner, Women's

made of wool. It has knitted rib cuffs at the ankle and a button closure on the right side. 

Probably, the liners had the closure on the opposite site than the outer cover trousers for better protection against wind and cold. With the different closures, both hips were protected by complete covering on each side. Additionally, the different closures prevented bulkiness on one hip side caused by two button closures on the same side.

The wool liner was worn under the outer cover trousers for extra warmth. The liners were designed too short for regular and long leg length. 

v
 
Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
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In the end of 1944, revised outer-cover trousers and wool liners were introduced. The ski trousers pattern was converted to a slacks pattern. The authorization of the revised outer cover and liner trousers came too late in the war to have any further effect for the female Army personnel during the war.
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Revised Trousers Patterns
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
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Trousers, Women's, Outer Cover
.(revised version)

Unlike the previous version, the new outer cover trouser had straight cut legs and rear buttons on waistband for adjustable closure. 

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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
left side button closure
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
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Trousers, Women's, Wool, Liner
(revised version)..
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The new pattern without knitted rib cuffs and straight cut legs could be worn alone or under the outer cover trousers for extra warmth. Like on the first pattern, the button closure was on the right side. 

The photo shows the liner wool trousers worn with the olive drab wool shirtwaist and the women's garrison cap for enlisted personnel.
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copyright by Blitzkriegbaby
right side button closure

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WAC Field Jacket
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A women's field jacket was adopted rather late because the utility coat was meant to take its place in the beginning. Since this did not prove satisfactory for all purposes, women were issued with male field jackets. Nevertheless, the often poor-fitting men's clothes, additionally unavailable in small women's sizes, made the development of a special female version necessary. 
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
Jacket, Field, M-1943, Women
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made of wind resistant, water repellent cotton fabric.  The M-1943 women's field jacket was similar in its general features to the one issued to men. Just the breast pockets and fly front was omitted while a button front was included. Additionally the female version has an inside pull string at waist height for adjustable fitting.
Liner, Jacket, Field, M-1943, Women
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The jacket was worn as a liner in conjunction with the M-1943 field jacket for extra warmth. It was also suitable for wear over the sweater and the wool waist. Equipped with knitted rib collar and sleeve cuffs, button front closure and slit pockets. The officer's version (like shown on the photo) had shoulder loops. The pattern date is December 1944.
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
. Hood, Jacket, Field, M-1943, Women's
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made of same material as the jacket. It was designed for wear over the head with or without the wool knitted cap or the M-1 steel helmet. 
Additionally, the hood provided enough space to wear the large and bulky earphone assembly and wire attachments when needed (example can be found in "US. Army Uniforms of WWII" by Shelby Stanton, p.232).
The hood was small enough to fit in the pocket of the jacket when it was not used. 
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WAC Field Attire
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In many WWII pictures, one can see WAC personnel serving overseas wearing the following combination of cold-weather garments and personnel equipment presented in the picture on the right side. 

M-1 steel helmet, M-1943 field jacket, outer cover trousers, leggings and WAC field shoes.

Additional personal equipment included a canvas field bag held with M-1936 suspenders, M-1936 pistol belt, canteen, first aid pouch and gas-mask carrier. 

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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
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Rainwear
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
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Raincoat, Parka-Type, Women's
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made of coated fabric. It has a straight cut and 5 button front with inside storm fly. 
The material prevented air circulation. Therefore, the coat was equipped with a couple of holes below the armpit and ventilated on the outside with a shoulder yoke across the back. Nevertheless, perspiration was collected inside when the coat was closed.
The raincoat for officers had shoulder loops. 
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
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Poncho, Lightweight, OD
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used as combined raincoat, shelter tent, ground sheet and sleeping bag. The head opening has a raised collar closed with a drawstring. Double snap fasteners along both sides were used to close the sides and form sleeves when the poncho was used as a raincoat. Several ponchos could be joined together to use as a shelter. 
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continue to:
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Insignia
Medals and Ribbons
Service and Dress Uniform
Work Attire
Cold/Wet-Weather Clothing
Miscellaneous
Dress Regulations
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[ I. Development ]..[ II. Facts about the WAC ]..[ III.Uniform]..[ IV. Sources ]
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