D-Day Invasion: 6 June 1944
The Assault Vest or Assault Jacket (sometimes called the Invasion Vest) is a one-piece vest type load bearing item designed to replace the M1928 haversack system; specifically for the Allied invasion of Normandy. The color of the vest seen in original photos is almost entirely OD#7 green. However, OD#3 "khaki" vests do exist and were used. Makers included Tweedie and Harian.

The vest came about as more and more equipment was added to assault troops for the landing. It proved too much for the clumsy M1928 Haversack to carry. The Assault Jacket was developed over time at the ATC (Assault Training Center) in 1943 based loosely on a British design and initially included testing with the USMC in 1944. The vest itself featured quick release straps so that it could be removed in a hurry if it proved too much of a burden in the surf. It had 4 front pockets for holding ammunition, grenades, rations, and other items; and 2 large rear pockets for holding more rations, uniform items such as socks and under shorts, blanket/raincoat, and so on. There was a provision for attaching the M1910 or M1943 entrenching tool (M1943 shown) on the rear flap; with a strap to secure the handle. Eyelets at the waist level on the front and sides allowed for attachment of any piece of equipment that featured the standard M1910 belt hook. (M1938 wire cutters were common; compass, canteen, and first aid pouch are pictured attached here) The M1936 pistol belt could be worn under the vest with a sidearm. In some cases the M1923 cartridge belt would be worn over the vest; to allow for carrying additional ammo. The vest was also modified in very limited cases by individual soldiers by cutting off shoulder loops (normally used to secure the rifle sling when climbing down the cargo net into landing craft) or even by cutting off the lower section entirely making for an abbreviated version.

Very few original assault vests are around today; due to most of them being discarded by the fighting men shortly after the invasion for numerous reasons: The vest was very hot and did not breathe well. Its biggest shortcoming was since it was one-piece the contents of the pack could not be discarded and ammo alone carried; unlike the haversack or Musette bag system where they could be unclipped from the belt or suspenders in the case of the Musette bag.

The 5th rangers, along with members of the 2nd Rangers, 1st Infantry Division, and 29th Infantry Division were issued assault jackets in limited numbers for the D-Day invasion. That is to say; not all members of those units had them; or wore them even if they did. Since re-enacting the 5th Ranger battalion is our primary interest it should be noted that either the M1928 haversack or the Assault Jacket are acceptable.

• In addition to the Assault Vest, the Assault Gas Mask, M5 - 11 - 7 was carried in a rubberized black bag on the chest; fastened around the arms with OD#7 green straps by all the first wave troops. The M11 filter canister attached to the left cheek of the M5 face piece. Some members of the 5th Ranger battalion elected to carry the bag around their leg; strapped around the waist and to the thigh rather than on the chest; where it tends to get in the way of shouldering the rifle and getting at ammunition kept in the pockets under the vest. Rather then carry the mask at all; some members choose to use the waterproof bag for keeping other items dry; like additional ammunition or grenades; cigarettes, rations and in at least one case; a few bottles of beer.
• Around the waist is the Life Preserver Belt; a USN bit of equipment. Its the standard M1926 preserver provided to all troops on troop transports and landing craft involved in amphibious operations. It was inflated using 2 CO2 cylinders located near the front buckle. Screwing down the caps punctured the cylinders releasing the CO2 and inflating the belt. If that failed the preserver could be inflated by mouth using the 2 tubes with the metal screw down valves.
  

M1928 Haversack Load Bearing Gear
The M1928 Haversack was the standard pack for all infantrymen in WWII including Rangers. It was used as an assault pack; light field pack, an improvised back-pack and as a complete field pack when used with the M1928 pack carrier.

The M1928 Haversack was a slightly modified version of the WWI M1910 haversack. The difference being that the meat-can pouch was closed with a strap rather than a button and that the rear of the pack featured 2 belt clasps in an inverted "Y" shape rather than the single strap with clasp as on the 1910 model. Manufacturer and date stamps can be found on the inside of the flap.

The outer pouch on the main flap held the meat-can (also known as the mess kit) and cutlery consisting of the knife, fork, and large spoon. Leather inserts were made to hold the knife and prevent its point from poking thru the canvas. The intrenching tool was hooked under this, on a 2-grommeted tab (M1910 t-handle e-tool is shown.) The bayonet could be carried in the same manner on the left side.

Internally the haversack was not a bag or a pack by usual thinking. It was a system of flaps and straps that lashed together to hold the contents consisting of rations, camp towel, toiletries, shaving kit, tooth brush/powder and personal effects. It was packed; in training anyway; by a set of exact specifications for each piece included; down to how to fold the towel.

Once packed, the main compartment was closed via strap and covered by the outer flap (on which the e-tool and mess kit were kept as above). The haversack typically contained C or K rations; personal effects such as paperback books/magazines and shaving supplies/toiletries and such. Extra ammo/grenades were not usually carried in the pack; since unpacking and packing the haversack was an ordeal, especially in a combat situation. The pack was fixed to the M1923 cartridge belt or M1936 pistol belt by the inverted "Y" looking straps in the rear and the 2 chest straps in the front that branch off the main straps; which loop under the arms and attach to the D-rings at the base of the pack. The intrenching tool should be secured in the fashion shown here by looping the lower pack strap around the handle then thru the buckle. Doing so keeps it from flopping around while running.

The M1928 Haversack is the primary load bearing pack used the by the 5th Rangers from D-day onward; even thru VE Day. It could be see serving alongside the Assault vest on D-Day and the Musette bag and is overall the most authentic piece to used for the purpose. Musette bags and M1936 suspenders are acceptable, especiallyamong NCO's and officers but the Haversack will remain the norm; all others: the exception.