She Wore a Yellow Ribbon: The Cavalry in the West
A Temporary Exhibit April 12-August 17, 2008

The Cavalry in World War II, 1940-1945

World War II, 1940-1945
General explanatory text for this case. Olive drab was the color of uniforms in World War 2, both for dress and for combat use. Weapons were almost all semi-automatic or fully automatic. Soldiers had to be prepared to fight anywhere from the tropics to the arctic. Maneuver was till a preferred tactic, but it was by tanks, personnel carriers r trucks, not horseback. Context for the period The strategy, tactics and weapons of World War 2 spelled the end of the traditional horse mounted cavalry and it was disbanded in 1943. Despite much sentimental affection for the traditions as the mounted service, the reality was clear- mechanized transportation and combat vehicles were required for modern warfare.
Recommended References for further study: xxxxxxxxxxxx (available from Ft. Douglas Gift Shop- order here) xxxxxxxxxxxx

UNIFORMS

Private, Second Cavalry

circa. 1941

Courtesy Fort Douglas Museum Collection

This soldier wears the new 1940-pattern service coat for enlisted men and the just-issued 3-strap boot for mounted troops. The distinctive insignia for the Second Regiment of Cavalry is fastened to the lapel below the button insignia, as prescribed in 1941. He wears the Model 1936 web pistol belt and is armed with the Model 1911A1 .45-caliber Colt automatic pistol and the M1 Garand .30-caliber semiautomatic service rifle.

Private, Second Cavalry

circa. 1943

Courtesy Otoupalik Collection

This cavalry soldier wears the new field jacket prescribed in late 1941 for both officers and enlisted men. Shoulder sleeve insignia were directed to be worn on the jacket beginning in August 1942. He is dressed and equipped for mounted field duty, with the newly issued M-1943 suspenders

Weapons

U.S. Rifle, caliber .30 M1 (Garand)

Courtesy anonymous collection

(click here for detailed photos)

Although the bolt action Model 1903 Springfield continued in service during this period, it was being replaced by the semi-automatic M1 Garand rifle. Cavalryman GEN George S. Patton declared it to be "the greatest battle implement ever devised" and deserving much of the credit for American successes in World War II. The Garand fired from an eight round clip and would fire as fast as the trigger could be pulled eight times, and allowed soldiers to remain focused on their targets instead of reaching up to manipulate the bolt.

Colt Semi-Automatic Pistol, .45 caliber

Model 1911 or Model 1911A1

Fort Douglas Museum collection

.
(click here for detailed photos)

First issued to some cavalry in late 1911, the Colt pistol remained the service sidearm until all the cavalry was dismounted in 1943. Another invention by Utah 's John M. Browning, it used a seven round magazine or "clip" for fast reloading. Two additional clips were carried in a magazine pouch on their web belt. The Model was essentially the same as the Model 1911, but with a different dull parkerized type finish, and minor changes to the trigger, grip safety, sights, and finger clearance cuts on the frame.

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Fort Douglas Military Museum Association
Revised:20 December 2008