Armored Medical Research Laboratory Fort Knox, Kentucky PROJECT NO* 1 - COLD WEATHER OPERATIONS Final Report On Sub-Project No. 1-23 - Test No, 0QMG-110. Test of Raincoat with Parka Hood; Poncho; Rainshirt, Knee Length; Raincoat, Synthetic Resin; and Tent Poncho Sectional Project No. 1-23 29 April 19U3 ARMORED FORCE MEDICAL RESEARCH LABORATORY Fort Knox, Kentucky Project NO. 1-23 727-3 GNOML April 29, 1943 lo PROJECT NO. 1 - Cold Weather Operations; Final Report on Sub- 'Project Noo 1-23 - Test No. 0QMG-110. Test of Raincoat with Parka Hood; Poncho; Rainshirt, Knee Length; Raincoat, Synthetic Resin; and Tent Poncho, Sectional. ac Authority - Letter Headquarters Array Ground Forces, Array War College, Washington, D. C., File 422.3/109 GNRQT-6/34876 dated March 21, 1943, and 1st Ind., Headquarters Armored Force, Fort Knox, Kentucky, File 421o21 (3-21-43) GNOHD dated March 25, 1943. b0 Purpose - To test several types of rain garments and to compare their adequacy with the Raincoat, Synthetic Resin0 2. DISCUSSION; Considerable dissatisfaction has been expressed over the present raincoat, synthetic resin0 The most common complaints arise from its fragility, weak*seams, and excessive leakage, especially around the collar and through the cloth itself. Protective garments of new design and of new materials have been developed in an attempt to correct these defects0 \ Comparative tests of the new garments and of the present GI rain- coat were carried out using a light tank company of the 12th Armored Divi- sion, Camp Campbell, Kentucky, engaged in field maneuverso There was rain during nine of the seventeen days in bivouac, with two days of driving rainso In addition to rainy days, there were a number of damp, windy days during which the test coats were worn as wind breakers. The results of the field tests are presented in Appendix 1. 3. CONCLUSIONS: a. Of the five items tested, the Raincoat with Parka Hood offered the best protection against rain and wind. b. The Rainshirt, Knee Length, offered excellent protection against wind and rain but had a number of undesirable features. Co The Tent, Poncho, Sectional, is not suitable either as a rain- coat or as a tent. do The Poncho is not suitable in its present form0 1 4o RECOMMENDATIONS: a0 That the Raincoat with Parka Hood be considered suitable for use by the Armored Force0 b0 That consideration be given to the inclusion- of an extra length of material, to be attached by means of snaps to the back of the raincoat, in order to provide sufficient length for use of the coat as a ground sheet„ Submitted by; Captain Steven Horvath, Sn C Lieutenant Arthur Freedman, Me Ce APPROVED WILLARD MACHLE Colonel, Medical Corps Commandinge 2 APPENDIX 1 An acceptable rain garment should offer practically complete protection against rain and windo The material used in the garment should be water- proof, resistant to tears and abrasions, remain pliable during cold weather, and allow for the construction of tough seams, A hood for protection and to eliminate the dripping of water down the neck is an essential part- of the assembly. The lower part of the garment should not billow out in the wind since this interferes with movement and permits the legs to become wet. If a raincoat is also to be used as a ground sheet, a flap can be snapped into the back to provide additional length for that purpose. Accessibility to pockets of inner garments is required. Raincoat with Parka Hood This coat was enthusiastically received,. The parka fits over the helmet liner and thus prevents the usual dripping of water from the liner down the neck. The pockets and the double front closure are adequate,. There is, how- ever, a gap when sitting in a tank and the le?s of drivers get wet. This is possibly an unavoidable difficulty, Hie resistance of the material to tears and abrasion was equal to that of the rainshirt and definitely superior to that of the Raincoat, Synthetic Resin, The Raincoat with Parka Hood proved to be an excellent wind-breaker and was worn by the subjects for additional protection whenever the day was cold and windyQ The coat was frequently torn in tanks. No raincoat, however, is cap- able of withstanding snagging on tank projections. This raincoat appears to be the best available, both for ground troops and for tank crews if the latter use a little care in traversing hatch ways. At the completion of the test, all of the 12 men who had worn the rain- coat with parka hood during the test expressed a desire to retain them whereas only a few wanted the rainshirt and none wished to keep their ponchos. Comments from other men of the company indicated that they too would prefer the raincoat with parka hood. The coat field, M-19ii3* although not included in this test, would constitute a more serviceable rain garment than any of the raincoats tested, if a hood were provided instead of the collar. This proposal is amplified in the report on OQMG Test ll*0. (Armored Force Medical Research Laboratory Project 1-22) Poncho; and Tent, Poncho, Sectional Both of these items are unsatisfactory. Neither exclude water from the neck when the precipitation is heavier than a drizzle. The loose flaps interfere with the use of arms and legs, and they are a great hazard in 1 mounting vehicles such as tanksa Wind lifts the loose flaps, resulting not only in interference with movement, but permits drenching of the legs from the knees down. With ponchos on, considerable difficulty is experienced in going through hatchways of tanks« The material tears readily and the sewn seams are not adequate„ The Tent, Poncho, Sectional is useless as a tent. Its limitations in this respect are discussed more fully in another report. (Report on Sub- project No. 1-22 - Final Report on Test No0 OQMCi-140) Rainshirts. Knee Length This item approximates the ideal rain garment from the standpoint of protection against wind and rain. The parka hood is a definite improvement as is the clear sweep of the coat vdthout openings and the minimum of seams . The material is quite resistant to abrasion and offers excellent protection in walking or crawling through brush. The rainshirt has the disadvantage of billowing in the wind and so interfering with activity wiiile allowing the lower legs to become wet. Since the rainshirt is somewhat cumbersome, difficulty is experienced in ascending cliffs or mounting tanks, Like all other raincoats, this one is frequently torn on the various projections on tanks, However, tank drivers liked the rainshirt since it protects the lap from rain while driving. The lack of pockets or even pocket slits is undesirable. The adhesive material used in cementing the 11 Vn at the neck is inadequate. Most of the nV*sw pulled loose to some extent during the test. Raincoat. Synthetic Resin This raincbat i** wholly unsatisfactory. It leaks badly, especially through the seams (even when new), tears readily, offers no protection to the head, and has a poor neck closure. 2 HEADQUARTERS ARMY GROUND FORCES ARMY WAR COLLEGE Washington, D. CQ 422o3/l09 GNRGT-6/34S76 March 21, 1943c (3-21-43) SUBJECT: Test of Raincoats with Parka Hoods; Ponchos; Rainshirts, Knee Length; Raincoats; Tent, Ponchos, Sectionals TO : Chief of the Armored Force, Fort Knox, Kentucky, 1. It is desired that the Armored Force Board test the subject items in general accordance with the instructions contained in the attached test data sheet No. OCMG-llO, 20 Upon completion of the test it is desired that four (4) copies of the Armored Force Board report be furnished this head- quarters o By command of LTe GEN. McNAIR: /s/ Co Ho Day Co H, DAY, Colonel, A.G.Do, . Asst, Ground Adj, Genc 421o21 (3-21-43) GNOHD 1st Ind, S-5-30-43 HEADQUARTERS ARMOPED FORCE, Fort Knox, Kentucky, March 23, 1943o TO: Commanding Officer, Armored Force Medical Research Laboratory, Fort Knox, Kentucky<> For compliance. By command of Lieutenant General DEVERS: /s/ Co M. Wells C. M. WELLS, Lieut. Colonel, A, G. D., Assistant Adjutant General