Thanks a bunch,

I will definetly look at these sites. I want to keep my uniform as authentic as possible.

Kyle

What WW 2 watches? Cant say as I was ever issued one. How about you Roque?

Wonder who was issue them?? I had the same watch from civilian life. Maybe I

just missed out on this issue of watches.

What WW 2 watches?

Good question. I refer to them as "Army watches". I always assumed that the Army issued watches that were built to a military specification and would perform under rugged conditions. I don't know if they were actually "issued" or had to be purchased. If the latter, then I guess many were purchased direct from civilian sources rather than, say, from a PX.

Bascially, they all had the same boring OD look, if you know what I mean.

Steve

My issue watch as a company commander was an Elgin. Never had any trouble with it. When I left the 48th I signed a "Statement of Charges" for it, They took $17 out of my next pay. On the way home not more that a week later I laid it on a shelf in the shower hut in a transit camp near Marsailles. When I finished my shower some one had lifted my watch. I hope the ticks deficated on his arm AL :joker:

AL,

Thanks for your story. I have read that Officers and NCOs were issued those type watches. Is that true for the most part? THe only reason I ask the question is my uncle was an NCO and was wondering if maybe he would have had one. I re-enact as him and just want to portray him in an accurate way not the TV or movie way. THat is why I post all my questions to the vets. You all are a fountain of knowledge and I ma willing to listen and learn.

I hope I didnt hit a bad thread with some, that sure wasnt my intention.

Kyle

My issue watch as a company commander was an Elgin. Never had any trouble with it. When I left the 48th I signed a "Statement of Charges" for it, They took $17 out of my next pay. On the way home not more that a week later I laid it on a shelf in the shower hut in a transit camp near Marsailles. When I finished my shower some one had lifted my watch. I hope the ticks deficated on his arm AL

Al, I hope they deficated on his arm too! Lice would be a nice touch also! What jerks. Takes all kinds and they certainly prevailed in the army too.

I know millions of watches were issued to the military, and I'm sure most of those went to officers, such as yourself.

I'm not sure if this is an Army watch or not. This is the watch my Uncle was wearing when he was hit by a burst from a German machine gun in Germany in February 1945. The watch was stopped at the time he was hit(but notice that the face has rotated out of position).

The other items are bullet fragments removed from him during surgery.

Pvt Clyde Hill, a replacement with

Company C, 119th Regiment

30th 'Ole Hickory' Division.

My first reaction, "Whoa!" That is really something. I hate to even think about it. Amazing what it did to the watch itself. I don't want to imagine what he did to his insides.

I was not issued a watch untill I became company commander. Only one in the company. Perhaps Infantry units issued more as time coordination was more critical. AL

That makes sense to me Al. To infantry, armor, etc., time synch becomes a much more critical issue on the lines. Would love to hear from other infantry officers etc. Thank you kindly for your input.

The watches that were issued to pilots when I was in the A.F. were either Hamiltons or Elgins and were 17 jewell with luminus dials. They were called (Pilots hack watches). Being a scrounger I had one for years and it was a good watch. Even tho I was in much later then WW11 some of the watches had dates on the back of the watch as early as 1944. No telling how many million were made over the years.

Parker

Even tho I was in much later then WW11 some of the watches had dates on the back of the watch as early as 1944.

That's an interesting fact. Would have never guessed that they would still be handed out to you guys. Pretty cool!

Al,

It wasn't me that lifted your watch! You know what I mean about being a scrounger. I made sure I always had a good friend in supply.

The older watches had green nylon bands and the newer ones had black nylon bands.

Its neat to see somthing as little as a watch bring out the old stories. Thanks guys!!!!