Those Triangle Thingies

[woodsda]

Re: Those Triangle Thingies

Has anyone ever taken a shelter half and stretced it across the opening to see if it fits as tight as Gaede says it does in his book? Just a thought.

[AZReenactor]

Re: Those Triangle Thingies

Well, since most shelter halves are nearly square, a half stretched across the ends fits quite tightly assuming the first halves are set at a right angle. A right angle can easily can be achieved by adjusting the height of the pole. (Assuming a 64"x64" shelter half you would have a comfortable tent 7.5' wide and 3.25' tall.

A more acute angle on the tent (achieved by taller poles) decreases the width and increase the height of the tent. If you have a third shelter half buttoned on the end it will end up bowing out much like those pictured if staked down over guy ropes.

Consider that counting the shelter tents and assuming a man per shelter half (3 men per tent) in that picture Douglas shared you probably have sleeping accommodations for over 30 men in that little cluster of dog tents.

[erik]

Re: Those Triangle Thingies

My comments reference the end closure seem to be borne out by the photo. To all of the best interpretation they are shelter halves buttoned on with varying degrees of success as to a tight fit. Various methods are employed by buttoning, flairing over guy ropes, tying down, etc. Great photo and much to discuss as to how to do it right and quickly.
There are period end pieces I am sure but not the common soldiers lot.
I would like to hear about methods used to close in a shelter tent. To Bell or not to Bell.

Erik Simundson

[AZReenactor]

Re: Those Triangle Thingies

Erik,
It all depends on who I am bivouacking with and how close you want to sleep. Wider men require a more obtuse angle and lower roof to sleep three comfortably. in such cases it is usually better to put the third shelter half down as a ground sheet and close the end off with blankets or gum blankets.

With skinnier guys you can sleep closer and have taller roof and bell at the end for gear.

[kaelin]

Re: Those Triangle Thingies

Interesting post....my parents bought one of these for me 20 years ago, I just got it out and made sure it was spot on with the image and description that has been discussed and it is right on. I used it a lot, years ago but only pull it out every now and again if the event calls for it. I wish I knew who made it and I am not sure if anyone makes this style or not does anyone know??

Thanks

[erik]

Re: Those Triangle Thingies

AZReenactor,
Interesting comments about wider and skinnier comrades. I remember being posted to the rear rank between two such wide fellows, decent chaps as it happened. The pressure from either flank almost lifted me clear of the ground. When I suggested that one should stencil 747 on his canteen cover and the other L1011, they took it with poor grace.
As to the shelters, what I wanted to know was means of tying down and securing inside the guy rope or outside and if there is no guy.
I am going to slip over to E.J. Thomas and buy a 3rd half and experiment guided by the text.
A bit trickey now that the ground is freezing but I will endure and post results and photos as I progress.
Thanks for the input and humour.:D

Erik Simundson

[erik]

Re: Those Triangle Thingies

Well, today I received my third W&W shelter half from E.J. Thomas. These are really outstanding. They represent the likely issue to soldiers in a particular Regiment, ie. uniform.
Despite the lousy weather, it actually was not that bad, I undertook to button them up as used by three soldiers.
Well, lo and behold, they worked as a unit, each unit butoning together with a little bit left over on one side and an adecent bell on the end.
I could now sleep dry with bags of room for my knapsack and mess gear.
End pieces are a post war thing.
At a $110 I am conviced that the soldiers lived with what they were issued and belled when 3 came together.

Erik Simundson

[DocReynolds]

Re: Those Triangle Thingies

I'd heard that there was primary evidence, and this one is a nice piece...I also have a diary from Lt. Charles Warner, 145th NY who talks about purchasing and endpiece for his own dog tent. (I'll have to go thru it again to find the exact mention), but it is another reference.

Pete Bedrossian
150th NY/3rd NCT

[RJSamp]

Re: Those Triangle Thingies

End pieces are a post war thing.
At a $110 I am conviced that the soldiers lived with what they were issued and belled when 3 came together.

Erik Simundson

So what do you think the 'fitted triangles' referred to, a third shelter half?

[erik]

Re: Those Triangle Thingies

In the case of the original translation, yes I think that they are referring to a third shelter half. It makes the most sense from a soldier's view.
Money was tight and I cannot support the proposal that a depot or the QMD would issue two men shelter halves and a third an end piece. What would happen if one of the shelter halves was lost or both? Would the third man sleep under his end piece?
Reference can be made to Gaede's book on pp. 77, 78, 79 for a discussion of the end piece and how the soldiers dealt with the problem.
With my simple experiment, I am convinced that they, most simply, buttoned on a third half. The fit is so good, but each must have an issue from the same depot or it would be untidy.
Doubtless there were private purchase end pieces for the well to do and higher rank's tente d'abri as opposed to the common soldiers dog tent.

Erik Simundson