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A soldier's gear on D-Day (pictures)

A look at the cutting-edge gear a soldier would likely be carrying storming the beach at Normandy in 1944.

James Martin
James Martin is the Managing Editor of Photography at CNET. His photos capture technology's impact on society - from the widening wealth gap in San Francisco, to the European refugee crisis and Rwanda's efforts to improve health care. From the technology pioneers of Google and Facebook, photographing Apple's Steve Jobs and Tim Cook, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Google's Sundar Pichai, to the most groundbreaking launches at Apple and NASA, his is a dream job for any documentary photography and journalist with a love for technology. Exhibited widely, syndicated and reprinted thousands of times over the years, James follows the people and places behind the technology changing our world, bringing their stories and ideas to life.
James Martin
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1 of 19 Wall. SC189902

D-Day invasion

On the day of the invasion,  American assault troops move onto Utah Beach as part of the Allied invasion of Europe on the northern coast of France on June 6, 1944.

Hitler's forces knew the invasion would come, and that it would be the decisive moment of the war. He just didn't know precisely when or where that attack would commence.

"This operation is not being planned with any alternatives. This operation is planned as a victory, and that's the way it's going to be. We're going down there, and we're throwing everything we have into it, and we're going to make it a success."

Here are some of the tools the men carried on that historic day 70 years ago.

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2 of 19 DoD/Public Domain

89th Infantry Division wearing M1 helmets

Soldiers from 89th Infantry Division, seen here ducking for cover as they cross the Rhine River in assault boats, 1945. The steel M1 helmet was the definitive head protection of the time.

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3 of 19 Swedish Army Museum/Digital Museum

M-1 Garand Rifle

The M1 Garand,officially designated as United States Rifle, Caliber .30, M1, was the standard issue semi-automatic rifle issues during WWII. Used also in the Korean War and even with limited use in Vietnam and up through 1963, Gen. George Patton called the weapon "the greatest battle implement ever devised."

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4 of 19 WWII Impressions

​M-1928 haver sack

The M-1928 haver sack infantry pack carried all the gear a soldier needed to survive in the field.

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5 of 19 Soldier of Fortune

US Army HBT Trousers

These trousers were worn by some assault troops, on the D-Day Normandy landing invasion, over their wool trousers and worn by themselves in the summer.

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6 of 19 1stidunit.org

HBT jacket

HBT jacket with 1st div patch on left sleeve, seen here during a WWII reenactment in 2010.

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7 of 19 Courtesy BayStateMilitaria.com

US Army wool undershirt

US Army wool undershirt, a staple of comfort and survival during WWII.

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8 of 19 http://36thair3ad.homestead.com/

Jeep cap

Cap, Wool, Knit, M-1941. Often called the "Jeep cap." The Jeep Cap  was a wool knit hat to be worn underneath the heavy M-1 combat helmets, offering soldiers  extra comfort with both padding and warmth.

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9 of 19 Courtesy BayStateMilitaria.com

10 pocket ammo belt

A 1943-dated 10-pocket ammo belt commonly worn during WWII used with both the Springfield and Garand Rifles.

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10 of 19 Courtesy BayStateMilitaria.com

Pistol Belt

WWII US Pistol Belt carried a soldiers sidearm.

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11 of 19 Courtesy BayStateMilitaria.com

M-1 Garand Rifle Sling

The M-1 Garand Rifle Sling kept a troop's rifle close at hand during WWII.

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12 of 19 Courtesy BayStateMilitaria.com

WWII M-1 Garand Bayonet and scabbard.

The WWII M-1 Garand Bayonet and scabbard served as both an all purpose knife and a bayonet for his rifle.

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13 of 19 Courtesy BayStateMilitaria.com

M-1910 T-handled shovel

The M-1910 T-handled shovel was used for digging trenches.

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14 of 19 aef-doughboys.com

M-1910 pick mattock

M-1910 pick mattock was a pick-axe that detached into two pieces for easy transport.

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15 of 19 Courtesy BayStateMilitaria.com

First aid pouch

A simple, canvas first aid pouch typical of WWII.

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16 of 19 Courtesy BayStateMilitaria.com

Canteen

A typical WWII soldier's canteen.

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17 of 19 Courtesy BayStateMilitaria.com

Dinner rations

Early War Dinner Ration with wax paper covered inner box.

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18 of 19 Courtesy BayStateMilitaria.com

WWII Fire Control Rifle Gauge

WWII Fire Control Rifle Gauge.

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19 of 19 Courtesy BayStateMilitaria.com

​Great Navigators Stop Watch

Great Navigators Stop Watch

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