BACKGROUND: HBT, (Herring Bone Twill), uniforms were originally introduced on April 1ST 1933 to be utilized as a drill uniform and save wear and tear on the service uniform and field blouse. Regulations prescribed that the drill uniform was the basic uniform to worn by all new recruits for most daily functions. Originally the drill uniforms were constructed in natural, unbleached cotton with an HBT weave that proved especially durable but impractical due to easy soiling. On February 12TH 1940 the color of the drill uniforms was altered to a more practical reed green coloration. When utilized as a drill tunic the garments were issued with no insignia with only EM/NCO sleeve rank and collar trim insignia applied to donate the wearers rank. The drill uniforms were utilized for the duration of the war with minor modifications and in early 1942 a modified drill tunic was introduced for wear as a summer combat field blouse, and followed the basic modifications of the standard issue field blouse through-out the war.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Reed green cotton/rayon blend construction tunic with an HBT weave features a vertical, six button front closure with a single metal hook and eye at the neckline and a lay down collar. The reverse of the tunic has a central vertical seam and a small central vertical tail skirt vent. The tunic has straight cut non-adjustable sleeve cuffs. The front closure buttons are the standard, field-grey painted, pebbled, alloy removable type secured by "S" rings.  The tunic is roughly size 34" chest. Shows wear and a few small sewing repairs.