I read in several places that the hand signals in both Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers are inaccurate to the WWII timeframe, and that the hand signals in these films are actually from the Vietnam era. Since Dale Dye (the military consultant on both projects) is a Vietnam Marine Corps Vet, I was not too surprised, but I want to ask if anybody on the forum knows the hand signals used by WWII American Infantrymen or if they know of any reliable information sites on the subject (AKA reenactor search engines, forums, etc.).

So if you know WWII US Infantry Hand Signals or know a website that lists them, pleeeeese post here!

Thanks,

Hufflepuff

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"Live as brave men; and if fortune is adverse, front its blows with brave hearts." - Cicero

I have several manuals somewhere with these but don't ask where. If I see one I'll see if I can scan them up.

The issue of hand signals is tricky.
Having served with the Jeger, RDF and Storm infantry, I can only say that there is much variation of the theme.

It might be that the Paras had different hand signals form regular infantry.

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'We march. The enemy is retreating in transport. We follow on foot.' Lt.Neil McCallum 5/7 Gordons 19th November 1942

I found this on a reenactors site, i don't know if this is a complete list but there are a few listed here!
GI Intelligence Dept.

found the same thing here to:
http://www.hmisite.com/hand_signals_1.htm

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This is a pair of Dutch resistance crystal radios, built into a small metal can, and a matchbox. The image is from a postcard bought at a Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam. The matchbox is marked in Swedish, but Swedish matches were sold in Holland for many years..
Scott