Photo Essay by Kevin M. Hymel

For the lucky few that got the opportunity, putting on a bathing suit and hitting the waves or pools was a welcome escape from the war. Both men and women of the U.S. military took advantage of every opportunity to get wet, from elaborate swimming pools operated by the Red Cross to simple streams discovered by a patrol or squad. It was relaxing, a reminder of home and a break from the rigors of war.

The greatest challenge for anyone lucky enough to locate a standing body of water was finding a bathing suit. For men, some government-issue trunks found their way to the front. They were black, made of cotton, with a drawstring in the waist and a slanted pocket on the right side. They were shipped out in wooden boxes, 240 pairs to a box.

Some military personnel enjoyed soaking in the sun “a la plage.” Two Army sergeants lie out and share a smoke at Biarritz, France. Socks on the beach were undeniably in style.
Some military personnel enjoyed soaking in the sun “a la plage.” Two Army sergeants lie out and share a smoke at Biarritz, France. Socks on the beach were undeniably in style.

For women, the task was a bit more difficult. They relied often on sympathetic civilians and ingenuity. Some women in the South Pacific fashioned suits out of parachute silk. Women’s suits also went through a radical update during the war. The one-piece became a modest two-piece, liberating women’s midriffs from the tyranny of the cover-up to save fabric for the war effort. In fact, women’s suits were referred to as bathing suits until 1946 when the name was replaced with “swimsuit” for the Miss America Pageant.

When trunks and silk were not available, soldiers improvised the only way they knew how. They went skinny-dipping. With women so scarce at the battlefront or the sleepy, boring outposts that had to be manned, most men shed every stitch of their uniforms to get wet. Certain male only hotels in Paris permitted “birthday suit” swimming, while men on occupation duty in isolated areas such as Bavaria took to the local rivers sans skivvies. Women were less inclined to risk the same exposure, but isolated lagoons could provide similar security.

Anywhere in the world, wherever American troops set foot and the climate was comfortable, one thing was sure. Someone was bound to break ranks and head for the water, if only to forget about the war for a little while.

“Come up and see me sometime.” A Navy flight nurse climbs a diving platform during survival training at Alameda Naval Air Station in Florida. The swim cap was functional and made a nice fashion statement.
“Come up and see me sometime.” A Navy flight nurse climbs a diving platform during survival training at Alameda Naval Air Station in Florida. The swim cap was functional and made a nice fashion statement.
Everybody into the pool! American Red Cross girls and soldiers of the 34th Infantry Division “caper” in the palatial swimming pool at a U.S. Fifth Army rest center on the outskirts of Rome. The rest center had formerly been the Mussolini Youth Center.
Everybody into the pool! American Red Cross girls and soldiers of the 34th Infantry Division “caper” in the palatial swimming pool at a U.S. Fifth Army rest center on the outskirts of Rome. The rest center had formerly been the Mussolini Youth Center.
A Navy instructor explains a flotation device to some recruits wearing non-government issue swimsuits during “ditching procedure” training. It is not known whether women referred to the devices as “Mae Wests” as the men did.
A Navy instructor explains a flotation device to some recruits wearing non-government issue swimsuits during “ditching procedure” training. It is not known whether women referred to the devices as “Mae Wests” as the men did.
“Is that a banana in your pocket?” PBY pilots in the South Pacific show off the catch of the day.
“Is that a banana in your pocket?” PBY pilots in the South Pacific show off the catch of the day.
Abandon Ship? Not exactly. These sailors are taking advantage of some down time aboard the destroyer USS O’Bannon.
Abandon Ship? Not exactly. These sailors are taking advantage of some down time aboard the destroyer USS O’Bannon.
In Switzerland, two Fifth Army soldiers enjoy the sites along a pier with two women from Geneva.
In Switzerland, two Fifth Army soldiers enjoy the sites along a pier with two women from Geneva.
On the coast of Italy, military personnel take time out from their duties at the beach. The water adapted observation plane may have been used for water skiing.
On the coast of Italy, military personnel take time out from their duties at the beach. The water adapted observation plane may have been used for water skiing.

Back to the issue this appears in