Andy...re: Devils in baggy pants

[82Rigger]

This expression originally referred to the 504th PIR (Parachute Infantry Regiment) of the 82nd.
A German officer's diary, found on the Anzio beach head in the 504th's OA had the following entry:

"American parachutists...devils in baggy pants...are less than 100 meters from my outpost line.

I can't sleep at night; they pop up from nowhere and we never know when or how they will strike next.

Seems like the black-hearted devils are everywhere..."

I think the expression gradually came to include any paratroopers who wore the WW2 parachutists' jump pants with the large pockets.

Steve / 82Rigger