Steven Zaloga

Armoured infantry were notorious for pilfering gear, since unlike normal infantry, they could carry additional equipment with them in the half-tracks. the degree to which the standard "Lootin" veerbooten" rules were applied varied from unit to unit, and was generally much stricter in France than in Germany. An account by C Company, 17th Armored Infantry Battalion recalled that "one advantage of dismounted attack was the opportunities for more thorough investigations of towns and the chance to fill in the deficiency of our K-ration diet". Half-tracks often became festooned with portable stoves, brooms, wash basins, pails and other amenities.