Axis kit

You are missing the point rather.

This event takes us to Brittany on July 7th 1940. All the allied forces have been officially evacuated, killed or captured. Paris has fallen, France has surrendered. The German Army is sweeping across France, not only removing malcontents and aliens on the way but also setting up occupation and military command and establishing communications and administrative networks.

That's why this event has the Heer as a primary focus. This isn't a pitched frontline battle with hoardes of SS and tank battalions and massive artillery pieces, its not like the action bit of a WW2 film and its not one of the big set piece battles of WW2. We have conceded to allowing SS to be portrayed at this event for practical reasons, chaps might not wish to debadge (and if they badged as something more realistic like Totenkopf then so much the better) and its not beyond the bounds of possibility that they may have been at this location on this particular day to, let's say, build up a regional presence.

With this in mind this event concentrates very much on real people, the Allied personal who are desperately trying to leave France with their lives and the victorious occupying Germans who are trying to prevent it. We have deliberately avoided making this a fashion parade - the most basic of kit is the most appropriate kit - and are trying to achieve an iconic early war look, hence the stipulation of no camo and the preference for bolt action rifles. Frankly, this is the chance for the under-represented Heer players to make their mark and an encouragement for players to try something beyond the obvious. Much as in the mainstream reenacting world, way too much US airborne and SS - the 'glamour' end, way too under represented on the 'ordinary' soldier. Not that any soldier is ordinary, but you get my drift...

Ok, I understand what you mean, I try it in my simple words, we are more occupants then a fighting army, because the enemy is already (mostly) gone over the channel, so thats why better dressed up as in normal duty in enemies country... there are some strange rules, for example in Germany I would wear as officer the pistol on the right sight of my belt even in duty, outside of germany and in duty I have to wear it on the left side, also on the visorcap, I have not to wear a silver cord (like seen in movies), I have (like on my foto) wear it without... there are some special rules that are typical german... I wished, I can collect (if you not know all already) the most important rules for that....
@ CW, what does your last words mean, "but you got my drift"... I do realy my best to understand and to write english so good as possible, but some thing, please allow me this, I realy dont understand... sorry for this...

heh - "you get my drift" means "you understand".

Out of interest (I'm not intending to wear them to Ariel), do you guys know when HBTs were first worn? Was it before Barbarossa?

HBT came up long before the war, but it was withe... in the 40s came then the HBT in reetgreen, so you can wear it, its my opinion...

is Drillich (reed green) on the uniform list?

As I've booked in I thought it wise to ask. Otherwise I will be in M40 Feldgrau Wolle, single decal Stahlhelm and belt kit suspended using sietenhaken. Mit Marschsteifelen.

Use the newly opened Bundesarchiv and search France 1940 - Lots of breadbag straps on helmets, lots of sleeves rolled up, lots of open necked tunics. Belt kit in the field was usually ammo pouches, breadbag with zelt rolled and fastened on top, water bottle and mess tins suspended on Breadbag, bayonets and Fixed Spades. Grenades were issued in pairs as standard and Grenadiers carried cloth bags suspended around the neck and under the arm each containing 4 - 6 grenades.....

No helmet nets or chicken wire as yet - No ankle boots - LOTS of k98s and MG34s, one or two MP38/40. The Faust and the Schreck had not been invented

Tarnmuster was worn by SS Troops but it was the typ 1 smock without foliage loops and pockets. The question of camo is a thorny one all around - So if it helps - camouflage garments were not general issue. They were usually given out for a mission/operation and then collected back in again afterwards. I believe in 1940 the issue was something like 1 in 6. IF you want to dull your stahlhelm down, do as was done - mud from a convenient ditch smeared on will reduce the shine. You will be surprised how well feldgrau works in woodland. And remember that the Russian Front had not happened yet so those Frozen Meat ribbons will look out of place!!!!

So - Is drillich on the permitted list?

Well, I'm not on "t' Committee" but I guess it would be. I do have some HBTs myself (but obviously they're slightly later war, as opposed to the original Drillich uniform), but I will be in M36 and Steingrau troos, as per my pic on page 2 of this thread.

You mentioned BLING for the evening - My driillich looks like this (all removable of course)

Trou and boots are too late to be included in this gig of course (reed green panzer trousers 1943) so won't be coming out of the dressing up box.

Of course - we could always bring a big toy out to play and do this one.

OK, just for everyone's clarity...

I don't really want to get into specific details about what can or can't be worn - hence the kit guidelines.
There is absolutely no point in getting het up over what might or might not have been worn because it doesn't really have any relevance to the event.
It isn't about leet US Airborne or swanky SS units (who were of course the only participants of WW2 ), it's all about workaday soldiers, doing a job of work.

The guiding principles are that this is an early war game and it doesn't depict a well known front line battle. ANY kit that is iconic for the period (or looks like it) is fine.
PD's observation from period photos is great
viewtopic.php?f=107&t=7688&p=124313#p124313

Please bring (& wear) your spades if you have them - there is work to be done!

Jawohl!

Ich folge! Ich bringe meinen Spaten
(könnte nicht es viel abgesehen vom Begräbnis der Scheiße verwenden!)

Erinnern Sie Kameraden.....
Nur gerade behandelte Spaten.
Sich faltende Spaten waren viel später.

... but if you only have a folding spade that's cool too. Meh, someone can borrow mine if they want!

It's going to be interesting to see how the internal suspenders (thank you ATF for shipping them so promptly!) fitted to my M36 handle all the weight that I intend to hang off of them...

Then again, almost tempted to "cheat" as I have an early war Tornister that I'm interested in giving a run out

So I'm going to have to run around with my trews tucked in my socks then if theres a no gaitor thang good job I've got some nice wehrmacht ones then still will be like being a kid on a wet day

Might have to go side cap rather than helmet though that means I really will look very androgynous or just weird (nothing new in that then ) mainly as I don't believe anyone helped my plight . Reminds me tunic needs insignia

Tornisters attract midges mate - It's the cow/pony fur on them!

Bundesarchiv provides loads of brilliant references -

Tornisters attract midges mate - It's the cow/pony fur on them!

That's buggered that plan then

Sorry - i mistyped - They attract Midgets!!!!!!!

You mentioned BLING for the evening - My driillich looks like this (all removable of course)

Trou and boots are too late to be included in this gig of course (reed green panzer trousers 1943) so won't be coming out of the dressing up box.

Of course - we could always bring a big toy out to play and do this one.

ah a new prospect for das blingun group this could get messy

ah a new prospect for das blingun group this could get messy

I can guarantee its going to get messy if me and Guy are on the brandy again -- attachment is not available --

ah a new prospect for das blingun group this could get messy

I can guarantee its going to get messy if me and Guy are on the brandy again

send out the word lock up your hamsters and bog rolls jay n guy are on the brandy agine