Impression Guidelines
We're pretty sure that if you are looking at this webpage and want to attend, you will have a fairly good grasp on what was worn by who during the Battle of the Bulge, December 16th, 1944 to January 25th, 1945. However, since some may not know and are new to reenacting we are going to cover that basic impressions allowed during the event.
NOTE: These are the basic impressions. There are many others, way more than we can possibly cover in the page. IF YOU HAVE AN IMPRESSION THAT ISN'T COVERED BELOW AND WANT TO ATTEND.... contact us and we'll let you know if it's ok. If we tell you no... we mean don't come dressed that way. Period. You will be asked to remain in barracks during the fighting.
Allied Forces
For this event we are focusing on only Americans as allies. Yes, there were other nations that took part. No, we are not doing those. Period.
There are two basic impressions, and just like the Army really is, they are divided into Airborne... and everyone else.
First, though, we'll talk about the regular soldiers, the ground-pounders, the poor bloody Infantry.
Regular Infantry
The impression for the event is based on the soldiers of the Intel and Recon Platoon, 394th Infantry Regiment, 99th Infantry Division. The Division had only arrived in France on Nov. 5th and 7th, 1944 and convoyed to the Ardennes to take up positions from the 2nd Armored Division. They had never seen combat and were outfitted with new gear, Your impression should reflect that. As such, you should, at a minimum, have:
Basic Uniform
Drawers, Cotton, Shorts - OD prefered
Undershirt, Cotton, Sleeved or sleeveless - OD
Wool socks (minimum bring four pair) OD
Trousers, Wool, Serge, OD Light Shade
Shirt, Flannel, OD (early or late type)
Belt, web, waist, EM (early or late) w buckle
Boots, Service, Combat (M43)
Cap, Wool, Knit, M-1941 (Jeep Cap)
or
Cap, Mechanic's, Winter, Type A-4
Jacket, Field, M-1943 (bonus points for a 99th ID patch)
Trousers, Field, Cotton, OD (M43)
This uniform was worn OVER the wool uniform for warmth. It's gonna be cold. You're going to want to wear at least the wool shirt and long johns under the M43s.
Gloves, Wool, OD, Leather palm
ID tags
Identity Card
Additional Cold Weather Items (optional)
Sweater, High Neck
Sweater, Sleeveless
Muffler, Wool-Knit
Overcoat, Wool, Melton, OD, Rolled Collar
Overshoes, Actic, Cloth Top (Galoshes)
Equipment
Canteen, cup and cover
Belt, Cartridge, Cal .30, M1923
Entrenching tool, M-1910 pattern "T" handle, w/cover
or
1943 folding entrenching tool or pick with handle
First aid pouch, with field dressing
Haversack (pack), w/ meat can pouch, 1928 pattern
or
Bag, Canvas, Field, OD, M-1936
Helmet, M1, w/liner
Mess kit (meat can) w/ knife, fork, and spoon
Weapon
US Rifle, Cal .30, M1
or
US Carbine, Cal .30, M1
Sometimes it’s the small things that can make or break an impression. Sometimes it things so simple we forget about them.
Watches – Should be regular dial faced watch with 1940’s style watch bands (you can research these in 1940’s magazines). Plain simple Timexes work.
Glasses – If you wear glasses, consider wearing contacts for the day (if you don’t already). If you can’t wear contacts, you need to get a set of frames that are similar to Army issue or Civilian purchase. You can buy old frames and get your prescription put in. Again, research the pictures of the time period. There are some optometrists that specialized in re-enactor eyeglasses. Modern frames won’t work.
Another important aspect of the impression is how you wear your hair. Your hair will be close cropped and off the ears, sideburns short, and tapered up the back. Look at the period photographs, your haircut should look proper and stylish for the '40s, not the '90s.
For example, the “high and tight” haircut worn by servicemen today was not seen in the 1940’s; hair tended to be longer on top than in today’s military units.
One of the requirements of the Commanding Officer was that you shaved every day! Absolutely no beards! If you are one of those guys that has to have a mustache because you’ve had it since you were 6 years old, you need to either trim it to a very thin style (both in thickness and width) as was the style in WWII (again, look at pictures – think “Clark Gable”) or shave it off.
Nothing ruins a WWII impression faster than a big bushy modern mustache. And don’t worry, it will grow back!
Basic Uniform Guide
Basic Equipment Guide
Airborne Infantry
I know what you're thinking... Why did I leave the Airborne for last when clearly they ARE the best infantry in the US Army?!?
Well, simply put, with only a few exceptions, the uniform requirements are exactly the same as every other poor dirt-faced grunt in Bastogne.
ALL THE ABOVE applies for the Airborne with these exceptions:
Boots, Jumper, Parachute
Although they were supposed to turn them in and wear the same boot as everyone else, many didn't and you can see them in photos of the battle. SO- you can wear them... I wouldn't recommend it...
Helmet, Steel, Parachutist's, M2
Cotton Field Trousers, M43, modified parachutist's
The riggers added thigh pockets to the regular m43 trousers.
Weapons
Carbine, Cal .30, M1A1 (with folding metal stock)
That's pretty much all the differences, really.
Oh, there is literally a ton more stuff you can add and change out, There's not enough room to list it all on the page. IF you can find a photo and convince the staff you should wear it... you can wear it. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS on if something is allowed, contact us and we'll let you know.
~Thorne
Basic Airborne Guide
101st Airborne Guide
Thorne takes a deeper look into building an impression for the Airborne at Bastogne, December 1944.
Axis Forces
German Uniform and Equipment Standards December 1944
This document is to ensure the authenticity of German forces, Battle of the Bulge scenario Jan 24-26, 2020 Camp Guernsey WY.
The impressions for this event are based on operations in the southern shoulder of the assault against the 99th Infantry Division and against Bastogne before the relief, with the 277th Volksgrenadiers and the 26th Volksgrenadiers for Heer, 3rd and 5th Fallschirmjager Regiments, and 1st and 12 SS Panzergrenadiers.
The rules below are not meant for your individual impression. It will not go into detail of each different impression but will cover overall rules/guidelines to establish minimum level of authenticity. The rules below are to ensure a level of authenticity that is reasonable and correct for the time period.
These rules apply to all Heer, Luftwaffe, and Waffen-SS impressions.
Rules:
1) Facial hair – Absolutely NO beards allowed. Three days growth after shaving is allowed.
2) Hair Cut - WWII German military style haircut, there are plenty of images a quick search on the web will provide. General rule is that no hair should be long enough to touch the ears or neck. Absolutely NO side-burns or colored hair allowed.
3) Eyewear – Period style eyewear only. No sunglasses allowed.
4) Jewelry/Watches - German issue or period style watches only. Wedding rings are allowed. Necklaces are rare, if you must wear one it must be subtle and not visible while in uniform. Absolutely NO earrings or piercings that can be seen while in uniform.
5) Tattoos - All tattoos must be covered and not visible while in uniform.
6) Rations – Period style rations only. Food can be prepared by removing modern labels, repainting cans, replicating packaging, etc.
7) Tabaco – Period style pipes and cigarettes only. Cigarettes can be carried in a period style case or in period style packaging.
8) Boots – Issue style Heer/Luftwaffe/Waffen-SS boots appropriate for the impression. No civilian or modern boots allowed.
9) Gloves – WWII German issue style gloves, mouse grey in color with size rings.
10) Scarves – WWII German issue style scarves and or touges. Absolutely NO balaclavas allowed. Issue style touges are not authorized to wear like a balaclava.
11) Winter uniforms – Issue style Heer/Luftwaffe/Waffen-SS Overcoat (Mantel) appropriate for the impression. Due to the potential of harsh weather the issue style reversible sets and/or modern long underwear are authorized for wear. This is primarily due to safety purposes. The reversible camo/white winter jacket, pants and gloves should be appropriate for the impression. NOTE: If modern long underwear is worn it cannot be visible while in uniform.
12) Helmets – WWII German helmets or quality reproduction. No Spanish helmets allowed. Helmets can be white-washed for snow camouflage.
13) Weapons – WWII weapons appropriate for the impression. Weapons chambered in .22 are not allowed. Indirect weapons and propane weapons need to adhere to the safety rules of the CMHG.
Guidelines Appearance/Demeanor -
You are portraying a German soldier and your appearance, mannerisms, and demeanor should be as professional as possible. Basic military customs and courtesies should be practiced where possible. Before the event, an authenticity inspection will ensure that the rules are being followed.
Specific Uniform Guidance.
The rapid buildup of German forces in the area of the Ardennes led to some serious logistical problems. In many reports and individual stories we hear that the units often were short of critical uniforms and gear prior to jumping off. Of course, this was different for various units, some received brand new issue and others did not.
There is documented occurrences of German soldiers taking items from dead or captured GIs in the opening stages of the battle. As we are recreating the exact moments the battle kicked off you really shouldn't have captured GI boots, gloves, coats, cigarettes, etc.
For SS troops many photos show soldiers to be wearing a mix of camo jackets over wool uniforms. Many show only the tops worn over the wool tunic. Photos show greatcoats predominate over the winter parka but enough of both are seem to make either correct.
For Volksgrenadiers we again see many greatcoats and many uses of the zeltbahn worn over the uniform as either camo or for warmth. Again, as stated above, a winter parka could be worn as well.
For the most part we should be wearing later period wool tunics, M42s and M43s with mid to late war insignia. many of the soldiers were fresh call ups with minimal training and many were previously rear area troops converted into infantry.
The 3rd Fallschirmjager Division, and our focus group, the 9th FJ Regiment, had only arrived in the staging areas a day or two before the attack on Dec. 16th. They were short their heavy weapons and significant troops. many replacements were flight crews and ground troops recently sent to the division with little or no training. Photos, some very famous photos, show paras kitted extremely well. Most wear Jump Boots, Jump Smocks, Jump Helmets and light colored scarves.
The SS troops (seen above) are typical of those who took part in the battle. Wool uniforms worn under camo, light assault equipment and wool gloves. This might be a little cold for Wyoming in January. A greatcoat or parka should probably be worn if you don't want to die of hypothermia...
The FJers seen here (left) ride on the back of a heavy tank in the opening stages of the battle. Seen clearly is their jump boots, wool trousers, jump smocks over wool tunics, very light equipment, light colored scarves and jump helmets. The gloves look to be wool and not the lighter jump gloves (makes sense in the winter). If you look like this you will be fine.
German Infantry (seen below and at bottom) marching past abandoned American equipment. You should dress this way. Really. It's going to be cold.
