Aaron's WWII Guide For Airsoft!

Rough Draft

Last updated Feb 1st, 2005

- US GEAR -

Head Gear:

Use the M1 Helmet (This picture shows an authentic net on a WWII shell, with a 'nam Liner). Yes, it's pretty much the same as the veitnam style one.
The most cost effective way to get the helmet down is to take your veitnam or 80's helmet, and remove the cover.
(If you don't have one, go out and buy one at your local surplus store. Make sure it has a good suspension & fits!)
Then go ahead and pick up an WWII 1/2"-pattern helmet net.
www.atthefront.com offers a reproduction helmet net for $14.99
www.omahas.com has the authenic WWII issue ones for $24.50

Helmet Net Installation:
1. Grasp each side of the net, one side in each hand, and pull to stretch. A Herculean effort is not necessary. Don't try to tear it in half like your 'ripping the phonebook in half' party trick.
2. Lay net flat and place helmet, top down, onto the net.
3. Bring up one corner to bale and slide chinstrap through one of the holes in the bottom of the net. Any of the many holes will work, there is not one specific one. Repeat for the other side.
4. Begin drawing string and tightening up the tension on the net. At this point, you can start to slide the net around the edge of the helmet. Just keep working the tension until the net is completely around the helmet.
5. Loosely tie off the string. Don't tie a permanent knot, just enough to hold the net on until you put in the helmet liner.
6. Insert helmet liner.
The most "correct" way to go is to get the ATF repro, It's the correct color, has the chinstrap, and costs a reasonable $74.99

Uniform:

Warmer Weather uniform was the HBT Uniform they are available from www.atthefront.com, as well as colder weather gear like the wool pants and M1941 Feild jacket.
Some US uniforms are available from http://www.lostbattalions.com
US (and even British) Mountain gear is available from www.whatpriceglory.com

Footwear:

WWII Leggings: Leggings are readily available, replacement laces are very hard to find, however.
The cheapest source I could find is Omaha's @ $14.50 for a pair! They only come in size 3R, but the size is a "medium" I guess. They fit me just fine! Omaha's Leggins
For used leggings, both late war OD and early war hard to find Khaki, sportsmanguide has them for $5.97
Service shoes: Service shoes are only available in certain sizes (Check ATF's Site). The shoe's I'm wearing in that photo above are actually Arizona Jean company dress/walking shoes

Pack:

M1928 Haversack (The holster in the diagram is NOT WWII-Dated) The M1928 Haversack in this diagram, were not the only setup (LTs, Medics, ENGs had others), but it was one of the most common. Complete pack with halfshelter, tent stakes, shovel, bayonet, mess kit...
Sources: Mainly www.ebay.com (search for "M1928" "M 1928" "M-1928" "haversack" "WWII pack" etc)

M1936 Pistol Belt -Canteen and cover, .45 Pistol holster, first aid kit Canteen and cover available from www.omahas.com (authentic) .45 Pistol holster available from www.omahas.com (authentic, but not WWII) - New & used condition. WWII-dated holsters are brown leather, not black.

Omaha's Canteens:
WWII Aluminum Canteen $19.50
WWII Stainless Canteen (Used) $19.50
WWII Canteen Set $49.50

first aid kit available from local surplus stores (cheapest source) and many other surplus suppliers.
Due to the massive numbers of the first aid kit produced, they are plentiful and cheap thoughout surplus sources. Experts also say that nearly every soilder would have had one. The first aid kit wasn't so much a kit as it was a pocket to carry feild dressing (a cloth bandage) This makes the WWII first aid kit an ideal place to put your "dead man's rag" - After you're shot and bleeding on the ground, this would be the first thing you'd grab to stop the bleeding!

Ammo pouches:

In the haversack diagram, I'm using a 1944-Dated British ammo Pouch. Thompson ammo pouches are extremely difficult to find and are quite expensive. British ammo pouches are common at surplus stores, hold several thompson mags easily, and are inexpensive. The gear is still allied, and correctly dated so it is still somewhat accurate for the European theatre.

Manuals:

FM-21-100 Basic Field Manual - Soldier's Handbook
FM-21-105 Basic Field Manual - Engineer Soldier's Handbook

- GERMAN GEAR -

Head Gear:

M35 M40 M42. ATF has them for - 275~400

Helmet: M35, M40, M42 (all made in respective years)
-Available from Various sources, cost range from $200~400. Reproduction (made of steel) costs $50 (not too bad!)
-M35 for $200 at http://www.lostbattalions.com
Reproduction Helmet, German WW2 Model 35/40 (for $50!!!) available from: www.interordnance.com

Uniform: "Heer" (Army) would be the most common uniform. Available from ATF, and Lost battalions.

Foorwear:

Pack: The basic feild gear setup is available from http://www.atthefront.com

Belt:

Ammo Pouches:
MP40 w/Ammo Pouches

Manuals:

Honestly, I haven't looked into german gear much. Although I do have a blank fire MP40... =D

German Gear Sources:

http://www.atthefront.com
http://www.lostbattalions.com
http://www.kampfhundmilitaria.com
http://www.westwallmilitaria.com

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