Required Equipment and Gear

This is a list of required uniform items, equipment and gear needed to be a Soldat in the 352.Infanterie-Division. Your impression will be of a simple Infateriesoldat (infantry soldier). We have no Fallschirmjäger or SS or other “elite” units here. If that’s what you are interested in, we can get you in contact with one of those units. We are common, simple soldiers, which made up 90% of the German Wehrmacht.

What's most important in regards to uniform, gear and equipment is if you have a question about anything, ASK BEFORE BUYING! We do not want you to spend your money on a questionable item, then show up to an event only to have the commander or someone else say that you cannot use it. In general (unless you have reenacted before and are familiar with German uniforms and equipment), it is a good idea to ask about every item before buying it. Leutnant Runge is more than willing to answer your questions and give you the go-ahead to buy uniforms and gear. Simply send one of them an email with the link of what you are wanting to buy, and they will look it over and let you know if it is acceptable or not.

It is important to note that you may buy whatever you want, but the Cadre of the Division will decide if it is acceptable for use at 352-Infanterie Division events or not.

Another important thing to take into consideration before purchasing your items is to be wary of Asian sellers. You will find that most Asian products are cheap, both in price and quality. But there are a few Asian sellers that really do make good quality items. Ask before you buy these products, and if you do buy them, don’t be too disappointed when they aren’t entirely correct.

Some uniform items and gear (East German, West German, Swedish, Austrian, Post-War, etc...) are acceptable for use as stop-gap items. Stop-gap items are intended for temporary use until a period-correct item can be purchased and used. Stop-gap items should not be used on a regular basis and should be replaced as soon as possible. Some examples of stop-gap items include Post-War Jackboots and Post-War canteens. Stop-gap items must be approved by Division Cadre before use.

Below is a list of items you need, and in what order you will need them. There are three Tiers – Basic, Complete and Advanced. Some exceptions can be made to the lists and items below. Deviations need to be cleared by the unit commander.

TIER I – BASIC IMPRESSION

This is a list of the equipment required for you to participate in a public display, a public battle or a tactical reenactment. Once you obtain these items you will be promoted to the rank of Grenadier (private).

Mauser K98k Rifle (Gewher)

It doesn’t have to be German, but it does have to be of the same Mauser design (e.g. – Most Czech and Yugo models are okay). These can be found at most gun shows. The rifle might or might not have a site cover – this is not necessary. Your rifle will need a cleaning rod and needs to have the bayonet attachment. If the rifle does not have a bayonet attachment, then it is not an infantry rifle. Bent-handled bolts are preferred, but straight-handled bolts are acceptable.

Enlisted Man Belt with Army Buckle (Leibriemen mit Koppelschloss)

Black leather belt with the "Got mit uns" Army belt buckle. The buckle can be painted green (preferred), or it can be bare metal.

Steel Helmet (Stahlhelm)

M40 or M42. Because we mostly represent a late-War Division, try to not buy an M35. It can be field grey (light green) or depot green (dark green). Do not get a black helmet. Unless you can modify it to look German, do not buy the pre-WWII Spanish helmets.

Helmet Decals – These are optional items, but are not recommended. Orders were issued early in the War to remove the National Colors decal first, then orders came to remove both decals all together. Most young Soldaten in the 352nd Infantry Division would not have had helmet decals.

Tunic (Feldbluse)

M43 ONLY. Do not buy an M36, M40, M42, M43 or an M44 as your first tunic. We are a mid-late war unit. The M43 is applicable to any reenactment our unit will attend. M36's are reserved for Division Cadre only. Yes, it is a good looking uniform, but it wasn't standard issue and was only worn by officers and Alte Hasse by mid-1944. M44's were only used very late in the War and their use in reenactments is very limited.

Trousers (Feldhose)

M43 trousers are recommended because they would have been more prevalent and you can either use suspenders or a belt.

Trouser Suspenders or Trouser Belt (Feldhosenträger oder Feldhosengürtel)

This is dependent on what type of trousers you get. Suspenders are recommended because they do a better job keeping your pants up.

Service Shirt (Diensthemd)

These can be a bit pricey for what they are, so East or West German sleeping shirts are acceptable. They should be green or white. The white shirts may or may not have a collar (a collar is recommended because it helps protect your neck from getting scratched up by your wool tunic collar).

Low Boots with Army Gaiters (Schnürschuhe mit Gamaschen)

PREFERRED – German reproduction boots, rough outer leather, leather sole, heel iron and hobnails required. Post-war models acceptable only by commander approval. No Swedish low boots. Boots may be dyed brown (preferred) or black. Gaiters should be green or brown canvas with leather straps (not the long lether straps like shown in the picture below). In 1943/1944, low boots would have been the most common boot for infantry soldiers, however, because of a lack of quality or quantity of low boots on the market, jackboots will be acceptable at this time as well.

Jackboots (Marschstiefel)

The Jackboots (originally brown, but dyed black, with rough outer leather, leather soles, heel iron and hobnails) must be dyed black. Other than being used as a stop-gap item, no post-war boots accepted (post-war boots are smooth, shiny leather and they do not have heel irons or hobnails and often have rubber soles). Low boots are preferred, but jackboots may be purchased if low boots are not available.

Enlisted Man Collar Tabs (Litzen)

The collar tabs can either be generic mid or late war (colorless stripes) or infantry (white stripes, as shown).

Enlisted Man Infantry Shoulder Boards (Infanterie Schulterklappen)

White piped, field grey shoulder boards (not the early war bottle green).

Enlisted Man Late War Army Breast Eagle (Reichsadler am Brust)

Mid to late War design. Enlisted, not officer (which is shiny silver). Cut to shape, not trapezoidal. BEVO, not embroidered.

TIER II – COMPLETE IMPRESSION

This is a list of the equipment that will fill out your basic impression. Upon obtaining these items, you will have completed your full German Infanteriesoldat impression.

Y-Straps (Koppeltragegestell)

Black leather or tropical webbing is acceptable.

Tunic Belt Hooks (Feldblusegurthaken)

One set of four tunic hooks. This is an optional item. Most people like the hooks because it helps distribute the weight of your gear and keep your belt from sliding down. Some people don't like them because they dig into your side.

Field Cap (Feldmütze)

M43 field cap. The M38 side cap is early war and not allowed in our unit as they were practically non-existent in the 352nd. The M43 requires the late war trapezoid eagle/cockade combination. Do not get the caps with the crooked-wing eagle cap patch and do not get caps with an embroidered patch.

Gas Mask Can with Straps (Tragebüchse)

Having the gas mask itself is nice, but not necessary. In fact, the empty gas mask can is a great water-proof place to store a lot of stuff (food, camera, water bottle, farby items, etc…)

Standard or Folding Entrenching Tool with Carrier (Kleines Schanzzeug mit Schanzzeugtasche)

You can either get the straight handled entrenching tool or the folding entrenching tool. There are a lot of post-War entrenching tools that are acceptable. If you have questions - ASK!

K98 Bayonet with Frog (Seitengewehr mit Seitengewehrtasche)

The bayonet does not have to be original. They bayonet frog can be black leather or tropical webbing (as the 352nd's Quartermaster had access to a large store of unused Afrikakorps equipment). Be careful about Turkish bayonets. Read this article to know how to spot a German bayonet from a Turk one.

K98 Ammo Pouches (Patronentasche)

Two black leather pouches with white stitching – holds 60 rounds.

Mess Kit with Utensils (Kochgeshirr mit Geshirr)

Ask before buying this item – There are several post-war models of mess kits around – some are more acceptable than others, e.g. try to get a mess kit with two loops for the strap - the one pictured above is a post war with only one loop at the botom. Utensils can be war-time models or post-war.

Shelter Quarter (Zeltbahn)

Splinter camo, reversible pattern. Do not get the SS Zelts, which are Oak Leaf pattern. Do not get the square or rectangle pattern (at least not at first). Make sure that it is triangle shaped, and in the correct pattern! Start off with at least one Zeltbahn. Later you can get four with poles and stakes for a full tent!

Breadbag (Brotbeutel)

There are lots of reproductions out there, and they are all made differently. In the end, it doesn't matter which type you get because all that is going to be seen is the outside of your bag. But, if you are looking for the most authentic breadbag, it can be green, tan or anything in-between (but no blue), the tabs should be pointed (not flat), buttons should have three holes (not four), and there should not be a compartment divider inside the bag.

Canteen with Cover, Cup and Straps (Feldflasche mit Abdeckung, Trinkbecher und Riemen)

M31 Canteen, preferred 0.8L but if that is not possible, the 1L version will be okay. These are getting hard to find, so some post-war converted models are acceptable. For example, you can purchase a plastic East or West German canteen and put it into the correct War-time cover, straps and cup. No one will see that you are using a post-War canteen, and it is much cheaper and easier to clean.

TIER III – OPTIONAL ADVANCED ITEMS

The items listed here are completely optional to buy, but will enhance your impression and the impression of the unit as a whole. It’s the small things that really make your impression believable and immersive not only for you, but for those around you. Starred items (*) require commander approval before you can use them as a part of your impression with the 352.Infanterie Division.

M36 Tunic * (Feldbluse)

These tunics are pre-war tunics, and are reserved for the Cadre and leadership of the Division.

HBT Uniform (Fischgrätmuster Uniform)

HBTs are lighter uniforms that are much more comfortable in the warmer months. A good idea, especially for our part of the country. The temperature in Kansas in summer is about 15-20 °F hotter than it was in summer in northern Europe. It was also a uniform that was quite common in the 352nd.

Great Coat (Übermantel)

M40 or M43 . A heavy duty large coat that keeps you very warm. Good for using as a blanket as well.

Walking-Out Belt with Buckle

Having an extra belt and buckle for a walking-out uniform is very helpful, as it can be a real pain taking all the gear and equipment off of your combat belt. It's recommended that you get the un-painted, bare aluminum belt buckle for your walking-out uniform.

Collar Blind (Kragenbinde)

Small piece of cotton material buttons around the inside of your tunic collar and protects your neck from getting scratched up by your tunic's wool collar.

Extra Equipment Straps (Trageriemen)

For your field blanket, your overcoat, your Zelts, your poles, your blankets...the usefulness of straps is endless. It's a good idea to have several of these to strap your equipment to your pack and hold things together.

Cold Weather Gear

To include wool gloves (Handschuhe), a toque (Toque) and a scarf (Schal).

Helmet Cover and/or Strap (Tarnhelmüberzug)

This could be the splinter camo cover, chicken wire, a rubber band or a bread bag strap.

Rucksack (Rucksack)

War-time models were for mountain troops and not often seen in standard Infanterie regiments. However, to make carrying your things easier, we allow and encourage these, so long as they are wartime (or reasonably close) models. If you get post-war models, you can bring them to events to carry your stuff, but you won’t be able to use them in the event. Try and keep them out of sight. It’s much better to have a post-war rucksack or large duffle bag that looks close to war-time to hide all your farby stuff in rather than just have all of your farby stuff lying around.

M38 Gas Mask (Gasmaske)

A great addition to fill that gas mask container!

Army Blanket (Manschaftsdecken)

The Germans had several different types of blankets, official and unofficial. The standard was grey, with or without a stripe, and it may or may not have been stamped. These can be post-war – they just need to be of the same basic style and color as what the Germans might have had access to.

Esbit Stove with Fuel Tablets

A great little stove used to heat up cans of food or to heat up a cup of water. It is fueled with small tablets that you can still buy at almost any sporting goods store.

First Aid Package (Verbandpäckchen)

You know that little pocket on the inside flap of your tunic? This is what goes in there. It’s a small detail, but it will come in handy if there really is an injury in the field.

Butter Dish (Fettdose)

A good dish that is waterproof and holds butter, lard, jam, etc...

Extra Zeltbahns

The more the unit has, the better. It takes 4 Zelts to make a small tent (2-man tent) and 8 Zelts to make a large tent (6-8 man tent).

M33 Field Phone with Como Wire (Feldfernsprecher 33)

Can be post-War if it is close to being correct. Our unit already has three phones and over a half mile of a mile of wire, but the more phones we have, the better we can operate in the field.

Army Soldier's Book (with Cover) (Heer Soldbuch mit Einband)

Filling out your Soldbuch is a lengthy and somewhat difficult task, but you can get help from the Division Cadre, and there are services that can do it for you. Leutnant Runge has 352.Infanterie-Division stamps for the book. The cover for the book is optional.

Barracks Items

Such as the blue checkered bed sheets, period towels and clothing bags.

Assorted Personal Items (Persönliche Gegenstände)

Such as song book, prayer book, postcards, pictures, letters, skat cards, flashlights, etc…

ID Disc with Cord (Erkennungsmarken)

Preferably, the tag needs to be zinc, but aluminum or steel are acceptable. Tag printing is available – ask Leutnant Runge for details. You can also get a leather tag cover.

Ammo Cans (Munitionskiste)

Steel 8mm ammo cans for the machine guns. There are post-war copies that are close. Try not getting the 7.62mm versions, because 8mm rounds won’t fit in them laying down. Having a lot of these, especially if we have a machine gun, would make sense, and they are great for holding all of your ammo and other random items. Highly recommended item for all members to have and haul around!

Wooden Crates (Holzkisten)

Can be bought or built on your own (for much cheaper). These are great to carry your gear in and look good in camp. Ask Leutnant Runge about how to build your own crates.

Grenades (Stielhandgranate oder Eihandgranate)

Fake stick grenades or hand grenades can be used at events. Some of these fake grenades can be made to smoke or pop with small fireworks.

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