Required Clothing and Equipment

This is the equipment necessary to portray a Private of the 28th Division, during 1944

CLOTHING

Required Clothing

    Shirt, wool, M1937 OD, light shade (mustard), enlisted pattern with the Keystone patch.  When looking for Keystone patches, look for the white thread on the back, the more white thread the better.

Trousers, wool serge, M1937 OD, Light shade (mustard), enlisted pattern.  Be aware that the M1945 trousers are close in color but have a pocket flap for the rear pocket.  These trousers should not be worn.

Belt, trousers, light OD or khaki with open square frame buckle. 

Boots, rough out. (Black boots or lug soled boots are NOT acceptable) The low quarter service boots are preferred as they can be worn for both early and late war events.  Also acceptable are the M1943 Combat boots with the double buckles at the top.  We recommend purchasing authentic reproductions.

Leggings, M1938 dismounted, light OD.  These are required if the low quarter rough out boots are worn.

Jacket, Field M1941 or M1943.  Original M1941 jackets are expensive and hard to find in good condition, we recommend purchasing an authentic reproduction.

Cap, Garrison (a.k.a. Overseas cap), plain or with light blue piping.

Neck tie, khaki.  This is required for parades and use in a garrison setting such as events at Fort Indiantown Gap.

Eyeglasses : Round gold or silver metal frames are required.  Incorrect eyeware is the fastest way to destroy an authentic impression

Clothing items to obtain later

Knit cap, M1941 (Jeep cap).  Original M1941 caps are expensive and very hard to find in good condition, we recommend purchasing an authentic reproduction.  Stay away from the current issue green caps, the WWII versions were more brown in color.   This cap will only be worn underneath of the helmet and not as replacement for the Garrison cap (overseas cap).

Under shirts & Under shorts, light OD, correct reproductions now exist so either they or original could be worn.  The shirt is to be the “tank top” version.  The current brown issue shirts shall not be worn unless they are totally covered up.

Socks, light OD wool/cotton cushion sole.

M1938 4 Pocket blouse (must have correct collar disc & keystone patch).  The M1944 (a.k.a. Ike jacket) was not issued to the enlisted men until very late in the war.

“Class A" uniforms shall be void of all valor medals, achievement awards, and discharge patches (CIB, bronze stars, good conduct, etc).  The ETO ribbon may be worn as the Regiment was authorized to wear it in 1943.  As we portray the Regiment during the winter of 44 – 45, there shall be no more than two (2) campaign stars worn on the ETO ribbon.   As for overseas service stripes (Hershey Bars), no more than two shall be worn as each is for 6 months of overseas service and the Regiment did not arrive in Wales until October 1943. 

If you have earned valor and/or achievement awards with service to our current military, then the WWII version may be worn.

Low Quarter Russet Service boot, Russet color to be worn with the Class A uniform.  A correct period Oxford type shoe may also be worn.

M1929 / M1942 Wool overcoat.  The M1939 will have brass buttons and the M1942 coat will have plastic buttons.

Sweater,  OD, 5 button, "V" neck, crew neck or vest.  Correct reproductions now exist for these or you can wear an original.  The modern issue sweater is not correct for our impression.

 Scarf, OD knit wool.  In lieu of an actual scarf you could cut up an old worn out army blanket into long strips.

Gloves.  May either be the leather palmed wool gloves, which are being reproduced, or an OD wool knit type.

EQUIPMENT

Helmet, M1 and liner, w/light OD web straps. Helmet must be dark OD in color and have the seam in the front with either fixed or swivel bales.  The webbing inside the liner will not be stitched together as this is post-war, the internal loops will be tied together with a cord.  Division insignia may be painted on the helmet.  However not many would have been seen as the war progressed as there were many replacements that entered the Division.  The chinstraps of the helmet must be SEWN and not clamped onto the metal loops of the shell.

    M1 Garand, with reproduction M1907 leather sling or web sling with the FLAT keeper.  The keepers with the bump were post-war.  The M1 Carbine will be used by the officer only, unless prior arrangements have been made.

Bayonet,  (M1942, both the 10" and the cut down are acceptable).

Cartridge Belt,  M1910 or M1923, light OD or khaki.

Canteen, M1910 or M1942 with light OD cover and cup.

Pouch, First Aid, M1910 or M1942, light OD with Carlisle packet.

Haversack, M1910 or M1928 with meat can carrier, light OD.

Meat Can, M1910 or M1926 with M1926 utensils.

Entrenching tool, M1910  (T-handle shovel) with M1910 carrier, or a war dated M1943.

Shelter half,  Light OD single ended bell,  with pole, pins & rope.  The single ended tent is preferred, however a War dated double bell half is also acceptable.  Snaps did not appear on the tents until after the Korean War.

M6 Army Lightweight service gas mask bag.  This good to carry rations and other small items with when in the field.

Blanket, wool light OD.  Do not get the dark green blankets.  For garrison events you will need two of them to make the bunk properly.

2 Bandoleers, light OD.  Must have the neat stitching not the zig-zag stitch of the post war version

The M1936 suspenders and mussette bag shall be worn by the officer only, unless prior arrangements have been made.  The cartridge belt may be either worn by itself or with the Haversack, both methods are proven through period photographs and accounts. 

The bayonet and entrenching tool will be worn, either on the cartridge belt or on the haversack.  They carried them so we shall carry them.

As we portray a National Guard unit, World War One issue web equipment is also acceptable.

When purchasing equipment it is better to look for gear from the early part of the war, pre-1943.  These items will be more khaki in color, which is correct for our impression.  The dark OD green colored items were issued later in the war and should be avoided for our impression.

M1944 and M1945 field gear will not be worn.

OTHER APPROVED ITEMS

Dog Tags,  notched.

Watch, GI or civilian, correct style of the period.

Ditty Bag, OD.  Correct style of the period for carrying personal items.

Helmet net, with small holes.

Winter Combat (Tanker) Jacket.

M1938 Raincoat.

M1943 wool sleeping bag.

Mackinaw, any one of the three patterns

Duffel bag, single strap.  The double strap version is a modern issue.

Foot Locker, for garrison events to store items and a place to sit.

Herringbone Twill, Jacket, Trousers, and Hat.  These are good to have for the summer events.

Recommended Vendors for Clothing

(Addresses are on the Links page)

World War II Impressions (Best footgear and clothing around).

  The clothing and gear are made in the USA, except for their M41 jackets.  The prices are a bit higher than others, but it is top notch stuff.

At the Front (For clothing and gear)

  90% of their items are made in their own factory in the USA.

AEF Supply (For clothing)

It is always better to ask a fellow member before purchasing an item if you are not certain.

WWII Home page