Basic Uniform

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This is the uniform kit for all members of the 353.Infanterie. All unit members are expected to have their uniform complete by their first year anniversary with the unit.

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Tunic:  Reproduction M40, M42, M43 Feldgrau (Field Gray) wool tunic with correct Heer insignia are acceptable. M36 uniforms (w/bottle green collars) may be worn by Officers and NCOs of the rank of Unteroffizier and above. All unit members must obtain a proper tunic as described above.

 

Trousers: M40, M42 & M43 Feldgrau (Field Gray) wool trousers are acceptable. All unit members must obtain proper trousers as described above.

 

Service Shirt: Reproduction mouse gray or West German olive drab service shirt (cotton) with collar and proper buttons.

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Suspenders: Prefered Suspenders are Czech military surplus or appropriate civilian style suspenders.  

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Boots: Reproduction Marschstiefel (jackboots) dyed black or Schnürschuhe (ankle boots) dyed black or very dark brown which must be worn with Gamaschen (Gaiters).  

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Gamaschen (Gators): Original or reproduction German in green, khaki, or olive. West German with the buckle replaced with a leather loop, or the metal loop removed.

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Helmet or Stahlhelm (Steel Helmet): Original, post-war, or reproduction M35, M40 or M42 Stahlhelm with correct liner and suspension pins are required for all members. The preferred paint scheme is Feldgrau with or without a single Heer decal on the left side. Other helmets such as unconverted West German or Spanish helmets are unacceptable. Converted helmets must be submitted to the authenticity committee for approval before use.

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Field Cap: Feldgrau (Field Gray) wool Feldmütze, M34, M38, M40, M42 (side caps) or, M43 (billed caps) are acceptable. Special permission is required to utilize any other style of field cap. Caps should have all correct insignia and buttons where appropriate. (See cap insignia below.)

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For members wishing to complete an alternate early war impression may do so after they have completed their late war impression.  

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Heer Insignia:

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Breast Eagle: Late war Bevo "Subdued" gray on field gray.

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Collar Tabs (Litzen): Infantry, late war, generic gray slashes on gray. Or, approved, appropriate waffenfarbe (branch of service color). Example: Artillery; red, Medical; cornflower blue, Pioneer; black, Recon; golden yellow, etc. 

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Shoulder Boards: Infantry, field gray, with white piping. Or, approved, appropriate waffenfarbe (branch of service color). 

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Cap Insignia: All insignia are to be appropriate to style of cap. Trapezoid Style, Subdued gray eagle with red, white & black cockade, on field gray or green, Bevo or embroidered for M42 or M43 style (billed caps). Individual eagle & cockade (National colors) for M38 or M40 side caps. 

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Basic Field Kit:

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This is the basic kit of field equipment for all members of the 353.Infanterie. All unit members are expected to have their equipment (With the exception of the gas sheet bag.) by their first year anniversary with the unit.

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Ammunition Pouches: Original or reproductions Black leather, 3 cell pouches for 98k or appropriate to weapon carried.  

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Bayonet and Sheath: Original or reproduction standard German military S. 84/98 bayonet adopted in 1934 for the Karabiner 98k rifle.

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Bayonet Frog: Black Leather. 

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Belt: Adjustable Black leather type with correct WWII style keeper. 

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Belt Buckle: Original or reproduction standard "Heer" style. Steel or aluminum, preferably painted subdued Feldgrau.

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Bread Bag: Original, reproduction, or identical post-war type (Properly converted) M31, M44 bread bag with correct three-hole buttons. Feldgrau, green, gray, khaki, olive or natural in color.

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Canteen: Original, post war, or reproduction canteen w/wool cover, with or without correct cup. Aluminum preferred. "No blue covers allowed."

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Entrenching Tool: Straight or folding type. Original, reproduction, or properly converted "foreign" (Swiss) tools.

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Entrenching Tool Holder: Original or reproduction black leather appropriate to style of entrenching tool. 

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Equipment Straps: Original or reproduction black leather. 

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Gas Mask Canister: Original or reproduction war era canister preferred.  (Gas mask optional)

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Gas Sheet Bag: Original or reproduction "Heer" type.

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Identification Disc: Reproduction with identification number and first unit information. (See new member coordinator)

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Soldbuch: Reproduction soldbuch filled out in the appropriate manner. (See new member coordinator for guidance on who can fill this out for you. )

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Mess Tin: Original or reproduction. You may find certain foreign wartime and postwar elements which can be combined to achieve the proper impression. Simply getting a Soviet, Austrian, West German, or East German one will not be acceptable.  One viable option is an East German bottom and a Cold War Soviet top but there may be others as well. Get help with this. You don’t want to get a bad post war one.

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Eating Utensil: Commonly called a "Spork." Original (aluminum), postwar (aluminum), or reproduction (aluminum or atainless).

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Shelter Quarter/Zeltbahn: Reproduction standard "splinter pattern" Zeltbahn. One required, two "strongly" recommended. The recommendation of two zelts per member, allows two unit members to erect one, four man zelt tent for sleeping/camping/public display purposes.)

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Y-Straps: Original, reproduction, or "properly" converted Czech, Austrian, or West German with D-rings and correct WWII hardware.  Converted Y-Straps with "Stitch holes" are not acceptable.

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Weapons:

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Please note that these are actual firearms and we deal with the operation​ and safety of these devices with strict rules and regulations. You must be of proper age and show proper handling and safety techniques. You must also have all proper legal documentation to handle a firearm as required by the laws of our state of residence. Failure to do so may result in loss of group membership and or legal action.

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Rifle: "Preferred": Karbiner 98k: WWII German Kar98k (Mauser Rifle) with metal butt plate, bent bolt and no wood behind the rear sight. This is the standard five round, bolt action weapon of the German soldier. Either early war (with flat butt plate and no sight hood) or later war (with cupped butt plate and sight hood) styles are allowed

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Other Weapons: Including, but not limited to: Original or reproductionGerman Stick Grenade, Egg Grenade, Panzerfaust, Panzerschrek, Trench/Boot Knife, Magnetic Mines, Flair pistol and cartridge carrier, etc, as common to the WWII German Wehrmacht.

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All other weapons, equipment, uniforms, and insignia need to be appropriate to the role of the particular soldier and  require permission of the unit commander and the authenticity committee.