MINIMUM REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
Our impression is of French maquisards, in France, 1943-'44, living in an armed camp. This is a "minimum" list, members are encouraged to expand their collection and do their own research to improve their impression. If you are not serious enough to find the proper equipment, this may not be the unit for you. Contact us for more information on authenticity, suppliers and prices before buying anything. Use period photos to build your impression, beware of throwing on "any old thing from Goodwill". This is not tolerated.
Boots - German lowquarters, British ammunition boots, postwar Swiss Gebirgsjaeger boots or Great War American low-quarters with hobnails are fine for now. Modern black U.S. army captoe boots can be used by first-timers only. French army 1917/41 pattern "other ranks" or officer's boots preferred.Pants - French corderoy or moleskin work pants are ideal, they are durable and relatively inexpensive. French military 1938 MLE motorcycle or motorized unit pants, shirts, and overalls are good. British battledress pants (Postwar Brit battledress pants must be modified with a thigh and dressing pocket.) and German reproduction wools are approved individually.
Shirt - with or w/o collar, (no T-shirts) or sweater (not Army issue). Period civilian French shirts preferred. Khaki cotton shirts with epaulets and long or short sleeves are OK, these are best worn under a wool sweater. British wool collarless shirts are OK for now. Swiss sleepshirts OK for first-timers only.
Jacket - French moleskin work jackets from the 30's and '40's are perfect. Stay with dark, natural colors.
Belt/suspenders - British or German issue trouser braces OK. Use French Army wide leather double-buckle belts, or German belts and buckles (worn upside down or "de-nazified").
Headgear - French beret, no flash (insignia). Any dark color. These are solid wool, without leather edging. Period civilian caps approved individually. No German headgear, please. A French Adrian helmet may be worn instead of a beret or cap. Everyone on State property (Camp Swift, Ft Wolters) must have a helmet in their possession, due to state law.
Equipment bag - Any kind of period military or civilian bag, for example a '35 pattern French gas mask bag, a French musette bag, German bread bag or British small/large pack is fine. We use them to carry food and ammo.
WEAPONS
Rifles: German Mauser KAR 98 or Gewehr M98's; British Enfield No. 1 Mk III; No. 1 Mk III pattern 14's and No. 4 Mk I's. French Model 1886 Lebel, 1936 MAS and Berthier carbines (note: French weapons are hard to find blanks for!). Prewar civilian rifles and shotguns are OK (approved individually).Machine guns: British Sten Mk II's and Bren guns preferred. German MG's and MP's are welcome and are considered "captured". Thompson SMG’s are OK.
Handguns: British .455 Webley or Enfield .380 British service; French MAB Model D's; German P 38's, P 08's (Luger), PPK's, P 35's (Browning Hi-Power) and American 1911 or 1911-A1 Gov’t Model .45 automatics. Prewar civilian handguns are approved individually. (Finding blanks is a problem for some of these calibers.) “Blank only” 8mm pistols are OK (in the above models).
Explosives - SIMULATED grenades, plastique, mines, detonators, satchel charges, igniters, incendiaries, booby traps, time pencils, 808, P.E. #2, fuzes etc. See TMHS rules for specs.
UNACCEPTABLE EQUIPMENT
1. American uniforms,equipment or weapons, except for pre-1945 Gov’t Model .45's, or Thompson SMGs
2. Modern military berets, any nationality
3. Complete uniforms, Allied or Axis.
4. Russian, Italian or Foreign Legion equipment or weapons
5. Modern tents, wristwatches, sun or eyeglasses, etc."CAPTURED" EQUIPMENT
Anything a (Western Front) German has, we can have. A weapon or one article of German clothing is the limit. German gear (mag pouches, breadbags, etc.) can be worn, but on a limited basis. See equipment list for captured weapons. (The limitation on German gear, especially camouflage, is to prevent "friendly fire" incidents.) Use caution with German uniform parts, it's hard to look innocent when you're wearing German wool pants or boots, and you can't really dump them if you need to.OTHER
Tents - British wartime tents are best, French postwar (tan side out) or German reproduction zelts are OK, talk to other unit members first. 1935 pattern French army shelter halves can be found, but are expensive. We recommend their use at show battles only. Parachutes are the most authentic type of tent, but they are difficult to find and set up properly. Colors came in red, white, blue, orange and green.Transportation - 1930's or ‘40's civilian or military bicycles, motorcycles, cars and trucks can be used. Bicycles are recommended, or you will have to walk. Many unit members have restored old bikes and they will help you find one.
Personal items - cups, gloves, lanterns, watches, eyeglasses, binoculars, compasses, camp chairs, boxes, utensils etc., should be a period type, and as authentic as possible.
Camping gear - modern cots, sleeping bags, blankets, flashlights and coolers are OK (at private events), as long as they remain out of sight. Modern equipment is not acceptable at public events.
Weather gear - Cold, wear wool socks over Gore-Tex socks, a scarf (British sniper veil), wool overcoat (authentic or repro, German or French), long underwear. Wet, use a French Army dispatch rider canvas coat, British rain cape or German zelt, and Gore-Tex socks.
Sabotez la conscription des esclaves au service d'Hitler