Issued gear for a german soldier of the Heer, around 1943-44

[Roska]

Hey!

I am doing a small booklet for my re-enactment group which would span over "everything" that a starting re-enactor should know about the life of a Landser. I have done significant research in many topics it covers and searched both literature and internet resources to achieve as high accuracy as it is possible.

There are few topics however that don't seem to be covered anywhere. One of the biggest problems is that what was a normal Landser issued with when he joined the military and went on to a field? Also, what was he carrying exactly with him?

I do have an overall knowledge and idea of what Landser had with him from what I've read and from my own experiences in the military, but I would like to know if anyone here would have a chance to share more accurate info with me and other fellow researchers.

I apreciate your help with this problem of mine, and I am looking forward for the answers!

[Roska]

I guess this questions was too difficult for the people here too then.

[Christoph Awender]

Hello

Not too difficult but very time consuming to answer. You additionally ask for a long time period 1940 - 44.
Note that there is a difference in uniform pieces issued 1940 and 1944.

I will try in the time I have available at the moment.
Normal Infantry soldier (highest possible number)

2x Feldmütze
2x Schirmmütze
2x Feldbluse or Feldjacke
4x Kragenbinde
2x Feldhose
2x lange Tuchhose
2x Mantel
1x Wettermantel, Windjacke or Umhang
2x hohe Stiefel or Schnürschuhe with Ledergamaschen
2x schwarze Schnürschuhe or Halbschuhe
1x Kopfschützer
2x Handschuhe
3x Handtücher
1x Wäschesack
1x Hausschuhe
1x Leibriemen
1x Koppel
1x Schlafsack
1x Gummiüberschuhe
1x Sporthose
2x Sporthemd
1x Sportschuhe
1x Brotbeutel 31 mit Band
1x Feldflasche
2x Patronentaschen (if Kar98)
1x Tornister
1x Mannschaftsdecke
1x Zeltbahn mit Zeltausrüstung
1x Seitengewehrtasche
2x Drillichhose
2x Drillichhemd
2x Fusslappen
1x Kochgeschirr
1x Stahlhelm
1x Innenausstattung mit Kinnriemen für Stahlhelm
1x Helmband
1x personal weapon depending on position (Kar98 or Pistole)

This should be everything.

\Christoph

[Roska]

Thank you for having the trouble to write this list. May I ask what you used as a source?

Also, I was supposed to write 1943-44 in the topic, but got messed while writing it :)

[Christoph Awender]

Thank you for having the trouble to write this list. May I ask what you used as a source?

Also, I was supposed to write 1943-44 in the topic, but got messed while writing it :)

Hello

I always use original sources. This is a mix of a company Hauptfeldwebel documents and a officer handbook.

\Christoph

[Roska]

Alright, that sounds very good and reliable then.

Thank you very much Christoph, this did clarify few things for me and was a great help!

[cecyt1300]

I always use original sources. This is a mix of a company Hauptfeldwebel documents and a officer handbook.



\Christoph

Hi Chris,

Can you tell me what the name of the Officer Handbook is? Is it in German? I'd like to try to find a copy of it somewhere.

Thank you,
Dan

[cecyt1300]

Hey!



I am doing a small booklet for my re-enactment group which would span over "everything" that a starting re-enactor should know about the life of a Landser. I have done significant research in many topics it covers and searched both literature and internet resources to achieve as high accuracy as it is possible.

Hello Roska,

Did you ever get your booklet made? I would be interested in getting a copy if you did.

Thanks,
Dan

[Landserstudent]

See Bender's book "Afrikakorps"

Also see James Lucas book "War on the Eastern Front."