Fort Indiantown Gap, PA / Leben in den Kasernen

For this event we are portraying the members of Grenadier Ersatz Btl. 348, stationed in a training facility within Wehrkreis XI during the winter of 1944.

This will be the second time we are doing a Kaserne impression. We are trying to do something different here and we were able to pull it off last year & many were pleased & impressed. We will be enforcing these guidelines, so please read the information below fully. Do not expect to get away with not having something we said you must have below. It is not much & will help take your impression as well as the group's to the next level. So if you don't have something & don't expect to be able to purchase one before or at the event, please secure a loaner.

Since we are doing a German barracks impression, please do not bring extra boxes, crates, etc... If you cannot fit it in a wall locker, please leave it at home. We will have room in our Kantine building for extra storage of some items, if needed. Period looking beverages can remain in the barracks, but in the designated areas. Please limit what you bring to the gear below & personal hygiene items.

Helmets
M42 helmets are preferred, but M40 or M35 models are acceptable. The less decals the better, but single decal Heer helmets are permitted (no double decals). Correctly painted "Camo Scheme" helmets are permitted as long as the other helmet types are not available. No winter camo.

NOTE: Please remove all chicken wire, bands, etc. from your helmets & be sure to clean off all mud.

Caps
M43 caps are required. M38 or 42 acceptable, but only if an M43 cap is not available to have or borrow. This requirement is to push for a more uniformed look of a barracks.

NOTE: Please be sure your caps are clean & in good repair.

Tunics
M42, 43, 44 & 40 tunics are preferred but M36 tunics are acceptable.

NOTE: Please be sure your tunics are clean & in good repair. Buttons should be tightly sewn, etc...

Trousers
M43 trousers preferred, but M40s are acceptable.

NOTE: Please be sure your trousers are clean & in good repair.

Overcoats
Mantels (overcoats) are required! M42, 40, or 36 models are acceptable. If you do not have one, please secure a loaner or try to purchase one prior to the event.

NOTE: Please be sure your overcoats are clean & in good repair. Buttons should be tightly sewn, etc...

Boots
Low boots and gamaschen. Jackboots are allowed, but only if the low boots are absolutely unavailable. Again, we are trying to look uniform, so if you do not have lowboots (this isn't an issue for most of you) then please secure a loaner pair or try to purchase one prior to the event.

NOTE: Please be sure your low boots & leggings are clean, treated, & in good repair.

Insignia
Basic infantry insignia and shoulder boards (white piping) only. No cuff titles or special patches/boards are to be worn.

Camouflage
NO CAMO UNIFORM PARTS ALLOWED. Only Wehrmacht zeltbahns of correct pattern are permitted.

Eyewear
No modern eyewear permitted. Must be of correct period frames or contacts.

Identification
If you do not have a dog tag, please see Brad at the event. If you do not have a Soldbuch, please let one of the kader know so we can issue you a temporary one. You must wear & have these on you at all times.

Weapons
Everyone please bring K98s, even those asked to bring MGs. This is for training purposes as well as formations.

NOTE: You must have a good working rifle sling & cleaning rod. Please prepare your slings so you can adjust it using one hand. Oil them, thin them down, shorten them if they don't tighten fully, etc... Cleaning rods & new slings can be purchased at the vendors if needed.

Equipment

Basic Gear
Basic infantry gear setup is the call. A mix of web & leather gear is permitted. Please bring your entire infantry gear set-up (belt, ammo pouches, shovel, zelt, gas-can, bayonet, breadbag, canteen, messkit, y-straps, rifle). Please bring your gas-can (with gas-cape bag is encouraged). If you do not have one, please secure a loaner or try to purchase one prior to the event.

* You will need a period tornister (fur or canvas) & 3 tornister straps. If you do not own one be sure to buy one prior to the event. We will be holding formations with full pack & equipment. YOU CAN NOT SUBSTITUTE A RUCKSACK! You must have a tornister & three tornister straps.

NOTE: Everyone must have a Bayonet & a belt that fits properly, as this is required for dress out.

Barracks Gear
You must have a correct "Schemel" (German barracks stool), correct German bedding, standard regular pillow, & a period blanket (to use with the cover). Below are sources for schemels & bedding:

- Schemels

http://www.edelweissmilitaria.com/ ($50)

http://www.dererstezug.com/schemel.htm (make your own)

- Bedding

http://www.dutchiesmilitaria.com/ww2.html ($15)

http://bayonetinc.com/german_personal_items.htm ($15)

- Both

satanscircus61@hotmail.com (Keefer's offer)

Appearance

Hair
Hair should resemble a period style cut. Short on sides and sort of long on top. For examples: click here. We will be enforcing this & if you are deemed unacceptable within reason, we will cut it onsite or you will be asked to leave (Usually this is not an issue). Again, your hair on the sides & back should have no overhang (very short) so it does not touch the shirt collar or ears.

No beards, no mustaches, & no side burns. We are portraying a training barracks, so you must be clean shaven at all times & your overall appearance should be clean.

Outside the Barracks
When outside the barracks, one should treat it as wartime Germany & you are in the Wehrmacht. With that full military etiquette should be followed.

When walking around outside our barracks, be it to visit another barracks, shop at the vendors, or going to eat, you will be required to be in proper German dress out. This consists of:

1.	A clean wool uniform with the tunic buttoned all the way up to the top (mantel as well, if worn)
2.	Low boots w/ gamaschen
3.	Cap (which should be removed when you enter a building)
4.	Proper fitting belt & bayonet (these are to be over the mantel if one is being worn).
5.	Period handkerchief, condom, pocket comb, & 10 Reichsmarks