The US Army Soldier of WWII was a well-equipped soldier with high quality equipment.
Sizing
WW2 era uniforms were sized like our modern dress clothes; it is recommended that you visit a tailor to get your measurements. You can’t go out and buy a “medium” or “large regular” field jacket
Shirts were typically sized like modern dress shirts, eg. 16×34
Field jackets were typically sized like suit jackets, eg. 42L
Pants were sized like today, eg. 34×34. However, there was no vanity sizing as are found on most modern blue jeans, so getting accurate measurements is crucial.
The average American today is quite a bit larger than the average soldier in WWII, both horizontally and vertically. Originals may be hard to find in your size, even if you aren’t particularly wide. Height is also an issue.
A note on where to get it
While originals can still be found on eBay and other sites, sometimes for modest prices, we personally recommend using reproductions where possible. You will be wearing your combat equipment in the mud, in the rain, crawling on the ground and running through thornbushes, so it’s a much better idea to save original equipment for displays or dress occasions. For regular use, we recommend using high quality reproductions. The “big three” vendors are What Price Glory, At the Front, and WWII Impressions. They can be thought of in a “good, better, best” order, with prices increasing accordingly. There are other vendors that make specialty gear such as boots and helmets, and they will be noted in the appropriate section.
Required Equipment
You are expected to acquire the following equipment by the end of your first year. Loaner equipment in some sizes is available for new members.
M1937 Enlisted Men’s Wool Shirt and trousers
The M1937 wool shirt and trousers, or “wools” as they are commonly referred to, were the standard US Army uniform worn in the European Theatre throughout the war. They are equally appropriate for a 1939 impression and a 1945 impression. These were worn on the dance floor, the battlefield, and everywhere in between. There are versions for enlisted men and officers; the officers’ version has additional shoulder epaulettes on which to pin officer ranks. New recruits should buy the enlisted version. You will wear this uniform the most, so it’s important to buy a quality reproduction.
Recommended vendors:
US Enlisted Men’s Trouser Belt
M1941 Field Jacket
Garrison Cover
Type III “Roughout” Service Shoes
M1938 Leggings
M1 Steel Helmet (WWII “high top” Pattern)
M1923 Dismounted Cartridge Belt
Canteen, cover, and cup
Dehydration is a soldier’s worst enemy, whether they are active military or reenactors. Heat in the summer months is oppressive, and you’ll be wearing long-sleeved, long-pant wool uniforms. Therefore, it’s critical that you stay hydrated. Most summer events have one or two people pass out from heat exhaustion – don’t be one of them! It’s recommended to get two canteens and to wear them both.
Soldiers carried these canteens on pouches (called covers) attached to their belts. While several models were made, we recommend you get the M1910 pouch.
There was a metal cup with a folding handle made as well, which was meant to fit over the bottom of the canteen. Some reproductions are made, and originals are widely available online and at shows.
Differences between the M1910 Canteen and M1942 canteen:
The M1910 Canteen has a vertical weld going up the entire length of the canteen, and is the older of the two models. The standard issue canteen of WWI, they were still plentiful throughout WWII. While originally made with an aluminum cap, they were eventually replaced with a black Bakelite cap. Both are acceptable.
The M1942 canteen is made of two pieces, a top and a bottom, soldered together about 2/3 up the canteen. A few of these may have lead in the solder, so proceed with caution. See this article for more information. The M1910 canteen, being welded, is safe to use. All modern reproductions of either model can also be considered safe. No cups, original or otherwise, are known to contain lead.
Both models have the same shape and are interchangeable as far as pouches go. If one (in spec) pouch fits one, it will fit the other.
Recommended vendors for canteens:
- What Price Glory (M1910, includes cup). This is most likely the easiest way to quickly one
- At the Front, while tending to carry high quality equipment, has a very inferior canteen and cup. It’s highly recommended to avoid their canteen.
- Originals are still plentiful, and, tending to be made out of steel, quite durable. However, see the above note on potential lead contamination for the “horizontal seam” canteens.
Recommended vendors for pouches:
First Aid Pouch – M1928 or M1942
M1928 Haversack
US Mess Kit
Olive drab t-shirt or tank top
Olive drab boot socks
M1 Garand Rifle
“The greatest implement of battle ever devised”, according to General Patton. In the context of WWII, he was undoubtedly correct. The standard issue rifle of the US forces was far superior to those fielded by every other major power, who largely outfitted their riflemen with bolt action, manually operated rifles. Meanwhile, the American rifleman enjoyed an 8-round, semi-automatic rifle that was far ahead of its time. This will be by far the most expensive part of your kit – there is no easy way to say that. The Civilian Marksmanship Program is likely the cheapest way to acquire one of these rifles.
.30-06 or .308?
While the rifle was chambered for .30-06 ammunition (pronounced “thirty-aught-six”, .30 caliber, designed in 1906), later variants were chambered to more common .308 ammunition. .308 blanks are cheaper and more available than .30-06 blanks, and both chamberings are acceptable.
Rifle Sling
Recommended Equipment
The above equipment is considered the bare minimum necessary for a basic infantryman’s impression, however you will doubtless want to acquire more gear for more varied impressions and your own quality of life.