Personal items are those things that may not fit in the uniforms or web gear portion of your impression but are just as important and can help add an authentic touch.
Things you should always have.
Above: Mess Kit with fork, spoon, knife (WWII dated is preferred), Sleeping Bag, Wool or Down W/Cover (arctic or mountain is also acceptable).
Below: Wool Blanket, Wooden Cot and Flashlight.
Below: Wool Blanket, Wooden Cot and Flashlight.
Great Optional Items to consider or add over the years
Above: Barracks Bag - A great thing for hauling gear, Shelter Half, M1923, W/Poles (3), Pins (5), Rope (1)
Below: Raincoat and M2 Jump knife
Below: Raincoat and M2 Jump knife
Below: Hatchet with cover and Watches- vintage or basic military surplus watch
Smoking
Smoke 'em if you got 'em
Above: Zippo Lighter - always have a zippo, Cigarette Case and WWII Matchbook. Period correct zippo lighters are easily obtainable and modern ones are very close to the originals. Cigarette cases can range widely from vintage ones, to cigarette tins to trench art created cases.
Below: Lucky's are the most recognizable, but guys smoked anything they could get including Pall Mall's, Woodies and Chesterfields. From current cigarettes to reproductions made for display, having some type of cigarette or cigarette things on you is always a good thing.
Below: Lucky's are the most recognizable, but guys smoked anything they could get including Pall Mall's, Woodies and Chesterfields. From current cigarettes to reproductions made for display, having some type of cigarette or cigarette things on you is always a good thing.
Jewelry / Necklace
I included this category because sometimes the little parts of the impression are my favorite. Most soldiers were raised in a religious home of some kind and wore reminders of their faith to help keep them safe. A simple soldiers cross (that modern US military still wear) to a Rosary or a Jewish Cross for members of the Jewish faith are all accurate examples of what most guys would have worn. St. Michael Medallions are also a big item, being the patron Saint of soldiers, were considered good luck. Last, but not least were things like sweetheart bracelets. These reminders of home or branch of service usually had a symbol on the front and a serial number or a message on the back.
Dog tags almost belong in the required category because they are inexpensive to purchase and every soldier would have had them on at all times. Also pictured is a St. Michael's Medallion.
Visit the below link to visit a site that has a Army Serial number generator for a correct type of serial number
Serial number generator.
Visit the below link to visit a site that has a Army Serial number generator for a correct type of serial number
Serial number generator.
Rations
An Army runs on its stomach!
For a true immersion experience for your event, consider making your own rations or purchasing some from many different vendors online. The picture above is from WWII Rations Technologies and I consider them to be one of the best and complete Ration kits for those re-enactors who like to purchase. Click on their name to visit their site.
I like to try and make my own and you can find templates all around the web. The biggest collection that I have found recently has been WWII Paperwork and Projects on Facebook. They are a closed group, but simply submit a request to join and you have access to not only amazing templates but also a extensive network of guys who love to make their own stuff and can tell you how to do it.
From fancy ration boxes to simply cans with printed labels or reproduction beer and wine. You can really make this custom on what you would like to bring. Caution: reproduction beer tends to mysteriously disappear around Airborne Troops.
I like to try and make my own and you can find templates all around the web. The biggest collection that I have found recently has been WWII Paperwork and Projects on Facebook. They are a closed group, but simply submit a request to join and you have access to not only amazing templates but also a extensive network of guys who love to make their own stuff and can tell you how to do it.
From fancy ration boxes to simply cans with printed labels or reproduction beer and wine. You can really make this custom on what you would like to bring. Caution: reproduction beer tends to mysteriously disappear around Airborne Troops.
The bottom line is do some research and get creative. For not a lot of time and a little bit of time, you can really take your impression up another notch by bringing your own rations, displaying them for the public to see and eating them during chow time.
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Hungry? Grab a period correct snack to munch on. See a pretty dame walk by? Do what Babe Hefron and Wild Bill Guarnere would do and give her a whistle and offer her a sweet treat.
Some of the best conversation starters that I have had is when people notice the candy that I bring. They are an item that is current and helps them to connect to the past and opens up dialogue. |
Foxholes and Campsites
For places where we can make a foxhole (either in the dirt like Rockford below or making one above ground with sandbags), we really like to go the extra mile and chuck the used items outside of the foxhole. While you might cringe at the thought and look of the "garbage" outside of the foxhole, many vets love the way it looks. Soldiers lived in them for stretches of time and didn't burn or bury everything they consumed. When the event is over, we do police our area and return nature or the land we are on to its original state. Also adding shelter halves over your foxhole will help keep you dry. The below picture simply had the dirt scooped in front to serve as a berm for additional protection from enemy fire. You could also add logs and branches to the front or sides.
Games and Entertainment
Baseball
America's favorite past time went to War with the troops and more than 500 major league players swapped flannels for khakis during World War II, and such well-known players as Hank Greenberg, Stan Musial, Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams served their nation off the diamond. In addition, many military Units and Regiments put together their own baseball teams complete with uniforms and professional gear to compete against each other. Many troopers brought their own baseball gloves and gear to pass the time.
An inexpensive glove can be found online or at your local antique shops and any well-worn baseball is acceptable.
An inexpensive glove can be found online or at your local antique shops and any well-worn baseball is acceptable.
Gambling
Gambling has been a part of a soldier’s life since war was first waged, and WWII was no different. American troops during WWI discovered blackjack and craps games and brought them home after the War. These became huge hits across the country during the bootleg and speakeasy eras. WWII continued this trend of easy to play, high stakes games to relieve the boredom of barracks life or stress of combat.
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The cards at left were provided by the Red Cross and issued by Aviator playing cards. While many originals exist, a reproduction one can easily be made for use at events. A trooper can always purchase a basic set of playing cards for events from any big box store.
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A side note was that playing cards sent to POW camps sometimes contained pieces of escape maps in between the paper of the cards. When assembled it gave the troops a detailed map of the area to assist any escape plans. The makers of Monopoly game also provided games filled with hidden tools and compasses throughout POW camps and was said to have aided up to 35,000 troops to escape during WWII.
Craps
What is craps or street craps? - Per Wikipedia, Craps is a dice game in which the players make wagers on the outcome of the roll, or a series of rolls, of a pair of dice. Players may wager money against each other (playing "street craps", also known as "shooting dice" or "rolling dice") or a bank (playing "casino craps", also known as "table craps", or often just "craps").
Anytime one sees a collection of troopers all gathered around the ground with money, they were most likely playing craps. All the fellas needed was space to roll, some dice and cash. I prefer some yellowish or beat up dice to give that old school look, but any dice will work. Craps was even portrayed in the movie The Longest Day (middle pic below), where a paratrooper wins 5,000 dollars on the eve of the D-Day jump.
I challenge you to get some basic rules together and play some craps at your next event and hopefully even with the public around.
Anytime one sees a collection of troopers all gathered around the ground with money, they were most likely playing craps. All the fellas needed was space to roll, some dice and cash. I prefer some yellowish or beat up dice to give that old school look, but any dice will work. Craps was even portrayed in the movie The Longest Day (middle pic below), where a paratrooper wins 5,000 dollars on the eve of the D-Day jump.
I challenge you to get some basic rules together and play some craps at your next event and hopefully even with the public around.
With all this talk of gambling, where does one get period correct money to take this to the next level? Take a look below
WWII Money and Allied Currency
Allied Military Currency ("AMC") was a form of currency issued by the Allied powers during World War II, to be issued to troops entering liberated or newly occupied countries, as a form of currency control. Five Different types were issued: German, Austrian, French, Italian and Japanese. They were issued in varying denominations and some examples are listed below. Also, popular to use are the US printed Dutch guilders.
Many copies exist on the web for templates to print your own or purchase and are a great thing to have with you as a reenactor. Adding an old wallet or money belt can also add a great level of detail and are inexpensive to make or purchase.
SPECIAL NOTE: As the Allied Military Currency were once issued as legal tender, it would unlawful and incredibly dumb to try to pass reprinted money off as real funds. You may get yourself a visit from a black suit government official for your foolishness. This is funny money only.
Many copies exist on the web for templates to print your own or purchase and are a great thing to have with you as a reenactor. Adding an old wallet or money belt can also add a great level of detail and are inexpensive to make or purchase.
SPECIAL NOTE: As the Allied Military Currency were once issued as legal tender, it would unlawful and incredibly dumb to try to pass reprinted money off as real funds. You may get yourself a visit from a black suit government official for your foolishness. This is funny money only.
Paperwork , Letters, and books
Paperwork
Paperwork, paperwork and paperwork are common grumbles in the Military and WWII was stacked high in forms for nearly anything you can think of. Guys can easily make their own from piles of templates on the web or purchase for inexpensive prices. Most popular things to have are life insurance certificates, motor vehicle permits, Enlisted man's passes and Jump Certifications. Just make sure to use cursive for any writing or find a typewriter font or use a old typewriter to give your paperwork the correct look.
Letters
Letters and V-mails were a constant source of motivation for troopers in WWII and every conflict. From knowing about the usual gossip, a love letter from your special gal or keeping tabs on your friends and families, guys always begged to receive letters or packages to keep them going and have a piece of home to take with them.
Our Unit likes to create our own letters for events pass them out to guys. They look great when reading them in front of the public and work well in footlockers or pockets. A quick google search should yield some pdfs of a V-mail template or a letter with postage like the one below. Get creative and have some fun with your buddies.
Our Unit likes to create our own letters for events pass them out to guys. They look great when reading them in front of the public and work well in footlockers or pockets. A quick google search should yield some pdfs of a V-mail template or a letter with postage like the one below. Get creative and have some fun with your buddies.
Books
Before computers, tablets, phones, TV's and the internet, people loved to read to pass the time (not saying that people don't in today's world) and it was a common occurrence to find a troopers wrapped up in a book when not on patrol or on guard. From books that came out around WWII like For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck to your favorite writes from the 19th Century like Mark Twain, Jack London, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Edgar Allan Poe, Walt Whitman, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, take a book with you. The great news is that a lot of classic books are available to purchase and once your remove their fancy sleeve they appear the same as a vintage book. Also popular was the New Testament with FDR letter at the beginning or copies of FM manuals for those late sessions when sleep will not come or prepping for 1st Sgt's inspection as those require both prayer and brushing up on your Basic Field Manual.
Footlockers
Above we have gone over many, many, many ideas, items, accessories, and products to take your impression to the next level. Where does a trooper keep all of them for display in an accurate way you say? Footlockers of course.
Below is what I consider to be the Bible reference manual from Hardscrabble farms Jeff Reed. Click the picture to be taken to their site for a detailed breakdown of the items. It has a great framework of stuff to collect and ideas to get your started. If you don't know your sh!t from Shinola, I would advise to give it a visit.
Below is what I consider to be the Bible reference manual from Hardscrabble farms Jeff Reed. Click the picture to be taken to their site for a detailed breakdown of the items. It has a great framework of stuff to collect and ideas to get your started. If you don't know your sh!t from Shinola, I would advise to give it a visit.
I will usually take 2 footlockers with me at events. One to do a similar display as above and another to display the display the other personal items to show the public. Depending on the event or how far I have to travel, I may do a hybrid of the items to show. Below right, I was able to use a site's glass case (to keep little hands off my items) and did a display in the case with 2 footlockers in addition. A footlocker is a great conversation piece and one that most people do not take the time to put together. Don't forget the pinups ;)
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HONOR, AUTHENTICITY, COMMITMENT