Uniforms & Equipment Guidelines
By I. S. Bodanov Kommandeer 1st Guards Airborne
as borrowed and modified, with permission, from M. Kazechenko, 13th Guards.
Uniforms
- Tunic (gymnastiorka)--There were two models of the gymnastiorka; the M35 pattern and the M43--both models were issued in a cotton and wool version. The tunics are basically the same except for a few details. As minor as these details appear to the modern reenactor, at the time, the change between the two uniforms was caused by nothing so trivial as the threatened destruction of the Rodina (the Motherland). The M43 gymnastiorka was basically a return to the Czarist uniform in use before the Revolution. Stalin had decided to "rehabilitate" it after the disastrous German invasion. The M43 has a standing collar with two buttons to close it. The enlisted gymnastiorka has no pockets while the officers get two breast pockets.The 1st Airborne Guards uses only the M43 gymnastiorka, and it is worn with Air Force shoulder boards. You also need a striped sailors shirt worn underneath (a Soviet Airborne affection).
- Semi-Breeches (sharovari)--Made in cotton or wool of differing colors just like the gymnastiorka, the sharovari were cut full in the hips with a diamond shaped reinforcement on the knee.
Headgear
Sidecap (pilotka)--Standard khaki sidecap with a red enamel star insignia on the middle of the front seam. A real WWII star insignia is preferable--they can be recognized by their smaller hammer-and-sickle. Airborne uses a green subdued star after 1943. The Airborne wore no helmet as rule--only the side cap or soft jump helmet like a tankers head cover or pilots.
Footwear
- Jackboots (kirozoviy sapogi)--Either modern Soviet officer jackboots or East German type with the pebble-grain ironed out.
- Military ankle boots with puttees--These were not worn by the Airborne.
Field Equipment
- M40 Helmet--Painted olive or forest-green, you will need one of these due to safety regulations at some reenactments, but they were seldom worn by the Airborne in WW 2.
- Belt--Either a standard leather model with a roller buckle, a late-war web model or the M43 style belt and buckle. The late war type is preferred, but not required.
- Ammo pouches--For a rifleman, (two)--the rubberized canvas models are the easiest to find and the cheapest. If you have a PPsH, you will need a drum magazine pouch.
- Canteen--Modern Soviet models are identical to WWII types.
- Ground cloth/raincape (plashch-palatka)--This may be carried in a roll over one shoulder or worn in the classic Soviet cape style. Modern plashch-palatka are similar to those used during the Great Patriotic War models and may be used.
- BN Gas Mask bag-- After the start of the war, the Soviet soldiers usually threw away the mask and used the bag to store personal items in. Khaki-colored Soviet gasmask bags with a leather strap on the outer flaps are acceptable.
Weapons
- Mosin-Nagant M38--The basic weapon of the Red Army Airborne soldier. Caliber 7.62x54mm. Very easy to find ammo for and are perfect for reenactors as they're cheap! No bayonet.
- SVT-40 Tokarev Semi-automatic Rifle--Caliber 7.62x54mm. Somewhat rare during the war and cantankerous to care for. If you get one, have a gunsmith look at it first! This is the preferred but expensive weapon for the unit. It must have a "tapped in barrel" plug shredder to be used in California reenacting.
- Mosin-Nagant M1944 Carbine--A shorter version of the standard Mosin-Nagant rifle. It has an integral folding bayonet. Not preferred, as it limits you to 1944 reenacting only.
- PPsH 41 Submachine-gun--When picturing the Soviet soldier of the Great Patriotic War, this is the weapon that is most associated with the victorious Red Army!
Optional Stuffs
- Knapsack (veshchevoi myeshok)--An inexpensive item that is useful to carry stuff that's too heavy for your gasmask bag and to carry gear to events in.M35 Backpack--This backpack is standard for the Airborne. Buy a post war Czech model and modify to appearance of WW2 model.
- Messkit--Modern Soviet messkits are cheap and identical to the late-war style.
- Eating Utensils--Get some! Better yet, steal a set from a Fascist soldier (whether he is alive or dead is optional).
- Entrenching Tool--Optional if you want one. Get a real cover or a good repro. The shovel should be painted Soviet olive-green.
- Grenade pouch--Holds two or three grenades on the belt and or a three-stick grenade type.
Winter Wear
- Fur Hat (shapka-ushanka)--Classical Russian fur hat made out of artificial fur (called "fish-fur" by the soldiers). Usually made in a khaki color.
- Greatcoat--Brown Soviet "scratchy" wool type with hook and eye closures.
- Padded Jacket (telogreika)--Made of a cotton material with a padded "sausage" quilting. Tan/brown or grey color--black is for tankers only! These are sometimes available from The Russian Grunt.
- Padded trousers (vatnie sharovari)--Made the same as above.
- Felt boots (valenki)--East German felt boots are good and cheap. You can iron-out the pebble-grain but it's not really necessary.
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