E Company
2nd Battalion
506 Parachute Infantry Regiment
101st Airborne

Table of Organization & Equipment

AUTHENTICITY:

All uniforms and equipment must be original WW2 or quality reproduction WW2. With the availability of reproductions and originals, there is no excuse for a substandard impression.  Uniforms and equipment must conform to the time period of the event. All members should strive to obtain an M1 rifle as their primary weapon. If you study WW2 you are aware of what was common to the parachute infantry, if in doubt - ask.  Haircuts must conform to WW2 standards.  Moustaches must be trimmed above the lip and not extend past the corners of the mouth.  Beards, dyed hair, or visible piercings are not allowed. Eyeglasses should look period with rounded silver or gold frames- no sunglasses or plastic frames.  Our impressions will be based on what was common to a WW2 Parachute Infantry Rifle Squad, not what they “might” or “could have” done, borrowed, stolen or used. “It looks close” is not an acceptable attitude.

GEAR:

This is the basic equipment needed to portray the average paratrooper from Normandy to VE day. Prior to each battle the unit leader will announce what the required uniform will be.  New members should strive to attain the Normandy impression first.

Normandy Impression:

  • M1942 jumpsuit Boots, Parachutist, Russet color
  • OD Undershirt or white T-shirt
  • Notched "Dog Tags" with neck chain
  • M1937 waist belt w/EM open buckle
  • M1938 or M1942 Horsehide Riding Gloves

Field Equipment:

  • Helmet, Steel, M1C or M2 w/airborne style liner and leather chin cup
  • British contract helmet net, knotted,1/2" weave with scrim
  • Parachutist First Aid Packet
  • M1936 "Musette Bag"
  • M1936 Belt Suspenders
  • M1910 or M1942 Canteen Cover
  • M1910 or M1942 Canteen
  • M1910 Cup
  • M1910, M1924, or M1942 First Aid Pouch
  • M1943 Entrenching Tool w/ cover
  • Flashlight, TL 122
  • Shelter half, w/ ropes & pins
  • M3 Trench Knife w/ M8 or M6 Scabbard
  • M1923 Cartridge Belt
  • M1937 BAR Belt
  • M1937 Pistol Belt Ammunition Bandoleer (for Garand clips)
  • Rigger pouches for grenades or clips/magazinesShoulder Pouch for Thompson magazines (“Mag-bag”)“Cricket”

Market Garden to VE Day:

  • M1943 Jacket
  • M1943 Trousers (rigger-modified)
  • M1943 Boots or Jumpboots
  • 48 Star Flag armband, Pin-On Type (optional)

Winter Clothing (Bulge & Later)

  • 5 button sweater
  • OD wool scarf
  • OD wool gloves w/ leather palms
  • M1938 Overcoat, OD Wool
  • Shoepacs

 Other recommended gear:

  • Watch, WW2 period type
  • Boots, M1943, 2-Buckle 
  • M1916 Holster, brown russet
  • Shoulder Holster, M3 
  • Shoulder Holster M7  (post Normandy)
  • Bag, General Purpose ammo
  • Polaroid Goggles, All Purpose
  • M3 Binoculars w/case
  • M2 Knife
  • Gas Detection Brassard
  • M5 Assault Gas Mask, w/rubberized case
  • Rope, 3/8" x 25’ white cotton 
  • Soldier’s Handbook, FM 21-100 
  • Pick-Mattock, w/case. OD or khaki
  • Mess kit, M1942 w/ utensils
  • Poncho, OD
  • M1936 Wire Cutters w/case
  • Wrist compass
  • Blanket, Wool, OD, M1934
  • M1941 "jeep cap"
  • Entrenching tool w/ cover, M1910
  • Overseas cap, khaki cotton with infantry piping and parachutist patch
  • M1910 Entrenching Tool with cover

 Class A uniform:

  • 4-Pocket wool coat or M1944 “Ike” Jacket
  • Wool Trousers, M1937
  • Wool shirt, OD#3
  • Tie, khaki, cotton or mohair
  • Overseas Cap, OD wool, with infantry piping & parachutist patch

Class “A” uniforms are allowed for events / scenarios other than combat.  Awards are to be kept at the minimum as listed below. The only exception being if a member actually earned a medal or award and shows proof of same. Otherwise, the following awards are all that may be worn.

  • ETO Ribbon
  • Good Conduct Ribbon
  • American Campaign Ribbon
  • Combat Infantry Badge
  • French, Dutch, Belgian lanyards

Weapons:

  • M1 Rifle (Garand) with leather sling
  • M1903A4 Rifle w/ M73B1 Scope
  • M1 Carbine or M1A1 w/ folding stock
  • Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR)
  • Thompson Sub-Machinegun, M1928, M1, or M1A1
  • Sub-Machinegun, M3  (Grease Gun- post Normandy)
  • Pistol Cal .45, M1911 or M1911A1 (repro blank fire types allowed)
  • Revolver, Cal .45, M1917 Colt or Smith and Wesson WWI types
  • Revolver, Cal .38, M10 (Victory Model)
  • Machine Gun, M1919A4 or M1919A6
  • Bazooka, M1, M1A1, M9, or M9A1

AUTHENTICITY NOTES:

  • M42 Jump suit: Reinforced with 101st A/B patch on left shoulder- no flag
  • M1C or M2 Helmet: Stenciled 506 Spade emblem on both sides with "tick" on bottom
  • Helmets should be front seam type
  • M1 carbine should have flip style rear sight, no bayonet lug.
  • Web gear must be early OD # 3 color (khaki)
  • SMG’s must be legally owned select fire, rentals or “Auto-Ordinance” semi autos.
  • UNAUTHORIZED ITEMS:

  • Post war uniforms or equipment

  • Modern weapon sighting devices / systems
  • Modern / civilian alterations to weapons
  • Weapons not specifically listed in the approved section (IE: Thompson “clones”, British rifles, US Enfield's, etc.).
  • Pacific theater items (jungle packs, jungle 1st aid pouches, etc.)
  • Helmet bands, covers or non -standard nets (I.E. fishing nets)
  • 30 round carbine magazines
  • M1C and M1D Sniper rifles (Garand w/scope)
  • Civilian or post war look-alike boots/shoes

RANK:

  • Private: All new members enter the unit at the rank of Private.
  • Private First Class: A member automatically receives the rank of PFC after obtaining all the required equipment. The unit authenticity officer must verify the member’s equipment.
  • Corporal:A member may receive the rank of corporal by being a member in good standing for one year. Additionally, a corporal will attain all of the required equipment. The candidate also needs the recommendation of the squad leader of his assigned squad and / or the current C.O. of the unit. Corporals are assistant squad leaders
  • Sergeant: A member may be promoted from corporal to sergeant by petitioning his squad leader and /or C.O. for advancement. The senior squad leader and / or C.O. will review the candidate’s performance and overall unit contribution. Sergeants are squad leaders
  • Senior NCO: The need for a higher ranking Sgt. will be based on the size of the unit.
  • Technician grades: Members with specific duties such as Radioman, Safety officer or Armorer may hold technician ranks.
  • Officer: The unit CO will hold the rank of 1st or 2nd Lieutenant depending on the size of the unit. 

INSIGNIA:

Insignia will be worn as per standard WW2 regulations.

TACTICS:

The Airborne12 man rifle squad was divided into three groups:

  • 3 man scout team (Squad leader, 2 riflemen)
  • 4 man fire team (Cpl., BAR or M1919 LMG, 2 riflemen)
  • 5 man fire and maneuver team (Sgt., 4 riflemen)

The basic purpose of each team is as follows:  The scout team locates an enemy position and calls in the fire team, who delivers suppression fire on the enemy. The fire and maneuver team then flanks the enemy position.  Squads will move and work together using tactics of the period.

The rifle squad is the smallest unit of a battalion.  3 rifle squads and one 60mm mortar squad made a platoon. 3 platoons made a company and 3 companies along with an HQ company made a battalion.  Bazookas and 81mm mortars were assigned to HQ companies.  Rifle squads were designated one M1919 LMG, 10 M1 rifles and one .45 SMG.  One BAR could be added to the squad as a variation, along with 1 Carbine each for the BAR and LMG gunners.

SAFETY:

All members will wear helmets while in vehicles or during tactical situations.

All members will have factory blank firing adaptors, which are subject to inspection at any time.  Weapons converted to blank fire by threaded barrel inserts are subject to inspection and approval. All ammunition will be subject to inspection prior to each event. Only approved blank ammunition will be used.  No grenade launching blanks, wood tip ammo or live ammo will be brought to an event.  Members must fully understand and be able to field strip their weapons. See the MCA safety rules for further instructions. 

Revised: 01-19-03