HELLO

[ScottCollins]

We're pissed because you're only hearing "No you can't do that". That's not what we're saying. What we are saying is that there is no historical accuracy in what you want to portray which completely contradicts what you say you want to uphold, accuracy. We're giving you real suggestions and advice but all you want to hear is "oh yeah that's a great uniform plan". If you don't want to be like everyone else go Luftwaffe because no one goes there but really... Hero of Germany. If you go to ANY game with that you are going to get a worse reaction than you are here. People don't like to see other people wearing ranks and badges that they probably couldn't earn in real life. Take me for example, I have a 101st AB impression and I'm a private first class. Even then, some guys gave me a bit of chewing out for it. Trust these guys advice, they've been doing it for a LOT longer than you have.

[aldrich]

As WWII reenactors we portray only that which was used and worn in WWII, or at least that is our end goal. To be part of the WWII airsoft community, or the reenacting community in general, you must adhere to those guidelines. The purpose of this forum is to help individuals put together historically correct uniforms. Therefore people will get a little frustrated when you go against that. If you your only interest is to put together a tacticool WWII themed uniform with a spiked helmet and tons of medals that you can take to your average airsoft game, there is nothing wrong with that. However, since this is not what any soldier would have worn in WWII, we cannot be of much help to you and perhaps you are on the wrong forum. If that is the case then I wish you the best of luck!

[greaser350]

Jun 28, 2013 20:04:07 GMT -5 dasreich said:

i am not a troll, just a new guy and i am mad that u guys are pised becaus u dont like my stuff i dont hav 2 be like everyone else.

You don't have to be like everyone else, but you do have to portray reality. WWII reenacting, airsoft or not, is self explanatory. It is a simulated recreation of WWII. That's what this forum is about, recreating what an actual soldier might have worn in WWII. Close facsimiles are accepted in newer members, but you don't get to wear whatever uniform, throw a swastika on it and call it German. At least try to emulate the overall look of a WWII infantryman. Instead, what you are doing is wearing what you think looks cool, regardless of its historical accuracy. A spiked helmet is not WWII accurate. The style you linked to isn't even WWI accurate (or any war for that matter) as it is a modern motorcycle helmet, never worn by any military ever. The tunic you linked to is similar to WWII German uniforms in color alone (and even then, barely) and there's no evidence I know of showing the grey tunic worn with black pants (I could be wrong here, someone more knowledgeable on German kit may clarify). If you want to do the "dismounted tanker" look with black Panzer uniform, that's fine but you have to keep in mind that it will only really be appropriate for late war events. If you are willing to sit out early war stuff, then that'll work for you, but you still have to do your research and get a PANZER uniform, not just any black uniform. Your AK will be fine for the short term, but you need to make an effort to replace it with something better. An AK bears some outward resemblance to an STG44. but not nearly enough to fool even most bystanders. The AK is a fairly recognizable weapon. Besides, an STG44 isn't even practical for a tanker. A pistol would really be best, but in the name of practicality an MP-40 would be far more appropriate.

i really like the black uniform tho. i think i will go with it anyway,

This sentence has summed up your entire attitude thus far. I really like Victorian frock coats. They're a great looking garment and I have a few. That doesn't mean I get to pretend that a soldier could have maybe worn one during the war by saying "well, it was worn into the 1920s so its possible he got one then and..." If you want to reenact WWII German, you have to look like a German soldier would have looked in WWII. If you just want a cool looking kit for casual games, then do what you want and don't bother with us.

P.S., your continuing refusal to acknowledge that "1st SS Das Reich" is not a thing is not helping your case if you truly are not a troll. It's like saying "82nd Airborne Screaming Eagles."

[alexpingpong]

Well they're just trying to give you valid advice that you've wanted, or seemed to be looking for. Yet you remain stubborn an follow your own ideals. Being different is one thing, but continually trolling people and rejecting knowledgeable advice is another. I don't want to discourage you, but your stay-put attitude isn't going to help you make many friends in this hobby.

Simply put, your fixed mindedness is going to get you no where in life.

[dasreich]

OK i wil do plane old ss. www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-German-tan-water-Camo-Field-Tunic-Pants-/290928681673?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43bcb362c9 is ithsi uniform better....

[knights52]

Getting closer. Tan and Water was used by Heer (regular army), not SS. I would suggest an Oak B camouflage smock, it works for most any SS unit, any time.

www.hessenantique.com/SS_M42_OAK_Camouflage_Smock_p/2121442.htm

[aj czarkowski]

I'd suggest buying HBT's, because you can wear them year round but wool uniforms in hot weather is a bad idea. In the winter, you can wear a sweater under them or something. Smocks were usually worn over these, like the one Knight52 posted above

www.hessenantique.com/SS_M42_HBT_Tunic_p/2121203.htm

www.hessenantique.com/M40_HBT_Trousers_p/2112201.htm

[labrador]

if you want ss camouflage get a smock or a dot 44 set. like I said if you want to wear a black ss panzer uniform, it is actually authentic for the very end of the war as some panzer crewmen converted to infantry due to lack of vehicles, but expect to get closed out of games with high authenticity standards. the tan water tunic you posted war only done by company tailors and was not common issue.

[knights52]

Dot 44 would only make sense for a late war event. But, I have yet to see many games that take place before 1944, so it wouldn't be a bad idea.

[dasreich]

Well the ss were elite so they woud be able to wear most uniforms they wanted i think. i kno they didnt wear black by they did wear camo. also i don't get why i cant do 1st SS Das Reich i mite do 1st SS Adolf Hitler someday but not yet.

[greaser350]

Jun 29, 2013 13:06:11 GMT -5 dasreich said:

also i don't get why i cant do 1st SS Das Reich i mite do 1st SS Adolf Hitler someday but not yet.

Because it didn't exist. The Das Reich division was the 2nd SS division, not the first. Das Reich was essentially the nickname given to the 2nd SS Division. Saying 1st Das Reich is like calling the 101st Airborne the All Americans or the 82nd the Screaming Eagles.

[knights52]

1. SS was the Liebstandarte Adolf Hitler. It was a unit that began as Hitlers bodyguard. 2.SS was Das Reich. There was no such thing as 1.SS Das Reich.

> 1.SS LAH
Or
> 2.SS Das Reich

There are also plenty of other SS divisions to choose from. If you're young, 12.SS would make sense. They were formed from Hitler Youth

tl;dr 1.SS Das Reich does not, nor has it ever, existed.

[dasreich]

which medels should i have?

[knights52]

I personally do 1.SS LAH and don't wear any medals. Most don't.

[dasreich]

wouldt most officers have a medal or 2?

[labrador]

They'd have them, if they deserve them. Usually, we start out by joining a unit. The unit determines your rank and awards according to achievements and milestones. If there are no units where you live, you can pretty much do what you want i guess. If you must, a panzer assault badge in bronze and a wound badge would be fairly common. If you must have an iron cross for the impression then the second class, the red white and black ribbon worn on the lapel. If you are wearing camouflage, don't wear the awards on your camouflage. this was rarely done if ever.

[greaser350]

Jun 29, 2013 16:00:18 GMT -5 dasreich said:

wouldt most officers have a medal or 2?

I don't know how old you are, but I'm guessing maybe your teens? If so, forget about an officer impression. If you're not at least 20ish, then you will looks silly as an officer unless you really have the bearing and know-how. Even if you are older than that, an officer without a unit to command is kind of silly as well. You are 100% better off portraying an enlisted man at least for the time being. As far as medals, anything that wasn't terribly common is going to ruin your impression real quick. Medals are kind of a balancing act because, at the end of the day, it's kind of taking credit for things you didn't do. Yes, we are essentially "playacting" but there is a line. A wound badge or something similar works because its a common, nondescript medal that many soldiers would've gotten in the line of duty.

[drizzt04]

I personally believe that this is a troll, so I really have nothing to say to him. I will say this, if you are real, dont be expected to be allowed into any game I am hosting. Besides the obviously worng uniform you are attempting to build, your bad attitude and disrespect for both the people on this board trying to help, and the soldiers that fought in the real war makes you unwelcoe as far as I am concerned.

But enough with him. I only posted to say one thing. The SA was not disbanded. They definitely lost much power, but they were still in existence during the war. Many of the older SS soldiers had two ranks. One is the SS, and another in the SA. Some of the high ranked members of the party had more than that, and it was not uncommon for them to hold rank in SS, SA, and WH. Just for personal knowledge is all.

Bill

[dasreich]

Jun 29, 2013 21:45:06 GMT -5 greaser350 said:

Jun 29, 2013 16:00:18 GMT -5 dasreich said:

wouldt most officers have a medal or 2?

I don't know how old you are, but I'm guessing maybe your teens? If so, forget about an officer impression. If you're not at least 20ish, then you will looks silly as an officer unless you really have the bearing and know-how. Even if you are older than that, an officer without a unit to command is kind of silly as well. You are 100% better off portraying an enlisted man at least for the time being. As far as medals, anything that wasn't terribly common is going to ruin your impression real quick. Medals are kind of a balancing act because, at the end of the day, it's kind of taking credit for things you didn't do. Yes, we are essentially "playacting" but there is a line. A wound badge or something similar works because its a common, nondescript medal that many soldiers would've gotten in the line of duty.

i am 14 and i know late war everyone was drafted so i could be an experiensed soldier. also i am not a troll just new so please stop being nasty their is no reason too.

[labrador]

what everyone is trying to say is that the typical young soldier of the period would have worn a field grey uniform a panzer uniform would only be ok for 1945. if he was drafted in 44 to 45 he may have won a few awards but in the reenactment world these are handed to you by your unit. if you must have awards an assault badge and a wound badge would be ok but not a knights cross. the advice given you here is good but it is of course up to you what you do with it. as far as guns are concerned, of course the kar98 by dboys would be perfect for your impression but it does not perform well. I would advice you to get something more practical for airsoft. some guns to consider would be the old agm mp44 or mp40 or even the s and t ppsh.

[brownien]

The only problem with getting a PPSH, is that you would be limited to eastern front games. There is no feasable way for a German soldier on the western front to have gotten ahold of a ppsh while fighting the Americans and British. It would just look out of place. It all depends on what impression you would like to do.

With a Bar98K ruled out due to high prices, the Stg44 would be the best choice for an infantry impression, instead of the mp40, which was usually only issued to NCO's. If you go with a dismounted Panzer crewman impression, a mp40 would be best due to the cramped quarters of a tank.

[greaser350]

Jul 2, 2013 13:40:15 GMT -5 dasreich said:

Jun 29, 2013 21:45:06 GMT -5 greaser350 said:

I don't know how old you are, but I'm guessing maybe your teens? If so, forget about an officer impression. If you're not at least 20ish, then you will looks silly as an officer unless you really have the bearing and know-how. Even if you are older than that, an officer without a unit to command is kind of silly as well. You are 100% better off portraying an enlisted man at least for the time being. As far as medals, anything that wasn't terribly common is going to ruin your impression real quick. Medals are kind of a balancing act because, at the end of the day, it's kind of taking credit for things you didn't do. Yes, we are essentially "playacting" but there is a line. A wound badge or something similar works because its a common, nondescript medal that many soldiers would've gotten in the line of duty.

i am 14 and i know late war everyone was drafted so i could be an experiensed soldier. also i am not a troll just new so please stop being nasty their is no reason too.

At 14, stick to a new recruit impression, really. Try and equate your real-life experience to your impression's experience level. If you're a newbie (as you have already stated you are) then your impression should be as well. The longer you stay in the hobby, the more experience you will have earned. Treat it like the real military in that way. Much like the whole Officer issue, it's not believable if you portray a grizzled vet but have no actual experience.

[dasreich]

Jul 2, 2013 20:40:24 GMT -5 greaser350 said:

Jul 2, 2013 13:40:15 GMT -5 dasreich said:

i am 14 and i know late war everyone was drafted so i could be an experiensed soldier. also i am not a troll just new so please stop being nasty their is no reason too.

At 14, stick to a new recruit impression, really. Try and equate your real-life experience to your impression's experience level. If you're a newbie (as you have already stated you are) then your impression should be as well. The longer you stay in the hobby, the more experience you will have earned. Treat it like the real military in that way. Much like the whole Officer issue, it's not believable if you portray a grizzled vet but have no actual experience.

I have been reading about wwii since i was 6 and been playing call of duty since i was 10. i know mor then most ppl will anyways.

[knights52]

I'm out.

[greaser350]

I give up, do whatever you want.

[dasreich]

Jul 4, 2013 16:34:43 GMT -5 greaser350 said:

I give up, do whatever you want.

?

[dasreich]

www.hessenantique.com/M36_Tunic_p/2111101rf.htm alright i give in this one ok? i was just joking i am to be normal solder now.

[wilhelmmoa]

Never get your info from a video game especially call of duty, for example you my think a mg42 is a cool gun but I would never use it in combat. I would use a k98 over anything! But airsoft a mg42 can be pretty awesome, it just jams to much in real life. And also never say you get info from video games and even Hollywood (I've been there). I would recommend a m43 tunic and pants, if you are into SS get a camo smock. Your best bet for a weapon is a bar98k conversion because you are a recruit and also they work greatness and we need more bolt actions on the battle field.

[brownien]

Agreed that we need more Bolt action Kar98k's on the fields, but for such a new guy, a Stg44 will do, just keep it on semi or refrain from anything other than 2 or 3 round bursts. Get the Stg44 first, to get you started, and save up to get a Bar98k Conversion rifle.

I'm not an expert on German, but a M36 tunic set would be appropriate for Early thru Late War. Try not to get any Camo smocks or Jackets until you get either a complete Wool set/Jack boots/Web Gear/Helmet. After you get the General issued items, grab a camo smock or helmet cover.

Also agreed about the games. WW2 games like the early CoD and Medal of Honor, are great games, and they are what got me into WW2 history, but they very often stray too far from reality. The best WW2 game IMO would be the Brothers In Arms series. Instead of the 'run and gun' gameplay of most Fps', you use and command a squad of AI to complete missions using actual WW2 tactics. It is real paced, very challenging, and very similar to how WW2 airsoft games are orchestrated. I'm not saying it is a good reference, just a good example of what our events are like, when trying to coordinate with a squad.

I don't think we should give up on anyone, especially someone who obviously has the interest, but may not have the proper references. I must say dasreich, thank you for considering us and taking our advice. I know I always love helping.

[labrador]

m36s are present in photos all the way til the end of the war but it would be more common to have an m42 or 43. that said, I wouldn't say it would be totally wrong. there are photos of young German soldiers surrendering at remagen in 1945 wearing m36s jackets. I would totally agree about getting an mp44. it is the best value for money if you are just getting into airsoft. mine took 4 years I had to have it serviced. do keep listening to advice here and always do ask before making a major purchase.