Volkssturm Uniform

[mp40mcguigan]

Alright, so I have the uniform pretty much dialed in. Everything that needs to be a part of it, is there. But, I have a quick question. I recently went to WWII Weekend in Reading Pa and bought the Volkssturm arm band, collar pips, and a Reichsadler pin. Now unfortunately, I didn't really know the meaning behind the Reichsadler and I got bitched at by another German re-enactor haha. So, I looked it up, found out what everything means and that you had to have earned the Iron Cross, 1st or 2nd class, in WWI and then you would have gotten the Reichsadler if you served in WWII. My question is, is it possible for a Volkssturm soldier to earn the Reichsadler pin seeing as most of the Volkssturm were WWI veterans anyhow? It's a stretch, but any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Fusilier]

Are you old enough to look like a WW1 vet? Also,a Volksturm impression is VERY limited. One,you really wouldn't have any of the "modern" German infantry weapons. You'd have something like WW1 Gewehrs or captured Italian,Polish,Austrian or Russian rifles.Maybe even pre War rifles.
Also,they rarely if ever fought alongside regular German infantry with few exceptions such as Berlin and Breslau.
My suggestion is,go with what is common,regular German infantry. Save up your money,and go that route. There aren't enough in this or regular reenacting. Everybody seems to want to be elite or SPECIAL.

[mp40mcguigan]

Not really, it's just a starter uniform at the moment. Me and my friends do WWII Airsoft and I just started in to it so I picked an easy one to put together. But I was just curious that's all. Thanks for the info though!

[Jackboot]

As I also have a Volkssturm impression, you don't need pips (unless you have several other Volkssturmann, and you're portraying an officer) or a Reichsadler.

The Volkssturm was the bottom of the barrel late war German unit. They weren't given much gear or weapons. (Unless you're portraying a well fit Levy 1 Volkssturmann).

So really all you need is the armband, military and civilian clothing, and a weapon.

[mp40mcguigan]

Alright, cool. I bought the pips and the Reichsadler just to give it a little something. Granted, I do know that Volkssurmman weren't exactly well dressed... but it's all for fun so I figured what the heck. hahaha. I'm working on getting an actual Wehrmacht uniform together so like I said before, this is just for kicks. Thanks guys!

[Fusilier]

Do you have period civilian clothes, shoes,etc?

[mp40mcguigan]

Yep, coat, shoes, shirt, pants, hat etc.

[gadge]

One of our group put together a cracking volksturm impression for very little.

I hope he doesnt mind but heres a repost of his kit.

The Volkssturm was formed in September 1944 by a Führer Decree and they were made up into four "levies" to defend German soil against an Allied invasion. Some were very old, most were very young, but a good few were of normal military age who worked in reserved civilian occupations. From 1945 there were also women Volkssturm soldiers. Very few were given any type of uniform. Instead they were expected to supply their own clothing and equipment and this is what makes a Volkssturm loadout so affordable - you simply put it together from 1940s stuff you already have or can get cheaply.

In this example, the only piece of issued kit is a reconditioned M1918 Stahlhelm. Boots, trousers and puttees are civilian hunting attire and a leather satchel carries his ammunition and limited equipment. The jacket is a civil service one with the insignia removed, replaced with collar tabs that identify him as a Zugführer, or Section Leader. He also wears a WWI EK2 ribbon. All the Volkssturm wore an armband that identified these combatants in civilian clothing as members of the Wehrmacht. This armband was supposed to protect the Volkssturm man when surrendering. In this case the Zugführer has opted to wear the armband as a cuff title to avoid it being confused with a party armband.

[Vii_Cii]

Fusilier, wrong! You could have get an Volksgewehr as an volkssturm! ;D

[mischief]

Jun 10, 2010 16:28:51 GMT -5 mp40mcguigan said:

Alright, cool. I bought the pips and the Reichsadler just to give it a little something.

I'm finding more and more that the less you have the more accurate you are. I've talked to other reenactors about have too much gear, and (most are saying from research)that most of the time soldiers would lose(or toss) items not needed for actual fighting, and run with the bare minimum. Lugging all the extra junk and "pips" just got in the way. Strip it down and get dirty(which is a big part of doing an impression) and you'll fit the part better. Sometimes having less means more...and someone isn't going to jump your ass for what you have on your chest/shoulder/collier. Do more research then put it together.