Be aware from the start that this hobby can be very expensive and may take several months to create an accurate impression.  This section is a brief overview of our Unit's requirements.

Uniforms

Lets begin at the top and work down.  A helmet (Stahlhelm) is of course mandatory and the M-42 is the most commonly located at a reasonable price.   Spanish helmets are acceptable if they have been properly converted (leather chin strap must be in place and the helmet conversion approved by our Commanding Officer) and covered with a splinter camouflage cover.

Field (M-43) or side (M-34) caps are used when at the barracks/camp site or in non-combat areas.  Authorized tunics are the quality reproduction models (strive to obtain this type for added accuracy in your impression) or converted Swedish (or) Swiss tunics (send e-mail request for complete instructions on how to convert and dye tunics to the Unit's standards).  Insignia for your tunic are Heer collar tabs, Heer breast eagle, and Infantry (white piped) shoulder boards.  Camouflage is authorized but try to keep it conservative such as a helmet cover or a smock.  Most Wehrmacht units were sparse in camouflage.

Pants are usually converted Swedish issue with East German (white/green) suspenders.  Jack boots or low boots with gemashen (gaiters) finish up the uniform.   We attend both barracks and tactical events so a Heer zeltbahn (tent quarter) is always good to have on hand.

Equipment

The field gear generally is reproduction except for ammo pouches, bayonet, and a few other original items where reproductions are not available.  Wearing or using original field gear is nice but it is easily destroyed in the field--so we try not to use these for re-enactment.

Recommended gear to procure first include:  Y-strap, mess kit, canteen, ammo pouches, Heer belt buckle/belt, bread bag, and bayonet with frog.  Our members can assist new recruits in directing you where to find the best deals on completion of your impression.  Various other items to complete a Panzer Grenadier impression would be:  gas mask canister, gas cape/bag, entrenching tool, id disk, soldbuch, and various other personal items the soldier carried into combat.  These can be added later as you can afford them (or sneak their purchase past your wife if you happen to be married!!!).

The esprit-de-corps in our Unit is high and we will assist you any way we can.

Weapons

Combat tactics are used in the field and we operate our squads as fire teams.  We conduct patrols, recon, and assaults using maximum fire power and re-enactment approved grenades.  All weapons must utilize blank ammunition.  The K98k rifle (8mm) is the minimum weapon purchase required.  Authentic WWII German coded and marked are great if you can get one.  Check with our Commanding Officer for other models authorized.

If you can afford a MP-40, MG-34, etc.---go for it!!!  We will not deny you the luxury of carrying one of these great weapons.  Only Unit Officers carry sidearms at this time (usually P-38).