authenticity

Authenticity

36th Armored Infantry Regiment
Authenticity Standards - By Jason Rich

The 3rd Armored Division entered combat during the D-Day invasion June 18, 1944(D+12).
That being said many of the events we do cover an array of time periods within the ETO as well
as the MTO. Needless to say many of the events we do it is likely that the 3rd Armored was not
present at that place or time. Although arguments could be made and pictures found, to be
“authentic” for the variety of events we do our aim will be to create a non descriptive general
impression of an armored infantryman. These standards are composed from research of
numerous photographs, the GI Collectors Guide, help from the 36th AIR Reenacted in
Oregon, and my Grandfather Robert Rich 54th AIB 10th AD.

For simplicity our impressions will be based on a time frame separated into two periods:
• Early / Mid-war: November 1942 through August 1944
• Late-war: September 1944 through May 1945

The time periods will then be separated into categories of:
• Uniform
• Headgear
• Footwear
• Field Gear
• Weapons

Descriptions and additional notes / comments will follow the list.

Early / Mid- War November 1942 through August 1944:

Uniform:
M37 Shirt, Flannel, OD or Convertible Collar Shirt –with-
M37 Trousers, Wool, Serge, OD, Light Shade –or-
Jacket, HBT –with-
Trousers, HBT
Belt, Web, Waist, EM, M-1937
Undershirt, Cotton, OD (T-shirt type) -or-
Undershirt, Sleeveless, OD (Tank-top style)
M41 Field Jacket –or-
Jacket, Combat, Winter “Tanker Jacket”

Headgear:
M1 Steel Helmet, with liner
Cap, Wool Knit, M-1941 ("Jeep" cap) -or-
Cap, HBT

Footwear:
Leggings, Canvas, M38, Dismounted
Shoes, Service, Reverse Upper, "Rough-out" boots - or-
Shoes, Service, Type I/2 “Russet" smooth

Field Gear:
M23 Cartridge Belt, CAL .30, Dismounted –or-
M36 Belt, Pistol with appropriate ammo pouches for weapon being used
Canteen, with Cup, and Cover, Dismounted
Pouch, First-Aid Packet
M36 Suspenders
M36 Field Bag (Musette)
Can, Meat, ("Mess kit") with Knife, Fork and Spoon

Weapons:
U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M-1
U.S. Carbine, Caliber .30, M1
Thompson, Submachine Gun, CAL .45
Browning Automatic Rifle, M1918A2
Pistol, CAL .45, Automatic, M-1911 or M-1911A1

Late War Uniform: September 1944 through May 1945

Uniform:
M37 Shirt, Flannel, OD or Convertible Collar Shirt –with-
M37 Trousers, Wool, Serge, OD, Light Shade –or-
M43 Trousers, Field, Wool, OD , “Ike pattern”
M43 Field Jacket

Headgear:
M1 Steel Helmet, with liner
Cap, Wool Knit, M-1941 ("Jeep" cap) -or-
Cap, Filed, Pile, OD
Cap, HBT

Footwear:
M43, Boots, Service, Combat

Field Gear:
M23 Cartridge Belt, CAL .30, Dismounted –or-
M36 Belt, Pistol with appropriate ammo pouches for weapon being used
Canteen, with Cup, and Cover, Dismounted
Pouch, First-Aid Packet
M36 Suspenders
M36 Field Bag (Musette)
Can, Meat, ("Mess kit") with Knife, Fork and Spoon

Weapons:
U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M-1
U.S. Carbine, Caliber .30, M1
Thompson, Submachine Gun, CAL .45
Browning Automatic Rifle, M1918A2
Pistol, CAL .45, Automatic, M-1911 or M-1911A1

PERSONAL ITEMS AND MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT:
Dog tags
Sweater, Sleeveless
Sweater, High neck - to be worn with the M43 uniform-

GROOMING:
While we will not demand that anyone get an authentic 1940s haircut, we do wish to appear
authentic. We encourage haircuts to be short and tapered on the sides and back. Spiked, dyed,
or unnaturally cut or colored hair is NOT allowed.
Mustaches are discouraged, but allowed. Mustaches should be neatly trimmed, and not extend
past the corners of the mouth.
Beards, goatees and "soul patches" are not allowed. It was common for soldiers to not have the
opportunity not to shave, however for our purposes we would like everyone to be clean shaven
when arriving at an event.

EYEGLASSES:
We encourage individuals who wear corrective lenses to obtain 1940s period correct eyeglasses, or
wear contact lenses.

Uniforms:
The Early war uniform would be appropriate for time periods through the Bulge (there is
plenty of photographic evidence). However, following the Bulge most units were wearing or
receiving the late war uniform. By fall of ’44 replacements coming into the ETO would have
received the “standard” late war uniform.

The M37 wool flannel OD shirt - was the standard issue shirt. In 1941 production of the
“convertible collar” shirt began. The convertible collar shirt had gas flaps on the neck and
sleeves as well as buttons on the collar to attach the woolen gas hood. Both styles were issued.
My grandpa who arrived in the ETO in fall ’44 received the M37 style shirt.
When I asked him about the gas flaps he said “we did not have anything fancy like that, we
looked like a bunch of farm boys”.
The 3rd Armored Division patch should be sewn on the left sleeve, 1/2 inch down from the seam,
and centered.

M37 Trousers - in the “mustard” or “special shade” were the standard issue trouser. The
trouser pattern changed to a dark brown or OD color and designated the M-1943 wool
trousers. The M-1943 versions are acceptable only for later war scenarios.

HBT’s: were designed to be worn over the M37 wool shirt and trousers, but was often worn
alone in hot weather. The early patterns faded quickly and are considered the “light” pattern.
Later patterns did not fade as quickly, were a darker OD green, and had “gas flaps” at the neck
and trouser fly. The “gas flap” on the neck was often not buttoned or removed. HBT’s should
not be worn for time periods after August 1944 for ETO impressions.

M43 Field Jacket: This jacket has all button closures. Although similar in appearance the
M51 field jacket, which has a zipper are not authorized for use in WWII reenactments.

Cotton Under Sleeveless and T-Shirt: These are the standard undergarments issued in
WWII. Some vendors reproduce the Sleeveless undershirt. For the T-Shirt good alternatives
are a modern US Marine Corps green t-shirt, well faded, or Dutch army t-shirts. The modern
US Army t-shirts are not acceptable since they are too brown.

Headgear:
Helmets should have the proper OD webbing chin strap. Modern nylon straps are not allowed.
The liners must have the chin strap studs with the leather chin straps attached.
Helmet nets are not mandatory. Many photos show soldiers with and without them. Many late
war photos show most soldiers did not have them.

When first issued the helmets were painted with cork mixed into the paint to help reduce glare.
Helmets were picked up, recycled, repainted, reissued throughout the war. Many “late war”
helmets had little or no cork at all. In addition many “late war” helmets were painted in a
darker OD green than “early war” helmets.

Footwear:
According to an E Company vet that advises the 36 AIR only rookies and recruits wore their
trousers tucked inside their leggings. The veterans wore the trousers bloused low over the TOP
of the leggings, using condoms as blousing rubbers. They would unroll the condom, and tie the
ends together so they formed a circle, and then tuck the hems of the trousers up underneath the
rubber.

My grandfather spoke about something similar, saying that after a few days of combat their
trousers pulled out of their boots and they did not bother to tuck them back in. The simple thing
to do was roll them up. In addition this also provided air circulation during the warmer days.
An interesting not he also said that when first issued the boots appeared to be white. Although a
few days of combat took care of that.

Boots, Combat, M-1943: known as "double buckle" or "buckle boots." They were not generally
issued until at least August or September of 1944 so are suitable for the “late war” scenarios
only.

Field Gear:
The main debate with field gear is the color. Early equipment had the light tan or “khaki”
color. As the war progresses the color changed to the darker OD green color. With some
equipment having both darker OD and Khaki parts sewn together. Most vendors selling field
gear are making their equipment in the lighter Khaki color.

Canteens / Covers: canteens are separated into the metal and black plastic tops. The metal tops
began production in 1910 and continued into the war. The black plastic top canteens began
production in 1943. Canteens can easily be found on ebay or in some surplus stores. Covers are
separated into the “early” and “late” war patterns. Excluding the color, the main difference is
that the late war covers had a larger rectangular reinforced tab holding the wire hook.

M36 Suspenders and Field Bag: armored infantrymen were issued the suspender and musette
bag system as opposed to the M28 haversack in that it was easier to get in and out of the half
tracks with the M36 field gear. Musette bags were worn attached to the suspender system or
carried with a carrying strap. Normally armored infantrymen did not carry the bags and
clipped them to the sides of vehicles instead. The vets advising the 36th AIR in Oregon stated
that many of them simply wore the cartridge belt without the suspenders. They would also use
the gas mask bags to carry extra rations and ammo along with a bandoleer. Contrary to this
my grandpa said that they always wore the suspenders with the cartridge belts.