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Equipment

Helmet: (Stahlhelm) M-35, M-40, M-42. Original or approved type reproduction. Correct black leather chinstraps only. Helmets are to be painted in fieldgray. Decals must be approved prior to their application to the helmet. Double decals on helmets for early war events only.

Boots: (Stiefel) Jackboots or ankle type with gaiters (Gamaschen). Reproductions preferred. West or East German jackboots must be converted with leather soles, hobnails, heal irons, toe cleats, and pebbling ironed out. Check with other unit members for the best sources.

Belt: (Koppel) Black leather (horsehide) belt with metal buckle keeper. Original, modified West German with original keeper, or heavy quality reproduction. Tropical belts can be worn in the field only.

Buckle: (Koppelschloss) Standard army buckle. Original or strong quality reproduction in bare metal or painted in either silver or gray/green.

Breadbag: (Brotbeutel) Gray or green canvas with leather or web straps on flap. Original, West German, or reproduction.

Bayonet: (Seitengewehr) Original German K-98 bayonet with scabbard. Wood or Bakelite grips. No other types are approved.

Bayonet Frog: (Seitengewehrtasche) Original or approved reproduction. Standard or cavalry (with retaining strap) types in black leather or tropical web.

Canteen & Cup: (Feldflasche und Trinkbecher) Original or early Bundeswehr with web or black leather straps. Cover in wool/ felt, metal cup painted in gray/green or black. The black plastic cup is also authorized in place of the metal type.

“Y” Straps: (Koppel Trager) Original or approved reproduction, in web or black leather. The five leg combat “Y” strap with D-rings for suspending the A-frame is the only type for wear by enlisted personnel. The three leg type is for wear by officers only.

E-Tool: (Schanzzeug) Original, Dutch folding type, or Swiss spade type. Metal section is to be painted in semi-gloss black or charcoal gray with the wood handle left unpainted.

E-Tool Carrier: Original or approved reproduction. Black leather or tropical web. No post war odd types; Dutch or Bundeswehr web carriers.

K-98 Pouches: Original, black leather three section pouches with sewn or riveted straps. There are many manufacturing variations, so be certain that the pair you purchase is a matched set. You will also need at least twelve stripper clips to hold sixty rounds of ammo to fill these pouches.

Mess Kit: (Kochgeschirr) Original or pre-56 type Bundeswehr. The short height lid only. Do not use the inner third tray tin if you use the Bundeswehr type, discard it. The mess tin should be painted in gray/green or black. It must also have the correct strap in leather or web (original or reproduction). Original or Bundeswehr utensils in four or two piece type is to be used with this item.

Gasmask Canister: (Gasmaske) Original or early type Bundeswehr. No Luftshutz or Spanish type canisters allowed. If you use the Bundeswehr type, remove the canvas cover if it has not already been done. The canister must be painted gray/green.

A-Frame: (Gefechtsgepack) Original or quality reproduction. Continental or tropical, with correct straps and metal fittings.

A-Frame Bag: (Gefechtsgepack-Beutal) Original or approved reproduction. This is used for personal implements and attaches to the A-frame.

D-Rings: (Aufschiebeschlaufen) Original or approved reproduction. Black leather beltloop with square or D shaped metal ring. Used in hanging of extra gear or a belt-link for the “Y” straps. This item is required for the MG 34/42 gunner and his assistant.

Flashlight: Original or Bundeswehr. Must be painted gray/green or black.

Zeltbahns: Original or approved reproduction. Issued and used as a waterproof cape. It can also be used in combination with 3 other zeltbahns to form a 2 man tent.

D.A.K.

(Deutsches Afrika Korps)

The Afrika Korps was formed, on February 12, 1941, after the German Armed Forces High Command (OKW) had decided to send an expeditionary force to Libya to support the Italian army, which had been routed by an Allied counteroffensive, Operation Compass. The German expeditionary force, commanded by Erwin Rommel, at first consisted only of the 5th Panzer Division and various other small units. These elements were organized into the 5th Light Division when they arrived in Africa in February. In the spring the 5th Light Division was joined by the 15th Panzer Division, though it did not arrive until after Rommel had made a counter-offensive and re-taken most of Cyrenaica and gone back over to the defensive. At this time the Afrika Korps consisted of the two divisions plus various smaller supporting units, and was officially subordinated to the Italian chain of command in Africa (though Rommel had conducted his offensive without any authorization).

On October 1, 1941, the German 5th Light Division was redesignated 21st Panzer Division, still attached to the Afrika Korps.

During the summer of 1941 OKW invested more command structure in Africa by creating a new headquarters called Panzer Group Africa (Panzergruppe Afrika). On August 15 Panzer Group Africa was activated with Rommel in command, and command of the Afrika Korps was turned over to Ludwig Crüwell. The Panzer Group controlled the Afrika Korps plus some additional German units that were sent to Africa, as well as two corps of Italian units. (A German "group" was approximately the equivalent of an army in other militaries, and in fact Panzer Group Africa was redesignated as Panzer Army Africa (Panzerarmee Afrika) on January 30, 1942.)

After the defeat at El Alamein and the Allied invasion in Morocco and Algeria Operation Torch, OKW once more upgraded its presence in Africa by creating the XC Army Corps in Tunisia on November 19, 1942, and then creating a new 5th Panzer Army headquarters there as well on December 8, under the command of Colonel-General Hans-Jürgen von Arnim.

On February 23, 1943 Panzer Army Africa, (now called the German-Italian Panzer Army,) was redesignated as the Italian 1st Army and put under the command of an Italian general, while Rommel was placed in command of a new Army Group Africa (Heeresgruppe Afrika) created to control both the Italian 1st Army and the 5th Panzer Army. The remnants of the Afrika Korps and other surviving units of the 1st Italian Army retreated into Tunisia. Command of the Army Group was turned over to von Arnim in March. On May 13 remnants of the Afrika Korps along with all other remaining Axis forces in North Africa surrendered.

Gear

Helmet: (Stahlhelm) M-35, M-40, and Pith Helmet. Original or approved type reproduction. Correct black leather chinstraps only on Stahlhelms, Pith Helmet can be either British or German with correct insignia.

M-35

M-40

Boots: (Stiefel) Can either wear the knee high lace-up boots, or tropical ankle boots. This is a very rare item, so repros. only should be worn. Continental leather ankle boots can be substituted for later war type events.

Belt: (Koppel) Web variation. Reproduction or original can be worn.

Buckle: (Koppelschloss) Buckle can be silver or painted tan. Reproduction or original can be worn.

Breadbag: (Brotbeutel) Tropical or continental may be worn.

Bayonet: (Seitengewehr) Original German K-98 bayonet with scabbard. Wood or Bakelite grips. No other types are approved.

Bayonet Frog: (Seitengewehrtasche) Original or approved reproduction. Tropical web preferred.

Canteen & Cup: (Feldflasche und Trinkbecher) Original or early Bundeswehr with web straps. “Coconut" or wood preferred. Wool continental version, either .7L or 1L may be worn. The black plastic cup is also authorized in place of the metal type.

“Y” Straps: (Koppel Trager) Original or approved reproduction, in web . The five leg combat “Y” strap with D-rings for suspending the A-frame is the only type for wear by enlisted personnel. The three leg type is for wear by officers only.

E-Tool: (Schanzzeug) Original or Swiss spade type. Metal section is to be painted in semi-gloss black or charcoal gray with the wood handle left unpainted.

E-Tool Carrier: Original or approved reproduction. Tropical web. No post war odd types; Dutch or Bundeswehr web carriers.

K-98 Pouches: Original, black or brown leather three section pouches with sewn or riveted straps. There are many manufacturing variations, so be certain that the pair you purchase is a matched set. You will also need at least twelve stripper clips to hold sixty rounds of ammo to fill these pouches.

Mess Kit: (Kochgeschirr) Original or pre-56 type Bundeswehr. The short height lid only. Do not use the inner third tray tin if you use the Bundeswehr type, discard it. The mess tin should be painted in Tan. It must also have the correct strap in web (original or reproduction). Original or Bundeswehr utensils in four or two piece type is to be used with this item.

A-Frame: (Gefechtsgepack) Original or quality reproduction. Tropical, with correct straps and metal fittings.

A-Frame Bag: (Gefechtsgepack-Beutal) Original or approved reproduction. This is used for personal implements and attaches to the A-frame.

D-Rings: (Aufschiebeschlaufen) Original or approved reproduction. Web beltloop with square or D shaped metal ring. Used in hanging of extra gear or a belt-link for the “Y” straps. This item is required for the MG 34/42 gunner and his assistant.

Flashlight: Original or Bundeswehr. Must be painted Tan or Black.

ACHTUNG!* Before Making Any Purchases/Or if you have a question, please contact our unit Authenticity Officer immediately! Frank Barone makes excellent web equipment, and can be reached at frank-barone@sbcglobal.net Email him for a price list.