502 Getting It Right!
I know I've said a lot of things already that seem over top, picky and unnecessary. Well... in this page, it's probably going to get worse for those who think re-enacting consists of putting on a freshly washed and ironed M42 with shoulder holster, parachute silk scarf, sunglasses, cigar and late war googles... If that's you, prepare to throw the toys out the pram and go looking for a dress-up group instead of joining us; we are living history...
If that first paragraph hasn't had you running off to find an easier, more relaxed group, then great! We are a very relaxed bunch, but we still want to do it right; not just talking and saying we'll do it right. Nothing about getting it spot-on is difficult. Just don't start buying things from any vendor... 99% of the dealers just want to make money by selling you crap; they don't care if they things they sell are fit for nothing.
Most things are not difficult in any way. The biggest thing is buying the right items from the right vendors the first time round. Don't buy crap, then have to replace it... and there are some people have to then buy it for the third time, because the first two times they didn't listen.
M1 Helmet Markings - Almost all M1 Helmets had the heart painted on each side; in Normandy it was larger than in the later campaigns. However, NO TICK/HASH marks as these only appear after the Normandy campaign. Everyone will need to paint their helmet.. PAINT IT BY HAND... don't buy a shitty stencil and spray it. Hand paint it yourself, don't get someone else to do it. If you think it will look crap, great! This will probably surprise you, but not every GI was a trained artist!
M1 Helmet Nets - As much as I hate helmet nets, when you look at the photos of the 502 in Normandy and pre-invasion every single one has a 3/4-inch mesh helmet net.
Scarves - I can only apologize for the confusion I have cause over scarves, and as lovely as they ones I have made are, we will pretty much be saving these for A-Class or when the public have gone. The white scarf (or bandage) around the neck denotes a different battalion (see photo below), not the 2nd battalion (the 2nd used a white scarf or bandage around the left shoulder). Also, please don't wear those camouflage scarfs, they are so ludicrous that no reenactor can take you seriously if you wear one, let alone any living historian. The only chance you would have to acquire one would be the moment you hit the ground in Normandy... do you think cutting a piece of your parachute off would be your number one priority at that moment? If any officer or NCO saw you, you'd most likely get a kick up the arse and be balled out. Yes... I know... I saw a photo of one guy wearing it... and you saw Band of Brothers.... if you are going to say any statements like that, please go join one of those 'dress-up groups'...
Unit Identification Tapes - On the shoulder of all 2nd Battalion members was a white cloth, usually a bandage. Tied around the arm and through the epaulette. Simple and easy, a lovely piece that shows attention to detail. We always have a roll of bandage to hand to do this and can be done at your first event.
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M42 Jumpsuit CC2 Treatment - Yes this will sound crazy! The easiest way to make your M42 look like it has just had its pre-invasion CC2 (anti-gas/chemical) treatment is to get a bucket of decking oil, dunk the jacket and jump pants in it and when sodden, take them out and hang them up to drip dry. I know that sounds insane. You'll not only get a better looking M42, but it will be water resistant and far warmer, too!
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M42 Chest Nametapes - when you look at the pre-invasion photos, a good number of the 502 have name tapes (not all, but a few do). However, this has to be kept to a correct ratio within the unit so check to see how many members already have nametapes before you start adding this particular 'extra' to your jacket.
Rigger Pouches vs M1 Ammo Pouches - Rigger pouches must always be used as there is only ONE soldier wearing M1 ammo pouches in all the photographs and videos that I have seen of the 502 pre-invasion. A normal rifleman seems to wear 3 or 4 of the small-sized rigger pouches (see the photo following the video). If you don't believe anything I have said... just check the video below of the 502 heading to the planes on 5 June. Also, see if you can spot the hard-shell Luger holster, Empty M43 shovel cover, gas brassard that is falling apart and British P37 holster! No you can't wear a German Luger holster, for obvious reasons. YOU'RE NOT GERMAN!
Black Tape - Tape up all those bags that could open during descent, even if you tape them in such a way that they look like you've since opened them. That adds even more realism and attention to detail. If you have multiple riggers with Garand clips in them, have one that has been broken open and leave the others taped up and sealed. GP Ammo bags were also seen to be taped closed. The GP bags were more commonly seen taped than the smaller rigger pouches. Note that this is not shiny electrical tape, but fabric tape. Gaffer's Tape or Ice Hockey Tape is perfect for this. In some photos you can even see white medical tape has been used, but not many chose this for obvious reasons!
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M1 Chemical Eye Shields - A fairly unusual item to see popping up in both videos and photos are these odd little eye shields. They came in packs of 4 and were stored in with gasmasks. I have seen a few on helmets and a few around necks; due the straps being short I'm sure the latter wouldn't be too comfortable! However, if these will be visible on your impression, then they need to be kept within the ratio that is correct for the group. As with all 'extras', these will be limited.
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Rank - The topic that nobody likes to mention... After the group has reviewed this subject many times, we have concluded that rank will be kept to the bare minimum. Everyone joining with be a rifleman with the rank of Private. If, after your rifleman impression is complete, you want to tailor your impression into something else, then great. Rank will match whatever your chosen impression might be. However, you will always need to be able to turn out at an event as a rifleman should that be needed. This rule applies to everyone. However, basically the group will consist of 1 Officer, 1 S/Sgt and the rest being Pvts with a sprinkling of PFC's mixed in. This keeps the ratio sensible and realistic. If you dream of being a Captain like the rest of the promenaders, then this is NOT the group for you. If you want to be a part of portraying an accurate and realistic unit then you might fit right in. It has also been decided that those who do hold any rank will act accordingly. For example, our S/Sgt performs duties both in the field and group duties as a Sgt would: rallying the troops, getting people moving and sorted, and whatever odd jobs need doing. The S/Sgt or the officer arranges who is doing what. No, we don't bark orders at you like the gestapo, neither do we pussy-foot about. If the public is around, then you'll be spoken in the manner your rank requires. Don't think that because you're a private an officer would talk down to you. Remember, every officer, no matter how senior they are in rank and experience, will always return the salute of the most fresh-faced, clueless private.
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British Shell Dressing - The 502 PIR weirdly seems to have plenty of its own little quirks! In 1944, each member was issued with 1 or 2 British Shell Dressings, I can only assume that it was a good way of getting a decent supply of bandages into the field for the medical staff to gather up later on, as the requirement for items like this would be vast! These can be obtained easily, just make sure to check the dates and get them pre-June 1944.
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Pocket Litter - So where did the average trooper put all this stuff? Just what did he put in all those pockets? The video below has some helpful suggestions to get you started thinking, but ultimately, it's really up to you...
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And don't be like these two guys in the videos below... Always remember that sharing knowledge comes with responsibility. Don't lie, don't invent things that are your own version of the truth, don't twist history to suit your own bullshit farby impression... because you WILL be called out on it. It's not right! By all means dress as a farb-tastic tit and play soldiers, but don't give miss-information or lie to the public. THAT isn't right or fair...
