AUTHENTICITY 

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FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE STANDARDS WILL RESULT IN EXPULSION WITHOUT REFUND

 

ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED AND EXPECTED TO READ AND FOLLOW ALL STANDARDS IN THIS DOCUMENT.

 

THIS IS A LIVING DOCUMENT AND MAY BE CHANGED AS NEW INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE TO THE COORDINATORS.

 

This event is designed for serious reenactors who want to show up to an event and see other reenactors that look like them and put just as much effort as they did into research, tailoring their impression to fit the event, and authenticity. These standards may seem extensive, but every rule is there for a reason. If we are presented with sufficient evidence and documentation that our standards are incorrect, we will change them. It should be every reenactor’s goal to represent what was correct and normal for a particular campaign, not seek out the the small exceptions. Again, any reenactor who fails to uphold authenticity will not be allowed to participate in the event and their registration fees will NOT be refunded. Remember, this is a private event, not a public battle.

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All participants must have correct glasses or wear contacts. Hair and facial hair must be of period correct style. All participants must be over the age of 18.

 

No modern vehicles will be permitted at anytime anywhere, except the parking lot.  This means if you can’t carry it into registration, out of registration, and then to your sector, where you will be digging a fox hole, building defensive positions in and around the factory, then leave it at home.  

 

There is no singular large planned battle; this is a weekend long immersion event, starting Friday and continuing to Sunday. It is encouraged (but not required, of course) to arrive Friday early afternoon and spend the night in the field as well as staying Saturday night to participate in the Sunday morning activities. This is an IMMERSION EVENT -  NOT A TACTICAL. You will be considered “in-play” the moment you leave registration. Your unit will be assigned a position; you do not get to wander the site to find one. We strongly discourage just showing up to bust blanks and leaving. We are trying to create an atmosphere that encourages authenticity and where a large focus is on living the life of a soldier.  This includes, but is not limited to, digging fox holes, eating period rations, pulling a guard or OP shift, making regular reports on activity, and following the command structure without going rogue just to get some trigger time; The battle is only one part of the immersion experience.  

 

Camping/Supply

Expect to dig and sleep in your foxhole, or in the factory.  You are portraying frontline soldiers and will sleep accordingly.  No GP tents or mass rows of pup tents or Zelt tents or wall tents.  Packs with appropriate cold weather gear and/or bed rolls are encouraged. Gear you don’t wish to carry may be left in your foxhole or position in the factory, but plan to be mobile for the event.  If you can’t carry it, don’t bring it.  

 

Vehicles: Vehicles are encouraged and welcome to come but this is a very different event and location than you have likely used it at before, so here is what you can expect for each type of vehicle...

Soft-skin vehicles, like jeeps or kubels, are NOT to be used in assaults and are to stay to the rear. They will be very useful in ferrying troops and equipment.

Motorcycles can be used for recon and communications but not as a heavy assault vehicle.

*Armor can expect a very different type of warfare than they are used to. While the site is rather compact, it is still highly realistic terrain for armor and urban combat will force you to use your vehicle differently. Armor will be best suited to close infantry support, laying ambushes, and acting as mobile pillboxes. Realistically, you would never park and leave your vehicle but rather constantly move between several prepared positions.

*Artillery will have to be kept to the rear and can expect to be given fire missions from time to time.

*Anti tank guns should be able to find several good positions.

*NO "captured" US vehicles in use by Germans

 

*Due to the close proximity of the site to an actual city, noise levels are a slight concern. Charges should be kept to a minimum that still produces a decent sound and, of course, to a safe level. Vehicle and gun crews are expected to provide their own fire extinguisher and first aid kit and are expected to have a plan ready for dealing with any safety issues that may arise. The event safety officer may quiz you or your crew at random to test your preparedness. Rounds and the weapon itself may also be inspected to ensure they are safe to operate.

 

Rank: Use of rank insignia is discouraged. If you choose to portray a non commissioned or commissioned officer, you must have at least 50% of the TO&E strength of the men you would be in command of in your unit. This event will have a functioning command structure. It will not be a free-for-all like most other battles.*

 

*The event command exist to maintain organization and provided participants with a great, authentic experience. The event command is NOT a group of weekend warriors looking for salutes and an opportunity to boss people around.

 

Tactics: It is encouraged for period correct tactics and doctrine for each weapon and unit on the field to be followed. Officers make a plan, NCOs carry out that plan, and enlisted men listen to your leadership and stick together. Single soldier rushes on enemy fixed positions ruin the immersion for all involved.

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TAKING HITS:  There will be no walking dead or medics running into a hail of bullets at this event! You will be provided with a wound card at registration; in the event that you “take a hit”, you fall in place and your wound card will tell you whether you are lightly wounded, heavily wounded, or dead. This system is based on the what is currently used for training in the US Army.

    -Lightly wounded means that a medic, or the aid station/lazarett can treat you. Continue laying in place until you are able to move to cover; you must seek at least a medic to treat your wound and issue you a new wound card before you can return to your unit. If no medic is available, make your way to the aid station/feldlazarett to be treated and receive a new wound card. *Play the role of wounded to whatever degree you are comfortable (if you not theatrical, fine, if you are super theatrical, also fine).

    -Heavily wounded means you are immobile and must remain in place until a medic, or a fellow unit member, retrieves you from the field when it is safe. Stay in place shouting for a medic or sani. A medic can retrieve you but they can not treat you! You must make your way (possibly alone or with help, the card will say) back to the main aid station/feldlazarett. If the card says you are stretcher bound then you must wait until such transport makes it to you. Only at the aid station/feldlazarett can you receive a new wound card and you will wait there until headquarters issues you orders to rejoin the fight as a fresh replacement. *Play the role of wounded to whatever degree you are comfortable (if you not theatrical, fine, if you are super theatrical, also fine).

    -Dead or KIA means you lay in place until the fighting has cleared your area. You will remove your helmet and make your way back to the aid station/feldlazarett without any detours. You will NOT hang out in the battlefield or return to your unit. Only at the aid station/lazarett can you receive a new wound card and you will wait there until headquarters issues you orders to rejoin the fight as a fresh replacement.

    **If at any point, you decide to just be dead, that is your choice. You must wait for battle to clear, remove your helmet and make your way back to the aid station/feldlazarett to receive a new wound card and await redeployment. You can NOT hang out in the battlefield or return to your unit! You are always either in play, wounded to some degree, or dead.  If you need a break, return to the aid station/feldlazarett. If your entire unit needs a break, request to be relieved through your chain of command and we will transfer your unit off the line to an out of the way area where you can remain in reserve.

 

Medics: A medic is useful to have around but not required. A medic can treat light wounds, allowing you to return to battle sooner without going to the aid station/feldlazarett for redeployment. Your own men can help you get to the aid station/feldlazarett but only a medic can treat certain wounds and only a medic or aid station/feld lazarette can issue a new wound card.

    *Medics must identify themselves at registration so they can receive basic instructions and a packet of wound cards.

   

Aid station/Feldlazarett: This is where you must end up if you are heavily wounded or dead. They are also capable of treating the lightly wounded if no medic is available. They are capable of issuing you a new wound card and clearing you to return to the field once you have received new orders from HQ.

    You must remain here until you are redeployed. HQ will issue you orders to return as a replacement. You will most likely be sent back to your unit.

    If at any point you need to take a break, take a hit and head back to this area, do NOT clog up the battlefield.

    *Note: The DRK Feldlazarett plays a crucial role in the overall event but is a separate entity from the running battle. The two will not mix together in a historically inappropriate manner.  For example; nurses will NOT be running into an active battle area.

 

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Surrendering:  Be prepared to have your pockets searched upon surrendering (so make sure your pocket litter is superb). Be prepared to spend a potentially decent amount of time as a prisoner (an hour or two at most). Be prepared to be interrogated or potentially executed. If you don’t want this to happen, don’t surrender. 
**Captors may not drop, break, take, or discard anything in prisoner’s possession unless given permission by the prisoner. Treat other peoples stuff better than you treat your own.

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ALL personnel will be falling in with an adjunct unit for this event. Existing units may contact the event coordinators and keep their organizational structure and simply be slotted into the event TO&E. There will be a functioning chain of command and replacement structure.

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Below details the requirements for each impression:

 

G.I.

Attendees must portray a unit that was present at the Battle of Aachen.  Approved impressions are 2nd/3rd Battalion 26th Infantry Regiment 1st Infantry Division. All insignia, uniforms, and equipment must match this units.  It is preferable for GIs to wear no unit insignia at all.  

**Absolutely no airborne/ranger impressions.**

All uniforms and equipment must be of the WW2 time period or a quality reproduction.

Headgear:

-Helmet- Front seam, plain WWII paint scheme, correct infantry chin strap, correct infantry liner (approved Unit markings only). No airborne liners.

*Attempting to tape over incorrect unit markings as a way to conceal them is not permitted. Wear a proper shell and liner. Any method of concealing incorrect unit marking other than repainting a helmet is not allowed.

- ¼ inch knotted or woven helmet nets and ½” knotted OD7 helmet nets are allowed in limited numbers. We will decide how many is too many at the event.

-Woolen jeep caps are permitted but must be original or quality reproduction

-Modern toboggan style caps are prohibited

-We cannot find any definitive evidence that 1st ID marked medic’s helmets with a red cross

 

Clothing:

-Mustard wool trousers (Original or QUALITY reproduction)

-Mustard wool Shirt (Original or QUALITY reproduction)

-WWII green tank top or white 40’s style crew neck T-shirt (Original or QUALITY reproduction) No modern white T-shirts.

***Note: Green, brown or any other color t-shirts, whether military or civilian, are not permitted.

- 1st ID was issued large quantities of long johns in Sept and Oct 1944 

-Khaki/ OD3 WWII USGI issue belt  

-Jacket- M41 plain or with correct unit SSI , Tanker jackets/Mackinaws/M43 jackets in limited numbers

“Our research shows the M41 is the most common field jacket worn at the battle”.

Overcoats may be worn but are not recommended. Edit: Overcoats were issued in Sept. 1944 but were found to be impractical and abandoned.

Tanker bibs/M43 trousers may be worn only over wool trousers.

-HBT Trousers don’t show up in any photographs and were in a severe shortage at the time. The 1st ID also discouraged their usage due to complaints of friendly fire. They are not allowed.

Leggings- Must be US Army

Raincoats- Primary source of wet weather protection

Hoodless poncho- Secondary source of wet weather protection

 

Footwear:

“Rough out” service shoes. “Double Buckles”/ Jump boots are for officers only. (please aggressively treat and dub boots, no yellow leather)

-Overshoes were issued to the division in September and October and show up in several photos.

-Service Shoes Type II (“Cap Toes”), were incredibly uncommon in the ETO by D-day. These are allowed only as a last resort if you have no way to get Service Shoes Type III (“Rough-outs”). We strongly encourage you to purchase a pair of “Roughouts” before the event. Service Shoe Type II will not be allowed at future ETO events at the site.

-Double Buckles were not present in large numbers in the ETO at this time. They didn’t begin being issued in large numbers until November 1944. They were, however, available through the PX system. As such they are allowed for Officer’s/Senior Enlisted only

***Wearing leggings over jump boots as a stand-in for service shoes is not permitted.

 

Equipment:

Must be a reasonable combination of the following for the weapon you carry. OD3 and OD7 are acceptable. All field gear must be original or QUALITY reproduction (no puke yellow).

Canteen, bring at least one, must be drinkable. All liquid must be in period correct containers. No modern beverage containers allowed. (ie: Mountain Dew or Gatorade)

Canteen Cover

M-1923 Cartridge Belt (Garand)

M-1936 Pistol Belt

BAR Belt

Original or Quality reproduction of corresponding magazine pouch

M1928 Haversack (NO jungle packs, M44 or M45 packs)

Plywood packboard

GP ammo bag edit: GP bags were very common in Aachen

Lightweight gas mask bag

1st ID held gas masks in reserve and therefore gas mask bags would have been less common than GP bags in infantrymen’s hands.

 

The following aren’t expected to be carried at all times but must be available:

Shelter half

Edit: closed end shelter halves would have been uncommon at this point. Assembling them as pup tents is not allowed. They would have been used as roofs or ground cloths for foxholes.

Shelter halves with snaps are postwar and not allowed

USGI wool blankets (every GI at Aachen would have had 3-4 blankets)

Entrenching tool/pick mattock Must be serviceable you will be digging in!

-It is encouraged that your uniform is dirty, greasy, grungy and or torn. You’re fighting the German army on German soil. Look like you’ve spent more than a night in the field.

 

Weapons:

PLEASE ENSURE ALL WEAPONS ARE UNLOADED PRIOR TO BRINGING THEM TO THE EVENT.

Every participant is required to be of legal age to purchase a firearm.  21 for pistols and 18 for rifles.

Every participant must by law be legally allowed to own a firearm to enter the site.  If you can’t walk down the street to the local firearm shop and pass a background check to purchase a firearm for whatever reason DO NOT COME.  

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Any of the following in accordance with proper squad TO&E. Blank adapters must be of a design that are not visible.

M1 Garand- correct lockbar sight, trigger guard, etc. (Other variants, M1D etc. are not permitted)

M1 Carbine- high wood stock (I cut or oval), L type Flip sight, flat bolt, 2 rivet handguard, type 1 barrel band, (NO bayonet lugs!!!!!) low wood (non potbelly) stocks are allowed

M3 Grease Gun- correct M3 charging handle, correct barrel length. M3A1’s are not permitted

BAR- correct wartime gas regulator. No post war stamped bipods or carry handles

M1919- No unconverted Israeli guns. No carry handles or cranks. No propane/oxygen systems.  You need to be able to move around, look, and sound like the real deal

M 1928/ M1/ M1A1 Thompson- correct barrel length. No drum magazines

M1911A1, correct barrel length, handguards (NO beaver tails, Stainless steel parts, aftermarket sights etc.)

All hand grenades must look like a hand grenade from an American or German arsenal.  Huggie juice bottles, Easter eggs, tennis balls or anything like this will not be carried onto the property.

 

Rations:

K Rations

C Rations

10 in 1

5 in 1

“Liberated” Food (recommended to be wrapped in unbleached white or brown wax or plain paper). No modern food packaging!

All field stoves, eating utensils, mess kits etc. must be correct to the period.

 

Other Prohibited Items:

-NO gunfire between the hours of 2000 to 0800, or 8PM to 8AM (this comes directly from the police department)

 

-NO Post war items or items that would not have been available to frontline troops in the ETO regardless of whether it was produced before Oct. 1944.

-NO HBT Caps

-NO Green/ Brown T-shirts

-NO Modern jeep caps

-NO OD33 trousers

-NO M1 Carbine Bayonets

-NO Non-period correct communication systems* (PRC anything, FRS, HAM, Trunk Mobile Radios etc.)

*Note: modern radio systems that have been used to restore period radios are permitted as long as the modern components are not visible. What Price Glory BC 611’s for example

-NO LIVE AMMUNITION

-NO GP tents: smalls, mediums, etc.

-NO Modern Sleep systems (ie. modern sleeping bags, ground covers, etc)

-NO Cots

-NO Footlockers

-NO Tables and chairs (unless requested by event staff for use at registration buildings or CP)

-NO Airborne Equipment

-NO Post WWII grenade bodies, fuzes and spoons

-NO Shoulder holsters

-NO Modern Glasses, non-regulation hairstyles and facial hair

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at ohiofactoryevent@gmail.com. 
 

 

Wehrmacht    (SS is further down)

The German forces in Aachen had little in common with the Wehrmacht that started the war in 1939. Sailors without ships and Luftwaffe personnel with fewer planes and airfields to look after were thrown together with shattered Wehrmacht formations, old men and young boys to form Volksgrenadier units. The result is a mishmash of uniforms and awards and insignia that can confound the average person that has a cookie cutter notion of how the German army is supposed to look. This does rather complicate the idea of exacting authenticity guidelines so we will focus first on what is unacceptable and then offer a list of the most preferable uniforms and equipment.

 

Prohibited impressions, and equipment etc...

 

Absolutely NONE of the following impressions, or their associated distinctive insignia or equipment may be used:

 

-NO Fallschirmjager (Luftwaffe ground personnel is allowed but no straight FJ units were involved in the fighting)

-NO units with distinctive insignia (for example Gross Deutschland)

-NO Gebirgsjager

-NO Tropical uniforms (web equipment including belts and y straps are acceptable)

-NO M44 tunics (these were not common enough by this point in the war to be represented)

-NO Easter egg grenades, ordinance MUST look like something that actually existed during the war. It is better to have nothing at all than a juice bottle or tennis ball.

-NO Modern Glasses
-NO non-regulation hairstyles and facial hair

-NO "captured" US vehicles in use by Germans

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PLEASE ENSURE ALL WEAPONS ARE UNLOADED PRIOR TO BRINGING THEM TO THE EVENT.

Every participant is required to be of legal age to purchase a firearm.  21 for pistols and 18 for rifles.

Every participant must by law be legally allowed to own a firearm to enter the site.  If you can’t walk down the street to the local firearm shop and pass a background check to purchase a firearm for whatever reason DO NOT COME.  

Absolutely NONE of the following weapons may be used:

 

-NO gunfire between the hours of 20:00 to 08:00 (8PM to 8AM) -this comes directly from the police department

-NO Soviet weapons
-NO FOREIGN MAUSER THAT DID NOT SEE SERVICE WITH THE WEHRMACHT (wartime K98’s that have some post war markings are acceptable as long as they have not been altered in other more obvious ways like sporterized etc...)
-NO GSG MP-40s
-NO .22 STGs
-GAS GUNS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED (they must be properly tuned and are limited to use in vehicles) If it squeaks or pops, leave it at home.

 

UNIFORM GUIDELINES:

The German units engaged around Aachen included the 183rd and 246th Volksgrenadier divisions, 12th and 49th infantry division, 353rd reinforced infantry division, the 506th tank battalion, the 108th tank brigade, 116th panzer division and 3rd panzergrenadier division as well as SS units (explained in more detail in the SS section). This information can be a little dicey in itself as, by this point in the war, units had been destroyed and rebuilt or reassigned and put back together so many times that these few units alone don’t provide an accurate description of the forces at Aachen. Research these units and keep in mind it is every reenactors goal to represent what was normal not to seek out the most obscure impression conceivable. Blend in, don’t stand out! You are building your impression for your fellow reenactors because they will have to look at you, you are not building your impression for your own amusement or glorification. This is a maximum effort event for authenticity. Pay attention to details, quality reproductions uniforms and equipment only.

 

TUNIC:

M36, M40, M42, and M43 tunics as well as Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine wool uniforms.

 

COLD WEATHER GEAR:

M40, and M42 greatcoats are strongly encouraged as well as padded winter suits in mouse gray, splinter, or sumpfmuster. Toque or scarf. If an M36 greatcoat is less ideal, but still ok.

 

HELMET:

M35, M40, and M42 helmets are allowed but only single decal or no decal. Camouflage helmet covers are fine. It is strongly encouraged to wear a helmet in the factory! There are a plethora of low quality German helmets in the hobby. If you do not own a helmet you can be proud of, consider picking up a good helmet cover.

 

HATS:

M34, M42, or m43 hats are allowed.

 

BOOTS:

Jackboots are acceptable but low boots and gamaschen were quite common by this point of the war. Felt boots are also acceptable.

 

EQUIPMENT:

Y-straps, belt, applicable ammo pouches, bread bag, mess kit, bayonet or side arm, gasmask can, e-tool, zeltbahn, and canteen.

 

RATIONS:

All food must be in period correct containers or packaging, like butchers paper, wax paper, or reproduction wrappers or bags. All liquid must be in period correct containers. No modern beverage containers allowed. (ie: Mountain Dew or Gatorade)

 

BEDDING:

A blanket (or several) is highly recommended. Absolutely no modern sleeping bags or other modern cots or gear will be allowed and whatever bedding you do bring will have to be carried in. Blankets and extra equipment can be brought back to HQ in the morning and collected again at night.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at ohiofactoryevent@gmail.com. 

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SS
Attendees must portray a basic SS impression - 1st SS is highly recommended. The only cuff tile authorized to be worn is the cuff title of the 1st SS. Any other cuff titles must be removed or stay covered the ENTIRE event. You may still come as any SS division you wish as long as the only SS insignia that is visible is that of the 1st SS. SS personnel with no cuff titles are also acceptable.

NO GEBIRGS IMPRESSIONS!!
We particularly want a basic SS infantry impression so all the groups blend together. Quality equipment encouraged. Uniforms must match what was issued by each division at the time of the battle.

 

-NO Easter egg grenades, ordinance MUST look like something that actually existed during the war. It is better to have nothing at all than a juice bottle or tennis ball.

-NO Modern Glasses
-NO non-regulation hairstyles and facial hair

-NO "captured" US vehicles in use by Germans

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PLEASE ENSURE ALL WEAPONS ARE UNLOADED PRIOR TO BRINGING THEM TO THE EVENT.

Every participant is required to be of legal age to purchase a firearm.  21 for pistols and 18 for rifles.

Every participant must by law be legally allowed to own a firearm to enter the site.  If you can’t walk down the street to the local firearm shop and pass a background check to purchase a firearm for whatever reason, DO NOT COME.

WEAPONS NOT ALLOWED
-NO gunfire between the hours of 20:00 to 08:00 (8PM to 8AM) - this comes directly from the police department

-NO Soviet weapons
-NO FOREIGN MAUSER THAT DID NOT SEE SERVICE WITH THE SS (wartime K98’s that have some post war markings are acceptable as long as they have not been altered in other more obvious ways like sporterized etc...)
-NO GSG MP-40s
-NO .22 STGs
-GAS GUNS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED (they must be properly tuned and are limited to use in vehicles) If it squeaks or pops, leave it at home.
 

UNIFORMS:
Again we want just the basic uniform no defining divisional insignia or things privy just to one group (unless it was from a group that was actually there, like 1st SS)
M36/M40/M42/M43 allowed
HBT allowed as long as it’s of quality
Vehicle crewmen would of course dress accordingly.

HEADGEAR:
M35,M40,M42 Helmets are allowed and it is encouraged to wear a helmet in the factory. There are a plethora of low quality german helmets in the hobby. If you do not own a helmet you can be proud of, consider picking up a good helmet cover.  
M43 feldmutze is allowed
As well as the overseas cap.
Crushers and officers caps are allowed to the appropriate rank.
NO BERGMUTZEN

 

BOOTS:

Jackboots are acceptable but low boots and gamaschen were quite common by this point of the war. Felt boots are also acceptable.

 

EQUIPMENT:

Y-straps, belt, applicable ammo pouches, bread bag, mess kit, bayonet or side arm, gasmask can, e-tool, zeltbahn, and canteen.

CAMO:
All camo that was out at the time is allowed BUT DOT-44 is strongly discouraged

RATIONS:

All food must be is period correct containers or packaging, like butchers paper, wax paper, or reproduction wrappers or bags. All liquid must be in period correct containers. No modern beverage containers allowed. (ie: Mountain Dew or Gatorade)

 

BEDDING:

A blanket (or several) is highly recommended. Absolutely no modern sleeping bags or other modern cots or gear will be allowed and whatever bedding you do bring will have to be carried in. Blankets and extra equipment can be brought back to HQ in the morning and collected again at night.

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Thank you for reading this wall of text. We apologize for the length. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at ohiofactoryevent@gmail.com (in the subject like please write "Attn. Matt Sternad" as he is in charge of authenticity. If you are unsure if you meet the standards, let us know and we can help make sure that you do. Feel free to submit photos of your kit to that email address. We don’t want to have to turn people away at the event, but we will if the standards are not met. It is better for everyone to fix a potential problem now, rather than creating difficulties at the event. We want everyone to be able to participate and are willing to help out if you need it, but authenticity cannot be compromised.

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