'A' Company, 5th Ranger Battalion Living History Association UNIFORM & EQUIPMENT GUIDELINES FOR HISTORIC INTERPRETATION -Preface- When joining the 'A' Co., 5th Ranger Battalion Living History Association, you are joining a professional historic organization that is backed in thorough research and is focused on portraying specific vignettes of 5th Ranger Battalion history at each event both in personal interpretation and environment (to the extents possible). It is important to note that every member that enters this organization enters with the understanding that they will be portraying a rifleman. We are an Association that primarily portrays rifle squads and assault sections with the occasional addition of a crew-served team interpretation. This means that every new member is expected to purchase an M1 Rifle and its accessories. This is an absolute requirement of this Association. The interpretation of our unit is that of 1st Platoon, 'A' Company 5th Ranger Battalion in Europe during 1944 and 1945. We span our interpretive timeline from the early 1944 training and build-up for the D-Day invasion in England to post-combat Occupation Duty in 1945 Germany. Variances in personal impressions will always be noted by the theme of the event we are attending and will be specified, in detail, with a packing list provided before said event with ample notice. It is important to note that we are do not have any form of a "standard" or "generic" impression. One size does not fit all. With this attention to detail, we seek to portray all realms of soldiery appearance ranging from field to garrison and full dress on occasion. To again refer to packing lists, events will be deemed "combat" or "garrison" well before the event date. This will decide personal appearance details such as a stubbled face and un-ironed uniforms vs. shaven-to-standard appearance and creased uniforms. We always expect proper military baring and appearance in terms of haircut, basic grooming and maintained boots. Members are to never look out-worldly sloppy and observe proper 1940's soldierly demeanor. Class 'A' interpretations reflect two distinct scenarios: 1944 England (pre-invasion) or 1945 Germany (occupation duty). Because of this, we require both the Coat, Service and Jacket, Wool OD ('Ike' Jacket'), with the Ike Jacket being the preferred "first-purchase as we utilize these jackets far more. Please see the attached page at the rear of the document that outlines exactly what should be worn on the dress coat/jacket. Ranger diamond insignia is to be worn on all Wool Shirts, OD Field Jackets (M-41), Service Coats and Winter Combat (Tanker) Jackets. This reflects period photographs showing the vast majority of the Battalion nearly always wearing the Ranger diamond insignia. Wear of rank insignia chevrons on OD Field Jackets (M-41) and Winter Combat (Tanker) Jackets is optional as we know from photographs and 'A' Company veteran testimony that rank was often not worn due to increasing appearance as a target. For all other garments, however, chevron insignia is required. Ranger diamond insignia is to be worn 1/2 inch from the shoulder seam and rank chevrons are to be places exactly halfway between the shoulder seam and elbow as per 1941 regulations. Ranger diamond and chevron insignia is not to be worn under any circumstance on fatigue jackets. All members are to purchase a 1942 style shelter tent consisting of both halves, poles, ropes and pegs. Although we prefer open-ended OD#3 tents, closed-ended OD#7 tents are acceptable providing they have appropriate button-and-eyelet closure as opposed to post-1951 pressure snaps. Last, we require that all members purchase and utilize only reproduction items. Remember, original equipment also looks seventy years old therefore, in terms of period-appearance, it is not right for our interpretation. We do not condone the use of original gear as it should be preserved as artifacts. Vendor recommendations made on the basis of historical authenticity and are listed in order of preference. If we have found fault with a reproduction, we will not list nor condone its use. - Uniforms - Basic (Required for ALL MEMBERS) Cap, Garrison OD (blue Infantry piped) issue or envelope cut Cap, Knit Wool, Shirt, Wool OD M1937* placket or coat style, Jacket, Fatigue (2nd Pattern) must be dark olive shade,, Shirt, Under, Athletic (issue),, Scarf, Field (necktie) khaki mohair or cotton, Jacket, Field OD M1941 must have flannel lining, Coat, Service, Jacket, Field Wool OD M1943 ('Ike' Jacket) Insignia, Ranger diamond Unit supplied, Insignia, 5th Ranger Scroll Saunders Insig., Belt, Trousers (black open-frame buckle and tip) khaki or olive color, Shorts, Under, Athletic (issue),,
Trousers, Wool OD M1937*, Trousers, Fatigue (2nd Pattern) must be dark olive shade,, Boots, Parachutist (brown)* Corcoran Mfg., Helmet, M1** Helmet, Liner M1*** * Items that we recommend a member eventually purchase two quantity of. ** M1 Helmet shell must be of WWII construction with a front-seamed rim. Chinstrap bales should be preferably fixed, swivel bales acceptable. Chinstraps are to be WWII type, color and construction. Helmet must have rough corked finish and unit-approved and supplied recognition stencil painted on center-rear. NCO's are to have a 3' x 1' white bar painted horizontally on rear of helmet shell under the recognition diamond. Officers are to have a 1' x 3' white bar painted vertically on the rear of the helmet shell, located over or under the recognition diamond. Helmets may be adorned with 1/4' light olive British made helmet nets for D-Day and Brittany themed events. They may also be worn with swatches of silk parachute material (green WWII camouflage, available within the unit) for post-invasion Normandy through Brittany scenarios. These two items can be worn in conjunction with one another. *** M1 Helmet Liner must be of WWII construction and manufacture with replica innards. Acceptable linings are the early gray rayon webbing with fixed brown slide-buckle leather chinstrap or more appropriate OD#3 cotton webbing with removable flip buckle (green paint only) leather chinstrap. It is required that not all members wear the leather chinstrap and is desirable for a 50/50 ration of helmets worn with and without with some worn between the liner and shell. - Dress Uniform Insignia Allowance - The following outlines exactly what should be worn on each coat/jacket. If an item is not listed, quite simply it should not be worn. Please note, Service Coats reflect dress uniform wear of 'A' Company in 1944 England, thus they are purposely very void of insignia. Ike Jackets reflect garrison and dress uniform wear of 'A' Company in 1945 Germany on Occupation Duty and are decorated as such. Coat, Service Ranger diamond insignia, 1/2' inch from left sleeve shoulder seam Rank chevron insignia, 1/2 way from shoulder to elbow of both sleeves (wool felt preferred) US/Infantry Branch collar insignia: top coat lapels, centered. "US" right of neck, "Infantry" left of neck (when worn) European Theater campaign ribbon: centered directly over left breast pocket, bottom touches pocket top. Marksmanship badge: centered on left breast pocket flap over insignia button Jacket, Wool OD M1943 ('Ike' Jacket) Ranger scroll insignia, 1/2' inch from left sleeve shoulder seam Rank chevron insignia, 1/2 way from shoulder to elbow of both sleeves (wool felt preferred) No collar insignia is worn as per period photographs European Theater campaign ribbon: centered directly over left breast pocket, bottom touches pocket top. Overseas hash marks: left sleeve, bottom. Use discretion. Two or three bars are appropriate. Re-enlistment hash marks: left sleeve, bottom. Use discretion. Older members may wear one or two. - Special Uniform for Winter 44'-45' Interpretation - Winter Combat Clothing (Required for ALL MEMBERS) Jacket, Winter Combat M1938 "Tanker"*,, Overalls, Winter Combat M1938 "Tanker"*, Gloves (leather-palm issue) Scarf Shirt, Underwear Long** not required Sweater, Wool OD v-neck, vest or 5-button,, *The Winter Combat Jacket and Overalls were issued in large, if not standard quantity to the 5th Ranger Battalion. We highly recommend this uniform, if not one piece or the other. The Overalls can be worn in conjunction with the OD Field Jacket (M41). **Modern thermal and "under-armor" long underwear are unacceptable for winter wear. Even if you cannot see it, it is not authentic and thus not approved. Approved long underwear tops include oatmeal or light olive "heather" long sleeved, cotton or wool issue tops or commercial look-a-likes. Simple three-button "henley" style shirts in white or natural cottons are authentic to the period and stand in as "acquired" civilian underwear. Basic (Required for ALL RIFLEMEN) - Field Equipment -
Belt, Cartridge M1923 if armed with Browning Automatic Rifle Belt, Browning Automatic Rifle M1936 Machine Gun/Mortar Team Combat Medic* Bag, Medical Strap, Litter x2 x2,,, Pac. Can.,, Non-Commissioned Officers, Pac. Can., Pouch, Lensatic Compass must be dark OD#7, HT&C Case, Binoculars, M7
Officers, Pac. Can., Pouch, Lensatic Compass must be dark OD#7, HT&C Jacket, Assault must be dark OD#7 Case, Dispatch M1938, Case, Binoculars, M7 *1929 non-combatant brassards are not to be worn and helmets are not to be painted with medical flashes as per 'A' Co. Medic John "Jack" Burke. A member wanting to portray a medic in this association must commit to the interpretation as well as basic first aid training there is only one member allotment for this interpretation. - Special Equipment for D-Day Invasion Interpretation* - Basic (Required for ALL MEMBERS) Bag, Assault Gas Mask M7 Life Preserver, Belt, USN M1926 not required original (display only) Jacket, Assault must be dark OD#7, nor required First Aid Packet, Parachutist *HBT fatigues, prescribed early, are required for this interpretation. Fatigues are to be worn with jacket tucked into trousers and "gas flap" worn extended and closed over the front of the neck/chest. If cold, the wool shirt may be worn underneath. The OD Field Jacket (M41) is to be worn over top. - Other Special Equipment - Wirecutters, M1938 Compass, Wrist, Lensatic* Flashlight, TL-122-A or B Watch, 17 Jewel*, Various restored orig. *These are the only extraneous bits of equipment authorized for our interpretation. Wirecutters may be worn by anyone wishing to wear them. Wrist compasses are acceptable accessories but may only be worn by Enlistedmen (below the rank of Sergeant) as per T/O&E. The TL-122-A (brass) or B (plastic) flashlight is an excellent accessory and can be utilized by all ranks. The 17 Jewel WWII Issue wristwatch is a recommended item and can be worn in the form of the reproduction Benrus watch or one of several commercially available copies and facsimiles. Hamilton brand watches of the period are highly preferred. - Weapons - Basic (Required for ALL RIFLEMEN) Rifle, M1 Cal..30 CMP Sling, M1907 (leather) Pac. Can., OR Sling, M1942 (web) must have flat keeper Various Bayonet, M1 and Scabbard IMA, IMA, if armed with Browning Automatic Rifle Rifle, Browning Automatic M1918A2 de-milled, non-firing or semi-auto Various Sling, M1907 (leather, three hook) Pac. Can., OR Sling, M1942 (web) must have flat keeper Various
IMA, Machine Gun/Mortar Team Pistol, M1911-A1 Cal..45* blank or non-firing only Various IMA, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer and Officer Thompson, M1A1** non-firing Various Sling, M3, IMA Pistol, M1911-A1 Cal..45* blank or non-firing only Various IMA, * Excellent replica non-firing and blank-firing M1911-A1 pistols are readily available. Pistol must have either brown bakelite or brown walnut checkered grips. Pistol must be carried in M1916 hip holster. ** Officers or NCO's are permitted to carry M1 Rifles. If not carrying an M1, the M1A1 Thompson is prescribed. We highly recommend de-milled original Thompsons. We do not authorize gas-simulation or incorrect long barreled semi-auto variants. At the Front www.atthefront.com Civilian Marksmanship Program www.od-cmp.com HT&C Reproductions www.htc-reproductions.co.uk International Military Antiques www.ima-usa.com Inc. www.jmurrayinc1944.com Pacific Canvas and Leather www.pacificcanvasandleather.com What Price Glory www.whatpriceglory.com ressions wwiiimpressions.com - Suppliers -