When people first begin to think about collecting a complete ensamble of things worn or carried into battle by an ordinary enlisted infantryman in WW2, we often tell them to find a iconic photo that depicts a combatant and start there.
Regardless of their nation, WW2 Infantrymen universally carried the same catagory of items into battle.
Predictably, these are the items worn and carried:
WORN:
- Steel Helmet
- Soft Cap
- Uniform Top
- Dog Tag(s)
- Undershirt
- Uniform Trousers
- Winter insulated uniform
- Trouser belt
- Undershorts
- Leggings
- Socks
- Boots
CARRIED:
- Rifle
- Sling
- Bayonet
- Belt
- Ammunition Pouches
- Ammunition
- Hand Grenade(s)
- Canteen aka Water Bottle
- Entrenching Tool
- Gas Mask & Carrier
- Pack or Mussette Bag
- Shelter Half or Poncho/Groundsheet
- Individual Field Dressing
- Rations
- Mess Tin
- Eating Utensil(s)
- Rifle Cleaning Equipment
Other things to consider for your ensamble:
No one wants to wear a steel helmet 24/7 for weeks on end. Therefore, soft caps were worn when helmets were not necessary. Plus, military regulations almost universally require a soldier to have on some kind of headgear when not wearing a helmet.
Many WW2 battles were fought in bitter cold. Therefore, consider an overcoat, gloves and a scarf to complete that winter look.
The use of equipment suspenders to support a combat load varied by country. They were universally worn by Germans, Italians & UK forces. The US issued equipment suspenders with pistol belts but not with web cartridge belts. The Russians only had suspenders early in the war. The Japanese did not have equipment suspenders.
Leggings were not worn by Germany until short boots began to be issued.
In addition to what an individual needed to carry out his own duties, other mission essential equipment that might be required at a later point would be distributed amongst the platoon members. These items included such things as extra machinegun ammunition, extra mortar rounds various pyrotechnics, picks, axes, rope, and the like.
Keep in mind that, in the assault if that is what you envision, most infantry soldiers leave all but the most critical items in the rear. Ordinary soldiers cannot effectively move and shoot while carrying full marching order. Conscripts often permanently ditch things like gas masks to lessen the weight of their load. Gas mask carriers often doubled as mussette bags.
Flags make a great backdrop to your display. In addition, personal effects such as identification documents, mail, photos, religious items, cigarettes, a lighter, a pocket knife, chemical decontamination supplies, etc humanize your display.
What about a sidearm? In most infantry platoons, sidearms were limited issue to machinegunners, officers and perhaps the senior sergeant. This does not mean that an ordinary soldier would refuse such an item or not be allowed to carry one. However, such a soldier would usually have to “scrounge” one up or capture one if he wanted another firearm.
Standard uniforms and boots were universally issued when a man entered the military. These were, thereafter, worn in basic training which tended to replicate the rigors of war. These same uniforms continued to be worn at the man’s unit where additional combat drills, conditioning marches, field training and outdoor living took place. Thus, by the time the average soldier made it into actual battle, their uniforms and boots would show wear, fading, small repairs and signs of heavy use. Of course, new uniforms, new including winter issue, could be distributed in the field, but most ordinary soldiers had to “make do” with uniforms that could be years or several months old.
