www.gd-uk.org

Hi there,

I am Nathan and I live in Kent. I am 14. Many of 'Pz.Fus.Rgt.GD' members know of me. I am really looking forward to 2010 when I can join 'Pz.Fus.Rgt.GD' .

Lets make this a good first topic with lots of info...

I have just got my Z.M (http://www.zeugmeisterei.com/) Off-White Drill Tunic (Drillich?) . It's taken months to make from an original in the makers collection! There are a couple questions I would like to ask about it...

1. Should it have a hook and eye at the collar ?
2. Should it have pressed paper/fibre buttons in the collar etc ? Like the original on this web-site? (http://www.overlord1944.com/)

Thanks and see you all later in the year,
Nathan

Hi Nathan

Good to see you here on the forum and thanks for your question.

I am afraid I am not able to answer your question as this is outside of my knowledge base. That said, as our members start to register, one of them will be able to help you I'm sure.

Thanks for your continued interest in our unit.

No doubt we will "speak" soon.

All the best.


Bauer

Hi Bauer,

It will be good to meet face to face and talk 'Pz.Fus.Rgt.GD'. Could you post a picture of yourself.

Thanks and hope we meet soon ,
Nathan

Hi Nathan

If you go to our recent pictures of the living history event at Ashby you will see me. I portray the Unteroffizier.

Yes, I'm sure we'll cross paths at an event later this year!


Bauer

Hi Nathan,

Thanks for posting.

According to 'Lagarde, Jean de, German Soldiers of World War Two, Histoire & Collections, 2005" the tunic did indeed have a hook and eye. The tunic was described as being -

"...made of unbleached herringbone weave cloth. The tunic has five removable metal buttons down the front, finished in field grey: the collar is secured with a hook. A detachable collar liner in white and field grey cloth protects the neck. The patch pockets have no flaps. A double drawstring gathers the tunic at the waist."

There are pictures as well, but they correspond with seen on the Overlord website.

However, bear in mind that I believe the Overlord website stocks original items, if I’m not mistaken?

Füsilier Wolfgang Prien
Webmeister & Forum Admin

http://www.gd-uk.org

Hope that answer helps you Nathan.

Of course, you could always make your own - not sure how though and you don't want to ruin the tunic. Maybe a tailor would know?

However it all seems elementary. PFRGD, as a Living History unit, is unlikely to allow them to be worn at events. From what I can tell they were issued to troops fighting in France in the summer of 1940 (as it was hot, particularly in the south). Whilst GD as a regiment fought in France in 1940, I can't imagine many troops had them to wear whilst serving on the Eastern Front.

Other unit members should hopefully be able to shed some more light on this.

_________________________
Füsilier Wolfgang Prien
Webmeister & Forum Admin

http://www.gd-uk.org

Nathan

Have just spoken to Rob who has a fantastic collection of uniforms, and he said they do.

Wolfgang, maybe if we were doing a unit at rest in the rear it might make a good medic impression but leave it with me, I will look into this further.

HauptFeldwebel Kalten

Hi All,

Thanks for the reply . This helps me alot in getting the tunic as near to the original as possible .

Thanks again,
Nathan

Hi all,

Some may know I am after being a sani in Pz.Fus.Rgt.GD when I am 16. It would make use of my copy white Drillich tunic.
Below is a picture of a 'sani' (nothing to say he is but he is but with others) wearing the white Drillich tunic. Around 1940-1941 i'd say.

Thanks,
Nathan

Hi all,

Here are some pictures of the white drillich tunic in use...

Thanks,
Nathan

Hi all,

Some more...

Thanks,
Nathan

Hi Nathan

Thanks for your post. Unfortunately, I would suggest that it will be unlikely that you will get much opportunity to wear your off-white drillich tunic. We portray a mid to late war unit, and as such understand that they were not used often within this period. For confirmation, drop Hauptfeldwebel Kalten a line (he is our Uniform Regs advisor).

Regarding a sani portrayal, we would try and accomodate certain variations on what we do, but as mentioned before, the make-up of the group in 18 months time will dictate how possible this will be.

Hauptfeldwebel Kalten and Willi (who posts on here and was at Beltring) are both very good sources of sani knowledge.

Hi Natham

Firstly I applaud your enthusiasm.

As regards the white drill tunic unfortunatley these are not in the uniform regulations presently and unlikely to be added for the forseeable future.
As to your portrayal, when you become a member of the unit in 18 months time at present we need fusiliers and I cannot see this situation changing in the distant future.

I would suggest you concentrate on getting all your kit requirements to portray a fusilier as you know this will not be cheap. As for portraying a
Sani, this would not be a cheap option. It requires full infantry kit plus medical pouches which would be required to have all the correct contents in, not just one or two bandages plus a pistol and holster for self protection and that of patients and these are just the absolute basics for doing the Sani.

As a young lad we are much better off utilisating you as a fusilier.
This is not to say that at some time in a future senario permitting you will not get a chance to do something as a stretcher bearer or Sani, but as Nick pointed out the needs of the unit come first.

I will have a good chat with you at Detling and you can bring me up to date on what kit you have.

All things come to those wait.

Hauptfeldwebel Kalten