Remembering WWII Safety Rules

PLEASE READ BEFORE ARRIVING AT EVENT

YOU MUST SIGN A WAIVER TO PARTICIPATE. 

ALL BATTLE PARTICIPANTS MUST BE INSPECTED AND SIGNED OFF BY EVENT SAFETY AND AUTHENTICITY TEAM PRIOR TO BATTLE. NO WALK ONS ALLOWED PERIOD.

1. NO LIVE AMMO. 
2. No unsheathed blades or fixed bayonets. (This Includes training and rubber blades and bayonets)
3. NO HAND TO HAND COMBAT
4. NO WOOD TIPPED BLANKS. 
5. Blank adapters will be checked for tightness before the battle.
6. NO BLIND FIRING AROUND CORNERS, OBSTACLES, VEHICLE, ETC.
7. Weapon firing demos and test fires must be announced loudly ahead of shooting to everyone in the area.
8. Hearing and eye protection is encouraged. Please use period style glasses and neutral colored earplugs.
9. WEAPONS WILL BE ON SAFE WHEN ENTERING/EXITING VEHICLES OR UNLOADED. 
10. NO DIRECTLY AIMING OR FIRING AT ANYONE. AIM UP OR TO THE SIDE INSTEAD.
11. DO NOT DISCHARGE A FIREARM WITHIN FIFTEEN FEET OF ANYONE’S EARDRUM. 
12. TREAT EVERY WEAPON AS IF IT IS LOADED.
13. Helmets are Required for all soldiers in the battle.
14. Extreme care will be exercised with weapons at all times.. 
15. Persons age 16 or 17 maye participate in the battle ONLY if a Legal Guardian signs their waiver. NO ONE 15 OR YOUNGER WILL PARTICIPATE IN BATTLE.
16. No Pyrotechnics are allowed other than smoke.
17. Smoke is allowed but MUST be pre-approved by event safety staff. 
18. IF THERE IS A REAL INJURY DURING THE BATTLE YELL THE WORD “CORPMAN” OR “MEDICAL EMERGENCY”. THE BATTLE WILL STOP IMMEDIATELY.
19. Do not use profanity around the public. 
20. NO ONE MAY HANDLE A WEAPON UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS. 
21. ENCAMPMENT QUIET HOURS ARE FROM 23:00 UNTIL SUNRISE. 

MILITARY AND PERIOD CIVILIAN VEHICLE SAFETY

All military vehicles will be operated “unbuttoned,” with hatches open. Ground guides are required when operating in camp areas. Audible warning devices (i.e. horns) are encouraged to alert spectators of your approach.

1. NO ONE UNDER THE INFLUENCE MAY DRIVE A VEHICLE. 
2. SPEEDING IS NOT ALLOWED.
3. Passengers MUST BE SEATED while the vehicle is moving.
4. No hanging onto the outside of vehicles or standing on the side boards while the vehicle is moving.
5. Vehicles will not back up without a spotter or clear line of sight. 
6. Brakes, lights and steering systems will be in good working order.
7. Vehicles will be driven in a safe and reasonable manner at all times and by a licensed driver. 

 US Reenactor Authenticity Guidelines

ATTENTION: Please read this guide before arriving on site.  

This list is to provide the individual reenactor with a general description of what is required of the impression to depict the WW2 US soldier amid the Normandy Campaign.

Please note – All reenactors must adhere to the event guidelines in order to be permitted to participate in the battle demos to take place. Reenactors will be required to attend a Safety & Authenticity (S&A) brief on Saturday morning. You must attend S&A and be approved by event staff before being permitted to participate in the battle demo. No walk ons allowed.

Grooming standards – All US reenactors must have their hair trimmed to military regulation within 2 weeks of the event. Facial hair shall have no more than 3 days worth of growth. Mustaches (if desired) must be neatly trimmed to the corners of the mouth, as per military regulation.

Uniform – Note: If any particular item is not listed below, please DO NOT bring it. If you are in doubt or want to bring items not listed below, please email your questions to Kevin Vogel (sergeantkevin98@gmail.com).

STANDARD LEG INFANTRY

HEADWEAR

• M1 Helmet, with liner. Olive Drab #3 (khaki) sewn chinstraps. 

• M1 Helmet net, Olive Drab #7 (Dark Green) or brown.
• British made (small hole) helmet nets, OD#7 or brown.
• Wool M1941 “Jeep” caps.

CLOTHING

• M1941 Field Jacket.
• M1937 Wool service shirt.
• M1941 Wool service shirt (gas flap variation).
• M1937 Wool Trousers.
• HBT shirt & trousers.
• Olive drab T-shirt, or OD tank top.
• M1938 & M1942 Dismounted rain coat.
• Wool 5-button sweater.
• Trouser suspenders.
• Trouser belt (Open Face buckle only).
• Jewelry, Watches, Glasses should be period correct. 

(Note: Please no white T-shirts. These were largely replaced earlier in the war with OD7 shirts)

(Note 2: No M1943 field jackets)

FOOTWEAR

• Type 2 service shoes w/ M1938 canvas leggings.
• M1943 “Roughout” service shoes w/ canvas leggings.

(Note: Please refrain from wearing M1943 “Double Buckle” combat boots, as these were not distributed in large numbers by the Normandy Campaign)

FIELD GEAR

(Note: All weapon related ammunition pouches or cartridge belts are to be worn with appropriate weapons. No enlisted men will carry M1911 pistols)

• M1928 Haversack w/ meatcan pouch
• M1910 or M1941 Canteen cover w/ aluminum canteen & cup.
• M1924 or M1942 First aid pouch w/ Carlisle first aid kit.
• M1926 Pistol Belt, OD3 only.
• M1926 Cartridge Belt, OD3.
• M1938 Wire cutters w/ pouch.
• M1910 T-handle shovel w/ cover.
• M1943 Folding E-tool w/cover.
• 5 Cell Thompson magazine pouch.
• M1 Carbine Magazine pouch OD3.
• General Purpose bag OD3.
• Ammo Bandoliers OD3.
• Medic Yokes & medical bags (for medics only)
• Medic armband (for medics only)

For Officers

• Map Case
• M1911 Magazine pouch, OD3
• Period correct binoculars w/ brown leather case
• M1936 Combat Suspenders
• M1936 Musette Bag

(Note: No M1936 suspenders or Musette bags to be worn by enlisted leg infantry. Officers only. These would not have been issued to enlisted men early on in the campaign)

WEAPONS/ACCESSORIES

• M1 Bayonet

• Cotton M1 Garand sling, OD3
• M1907 Leather Sling w/ Brass or Parkerized hardware (Highly preferred over cotton slings).
• Cotton M1 Carbine sling, OD3
• Leather M1911 Holster, brown 

Weapons note – Please limit the use of M1903 and M1903A3 rifles. Preferred rifles are US M1 Garand rifles for riflemen, as they would have been the standard issue of the timeframe.

AIRBORNE INFANTRY

HEADWEAR

• M1 or M2 D-bale helmet, with liner and sewn-on OD3 airborne chinstraps. 
• Large hole helmet net, OD7.
• Small hole “British made” helmet net, OD7 or brown.
• Paratrooper liner leather chin cup.
• Helmet Scrim (To be worn only by 101st AB).
• M1941 Wool “Jeep” cap.

CLOTHING 

• M42 Reinforced Jump Uniform (mock cc2 treatment not required but highly encouraged).
• M1937 or M1941 wool Service Shirt.
• OD7 T-shirt or OD7 tank Top.
• M1938 or M1942 Dismounted Raincoat.
• Wool 5 Button Sweater.
• Trouser suspenders.
• Trouser belt (Open face buckles only).

FOOTWEAR

• Paratrooper Jump Boots.

(Note: Please do not wear M1948 boots for this impression)

FIELD GEAR

• M1936 Combat Suspenders.
• M1936 Musette Bag.
• M1936 Pistol Belt.
• M1926 Cartridge Belt (OD3 preferred).
• Rigger pouches (OD3 Preferred).
• Felt Shoulder Pads.
• M1910 or M1941 Canteen cover w/ Aluminum canteen and cup. 
• M1924 or M1942 First Aid pouch w/ Carlisle first aid kit.
• M1910 T-handle shovel (Regular or Cut-Down variants) w/ cover.
• M1943 Folding E-tool w/ cover.
• Parachute First Aid Kit.
• Ammo Bandoliers OD3.
• 5 Cell Thompson ammunition pouch.
• M1 Carbine Pouch OD3.
• M1911 Pouch OD3.
• General Purpose Bag.

(Note: Please limit the number of M7 Gas Mask bags, as most would have been rendered useless and discarded by this point)

WEAPONS/ACCESSORIES

• M3 Trench Knife w/ M6 leather sheath.
• M2 Paratrooper pocket knife.
• M1 Bayonet.
• M1907 Leather Sling w/ brass or parkerized hardware (Highly preferred over cotton slings).
• Cotton M1 Garand Sling OD3.
• Cotton M1 Carbine sling, OD3.
• Leather M1911 holster, brown.
• Leather M3 shoulder holster

~Remembering WWII German Reenactor Authenticity Guidelines~

This list is to provide the individual reenactor with a general description of what is required of the impression to depict the WW2 German soldier amid the Normandy Defensive Campaign.

Please note – All reenactors must adhere to the event guidelines in order to be permitted to participate in the battle demos to take place. Reenactors will be required to attend a Safety & Authenticity (S&A) brief on Saturday morning. You must attend S&A and be approved by event staff before being permitted to participate in the battle demo. No walk ons allowed.

Grooming standards – All German reenactors must have their hair trimmed to military regulation within 2 weeks of the event. Facial hair shall have no more than 3 days worth of growth. 

Uniform – Note: If any particular item is not listed below, please DO NOT bring it. If you are in doubt or want to bring items not listed below, please email your questions to Kevin Vogel (sergeantkevin98@gmail.com).

All German Impressions (Heer, Luftwaffe, Waffen-SS) Uniform

• Field-grey wool (preferred) or reed-green cotton HBT
• No off-white drill uniforms (can be used for public displays and USO Show)
• No tropical uniforms–this is northern France (can be used for public displays and USO Show)
• Avoid using M-44 type tunics during the battle
• FJ and Waffen-SS may wear camouflage uniforms as appropriate for June 1944
• Grey, green, or dark yellow service shirt
• Field-grey M35, M40, or M42 steel helmet ( FJ Helmets allowed for FJ impressions)
• Netting, wire, and camo covers are permitted
• Soft caps discouraged during battle for safety reasons
• Officers and NCOs may wear visor/crusher caps at discretion of unit CO
• Jackboots or low boots and gaiters. Reproduction preferred; East German or Swiss are acceptable.
• Jewelry, Watches, Glasses should be period correct. 
• No Panzer-type uniforms should be worn during the battles unless you are part of an armored vehicle crew
• As always, NO political, SD, Allegemeine-SS, or other non-military uniforms allowed! (RWWII  Staff reserves the right to make an on-the-spot decision if a question of appropriateness arises)

Equipment

• Black leather (preferred) or olive-green web belt. Non-Heer reenactors do not need to change buckles
• Appropriate ammo pouches and bandoliers for your weapon.
• Canteen with brown felt cover (cup optional but recommended)
• For safety reasons, we would like all German forces to have a canteen full of water (preferred), or a modern water bottle that you keep out of sight. Remember there will be hundreds of cameras pointed at you. (Please refrain from using modern cameras in view of public during the battles.)
• Olive-green or khaki breadbag
• Bayonet and black leather or olive-green web frog (mounted or unmounted)
• Field-grey gas mask canister
• E-tool optional
• Pistol holsters: officers, NCOs, MG/gun crews only

Weapons

• All standard issue Wehrmacht weapons are generally permitted
• STG44 use is discouraged
• Please no Russian, American, or British small arms. Yes, some of these were actually present in very small numbers, but please save them for the public displays in camp and use German weapons during the battle.
• French, Czech, and Polish machine guns are permitted
• Units may employ other heavy weapons (PaK guns, etc.) with pre approval of event safety staff and will observe event safety rules regarding ordnance. Due to the close proximity of the public during the battles, firing will be limited.
• No mortars are allowed to be used during the battle but encouraged for stagnant  displays 
• NO wooden-tipped blanks
• Limit use of weapons with mounted sniper scopes. 

Any other equipment that would have been carried or used on in Normandy such as binoculars, range finders, field phones, ammunition crates, water cans, ammo cans, camouflage netting, sandbags, etc, are encouraged to add to the ambient background and to the German camp.

Civilian/Non-Combatant Reenactors

1. 1941-1945 period-correct impressions required. Only original or reproduction quality clothing and accessories allowed.
2. Everyone is personally responsible for securing his or her own property. The Remembering WWII staff is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.
3. Anyone who finds a lost item should turn it in immediately at the Registration Tent. Anyone who has lost an item should let the Registration Tent know.
4. No alcohol consumption allowed on Saturday. Moderate consumption allowed on Friday from dusk to 11pm, in the encampment area only.
5. Dress code: conservative garb appropriate for small-town America in the 1940s. No cleavage, short skirts, bathing suits, etc.
6. Behave appropriately toward all fellow reenactors, event staff, and the public. Any inappropriate or forward behavior must be reported to event staff.

Volunteers

1. Remember that as a volunteer, you represent the event to all attendees. Behave accordingly.
2. Be on time to all volunteer briefings and to your assigned job time slots. Volunteers who do not appear for briefings and/or time slots may have meal tickets revoked.
3. Everyone is personally responsible for securing his or her own property. The Remembering WWII staff is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.
4. Anyone who finds a lost item should turn it in immediately at the Registration Tent. Anyone who has lost an item should let the Registration Tent know.
5. Know your job description and chain of command. Be ready to problem solve, but when a larger issue arises, take that to your category head. Do not usurp authority or take over jobs, except when approved by your category head.
6. Absolutely no alcohol consumption or profanity allowed. Violations of this rule must be reported to event staff.
7. Period dress is encouraged for our volunteers but not required. Please dress conservatively (no cleavage, short skirts, bathing suits, etc.), remembering that you represent the event to the public.
8. Behave appropriately toward all fellow volunteers, reenactors, and the public. Any inappropriate or forward behavior must be reported to event staff.

Vendors

1. While event staff will have security personnel in place for the vendor area on Friday night, the Remembering WWII staff is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.
2. Anyone who finds a lost item should turn it in immediately at the Registration Tent. Anyone who has lost an item should let the Registration Tent know.
3. The vendor area will open to the public at 9:00 AM Saturday morning. Please have your booth open at this time.
4. No alcohol consumption allowed on Saturday. Moderate consumption allowed on Friday from dusk to 11pm, in the encampment area only.
5. Period dress is not required for vendors, but please dress conservatively. This is a family event.
6. Behave appropriately toward all fellow vendors, reenactors, event staff, and the public. Any inappropriate or forward behavior must be reported to event staff.