Gebirgsjager - For Kreta themed events

Andy · **Joined:** Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:04 pm **Posts:** 381

I'm seriously thinking about doing a GJ impression for Crete themed events. Well worth thinking about for all how are currently only doing a German Heer impression and not Fallschirmjager as it would leave you with no suitable impression.

To mod out the normal Heer uniform, you only need to make a few changes.

Cap.
Get your self a short peaked Mountain version of the M43. You can pick up an Edelweiss cap badge from many vendors on the internet.

Tunic
Probably worth getting another M40 tunic and put on a GJ arm patch and GJ litzen (although generic (early or late war) litzen would probably be ok. Can someone remember when the late war generic litzen started coming out? At a push, if you have generic litzen on your tunic already, you can tack a patch on the arm just before the event, and that would suffice.

Boots and puttee's
Swiss mountain boots are almost identicle. They were leather soled up till the 1960's and even the post 1960's rubber soled version would suffice (but the leather soles are much more desirable). Both styles are still reasonably common in second hand stores and the internet.

The GJ puttees are impossible to find, but I am making some repro ones at the moment. If you're interested, I can make you a set for a nominal price.

Backpack, windbreaker etc
Not needed, but if you wish to go the whole hog, you could pick up an Anorack and a GJ backpack. Both very common items on Ebay.

blitzcraig · **Posted:** Mon Aug 24, 2009 9:13 pm

Didnt the late war generic litzen come out in 43? Brad, you'd be the master on that'n.... I'd like some puttees please Andy! What pants or Hosen did the GJ wear?

Brendon · **Posted:** Mon Aug 24, 2009 11:04 pm

Yes, I would be very keen for a GJ impression myself. I'm sure you could get a similar axes from aussie disposals?

What is a puttee?

However, I need to get a DAK uniform so I can come play with everyone this summer! Craig and Andy i'll be using your expertise on this one

Andy · **Joined:** Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:04 pm **Posts:** 381

Puttee's are the wool leg wraps. The same trousers as Heer -either Field gray or Stone Gray M36 trousers

blitzcraig · **Posted:** Tue Aug 25, 2009 5:13 pm

Yes Brendon!! Its time you got DAKKilicious!!

Brad · **Joined:** Thu Apr 03, 2008 11:43 am **Posts:** 124

blitzcraig wrote:

Didnt the late war generic litzen come out in 43? Brad, you'd be the master on that'n.... I'd like some puttees please Andy! What pants or Hosen did the GJ wear?

Can't remember exactly when the generic litzen came out - it was around 43 or so. However they are very close to the green used in the early war litzen so, generic litzen works fine for early war GJ.

GJ either wore the regular trousers, or their own specific breeches with tapered lower legs for the puttees.
Puttees were not mandatory, you often see the trousers tucked into hiking socks.
If you have ever worn puttees, you know what a pain they are.
I would further guess that GJ on Crete wore their pants legs open - and not tucked into puttees or socks. The whole point of them is to keep the warmth in - something they didn't want to do on the hot island.

Andy · **Joined:** Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:04 pm **Posts:** 381

I've seen a lot of Jack boots on GJ in Crete pics as well.

Andy

Andy · **Joined:** Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:04 pm **Posts:** 381

Here is my GJ cap. Note the brown buttons which seem unique to the GJ caps, and the short peak. More pics of the impression I'm putting together soon.

Andy.

Andy · **Joined:** Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:04 pm **Posts:** 381

Hear is my m40 tunic.

Andy

blitzcraig · **Posted:** Mon Aug 31, 2009 6:43 pm

Is that the short billed M43 Andy? It looks the same as the standard M43...or is it just the angle of the photo taken?

Here's a pic off Spearhead's page of their Bergmutze.

Im lucky, many years ago I managed to score a couple of post war Gebirgs M43 caps with the metal Edelweiss on em too! Looks like we is Gebirg'n up!
(Its natural for us Capricorns...we IS mountain goats after all! :lol:

)

Your uniform looks awesome BTW!!

blitzcraig · **Posted:** Mon Aug 31, 2009 7:31 pm

Here's the Post war M43's I have and the metal Edelweiss cap badge. These caps are made from a light grey Garbedine from what I can tell (I aint no expert...me not 100% sure).

Here's the cap...

and a close up the metal Edelweiss...

Andy · **Joined:** Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:04 pm **Posts:** 381

Yep, it is a shorter peak, just the weird way the camera takes picture. The Spearhead cap look good.

The post war Edelweis is slightly different to the war time one but will do nicely till you find another one you like.

Andy · **Joined:** Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:04 pm **Posts:** 381

If anyone needs me to make them some puttees (wickelgamaschen), you will need to purchase a pair of these buckles.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290351610235

Andy

blitzcraig · **Posted:** Tue Sep 29, 2009 6:57 pm

I got my Spearhead Bergmutze the other day...and I reckon short of the LW Overseas cap I got from him a while ago, this is the best hat Ive received out of Barry Lyndon yet! I lubs it!!

Administrator · **Joined:** Mon Mar 31, 2008 3:48 pm **Posts:** 233

Yes, that looks pretty good. Can't decide to go for one of them or one I found on German Ebay.

You can get the special Gebirgs trousers at "Lost Battalions". Very expensive at about $200US before shipping.

Andy

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Gebirgsjager - For Kreta themed events

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