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This section contains all the battle kit required for the Wiltshire Regiment of Arizona Reenactment Group. The items listed here will be required to be purchased in order for a new member to partake in battle reenactments
MK II Helmet (Brodie)
The British MK II Helemt is the primary helmet that soldiers went to war wearing. It is visiually very similar to the WWI MK I Helmet.
However there were changes, most notably in the liner, and how the chinstrap securing lugs were attached. In WWI they were attached with a split pin, by WWII this was switched over to a rivet.
WWII British helmets can be found pretty easily, most of the approved vendors offer rebuilt models, you can also find them on eBay, but they will probably need to be repainted and a new liner.
Helmets can be manufactured Canada, or England, some early Dutch post war helmets were made exactly like the WWII British version. However with the Dutch version make sure it does not have the Chinstrap securing lug and bail as pictured below.
Incorrect Dutch Chinstrap lug and Bails. This style will not accept the British Chinstrap and is not authorized for use
P37 Webbing Set
At the conclusion of WWI the British Army, like most militaries, went through a rapid demobilization. As troop numbers were reduced the Army found itself sitting on a considerable supply of the WWI P08 Webbing gear. With this stockpile it was not interested in purchasing new and or improved sets of webbing.
However Mills Equipment Co continued to tinker with the webbing designs, selling small amounts to overseas customers and achiving some small successes with the 1919 Pattern gear sold to the Royal Navy.
By the 1930s the Army was once again interested in replacing the aging P08 pattern of webbing. A comittee was formed and it was decided that the soldier of the future would not be fighting in trenches, but rather be part of a large mobile army. With this in mind the gear would be lighter, the soldier required to carry less ammo, and his personal kit would be stored with the division baggage train, also, as they would be sitting in various types of vehicles, nothing could hang below the waist.
The Mills Equipment Co designed several different styles of webbing gear for testing. Various Army units were given sets to field test and the No. 3 Pattern was selected in 1934. However its purchase was delayed for some years as at the same time the Army was developing and testing a new Light Machine Gun, the BREN Gun. With the adoption of the Bren, the No. 3 Pattern underwent a minor change to the Ammo Pouches and was accepted into service in 1937, with general issue starting in 1938.
Things to Keep in Mind
When shopping for the different parts to the P37 Webbing gear there are several things to keep in mind.
1) Towards the end of WWII the fittings were all changed from Brass to a Brown alloy. Only equipment with the Brass fittings is ok for use
2) Original vs Repro - Both are ok for use, there is still a large amount of WWII British webbing availible through the approved vendors and eBay. Shop smart and purchase what you can afford
3) Above all, if your in doubt that the item you are looking at purchasing is correct for use in the Wiltshire Regiment Reenacment group, CONTACT THE AUTHENTICITY OFFICER!
Ammo Pouches x2
Ammo pouches were designed around the Bren Gun Magazines. These pouches usually held bandoliers of ammo, Bren gun magazines, hand grenades, 5.5in Anti-Tanks rounds.
New members will be required to have 2 of these ammo pouches.
There are 3 models of Ammo pouch, the MK III is probably the most common.
When buying make sure you buy a set, as this will usually mean they are both of the same model.
Waist Belt x2
The waist belt is what the P37 pattern Web Gear is basically built around. This will hold together the entire set.
New Members are encouraged to purchase 2 waist belts as one will be used for putting together the P37 webbing set, while the other will be kept stripped of all pouches and be worn as part of the "walking out" uniform.
Braces
Braces attach to the Ammo Pouches, then loop over the shoulders and attach to the rear of the Waist Belt. These serve to transfer some of the load to the shoulders. They are also extra long as the ends of the braces are used for the attachment of other items.
Water Bottle Carrier
The Water Bottle Carrier is used to carry one of the 2 water bottles used by a British soldier. This is usually slung below the waist on the right side.
The Water Bottle Carrier has to be the "Skeletonized" version as pictured. This is the only authorized version.
Water Bottle x2
The British Army after several centuries of fighting wars on almost every continent came to the realization that water was just as important as bullets.
Therefore each soldier was issued to Water Bottles. These 1 Liter bottles were usually made of of steel and then enammeled. During WWI this was a blue enamel, during WWII this was switched to brown.
Brown enammeled Water bottles are the standard, however historical evidence shows that some blue ones were still in issue and manufactured during the war.
E-Tool Carrier
The E-Tool Carrier will hold the entrenching tool and helve. This combo tool would be used to make hasty fighting positions, or for other mundaune camp life chores.
There were several styles of E-Tool Carrier manufactured. Any version will work except for the WWI P08 Style.
Also needed will be the Pick head and helve.
Bayonet Frog
The bayonet frog is used to hold the MK II Spike Bayonet. There were several styles in use during the war. Any version is acceptable.
They can be found through many online retailers, reproduction or original is acceptable.
P37 Small Pack
The small pack is usually worn on the back and is attached to the P37 Equipment with straps and quick release brass hooks.
The pack will be divided inside and will contain your extra water bottle, the mess tins, and the ground sheet.
Originals can be expensive for this item. So shop around. Also ensure that the one your buying comes with the L-Straps included as those are needed to hook the pack to the equipment.
P08 Large Pack
The P08 Large Pack was unchanged from when it was first introduced prior to WWI. This was usually stored with the division baggage train. This was usually used to store things like extra boots, PT gear, Greatcoats and other cold weather kit. As well as issued items many of a soldiers personal items could be found stored in the large pack.
Only 1 is required, however many members have several and use them to carry extra gear in at reenactment battles and public displays. The large pack should also come with 2 cross straps.
How it looks when put together
Additional Items
The following items are also required but are not considered to be a part of the P37 Webbing Kit.
Gas Mask Bag
The gas mask bag was used to carry the gas mask. A new member need only the bag itself. The gas mask that was contained with in is entirely optional.
In many cases for safety reasons during reeneactments here in in the hot Southwest we will usually end up just using the as mask bag as extra storage for water.
Rain Cape / Groundsheet
The rain cape is the prefered item that new members purchase. It is a water proof canvas cape worn over the uniform and gear. It is stored in the P37 Small Pack.
Another option is the ground sheet, it is constrcuted of the same materials as the rain cape and store in the same place.
These items were unchanged from their WWI versions so a reproduction version with a WWI date is not an issue.
What Price Glory
Soldier of Fortune
Army Mug
The mug is a enammeled steel mug that was issued to every soldier. This is probably the most important bit of kit a soldier could have.
He used his mug to "brew up" a nice hot cup of tea, it was used for shaving, and for those oh so rare moments when a tot of rum was issued out.
WWI and early WWII mugs are white with blue accents, where as the late WWII style is brown. The Early war version as pictured is the prefered version to be owned.
The approved vendore have these availible.
Mess Tin Set
The mess tin set is what you will use to cook with while in the field during reenactments. This set is comprised of 2 rectangular shaped "pots" that stack in each other.
It is important to note that you should purchase a late war set. The early war ones used tin and lead for sodder to make them. Not something you would want leaching into your food!
They can be found on the approved vendors websites and also through places like ebay and other online retailers.
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