Hello everyone and welcome to this new video of uniform presentation. Today I'll present you a German outfit appeared at the end of 1944: the Volksgrenadiers uniform.
First of all, I have to precise you a few things.
This video is only a base for you to constitute your uniform. It's not a mean to spare you research on books, magazines or Internet.
I didn't hide the German insignia deliberately, so as to remain faithful to the History. I don't support the ideology of the time and if this video shocks you, I invite you to discover my other videos presenting allied uniforms.
If you have remarks or add-ons to complete this video, don't hesitate to post a comment to complete my description.
You will find the kit list of all the elements composing this uniform in the description of this video, with the corresponding timing.
History of the 462nd Volksgrenadier Division
The German 462nd Infantry Division, then 462nd Volks-Grenadier-Division, became famous during the Battle of Metz.
Created on 25 August 1942 in Nancy, the 182nd Division was renamed into 462nd Division on 15th October 1942. It depended on the XIIth German military region. The staff services were moved to Metz on 10 December 1942.
As a training division, the training was designed to train new recruits, train newly promoted NCOs and re-train Convalescent soldiers, before their final assignment.
Under his command he became a combat division and became famous during the Battle of Metz which began in September 1944.
His men were distinguished in this capacity by the Ärmelband "Metz 1944" at the initiative of Colonel Joachim von Siegroth, who was promoted Generalmajor for his action in the combat, on 9 November 1944.
From the beginning of September 1944, the 462nd Infantry Division was formed in haste with the available elements of the training Division and with soldiers requisitioned while they were retreating to Germany.
From 18 September, General Vollrath Lübbe took command of the division, which was strengthened on 19 October 1944, to reach a maximum of 14,000 troops.
Commandant Zimmermann was its Chief of Staff from 5 October. It became the 462nd Volks-Grenadier-Division at the beginning of November 1944.
This 462nd Volks-Grenadier-Division is part of the fifty divisions formed at the end of the war. They were meant to better defend positions, the classical infantry divisions being more based on offensive strategy.
The name itself was meant to reinforce the morale of the troops, appealing both to nationalism (Volk: People) and the old military traditions (Grenadier).
Be careful not to be confused with "Volksturm", an entirely different entity.
During the battle of Metz, part of the 462nd VGD was forced to retreat to Fort Jeanne d'Arc, built in 1899 by the Germans during the annexation of Alsace and the Moselle. They won't leave, surrounded by the Americans.
The other part was spread out on the forts of Jussy-Nord, Jussy-Sud and Saint-Hubert, but was also defeated. The fighting continued and on 1944-11-18, a hundred men of the 462nd surrendered to the Americans.
The next day, the telephone exchange of the main post office of Metz is dynamited by the artificers of the 462nd.
The part of the 462nd stuck in the fort Jeanne d'Arc remained there until December 13, 1944, while the city of Metz had been liberated by the Americans 2 weeks ago.
Fort Jeanne d'Arc, no doubt because he was commanded by the staff of the 462nd Volks Grenadier Division and defended by a battalion of fusiliers, was therefore the last forts of Metz to surrender.
German resistance, inclement weather, flooding, and the tendency of Americans to over-estimate the city's defenses, helped to slow down the US offensive.
It gave the German army an opportunity to retreat in good order to the Saar, to organize a new line of defense on the Siegfried line.
The aim of the German Staff, which was to save time by slowing down as long as possible the American troops, will be largely achieved.
UNIFORM
The end is near for the Reich, the end of the war outfit is, easily recognizable, but it wasn't impossible to find equipment belonging to the beginning of the war, such as M35 helmets or M36 jackets.
But most of the equipment used at the end of the war was less worked than at the beginning of the war, to save costs and time, making it possible to produce more per day for less.
The mouse grey shirt M43 is worn over the regular white body suit. It has 2 breast pockets to store wallet and cigarette box.
Its collar makes it possible to avoid wearing a false collar on the jacket, this one protecting from the frictions of the wool of the collar of the jacket.
Its wearing is strongly recommended to protect your arms from the wool of the jacket, which will have an abrasive effect on your skin because of friction.
Arrived in the year 1943, the trousers M43 is an evolution of the trousers M40. The cut changes and a lace on the ankles allows a better maintenance in the shoes or in the boots.
Two pockets are on the sides, closed by a button each, and a small pocket on the front is also closed by a metal button. I chose to remove the buttons from the side pockets to allow easier access (for a tissue for example).
There is a pocket on the right buttock, not practical when sitting. Loops can be used to fasten a canvas belt with leather fastening tab, and buttons to attach elastic straps, essential for a good fit of the trousers.
There is a small martingale on each hip, to make a first adjustment of size. One of the buckles broke on these pants, which is becoming old.
As mentioned above, a lace makes it possible to serve as a stirrup for the trousers, or to tighten it to the calf so that it stays in place once the boots are worn.
In March 1937, the boots were reserved for leaves and were generally not studded. At the beginning of the war, they were used in the barracks with work and instruction outfit, but did their baptism of fire in mid-1941.
There were many variations between model 37 and Model 44. Some soles had nails, while others, rather intended for Panzertruppen, didn't. Some models will have a tip when others don't.
This is here a model 44, which appeared only at the end of 1944, which is a simplified model compared to the 1937 model. Indeed, the lacing hooks are replaced by eyelets, and the wooden heel doesn't necessarily have an additional leather skate.
The boots were originally made of fawn leather, then black tinted. But this practice was abandoned, hence the fact of having brown boots here.
The gaiters were introduced in August 1940 for the troops at the rear, to complete the boots model 37. As well as the boots, they were introduced on the front from the middle of the year 1941.
Made of canvas, the late war model is doubled with two reinforcements in half-moon leathers to limit damaging with the leather of the shoe. They are based on the same model as the British gaiters, and close with two buckles for each gaiter.
Be careful to always keep the leather straps and the buckles on the outside of the foot, the leather strap must go backwards.
The Feldbluse M43 is the result of a long series of developments since the M36 jacket.
It is characterized by its straight pocket flaps, the absence of bellows on the pockets, its collar is Feldgrau color, and there are 6 buttons to close the jacket, evolution adopted since the M41.
Eyelets are present at the hips to attach metal hooks. The jacket has a "BEVO" breast, and generic litzen are sewn on the collar.
Small inside straps allow distributing the weight of the webbing on the whole of the jacket, to limit pains on shoulders.
A first aid kit pocket is located inside the jacket, on one of the flaps, to be easily accessible, despite the presence of the webbing. As with all German effects, there were many colors of wool, depending on the manufacture and the age of the Feldbluse.
This enlisted man possesses only the minimum of insignia. He has no rank and is just part of the infantry, the VolksGrenadiers not having a particular pipe color.
The Zeltbahn M31 is a tent quarter of 2.5m long and weighs about 1kg when dry. There were several colors depending on the years and manufactures, and the versions go up to the M44.
It is easy to assemble the Zeltbahn to form a complete tent with 4 sides, and it's also possible to make small houses with 8, 16 or even 32 sides.
It is transported either on the webbing, using straps, on the Tornister, or on the Sturmgepäck. The Zeltbahn can also be worn as a poncho, once it is buttoned on a part, to pass the head through the central opening, and the arms on each side.
EQUIPMENT
The German Steel helmet having a typical shape, and being easily recognizable, it was indispensable for the enlisted men to hide it.
Some have "concreted" their helmets to make them matt, others have used camouflage paint. And finally, the helmet cover, here in the version Splinter, allows to keep the helmet intact while breaking its shape and its color.
A lace is used to tighten the helmet cover at the base. The general shape of the helmet with helmet cover will remind you the shape of more modern helmets!
The chin strap will be folded over the visor to prevent it from hanging when not in use.
The Volksgrenadier was equipped mainly with automatic weapons for a higher firepower in defense, it was very common to find the new STG44, and therefore suitable pouches, all placed on the webbing which is found during all the conflict.
The webbing takes place here over the Zeltbahn by choice, as it could also be worn underneath, but for less mobility once in combat.
The Sturmgewehr 44 requires curved magazines stored in 2 magazine pouches: one for each side. The M39 egg grenade was a hand grenade. Its blue cap means a delay of 4.5 seconds before explosion.
The bayonet 84/93 3rd type fits on the Mauser K98. The "Klappstaten" appeared in 1938 and was longer than the straight shovel when unfolded, and could be used as a spade when the blade was at 90°.
The M31 bread bag was designed to contain the daily ration. On the outside flap, two rings and two loops allow to fix the M31 mess kit, which was made with two aluminum parts, painted in green,
and the M31 canteen, composed of an aluminum canteen, a cover, a strap on which the cap is placed, and a bakelite cup.
The leather belt with an aluminum buckle was reserved for the EM. The loop is stamped with the motto "Gott mit uns".
Y-straps allow the equipment to be held on the shoulders.
The German soldier had to carry a gas mask in a suitable iron box. An aluminum plate allows an inside sound insulation, to be able to remain discreet despite the shocks of the cartridge against the box.
However, the practice showed that the mask was often abandoned, as little used, in favor of transporting additional food. There were several models of cases, this one being the most common, the longest, and the oldest.
The M43 hand grenade was introduced into the German army after 1943 to replace model 24, which had a strand with a pearl to light the wick.
The M43 was designed to be more economical to design, the detonator being directly connected to the wick at the top of the grenade.
The wood handle becomes only accessory, to launch the grenade further than an egg grenade M39. The detonator is also the same model as the M39 grenade, with a colored ball to identify the time before explosion.
To proceed, you have to unscrew the colored ball, and then pull it, this one being connected by a string to the igniter of the wick. The body of the grenade contains the explosive charge.
It is screwed on the handle so that it can create an assembly with a handle and 6 heads + 1 on the handle, to make an anti-tank load. For fast use, it is placed in the belt, preventing it however from leaning forward.
The Sturmgewehr 44, also called MP43 or MP44, is the first assault rifle in the world, combining the characteristics of a rifle and a submachine gun. Towards the end of the war, 450,000 copies were manufactured.
It was equipped with a fire selector for automatic or semi-automatic firing. However, his 30 cartridges magazine interfered with shooting in lying.
The STG, although revolutionary at the time, was very heavy, and its rapid fire could burn the weapon owner's hands, the front guard being only a thin sheet of steel folded on the barrel.
This is an airsoft gun, which will also have some defects, the main one being the unrealistic fire selector, but the configuration of the current Gearbox doesn't allow to install another model of lever.
The replica was completely sanded and weathered to increase its realism compared to the version out of box. The 6 magazines can be placed in the pouched mentioned above. You can find the full review link in the description of this video.
The Panzerfaust 60 is a single-shot recoilless anti-tank grenade launcher, produced from 1942 by the German company HASAG, to equip soldiers with an individual anti-tank means.
There are several models of Panzerfaust, called by their effective distance: Panzerfaust 30, 60 and 100. The Panzerfaust 150 didn't release during the WW2, and the Panzerfaust 250 remained only in sketches.
To use this weapon, it is necessary to remove the pin, allowing releasing the sighting organs, to put perpendicular. Then you have to align the top of the head with the hole corresponding to the estimated distance of the target.
It's necessary to know that the start of the shot triggers a flame of 3m behind, as well as an enormous cloud of smoke, ideal to hide once the head shot, and therefore the shooter spotted.
This very simplistic weapon allows to be used by anyone, including the members of the Volksturm, a notice is printed on the head to help the shooter.
Here is the overview of our soldier during the Battle of Metz in November 1944. It is equipped to be the most mobile and the most efficient in the defense of the city.
This outfit therefore has nothing to do with the beginning of the war, much more oriented on mobility with armaments and light equipment.
With three grenades, an anti-tank weapon and an STG44, our soldier is very heavily loaded, this will be more suitable when defending against US attackers less well equipped individually.
SUMMARY
Made from Feldgrau wool and distributed from 1943, the M43 trousers had two pockets on the sides, a pocket on the right buttock and a small pocket on the right side. All these pockets can be closed with buttons.
A lace at the ankles makes it easier to insert the trousers in the low boots or the jackboots. The lace can be used as a stirrup or as an anchor tie. A canvas and leather belt can be added in addition to the shoulder straps.
Beginning in 1937, each soldier had in his pack a pair of low boots with a studded sole, to be used for training and life in barracks. From the beginning of 1940, they were tolerated with combat clothing, added to gaiters.
Beginning 1941, they were allowed during fight, and distributed to new recruits. After 1943, they became universal and replaced the boots, which will be less used.
The gaiters, realized in canvas with leather reinforcement, made it possible to waterproof the low boots, also protecting them against the sand.
The gaiters were appreciated by the soldiers, as the combination of gaiters + low boots didn't pose any problem in the mud, unlike the jackboots.
The gray mouse M43 shirt is found after 1943 and avoids wearing the jacket directly on the skin. Its collar saves the use of a false collar for the jacket, false collar that initially served to protect the neck of the wool rubbings.
It has two pockets on the chest to store personal documents, and the top of the shirt closes with 4 buttons. Attention to the cut of the shirts of the time, this one may seem long!
Throughout the war, the various models of jackets have been numerous, going from the M36 to the M44. The before last version, the M43, is a simplified model of previous versions to save manufacturing time.
So there are pockets without central bellows, with straight pocket flaps. The BEVO breast eagle, in single braided fabric, is located above the right chest pocket.
The EM litzen are placed on the collar, which is Feldgrau color, unlike the M36 jacket that had a green collar.
An internal pocket can be found to store a bandage, which can be used by the nurse if there is an injury. There are hooks at the waist, designed to distribute the weight of the webbing on the shoulders.
The jacket will have 6 buttons to close, evolution made after the M41 jacket.
The M42 helmet is the latest addition to the German helmet family. It has non-folded edges inside, like for the M40 and M35 helmets, and has eyelets directly molded on the helmet, and not in patches like for the M35 helmet, to save manufacturing costs.
A helmet cover avoids reflections if the helmet is not sanded, and lateral small pads will allow the soldier to add foliage and other branches to break the round shape, and therefore recognizable, of the helmet.
The Zeltbahn M31 is made of waterproof fabric. It is a quarter of reversible tent cloth that could be converted into a poncho by folding it and attaching the buttons in this way.
The camouflage is "splinter", made during the WWI. The pattern of the camouflage was printed by rollers and was repeated every 44cm. It weighs 1kg when dry; weight can increase when it's wet.
Four soldiers can build a tent, which can accommodate two soldiers, the other two to stand guard. This type of Zeltbahn will make it possible to construct sets with 8, 16, or even 32 sides. This is a good reproduction.
The webbing is what will allow the soldier to live on the front for several days. To neglect it is to condemn you to death; each element must be placed with intelligence.
Being armed with an STG44, our soldier therefore has a pair of pouches, on which will be hung a first grenade egg M39 (blue cap). Right near we find a bayonet 84/93 3rd type with a Bakelite handle, placed behind a folding shovel in its black leather case.
The M31 bread bag will be used to carry the soldier's food, and the rings make it possible to transport, with the help of suitable straps, a M31 mess kit and a M31 canteen with its Bakelite cup.
The second pouch, here type 1, is connected to the first by a strap. Another grenade will be attached to the case specifically designed for the speed loader, helping to fill the magazines.
With a weight such as this, Y-straps are essential. Its hooks can be placed on the top of the pouches, and at the back of the black leather belt, reserved for the EM and NCO, as evidenced by the aluminum belt buckle.
The grenades have different color caps, indicating the time interval between the ignition of the wick and the explosion. Yellow: 7.5 seconds; blue: 4.5 seconds.
The gasmask case is a metal cylinder painted green, with two straps: one for a shoulder strap, the other for hooking to the leather belt. It contains a M30 gasmask with its FE-41 cartridge. Soldiers could also use the gasmask case to store fruit or cans in addition.
Destined to replace the M24 grenade to produce a more economical model, the whole mechanism of the grenade M43 being concentrated in the head, it arrived in the middle of the war and was produced until its end.
The whole mechanism was taken from the M39 egg grenade, only the shape of the grenade changed, a shape in tube making it possible to make a rosary with several heads.
The STG44 for SturmGewehr 44 was called, during its development, MP43 then MP44.
Its ammunition in 7.92 x 33 kurz is a derivative of the Mauser 98K's ammo, reduced to avoid errors made on the FG42, which had a cartridge too loaded to be used in burst.
The Sturmgewehr is powered by magazines of 30 cartridges, but short magazines of 10 cartridges were developed at the end of the war, thus allowing to shoot when lying, impossible with long magazines.
Its sling is the same as for the Mauser. This is a enhanced airsoft version, which you can find the full review on a dedicated video, the link is in the description of this video.
An individual anti-tank weapon, the Panzerfaust was very much appreciated by the Germans, and very feared by the Americans, a simple charge capable of perforating the shield of a Sherman.
Its use was very simple, but required precautions, an impressive flame developing at the exit of the tube when the head is shot. A thick cloud of smoke was also released, allowing the shooter to hide fairly quickly.
Here is what concludes this video of uniform presentation. If you liked this video, don't hesitate to share it and subscribe to my channel, leave a comment and a blue thumb!
I would like to thank my friend Bastien "Repliques du Grenier" for his collaboration. I invite you to see his channel by discovering the link in the description of this video.
See you soon for a new video of airsoft, uniform or board game! Bye !
Directed by Neo035
With the Mireille's help
"The mystery of faith is great..."
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