late war impression
The period of 1944 - 1945 can be described as late-war. IR208 was involved in the Ardennes Offensive during this period. To match this we have decided to base our appearance of a late-war infantryman on this offensive, during December 1944 - January 1945. This list is also the basic equipment guide for new recuits for this impression.
| Essential Items | Preference | Accepted |
| Tunic (feldbluse) | M43 (feldgrau shoulder boards with white waffenfarben) | 1) M40 2) M42 3) M36 (NCO's only) |
| Trousers (hosen) | M42 - kielhosen | M40 |
| Under-Shirt (hemd) | Mouse Grey Service Shirt with Collar. With or without pockets | - |
| Boots (stieffel) | Low Boots with gaiters (schnürschuhe mit gemaschen) | Marching Boots (NCO's only) |
| Field Cap (feldmütze) | M43 Field-Cap (feldmütze) | 1) M42 2) M34 |
| Steel Helmet (stahlhelm) | M42 (no decals) | 1) M40 (with no decals) 2) M35 (with no decals) |
| Belt and Buckle (koppel mit schloß) | Black leather with correct 'Gott Mit Uns' buckle | - |
| Socks (socken) | Grey woollen with correct white sizing bands | Grey woollen |
| Bread-bag (brotbeutel) | M31 (either green or tan in colour) | M44 pattern |
| Mess-tins (kochgeschirr) | Original late war type | Original early war issue |
| Canteen (feldflasche) | Original 1 litre type | - |
| Entrenchment Tool and carrier (spaten mit tasche ) | Original straight type | Folding type |
| Bayonet and frog (seitengewehr / scheide ) | Original and blued with repro frog | - |
| K98k Ammunition pouches (patronentasche) | Original | Black top reproductions |
| Gas Mask Cannister (tragebüchse) | Original with mask | Original without gas mask |
| Y-Straps (koppeltraggestell) | Original or top reproducton in leather | - |
| Next Items | Preference | Accepted |
| Gas-bag | Original - rubberised or canvas with gas cape or padded out | - |
| Shelter Half (zeltbahn) | Original with correct triangular shape and splinter pattern | Top reproductions |
| ID Disc (erkennungsmarke) | Aluminium/Zinc with correct stampings for IR208 | Aluminium with other unit markings |
| Pay book (soldbuch) | Heer (army) soldbuch filled in correctly and photo attached | With just first page completed for identification purposes |
| Knife, Fork Spoon set | Aluminium clip together type | Steel version |
| K98k Carbine | Original pre 1945 | - |
| K98k Cleaning kit | Original including all brushes, tool, oil container and pull through | - |
| Greatcoat (mantel) | M42 type with feldgrau collar | 1) M40 2) M36 |
| Optional Items | Preference | Accepted |
| Butter dish | Original | Reproduction |
| Housewife | Original with spare thread, buttons and needles | Bundeswehr version |
| Assault Frame with bag | No tropical versions | - |
| Blanket | Recognised Heer type | Grey Woollen |
| Gloves | Grey woollen with correct white sizing bands | Grey Woollen |
| Esbit Cooker | Top Reproductions | - |
| Camouflage | In white or splinter | - |
NOTE: NCO's would have used the MP40 and the Machine Gunner would have used the MG42 for this impression.