For all the wrong reasons

[Tombstone]

Lately I've been playing alot of Company of Heroes,
and now I'm dead set on putting together a WWII British Infantry loadout.
I know that could be considered the wrong reason to do it, but damnit, I'm gonna try anyway.
Anybody wanting to point me in the right direction? Any help would be swell.
I'm looking for websites (wikipedia and google have both let me down so far, but my google-fu is weak)
Movies (I know they're not historically accurate, but we all know how a good movie can help motivate us towards a goal)
or books talking about the British Infantry during WWII.
Thank you kindly.

[sasquatch]

try the movie know as A Bridge to Far.

[KA-BAR]

ask jim pharris. leader of the 5rac and a ww2 reinactor.

if anyone on these forums know, it is he.

[Tombstone]

try the movie know as A Bridge to Far.

known as a bridge to far...okay, then what is the real title?

[Tombstone]

ask jim pharris. leader of the 5rac and a ww2 reinactor.

if anyone on these forums know, it is he.

Thanks Morgan.

[sasquatch]

Oh sorry that is the title.

Its three hours long but worth every minute.

[LettuceHead]

I have this book...
http://www.amazon.com/World-War-II-Tomm ... 1861269145
and it was very helpful in getting started toward British WW2 uniforms and equipment.

The movie A Bridge Too Far is about Operation Market-Garden and focuses more on the Brit paratroopers. I'm unfamiliar with the game you mentioned so I don't know which service is involved.

That being said, the base of any Brit loadout will be either P37 or P40 battle dress jacket and pants, anklets, ammo boots and P37 webbing. Repro battle dress jacket and pants runs about $240 but then you can do virtually any branch of the land forces. There are also other pants that can do if you're not around stitch nazis (my battle dress pants are 1950 Greek issue but close enough for airsoft reenactment purposes).

Replica-wise, there are not too many options out there. The Viva Sten is still largely unavailable and only a few garage shops are making Enfields. However, some British units... particularly the Commandos... used M1A1 Thompsons, and the Cyma Thompson is readily available.

And yes, talk to Jim! The man is a freakin' encyclopedia of Commonwealth uniforms and equipment.

(By the way, I did the math and British Commandos are the lowest cost yet accurate impression to do )

[LettuceHead]

Oh, forgot to mention that What Price Glory, http://www.whatpriceglory.com/ , and SoF in the UK, http://www.sofmilitary.co.uk/reenactors/select.asp , have been great to buy things from!

[Tombstone]

I know this is super lame, but here is a picture of the infantry in the game that I would like to reproduce.
The Canadians in the game wear the same gear.
If it wasnt so hard to find info based solely on a picture of a recreation of an event...GAH!

[chapped]

Either "John Boy" Warther or Jim Pharris would be great resources for your quest.
Both are experienced WW2 re-enactors as well as airsoft enthusiasts. They currently emulate a British unit and have historically done so with Canadian as well.

[LettuceHead]

Well, to do a decent impression of that infantry you'd need:

Pattern 1937 Battledress Jacket (not P40 as the buttons are not exposed)
Pattern 1937 Battledress Trousers
Ammo Boots
Pattern 1937 Anklets (gaiters)
P37 Belt
P37 Shoulder Braces
P37 Basic Pouches X 2
P37 Small Pack and L-Straps
Groundsheet or Raincape/ Groundsheet
Water Bottle and Web Carrier
Mk2 helmet
No.4 Bayonet and Frog
P37 Entrenching Tool Cover
1908 Entrenching Tool

That covers all your externals. All of this is pretty easy to find, though getting certain items in good condition can be a bit of a struggle. Repro Battledress and boots are the two costliest items to acquire, followed by the P37 Small Pack and the helmet.

And while you're at it, buy a Denison smock and maroon beret to be a fellow paratrooper

[Solid]

Just make sure to get a Bren so you can button those damn Panthers. You could also get the Captains getup, that would be cooler, but hunting down a Webley would be pretty damn hard

[Tombstone]

Well, to do a decent impression of that infantry you'd need:

Pattern 1937 Battledress Jacket (not P40 as the buttons are not exposed)
Pattern 1937 Battledress Trousers
Ammo Boots
Pattern 1937 Anklets (gaiters)
P37 Belt
P37 Shoulder Braces
P37 Basic Pouches X 2
P37 Small Pack and L-Straps
Groundsheet or Raincape/ Groundsheet
Water Bottle and Web Carrier
Mk2 helmet
No.4 Bayonet and Frog
P37 Entrenching Tool Cover
1908 Entrenching Tool

That covers all your externals. All of this is pretty easy to find, though getting certain items in good condition can be a bit of a struggle. Repro Battledress and boots are the two costliest items to acquire, followed by the P37 Small Pack and the helmet.

And while you're at it, buy a Denison smock and maroon beret to be a fellow paratrooper

Wow, Looking these things up piece by piece has really got me excited.
Makes me wish I could pick it up all at once...rather then piece by piece.
Damn economy holding me back from going back in time!

[Kendodude]

Already did a super massive search for an Airsoft replica of a Webley revolver. (Indiana Jones yo)

Only one out there is a Blank firing one made by Kokusai or MGC I thinks.

[McNair]

Where are you getting your battle dress that it runs you $240?!

When I did brit para, I bought my battle dress for $50. Blouse and Trousers. I bought a set of para trousers for $70.
50's issue trousers and pants work just fine for ww2.

Talk to Jim(starkist)and John W(john boy?). They did Canadian infantry which is basicallyt eh same shit. Also talk to Alex as he did Can inf as well. i did Can Inf twice and all I had to do from my para kit is change my helmet and not wear my smock.
You can easily put together a Brit inf impression w/out rifle for less than $200.