Greetings Philip and Victor,
Yes it's been a while. Don and I were busy preparing for the Bataan reenactment. Unlike the Reading events this "Tactical" event demanded more in terms of authenticity. John sent us a guideline which we tried to adhere to. Plus we had to get blank firing adapters and blank ammunition. Something always kept cropping up in regards to what we needed. We had to get cartridge belts since we were equipped with the M1. We had only the regular web belts and m1912 holsters. It was an interesting and fun couple of months leading to the actual reenactment. I tried to document as much of the events leading to the event. I had to take the cheap way out in somethings so that we could come up with an acceptable impression.
Guidelines:
Equipment Standards
Defense of the Abucay Line
Bataan 1942
31st Infantry Regiment
Head Gear:
M-1917A1 Helmet (Kelly Helmet)
- Acceptable substitutes is the M1917 helmet with Leather WWI lining
Campaign Hats, Pith Helmets, and Khaki O/S caps without piping are
also acceptable substitutes and may be worn on a case by case basis.
ID Tags
Uniform:
Khaki Cotton Service Shirt (Enlisted or Officer variants) with
Philippine Scout Patch and appropriate rank insignia
Khaki Service Trousers
M1938 – Dismounted leggings
Type II Service Shoes
- Rough-out service shoes or WWI service boots are acceptable substitutes)
White Cotton T-Shirt
Variations are authorized.
- Privates / Junior NCOs are authorized to wear the blue denim fatigue
uniform or mix the two uniforms (Denim / Khaki)
ID Tags with proper chain (Not the beaded variety)
Equipment:
1 x M 1928 or 1917 / 18 Cartridge Belt
1 x M1910 Canteen w/ cover
1 x M1923/ 1910 First Aid pouch
1 x M1923 / M1910 Haversack with Meat Can pouch
1 x M1910 – T Handle Shovel or M1910 Pick Maddox
1 x Wool Blanket
1x M1928 / 1910 Meat Can w/ utensils
1 x M1938 Dismounted Raincoat or WWI Issue Rain Coat
Officers and Soldiers Manning Crew Served Weapons
M-1936 / Pistol Belt
M1936 Combat Suspenders (Officers Only)
M1936 Musette Bag (Officers Only)
Weapons:
M-1 Garand w/ 16" Bayonet (Bayonet scabbard must be the canvas covered
M1910 variant) the preferred bayonet is the Wood handled 1905 variant
but the plastic handled 1942 variant is acceptable.
(The M-1 Garand is the standard acceptable weapon for the Infantry
Soldier; the 31st IN REGT was issued this weapon in Fall 1941.
Soldiers carrying this weapon will only be allowed to carry 5 en-bloc
8rd Clips for the Garand. Remaining ammunition will be carried in 5rd
stripper clips. Soldiers will be restricted to carrying a total of 150
rds of rifle ammunition)
M1911 Service Pistol (Officers / Weapons Crews) w/ appropriate holster
M1917 Service Pistol (Officers / Weapons Crews) w/ appropriate holster
M1918 BAR (With a maximum of 260 rds – 13-20 round magazines)
M1917 Machine Gun
M1919 Light MG
M1928 Thompson SMG (These will be allowed on a case by case basis and
must have the appropriate 11" barrel and vertical handgrip)
M1903 Service Rifle (These will be allowed on a case by case basis and
will only be carried by those portraying HQ or support soldiers)
Rations: Soldiers will not be allowed to bring food into the field all
food will be issued on site by the event organizers. Comfort items
such as cigarettes, chewing tobacco, etc should also be carried
sparingly.
Web Gear must be the early war khaki color. Later variants of dark
green are later production and are not authorized
Equipment Check
To be continued
Milspec