First Timer information
If you are interested in getting involved in this event but have never done any world War II re-enacting then you have some work to do, but it's not that hard to put together a basic impression.
One of the key goals that everyone is trying to achieve in historical re-enactment is "immersion".
I
mmersion is that feeling that you are really there , that everything you see, and everything that is being done "could have" existed in 1944 wartime Europe. This is the goal, this is what everyone from the hardened veteran to the first timer is seeking. If they weren't they would not be there.
The primary vehicle to immersion is your impression, Your impresssion is how you look, what clothes you are wearing what equipment you have and what tools you are using, including weapons if they form part of your impression Your impression is what everyone else sees, and what everyone else is counting on to make their immersion experience real for them. A bad impression or obvious modern equipment may be ok for you, as it may be your first time, but for everyone else who sees you, you degrade their immersion.
When building your first impression you want to be aware that you are not only doing it for yourself but you are also doing it for EVERY OTHER PERSON WHO WILL BE AT THE EVENT.
Every impression is a work in progress, if you are committed to re-enactment, the research and improvements are continious. What everyone expects from new participants is and effort to look the part, and preserve everyone's immersion.
Part of your Impression is also how you behave, what you do, and what you talk about. Seasoned Reenactors can remain "in period" for the entire event, taking on the persona of 1944 person they are depicting. If you are not quite ready to go that far there are still a lot of things you can do to help everyone achieve that feeling of Immersion. Avoid conversations regarding modern subject matters while in the field or the camps. Avoid whipping out your cell phone to answer a call from your significant other. If you must carry your phone, set it to silent operation so that it's ring is not heard.
Don't bring plastic water bottles into the field, the main camps are never that far away, use your canteen, and refill it whenever you get the chance.
Keep your uniform in order, maintain a military appearance. When addressing a "superior" behave as you should.
Building your First impression.
If you are building a Military impression the first elements have to be the most obvious elements of the Uniform. The outer layer of clothing that everyone will see.
At the very least you need to have, Pants, Shirt or Tunic, Boots and some form of proper headdress, Preferably a helmet, but a softcap can do as well. For many people the boots are often overlooked but they are a key componenet to any soldier's equipment. Really, boots should be the first thing you get. With just this very basic kit you would not look out of place, and you could contribute to immersion rather than detract from it.
Once you have this basic outer layer, then you can add on some basic equipment. A belt to carry your equipment on, some pouches for ammo, and some additional load bearing equipment to carry essentials such as a canteen. Dependng on what nation you are representing the equipment will be different, again do some research and ask others for help to make certain what you are getting is correct.
Next you will need a weapon, and it is here that the impression can be made. take the time and research what kind of weapons the nation you are representing used. There is now a lot of variety of WWII airsoft guns, there is no excuse for not having a proper weapon.
At this point you have a combat ready impression, you will contribute to immersion both in the camp and in the trench, you are now ready to work on filling in your impression with details, a more extensive load bearing kit, additional equipment, additional layers of clothes. It can be as detailed as you want, and should be in a state of constant improvement.
Once you are satisfied with your personal impression, then you may want to work on a "camp" impression, this could be as simple as a shelter half to contribute to making a tent, to a full encampment.