Luftwaffe groundtroops

[Lasse L]

Could I maybe see some Luftwaffe ground troop displays? I could need some inspiration as iam working with my Ardennes MG gunner right now.
I dosent have to be collection photos, printed photos like the ones in ospery books are nice to, and original wartime pics
Best regards:

[J Melvin]

http://www.angelfire.com/tn3/luftwaf.../original.html

[Lasse L]

Mr Melvin, Big thanks!!! Thats a superb link!!!
You seam to know your luftwaffe stuff, so what do you think a luftwaffe solider, in a greatcoat, that should look like a MG gunner would wear for kind of fieldgear? (Iam thinking about belt, breadbag, backpack, holster, mg pouche and MG spare barrelholder)

[J Melvin]

Lasse, if you look at the third photo in the fifth row, you will see two grenadiers of 18.Volksgrenadier (formerly 18. Luftwaffen Feld Division) during the Ardennes offensive. The man in front is your man!

If I were doing an Ardennes Luft ground soldier, I'd leave off the backpack, but include everything else that you've said. If you've got a ground combat jacket, put it on over the greatcoat. That would be one good looking mannequin.

[W Petz]

Lasse,

Take a look at the link below and you will find one of my LWFD mannequin displays that I posted quite sometime ago! along with a Plate out of the OSPREY series.

Years ago I had one of my mannequins dressed up like the one Jack has described for the Ardennes Offensive but mine was a FJ of the 5th FJD. I placed the LWFD Ground combat jacket over the overcoat and had the MP44 with both pouches (you can substitute with MG34 and spare parts pouch) and P38 holster with breadbag and canteen and shovel with carrier plus gasmask container with straps. If you have the OSPREY series German Airborne Troops 1939-45 Plate G shows a great example but instead of the FJ Jump Helmet substitute with a regular M40 or M42 LW helmet. Another OSPREY publiication covers Luftwaffe Field Divisions 1941-45 that gives other examples you can consider on their Color plates. - Bill

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ad.php?t=66079

[Lasse L]

Hey Guys!
Thanks for all the help, I really apriciate it!!!
I dont have a splinter groundtroop jacket, and I wont be able to get one (Iam 15 years old).
I really enjoy those pictures, they give me great inspiration!!!

The gasmask canister, it can be a normal fieldgreen painted version? Or did the LW groundtroops have some other paint on theirs, like Lw blue or so?

[Lasse L]

BTW: On the picture above of the FJ solider, what is that pacage he is holding in one hand? (The same hand as he holds a colt holster in)

[J Melvin]

Lasse, I think it is a carton of cigarettes by the shape of the package. The gasmask cannister can be either blue or green. Post photos when you get your display together!