cabinet du austin le 30 aout 14 as des cOEurs maquis secretariat particulier This letter contains some background information on the unit and equipment requirements. We portray a French Resistance group, or maquis, as they would have been during the last months of 1943 and early 1944. The maquis we represent, le As de Coeurs, (the Ace of Hearts), did exist. The group was part of the Corréze area FFI during the D-Day invasion. The Ace of Hearts is recorded as being one of the groups whose actions delayed the German 2nd SS Division (Das Reich) by 17 days as it made its way from the south of France to the invasion beaches. The maquisards attacked armored columns, sabotaged trains and tracks and communicated the enemy’s position to England, so they could be attacked from the air. Recruits are encouraged not to buy anything before finding out if it can be used or not! MiniMuM RequiRed equipMent The following items can be either German, French or British military, or period civilian. 1. Boots or shoes 2. Pants, trousers or overalls 3. Shirt, with or w/o collar, and/or a sweater 4. Belt or suspenders 5. Black French beret or cap, no flash 6. Equipment bag 7. Canteen 8. Weapon 9. ID card unacceptable iteMs 1. American uniforms, equipment or weapons, except for pre-1945 Gov’t Model.45’s. 2. Modern military style berets 3. Complete uniforms, Allied or Axis. 4. Clothing, gear or weapons used exclusively on the Russian Front. 5. Modern tents, wristwatches, sun or eyeglasses, etc. Neatly trimmed moustaches and beards are permitted. Long hair is permitted for women only. Female unit members may not wear makeup, earrings or nail polish in the field. Our impression is of French civilians, in France, 1943-’44, living in a permanent armed camp. It helps to look at original photos, and try to match the clothing styles. Here are a few tips to help: Boots or shoes - British low-quarter boots are best. Swiss Gebirgsjaeger boots are OK. Modern black U.S. army captoe boots are OK for first-timers only. Any ‘30’s-’40’s style civilian shoe with leather soles. Pants, trousers or overalls - Pants (summer) should be loose fitting, of light cotton, dark, earth toned colors or khaki preferred. Winter pants should be wool, German or British battledress preferred. (Postwar Brit battledress pants must be modified with a thigh and dressing pocket. German wools can be found, but run about $100. Shirt, with or w/o collar, (no T-shirts) or sweater (not Army issue). Khaki cotton shirts with epaulets and long or short sleeves are OK. German (Swiss) wool sleepshirts are OK. Preferably earth-tone colors. Leather jerkin - (Optional) Wear these over your shirt or sweater. Available from Mass Army-Navy catalog ($59.95) or Quonset Hut ($40.00), they are postwar Belgian, but are modified to look wartime British by replacing the brass buttons with large brown plastic or wooden ones from a cloth store. Belt or suspenders - British issue trouser braces OK. German belts and buckles (worn upside down), or civilian leather belt with an everyday belt buckle. Black French beret or cap, no flash (insignia). These are solid wool, without leather edging. Equipment bag - Any kind of period military bag, for example a prewar French gas mask bag, Ger man bread bag or British small/large pack is fine. Civilian bags ok in earth-tones with long straps. Tents - German and French postwar tents are OK, talk to other unit members first. Brit tents are ok. Rifles: Mauser KAR 98 or Gewehr M98’s; British Enfield No. 1 Mk III SMLE, No. 1 Mk III pattern 14’s and No. 4 Mk I’s; French Model 1886 Lebel, 1936 MAS and Berthier carbines (note: French weapons are hard to find blanks for!). Prewar civilian rifles and shotguns are ideal (approved individually). Machine guns: British Sten Mk II’s and Bren guns preferred. German MG’s and MP’s are welcome and are considered “captured”. Thompson SMG’s are OK. Don’t forget your Class 3 papers. Handguns: .455 Webley or Enfield .380 British service, MAB Model D’s, P 38’s, P 08’s (Luger), PPK’s, P 35’s (Browning Hi-Power) and 1911 or 1911-A1 .45’s. Prewar civilian handguns are approved individually. (Finding blanks is a problem for some of these handguns.) Personal items - cups, watches, pocketknives etc., should be a period type, and as authentic as possible. Scarves (or British sniper veils) are also handy for camouflage, use it over your head to hide your face and beret, and your silhouette. Carte d’Identité - You will need to carry an ID card at all times. If you have to hide your gear and be a civilian, it might save your life. Contact Page Gordon at ffi65@yahoo.com and she’ll send you an ID card .pdf file., and instructions on how to fill it out. If your impression needs travel papers, a bicycle license, or a work permit she can help with that too. “Captured” gear -Anything a German has, you can have. Don’t get carried away, however. A weapon or one article of German clothing is the limit. German gear (mag pouches, breadbags, etc.) can be worn, but keep in mind the danger of wearing military gear, it will probably get you shot, by us by mistake, or by the Germans on purpose. Since we will be camping, you will need to bring a tent, bedding, a flashlight, TP, water, eating utensils, food, a towel and whatever small things you need. These things do not need to be authentic, since you can leave them out of sight in your tent. Other luxuries include a cot, padding to sleep on, a sleeping bag, a cooler with ice, and a camp chair or box (which does need to be authentic). You will need a mug of some kind, brown enameled ones are OK, or just tin. I usually carry a tin of sardines and large slices of bread and brie to eat for lunch. A bottle of vin ordinaire (wine) or Calvados is always welcome (in camp). It is best to arrive Friday night. If you come in on Saturday you must be on site, pay the battle fee, be in uniform, with all your gear at 8:00 am. You must be present at formation for the Safety Inspection, or you will not be allowed on the field. For more information on the Resistance, find these books: The French Resistance 1940 - 1944, by Raymond Aubrac Is Paris Burning, Collins and LaPierre The Resistance, Time Life