Broadsword Calling Danny Boy, Broadsword Calling Danny Boy

German Infantry, Germans in Greatcoats, Late War Germans

Item Colour Vallejo Model Colour
Helmet Dark Grey German Dk Grey 70.995,
Uniform Field Grey German Field Grey WW2 70.830
Uniform (variant early war) Reed Green German Uniform 70.920
Greatcoat Field Grey German Field Grey WW2 70.830
Webbing Black Black 70.950
Bread Bag, Shovel Cover Khaki Green Russian Uniform 70.924
Gasmask Tin, Canteen Dark Green German Dark Green 70.896
Canteen (late war) Khaki Yellow Desert Yellow 70.977
Water bottle Cover Brown German Camo Red Brown 70.826, Flat Brown 70.984
Water bottle Lid & strap Black Black 70.950
Anklets / Gaiters Dark Green German Dark Green 70.896
Boots Black Black 70.950

Introduction
This guide will help you to quickly paint units of soldiers to look good on a war games table. Uniform notes, paint references and painting tips are included.

Historical Notes
Uniform
Uniforms were produced in field grey (Feldgrau) but the colour changed during the war years. At the start, it was a dark grey with a blue green tone. Towards the end of the war, cloth supplies were limited so many variations ranging from mid grey to brownish grey were used. Late war variations can
be made by mixing grey or brown to the standard shade.

Vehicles in the early war period were grey. From 1943 onwards, new vehicles were painted in yellow ochre. Camouflage was added using red brown and dark green. Metal items such as heavy weapons, ammunition boxes and mess tins were grey in the early period and ochre in the late period. However, even towards the end of the war, grey items were still common.

Bread bags and anklets were produced in field grey but being cotton faded rapidly. Water bottles had a black painted aluminium cup which served as the lid and a brown wool cover.

Squad Organisation and Equipment
Insignia
German army soldiers wore Heer symbols on the collar. In the early war period, this went on a dark green patch but later, it was onto grey fabric. These can be simulated by painting a small white = symbol on the collar.

On the left breast the eagle symbol was worn. This can be painted in white or light grey. The same was often on the front of cloth caps.

Shoulder boards were black with coloured piping on the edge
Artillerie (artillery) – Red
Aufklärungs (reconnaissance) – Yellow
Feldgendarmerie (field police) – Orange
Infanterie (infantry) – White
Jäger/Gebirgsjäger (light infantry/mountaineer) – Light Green
Panzergrenadier (armored/motorized infantry) – Dark Green
Pionier (engineer) – Black
Sanitäter/Artz (medic/doctor) – Cornflower Blue
Panzerjäger (tank destroyer) -Pink
Panzer (black wool center w/pink piping; same as SS).