Guidelines for a
Common Soviet
Red Army Infantryman’s Impression

Uniforms

Tunic (gymnastiorka)--There were two models of the gymnastiorka; the M35 pattern and the M43. Both models were issued in a cotton and wool version.

The tunics are basically the same except for a few details. As minor as these details appear to the modern reenactor, at the time, the change between the two uniforms was caused by nothing so trivial as the threatened destruction of the Rodina (the Motherland).

The M35 gymnastiorka originally was designed after the Russian Civil War to get away from the hated uniform of the Czar’s Army. The new Soviet Government found it had to stay with the same materials that the Czar’s Army had to work with, but they devised a system that had no rank! Later, when it was discovered that rank was necessary in a military organization, a totally new system of ranks was devised. The M35 had a falling collar with the rank insignia patches sewn on the collar and sleeves.

The M43 gymnastiorka was basically a return to the Czarist uniform in use before the Revolution. Stalin had decided to “rehabilitate” it after the disastrous German invasion. The M43 has a standing collar with two buttons to close it. The enlisted gymnastiorka has no pockets while the officer-scum got two breast pockets. The soldier’s rank was now shown on the tunic’s shoulder straps; the return of this hated Czarist item was a major point of contention and many of the old Bolsheviks were against it. Stalin did this to give the soldiers a feeling of traditional attachment to the Red Army and so instill in them a patriotic desire to defend the Rodina.

Semi-Breeches (sharovari)--Made in cotton or wool of differing colors just like the gymnastiorka, the sharovari were cut full in the hips with a diamond shaped reinforcement on the knee.

Headgear

Sidecap (pilotka)--Standard khaki sidecap with a red enamel star insignia on the middle of the front seam. A real WWII star insignia is preferable--they can be recognized by their smaller hammer-and-sickle.

Cloth helmet (shlem or budionovka)--This is a pre- and early war hat, with a pointy top and side flaps. The nick-name “budionovka” comes from the hero of the Civil War (the Russian one, you durok!) Semyon Budenny.

Footwear

Jackboots (kirozoviy sapogi)--Either modern Soviet officer jackboots or East German type with the pebble-grain ironed out.

Military ankle boots with puttees--The boots must look military; no modern-style work boots are allowed.

Footwraps (portyanki)--Russian soldiers didn’t get issued socks--there are accounts of Soviet guards being amazed at the socks that German prisoner’s would knit for themselves. The wear of footwraps is an art. Ask me for info if you want to try these.

Field Equipment

M40 Helmet--Painted olive or forrest green, sometimes with a red star painted on the front.

Belt--Either a standard leather model with a roller buckle, a late-war web model or the M43 style belt and buckle.

Ammo pouches--For a rifleman, usually two--the rubberized canvas models are the easiest to find and the cheapest. If you have a PPsH, you will need a drum mag pouch.

Canteen--Modern Soviet models are identical to WWII types.

Ground cloth/raincape (plashch-palatka)--This may be carried in a roll over one shoulder or worn in the classic Soviet cape style. Modern plashch-palatka are similar to those used during the Great Patriotic War models and may be used.

BN Gas Mask bag-- After the start of the war, the Soviet soldiers usually threw away the mask and used the bag to store personal items in. Khaki-colored Soviet gasmask bags with a leather strap on the outer flaps are acceptable.

Weapons

Mosin-Nagant M1891/30 Rifle--The basic weapon of the Red Army soldier. Caliber 7.62x54mm. Very easy to find ammo for and are perfect for reenactors as they’re cheap! The bayonet for the Mosin-Nagant was usually carried reveresed on the barrel, as scabbards for them were quite rare.

SVT-40 Tokarev Semi-automatic Rifle--Caliber 7.62x54mm. Somewhat rare during the war and cantankerous to care for. If you get one, have a gunsmith look at it first!

Mosin-Nagant M1944 Carbine--A shorter version of the standard Mosin-Nagant rifle. It has an integral folding bayonet.

PPsH 41 Submachine-gun--When picturing the Soviet soldier of the Great Patriotic War, this is the weapon that is most associated with the victorious Red Army!

Optional Stuffs

Knapsack (veshchevoi myeshok)--An inexpensive item that is useful to carry stuff that’s too heavy for your gasmask bag and to carry gear to events in.

Messkit--Modern Soviet messkits are cheap and identical to the late-war style.

Eating Utensils--Get some! Better yet, steal a set from a Fascist soldier (whether he is alive or dead is optional).

Entrenching Tool--Optional if you want one. Get a real cover or a good repro. The shovel should be painted Soviet olive-green.

Grenade pouch--Holds two or three grenades on the belt.

Winter Wear

Fur Hat (shapka-ushanka)--Classical Russian fur hat made out of artificial fur (called “fish-fur” by the soldiers). Usually made in a khaki color.

Greatcoat--Brown Soviet “scratchy” wool type with hook and eye closures.

Padded Jacket (telogreika)--Made of a cotton material with a padded “sausage” quilting. Tan/brown or grey color--black is for tankers only! These are available from Brian Webster or,… Bobby Hoy makes good repros for about $175.

Padded trousers (vatnie sharovari)--Made the same as above.

Felt boots (valenki)--East German felt boots are good and cheap. You can iron-out the pebble-grain but it’s not really necessary.