French Resistance Authenticity Regulations

There was a great diversity of clothing, equipment and arms among French resistors. Some groups were able to institute almost military uniformity in their kit, while many others had to make do with anything they could lay their hands on to have any hope of fighting the Germans. In general, resistance groups in the south were luckier as they were able to requisition material from Vichy stockpiles. Northern groups such as those in Brittany and Normandy were dependent on Allied supplies and in consequence were less uniform and more civilian-looking until after D-Day.

Resistance reenactors at D-Day Conneaut portray a maquis group as it would have looked in Normandy in June 1944. Take into consideration that France is a large nation with many different cultures and climates. Styles differed greatly between citydwellers in Paris and peasants in rural Normandy, between sunny Provence in the south and cold, rainy Brittany.  Think about what type of resistor you are portraying and where they are from as you create your impression.

Above all else, remember that a civilian or resistance impression is no excuse for poor research. Reenactors who do not meet these standards will not be allowed to participate. Do not wear any polyester, denim, or synthetic fabrics! Just because the Resistance did not have uniforms does not mean that researching what you should wear is optional. A good impression is a lasting one; a bad impression is infinite.

Inspection

There will be an authenticity committee inspection for each participant. Anyone who does not pass the inspection may be considered to be ineligible to participate in battles, camp activities,  activities at the farm building, and skits.

General

Armbands

Soldiers without a uniform were liable to be shot as unlawful combatants by German forces. Therefore resistance members wore armbands (brassards in French) to denote their combatant status. Reenactors may wear any style. Some common versions are shown below.

Weaponry

 The most widely used weapon of the Resistance was the Sten Mk II, of which over 85,000 were paradropped into France in 1944. Lee-Enfield SMLEs were also very common. However, there is a wide range of appropriate weaponry for the impression.

Handguns

French: St. Etienne Revolver Model 1892; Ruby automatics, 7.65mm Model 1935A/1935S Pistol

British: .455 or .38 Webley; .38 Enfield

German: P38; P08 (Luger); PPKs; P35 Browning Hi-Power

American: 1911 or 1911-A1 Government Model .45.

Others: Spanish Astras and Gaztañaga Destroyers

Rifles

British: Lee-Enfield SMLE or No. 4 (SMLE preferred)

German: Mauser K98, Gewehr M98

French: 1886 Lebel, Berthier rifles and carbines, MAS 36 (no postwar variants)

American: M1 Carbines, Springfield M1903, Enfield M1917

Other: Civilian hunting rifles and shotguns.

Submachine Guns and Machine Guns

British: Sten MkII, Bren Gun,

German: MP40, MG-34, MG-42

French: MAS 38, FM 24

Explosives

Reproduction, non-functioning British Mills bombs and Gammon bombs are best; German "potato masher" or American "pineapple"grenades are acceptable.

Not Allowed

Homemade guns, M1 Garands, and Soviet weaponry are forbidden. Italian weaponry should also be avoided. Some resistance groups were provided with Soviet weapons by deserters, but not in Normandy. Liberator pistols are allowed as a showpiece but it is doubtful they were ever dropped in France in numbers.

Women

There are a number of generalizations that we see in 1940's French women's fashion. Of course, fashion varied as much then as now, and a Breton woman living on a farm would presumably dress much differently than a Parisienne. These guidelines are simply to set you on the right course towards having an authentic impression; as always, it's best to supplement these guidelines with your own research of period documents and photos. 

Make do and mend - repaired and even stained garments would fit in well. If you're taking part in the battles/scenarios make sure you wear something you don't mind getting torn or dirty.

Dresses And Skirts

Polka dots, checkered square as well as flowers with big, small and tangled designs were common patterns for dresses. Length is just below or right at the knee.

• Wartime dresses and skirts have less fabric due to rationing, so no poofy skirts as they are postwar. A classic A-line skirt is the best way to go
• Cotton is material of choice since it's cooler, but wool and rayon and were also common
• No polyester or polyester blends. Stay away from elastic as most won't have the proper look
• Leather or cloth-covered belts were common on period dresses and pants, but not essential
• Closures (zippers, snaps or hooks and eyes) for dresses and skirts should always be metal and on the left side of the garment. Short neck zippers are correct. Most full back zippers are post war

Blouses

Blouses must be made only of natural fabric-cotton, wool, rayon or linen. No polyester or polyester blends. No elastic. Collared blouses were typical and often buttoned all the way up and paired with a three- quarter length or long-sleeved knit sweater, also only of natural fabric. Shoulders were sometimes made to look more prominent with shoulder pads (cotton only). No modern style blouses.

Pants

No pants for city dwellers and farm/village women as they were not common. Pants are acceptable for female Maquisards, although not preferable since they were less common. They must be high, flat-waisted, full-legged pants made of natural fabrics only-cotton, wool, rayon or linen. No polyester or polyester blends. No elastic. Closures (zippers, snaps or hooks and eyes) must be metal and on the left side of the garment. Shorts, which were less common than pants, have the same requirements.

Hats

Maquis camp: a 100% wool Basque beret is the common hat of choice usually in black, brown or dark blue.

Makeup

No makeup or nail polish.

Hair

Braids, snoods and buns are all easy options. No straight hair or ponytails.

Jewelry And Eyewear

Little jewelry (e.g. wedding band, watch) or no jewelry. Period correct jewelry and eyewear only. Wedding bands should be thin.

Footwear

100% Cotton or 100% wool socks and flat leather shoes (or shoes with a minimal heel) or leather boots to allow ease of movement. Avoid stockings as they will get torn. No modern-looking soles. Maquisards should wear either 100% cotton or 100% wool ankle socks or be bare-legged.

##VERY IMPORANT LADIES##

If you're taking part in the battles/scenarios as an armed combatant, then you are seen as a Maquis member and not part of the farm village. In keeping with this, it's very important that your color choices be limited to those that will blend in with the surroundings, i.e. browns, grays, blacks, and not loud, showy colors. As Maquis you would be hiding in the woods and doing your best to not attract attention.

Men

Physical Appearance

Clean-shaven is preferred. Mustaches are permitted but were not in fashion among younger men, beards are forbidden. Hair should be short on the back and sides but can be left longer on top.

Headgear

A French beret is good but a Basque beret is preferred (slightly larger than the French version, originated out of the Basque region of Spain) in black or navy; no insignia. Civilian only. "Newsboy Cap" of period material (tweed, cotton, or wool); not an "Irish" version of the style. A period correct fedora. French army wool sidecaps, WWII M26 French Adrian helmets or the rarer M35/37 helmet. No German, British, or American headgear. If you have a period haircut, no hat is also perfectly acceptable.

Shirts

Cotton or linen shirts, either with a wide collar (called hirondelle in French) or no collar (“grandfather” shirts). Peasants shirts usually were longer and only had buttons above the chest, while more modern shirts had buttons the full length of the shirt. White t-shirts and wifebeaters are good undershirts.

Both long and shortsleeve are fine. French m35 military shirts are also fine. No synthetic or polyester material. Checked “lumberjack” shirts are acceptable but were not common. You can find authentic vintage shirts on Etsy to get an idea of the appropriate cut.  

Jackets

Corduroy and moleskin jackets, French “bleus de travail” work clothes. Leather cyclist jackets (blousons de cycliste). British battledress jackets are fine. Wool sweaters or sweater vests are a good alternative to a jacket, worn with a collared shirt underneath.

Pants

Wool, cotton, or gabardine trousers with high waits and wide legs. Pleats and flat fronts were both popular. For a more military look, French army “golf” trousers or British battledress trousers are fine, but keep miliary clothing limited to either a jacket or trousers, not both. Pants should be worn with a belt as suspenders were no longer popular by the 1940s.

Period-correct shorts are acceptable and are very weather appropriate for Ohio in August! Shorts ended above the knee.

Shoes

1940s workshoes (brodequins), hiking boots, or civilian shoes.  Military options are British ammo boots, French m1917 boots, and German lowboots or jackboots. Vietnam-era US boots are not acceptable. Wear with long wool socks, which were often rolled down over the shoelaces.

Equipment

Most resistance groups were poorly equipped, so extra military equipment should be limited to one or two pieces. A captured German equipment belt worn with one set of leather pouches and de-Nazified buckle (swastika defaced or painted over), British P37 webbing pouches or canvas Enfield bandolier, a French alpine bag, German musette or British equipment bag. It is not inaccurate to have no equipment and carry spare ammo in your pockets.

Please do bring a canteen with water as the event is hot and you will be active during the battles.

Camp Gear

Personal Items

Enamelware, period correct cups and plates. French, British, or German canteens. Period-correct compasses, watches, eyeglasses. Straight or safety razor. Period-correct toothbrush, Vichy coins.

Misc. Military Gear

Bren gun pouches. British web gear. Period-correct British, French, or German ammo pouches. WWII British, German, or French bayonets. Civilian knives. British Fairbairn-Sykes (FS) commando knife. British map case. British or German medical kit.

Camp Gear

Wool blankets, civilian or military. French or British mess kits.

Tents

Tents must be appropriate to the WWII era, be they military or French civilian. Brush shelters recommended. British wartime tents. Tents made out of parachutes are authentic but hard to find. Canvas canopies approved individually. Military pup tents should be avoided, but can be accepted and should be covered with brown canvas. In general, contact the French Resistance organizer before bringing a tent in order to assure that there is space for it.

Transportation

A 1935 Citroen is preferable but we'll settle for 1930s and 1940s civilian and military bicycles.

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