Clothing & Equipment II

Left: Red Army winter clothing. Both of these ‘Frontoviki’ are kitted out for bad weather. The figure on the left wears a M43 style ‘Shinel’ (greatcoat) and gloves. Figure on the right wears a full set of M35 ‘Telogreika’ (padded jacket and trousers). Like many in the Red Army he also wears civilian items, in this case the boots along with puttees made from strips of cloth.

 

Both wear ‘Ushankas’ the characteristic winter hat introduced after the Winter War against Finland in 1940. This used synthetic fur nicknamed ‘fish fur’ by the troops.

Right: More Red Army winter clothing. As well as the M43 ‘Shinel’, the soldier front right wears the M43 ‘Telogreika’. Like the M43 ‘Gymnastoika’, it has a high collar and can also be worn with shoulder boards.

 

The girl soldier in the middle wears a sheep skin coat ‘Shuba’ issued to frontline soldiers. On her head is she wears a cloth balaclava, usually worn with the helmet to insulate the wearer’s head from the cold metal.

Left: Officers: Far left is an original ‘Kitel’, from the Leningrad Siege museum. This was a jacket worn by officers as a ‘dress’ or ‘walking out’ uniform. Left is a lieutenant wearing an M35  ‘Gymnastoika’ with rank displayed on the collar and the sleeve chevron.  Right is the M43 ‘Gymnastoika’ with shoulder boards.

 

Peaked caps could be worn by all ranks of officers from Sergeant upwards, although officers also wore the ‘Pilotka’. The leather ‘Sam Browne’ style belt and map case was worn by all commissioned officers (lieutenant upwards) as a further sign that they held officer rank.