Frag Out! Magazine

We started from sewing the uniform replicas from … woollen fabric bought from the polish producer, at the polish dressmaker's, sewing shoes by the Polish shoemaker, and first and foremost, from manufacturing a weapon replica and elements of the outfitting. in general, most of the equipment which we wear is original and there is no greater problem with the purchases from united states although the prices can be enormous. the equipment replicas are for sure cheaper, but their quality is different (with an indication of the poor one), whereas it is not about a fidelity of the representation which is generally good, but about a durability. so, frequently an original of the cavalry belt is more endurable and stronger despite that 90 years lasted from the moment of its manufacturing than any far east replicas. in relations to the uniforms, a problem does not consist in their availability, because there is a great deal of them and they often are in the outstanding condition, but in their price (the amounts can reach to the level, e.g. $750 for a uniform jacket) and in the available size range! really, a purchase of the uniform from 1917 for a man with a height of 175-180 cm is almost impossible. and even one managed to buy it, it is a pity to make it dirty in the trenches – so, remain only the parades and dress up in it a mannequin from the collection. the primary armament of the doughboy was a bolt action springfield m1903 rifle. acquiring an appropriate replica – as we have mentioned – is almost impossible, and these which are available not only cost a myriad, but also appear in the later production versions, which are not suitable for the period re-enacted by our group. When it comes to the deactivated weapons – it is a difficult issue in our country. although in all a matter of the deactivated weapon from the period which interests us is childishly simple – just it is not included in the offer of the companies which sell a product lines from this period. the rav gun company helped us, or as a matter of fact, a man who is a jack of all trades and conjures up from wood marvellous items. thus we are the owners of the fabulous replicas of this rifle – the only their disadvantages consist in fragility and crumbliness of the structure and mass (they are very light, and this – contrary to appearances – can be noticed in the reconstructions, and even on the photos), but still one cannot have all at once. in the plans for this year there is an order for the manufacturer of the replicas to made them from steel, so it is getting better. We have one copy of the weapon manufactured by this small company – the mle 1915 chauchat light machine gun. a replica is made meticulously and with fidelity, according to the original, both in terms of the appearance, and technology. if it comes to the field gear, we have at our disposal a few copies of the gas masks – a french made m2 replica made by our group member. certainly, there is also a lot of the replicas of the small personal items made by the members of our group which were used on a daily basis: chewing gums, packaging, boxes and many other small items, without which no soldier could do without during the war. a debut of the group (not taking into account some minor appearances) took place in july 2013 when we participated in "the hell of the trenches" project organised by fort gerhard in Świnoujście, Poland. our seven member unit had an opportunity to play during a staging a few elements which are characteristic for the trench War, such as a simulation of the attack with the gases or conducting an attack to the enemy trenches with a support of the renault ft17 tanks. now, we are after our ninth trip and we have an appetite for organising the further. during our meetings we also conduct trainings on the basic military craft which should be mastered by every doughboy. a list includes a drills with the rifle, infantry unit tactics or using the anti- gas protection equipment. an assumption of our project is an openness for the cooperation with persons from different environments and working in a spirit of companionship. now, we have twelve members, and a recruitment process is continued. www.fragoutmag.com

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