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Call +1 (954) 464-3878
| HAIR: |
To fully immerse you into the tour, one component is length of hair. The US Army's 1940's hair standards were far different from civilians today. We at Normandy Drop Zone Tours want to ensure that everyone's experience is visually acceptable for the time period. We therefore ask that all tour participants utilize a short hair length of 1940's style as shown in the diagram's bottom, numbers 3 and 4. Tapered hair trimmed to the nape of the neck and around the ears so as to not touch the ears or collar meets this standard.
It must be mentioned that US Paratroopers did not have beards or mustaches. It is has been verified through period photographs that troopers in the field didn't place a priority on shaving; the emphasis was on the objective and survival. While shaving did occur, it wasn't a thought in the first days of the battle which is what your immersion experience is all about. We ask that you adhere to the 1940's hair standards, and start your immersion experience shaved and without mustache or beard. If you prefer not to shave during the week that is your choice - make it an afterthought like the paratroopers did.
Click HERE to see the acceptable standards.
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| PIERCINGS: |
Ear rings, nose rings, and any visually impacting piercings were not accepted in the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions embarking on the Invasion of Fortress Europe, and they are also not acceptable at Normandy Drop Zone Tours. Again, the emphasis is on authenticity and respect to the valiant men and women who fought and died in the Normandy Campaign, therefore we must ask that you respect them and others in your "stick," and "just say no" to piercings (or at least remove them for the entire tour).
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| DRESS STANDARDS: |
The correct uniform is of the utmost importance and is required for the immersion tour experience to be as realistic as humanly possible. While the paratrooper uniform is mandatory wear during the week for operations, you are free to wear your paratrooper jacket, pants, boots and garrison cap (if purchased) as much as you would like in the off hours, at the conclusion of each day's operations. There are however some exceptions and rules that must be adhered to pertaining to this. Your Tour Battlefield Guide(s) will cover this in depth during your orientation which will occur upon arrival at our CP in Normandy at the beginning of your trip.
Period dress also means that during the week of operations and during the briefings, travel, and operations themselves, you will be immersed into what it was like to be in Normandy in June 1944. This means, that unless directed by Normandy Drop Zone Tours staff, modern clothing, shoes, etc. will not be allowed to be worn. Remember, in June 1944, there are no photographs of men jumping into Neuville-au-Plain in Nike® running shoes, wearing Ralph Lauren® jackets, or Levi® jeans. Those types of clothes can be worn during the trip, however not during the "experience" phases of your tour. There is a time and place for your modern or "civilian" clothes. Your "packing tips" document will assist in what to choose to bring and wear on your trip. |
| EQUIPMENT: |
Normandy Drop Zone Tours provides the basic paratrooper equipment for each traveler.
While we supply much of the needed equipment for the experience, the traveler has a responsibility to obtain, prior to departure, personal uniform pieces that are specific to each traveler. These uniform pieces are as follows: M42 Reinforced paratrooper jacket & Reinforced M-42 paratrooper pants, paratrooper jump boots, WWII 82nd Airborne shoulder patch or WWII 101st Airborne shoulder patch, and WWII canteen and cup. Please note that it is crucial that paratrooper jump boots be purchased, arrive, and be fully broken in at least 30 days prior to departure for Normandy. Boots that are not broken in can cause blisters and aggravating problems that could hamper the full enjoyment of the immersion experience. Below are three lists of equipment. The first is a list of equipment that we provide. The second list provides an accounting of items that you as a traveler will have to purchase or provide, and the third list is a recommended list of gear or items that you may want to consider purchasing or bringing to enhance your experience in the Bocage. We have negotiated discounts with a provider of World War II reproduction equipment and uniforms. These discounts can be passed along to you so you can realize savings while obtaining the quality equipment you may be looking for. We invite you to contact D-Day Quartermaster for all of your mandatory and extra equipment needs for your trip. Contact information for D-Day Quartermaster can be found below. |
| Quantity - 1: | US World War Two Configured Paratrooper Helmet, w/ Liner (w/net) |
| Quantity - 1: | Model M1936 Suspenders |
| Quantity - 1: | Model M1923 Garand Cartridge Belt |
| Quantity - 1: | TL-122B (or similar) Flashlight |
| Quantity - 1: | Carlisle Bandage Pouch |
| Quantity - 1: | M1910 or M1941 mounted canteen cover |
| Quantity - 1: | Mussette Bag |
| Quantity - 1: | Pair Felt Shoulder Pads |
| Quantity - 1: | 82nd Airborne Luminous Disc |
| Quantity - 1: | New Helmet Liner Sweat Band |
| Quantity - 1: | Rain Poncho |
| Quantity - 1: | Dummy M1 Garand Rifle w/sling |
| Quantity - 1: | Brown Paratrooper Jump Boots (1 pair) |
| Quantity - 1: | Reinforced M1942 Paratrooper Uniform (Jacket & Pants) |
| Quantity - 1: | Either WW2 82nd Airborne or 101st Airborne Paratrooper Jacket Shoulder Patch |
| Quantity - 1: | Canteen and cup (Can be authentic or reproduction) |
| Quantity - 1: | EM (Enlisted Men's) Trouser Belt for paratrooper pants |
| Quantity - 1: | EM (Enlisted Men's) Wool Shirt or similar shirt |
| Quantity - 1: | Pair Rank Chevrons for shirt or Jump Jacket |
| Quantity - 1: | Trouser Suspenders for paratrooper pants |
| Quantity - 1: | Paratrooper Garrison Cap |
| Quantity - 1: | Paratrooper Leather Gloves |
| Quantity - 1: | Jeep Knit cap |
