Hi All,
Newish teritorry for me, but my son and I've decided to delve into WW2 axis (mainly, I think because he likes the look of Tiger 1 and 2's)
Now, my question.
I have some old German figures that I've kept to practice on, but not all of them have been practiced on.
Would German troops circa late '44 have gas mask cases and all their other equipment that earlier war figures would have?
TIA
Tom

Generally yes.
There were changes in the equipment carried by German troops in the later war years compared to the earlier campaigns though these were generally minor and would probably not affect your figures. Gas mask cases were carried in the later war years if for no better reason than they made good storage for a soldiers personal possesions. The Osprey series of books are good for reference, particularly in your case 'The German Army 1944-45 (Western Front) as this covers the changes in soldiers appearance from the early war years, though these are mostly in uniform rather than equipment.
If you listed the figures you are using perhaps it would help.

Hope this is of some use,

James

Thanks for your help James, unfortunately the figures are a hodgepodge of Tamiya and Dragon.
What got me wondering about the gas mask cannisters was the review posted by Henk on the "Panzergrenadiers, Arnhem 1944 Premium Edition" Gas mask cannisters aren't mentioned and can't be seen on the boxart.
I'll probably splash out on some new figures when the time comes.
TTFN
Tom

Hi Tom,
I wouldn't worry too much.
When building figures, especially late war ones, you have plenty of options, as while many troops would have carried theirs throughout the war, it is equally possible that some may have discarded theirs as being too clumbersome with the threat of gas being used by the allies almost non-existent.
Go with what looks right on the figure, I tend to imagine the circumstances in which the figure is living/fighting and almost give each one a slight personality, I find this can then influence how you portray the figure.
ie. One guy is young and fanatical and so carries all the proper gear and keeps it in good shape. Another soldier could be surrounded and in short supply and so carries extra ammo etc.
I find if you think like this they almost build themselves! Plus it might be fun for your son to give each guy his own little story and personality!

Hope that helps,

James

Well, the cases continued to be issued, though the gas cape, in a rectangular pouch worn on the front breast was dropped after the initial campaigns. As others said, few troops kept the gas mask itself, but the case was a nice waterproof container.

I've some photos in a unit history of 9th SS of soldiers as late as 1943-4 still carrying the gas cape! In some cases it was wrapped around the gas mask canister, rather than clipped to the cross strap. Generally, I'd say that the gas mask canister, if not the gas mask itself was worn right to the end. Some other points to ponder; the cup on the top of the water bottle changed to a smaller plastic one which being brittle often broke. Other changes to equipment generally reflected the different weapons being issued, viz the large curved pouches for the MP44, or the smaller square ones for the automatic files (Gew '43 etc). The bread bag seems to be unchanged. The entrenching tool also altered. Most Dragon sets give a good mix of the various styles. The biggest single change to the German soldiers appearance in the late part of the war was the widespread use of ankle gaiters & short boots (like the British style anklets, web), & the introduction of what is generally known as the M1944 service uniform, with a shortened tunic which was rather like British BD. However the older style uniforms were worn right to the end alongside them so this needn't be a worry. Plenty of pictures taken at Arnhem, still show the old marching boots in wear, even in combination with the SS camo suit, not in general use until 1944.