Uniforms in the Twilight War

[Legbreaker]

My guess is that commanders would try their best to ensure all their soldiers were wearing similar clothing if they couldn't get exactly the same to reduce the chance of fratricide. More importantly, helmets and other easily recognisable shapes would be important - using captured enemy helmets and weapons is a recipe for getting shot in poor light conditions.

In Europe this may mean that camp followers are employed sewing uniforms, dying cloth, reloading precious brass for the standard issue weapons, raising sheep, scavenging cloth, etc.

In my mind if armies 200+ years ago could provide uniforms for their troops while on campaign, why shouldn't units in 2000 be able to employ similar techniques after a period of adjustment?

[Abbott Shaull]

Originally Posted by Legbreaker

My guess is that commanders would try their best to ensure all their soldiers were wearing similar clothing if they couldn't get exactly the same to reduce the chance of fratricide. More importantly, helmets and other easily recognisable shapes would be important - using captured enemy helmets and weapons is a recipe for getting shot in poor light conditions.

In Europe this may mean that camp followers are employed sewing uniforms, dying cloth, reloading precious brass for the standard issue weapons, raising sheep, scavenging cloth, etc.

In my mind if armies 200+ years ago could provide uniforms for their troops while on campaign, why shouldn't units in 2000 be able to employ similar techniques after a period of adjustment?

That is the what will have to happen for any military unit of any size to survive. There will be a lot of services that personnel of Brigades, Divisional, Corps, and Army level HQs will start incorporating more. There will be more and more troops at platoon, company and battalion levels that will be dual hatters. Who will spend part of their time while not in the field providing service to the rest of the unit, or some would become foragers of old.

[Raellus]

Originally Posted by Legbreaker

In Europe this may mean that camp followers are employed sewing uniforms, dying cloth, reloading precious brass for the standard issue weapons, raising sheep, scavenging cloth, etc.

In my mind if armies 200+ years ago could provide uniforms for their troops while on campaign, why shouldn't units in 2000 be able to employ similar techniques after a period of adjustment?

I agree. Civilians in well-established cantonments would be employed carrying out support tasks for the forces stationed there, including uniform repair and- if facilities are available- basic uniform manufacture.

[dragoon500ly]

Originally Posted by Legbreaker

My guess is that commanders would try their best to ensure all their soldiers were wearing similar clothing if they couldn't get exactly the same to reduce the chance of fratricide. More importantly, helmets and other easily recognisable shapes would be important - using captured enemy helmets and weapons is a recipe for getting shot in poor light conditions.

In Europe this may mean that camp followers are employed sewing uniforms, dying cloth, reloading precious brass for the standard issue weapons, raising sheep, scavenging cloth, etc.

In my mind if armies 200+ years ago could provide uniforms for their troops while on campaign, why shouldn't units in 2000 be able to employ similar techniques after a period of adjustment?

And its a "gimme" that those soldiers too badly wounded for field service would be used to oversee or take part in this process....and free up an able-bodied soldier for the front line.