The main personal field equipment of German infantrymen and military personnel of other foot units consisted of an interconnected system of items, designed to complement each other during operation. Despite the fact that many soldiers wore some kind of special equipment, the basic equipment was the same for all.
At the beginning of the war, the equipment consisted of a leather waist belt, to which it was hung from the front right and left by a cartridge bag. Shop bags for small arms of other types, except for the rifle (submachine guns, assault rifles), were included in the set of these weapons. The harness belts (adopted for equipping with the new knapsack in 1939) were attached to the belt from the back and front at the level of the cartridge bags. Thus, an integral set was obtained, consisting of a waist belt, a harness and two cartridge bags. The dry bag was attached to the waist belt at the back on the right, while the flask was worn over the “crackers”. The sapper's shoulder blade was also located on the belt behind the back, but on the left, over the shoulder blade, a scabbard for a bayonet-knife was attached. The gas mask, placed inside a tin cylindrical box, was hung on a separate strap over the left shoulder and fixed on the strap above the cracker bag. Several ways of wearing a gas mask have been proposed, depending on the specific characteristics of the service. The gas protection cape was stored in a bag attached to the belt of the gas mask box at chest levels. If a soldier did not carry a knapsack, then he attached the bowler hat to the "cracker", next to the flask, or hung it on a belt. A cape-tent (which combined a cape, overalls, and a tent) was usually attached to the harness above the flask.
Such equipment allowed the soldier to operate on the battlefield for 24 hours, since it contained ammunition, auxiliary weapons (bayonet), rations, water, a kettle and various useful little things. In addition, the equipment included items that facilitate the survival of a soldier on the battlefield: a gas mask, a gas protective cape, a sapper shovel and a raincoat.
Additional items of equipment were carried by soldiers in a combat backpack introduced shortly before the war. A small bag for additional items was suspended from the machine of the backpack, attached to the harness. A raincoat tent with accessories was also hung from the machine, and a bowler hat crowned the entire structure on top. Heavier items were kept in a knapsack in which soldiers usually carried spare underwear, warm clothing, rations and personal hygiene items.
The satchel was fixed with shoulder straps to the waist belt. Before the war itself, a model of a knapsack appeared, attached directly to the harness. Such a soldier's equipment was called marching equipment. In addition, the soldiers were given small linen sacks where the change of linen was kept. In combat conditions, the soldiers handed over their satchels and linen bags to the train.
The equipment system was organized in such a way that the unit commander had a lot of room to maneuver - each soldier went on a mission carrying any special equipment. Already during the war, additional elements of equipment were introduced and different ways of wearing it were envisaged - statutory and non-statutory ones, facilitating the use of equipment in battle.
German infantry in battles near Kharkov, autumn 1941. In the center of the picture, with his back to us, is the 3rd machine gun crew of the infantry squad. His outfit consists of a rusks bag worn clearly at the back, a flask and a bowler hat fastened to the “rusks”, a raincoat-tent and a shovel with a bayonet on his left side. In addition to the standard equipment, the soldier also carries a cover with two spare barrels and a cartridge box for the MG-34 machine gun. The photograph shows that in combat conditions, the soldiers wore their equipment as it was more convenient for them, and not as required by the regulations.
The field equipment of the Wehrmacht soldiers was comfortable and contained all the items needed in battle. The photo shows an example of wearing equipment; the tent cloak and bowler hat are attached to the rig of the combat backpack.
In the form, in addition to the external component, the functional is also important. A soldier of any country on the battlefield must be comfortably and practically uniform.
According to art critic M.R. Kirsanova, in war, they recognize friends and foes by their uniforms. S.V. Struchev, a costume designer, adds to this statement: “To see who to shoot at. Because the contact between the shooter and the enemy is visual. "
the USSR
The Red Army soldiers were well equipped at any time of the year. In the summer, caps and helmets were used. The most common was the SSh-40 helmet. Semyon Budyonny participated in its creation, checking the helmet with saber strikes and shooting from a revolver. In winter, earflaps with earflaps were introduced, which were well protected from frost. The lightweight uniform also included cotton gymnastics with breast welt pockets, wide trousers. Soldiers could store things in backpacks or duffel bags. They drank water from glass flasks suspended in a sack from a belt. Grenades were also worn on the belt - in special bags. In addition, the outfit included a bag for a gas mask and ammunition. Ordinary Red Army men wore raincoats that could be used as raincoats. In winter, the uniform was complemented by a sheepskin coat or wadded jacket with a quilted jacket, fur mittens, felt boots and wadded trousers.
The uniform of the Red Army seemed to have been thought out to the smallest detail: there was even a compartment for an ax in the 1942 duffel bag. This is how one of the Red Army soldiers described the condition of his clothes in a letter: "My clothes are pretty shabby and are of no value to the house." And so Professor P.M. spoke about the army uniform. Shurygin, participant of the Battle of Rzhev: “Soon we will receive quilted trousers, quilted jackets, warm underwear. With snow they will give boots. The material is solid, so you wonder where so much of this beautiful material comes from. " From the memoirs it is clear that the uniform of the Red Army soldier was of high quality and practical. Numerous pockets, ammunition bags made military life much easier.
Germany
The uniform of the German soldiers was sewn at the Hugo Boss factory. It included: a steel helmet with a double-sided cover, an overcoat, a gas mask case, a belt, rifle pouches, a raincoat, a bowler hat. The Wehrmacht's uniform was complete for European territory. The frosty Eastern Front demanded a completely different approach. During the first winter, the soldiers were freezing. We have already prepared for the second: insulated jackets, quilted trousers, as well as woolen gloves, sweaters and socks were introduced into the uniform. But that was not enough.
Despite the fact that the Soviet uniform was much heavier and easier to manufacture, it was considered more suitable for military operations in winter time... Yuri Girev, reenactor of the Eastern Frontier club, comments on the difference in the uniforms of the key powers as follows: “The uniform of a Red Army soldier was much warmer than the uniform of the Germans. Our soldiers wore barnyard boots on their feet. Boots with windings were used more often. " One of the German representatives of the Wehrmacht wrote in a message to his relatives: “Driving through Gumrak, I saw a crowd of our retreating soldiers, they weave in a wide variety of uniforms, wrapping all kinds of clothing around themselves, just to keep warm. Suddenly one soldier falls into the snow, others pass by indifferently.
Britannia
British soldiers wore field uniforms: a collared blouse or woolen shirt, a steel helmet, loose trousers, a gas mask bag, a holster with a long belt, black boots and overcoats. By the start of World War II, a new uniform had been adopted. The regular units of the British army received it last, because first it was necessary to uniform the recruits and those whose clothes had already lost their dignified appearance. In the course of the war, minor changes took place: the collar and other elements of clothing had a lining so that they would not rub coarse twill, buckles began to be produced with teeth.
Often, British soldiers had to wear a heavy tropal raincoat with a down lining. In order not to freeze, they wore knitted comforters under their helmets. Russian historian Igor Drogovoz praised the British uniform at its true worth: “The uniform of soldiers and officers of the British army has become a role model for all armies of Europe. Very soon the entire European military class began to dress in khaki tunics, and in boots with windings, Soviet soldiers took Berlin in 1945.
USA
The uniform of American soldiers is objectively considered the most comfortable and thoughtful for the conditions of the Second World War. They were guided by it even when developing uniforms in the post-war period. The uniform consisted of a woolen shirt, a light field jacket, trousers with linen leggings, low brown boots, a helmet or a garrison cap. All of these things have replaced the twill jumpsuit. All the clothes of the US soldiers differed in functionality: the jacket was fastened with a zipper and buttons, and was equipped with slotted pockets on the sides. The best outfit of the Americans was the Arctic set, consisting of a warm parka jacket and lace-up boots with fur.
Japan
During World War II, the Japanese had uniforms three types... Each of them included a uniform, trousers, an overcoat and a cape. For warm weather, a cotton version was provided, for cold weather - a woolen one. The outfit also included a helmet, boots or boots. For Japanese soldiers military operations in winter conditions are operations in the north of China, Manchuria and Korea. It was there that the most insulated form was used. Naturally, it was not suitable for the harsh climate, because it was an overcoat with fur cuffs, woolen quilted trousers and underpants. In general, it is difficult to call Japanese uniforms functional. It was only suitable for certain latitudes with a tropical climate.
Italy
During World War II, Italian soldiers wore a shirt and tie, a single-breasted tunic with a waist belt, breeches with windings or woolen socks-golfs, ankle-length boots. Some soldiers found it more comfortable to wear breeches. The uniforms were not suitable for winter campaigns. The overcoat was made of cheap coarse cloth, which did not warm at all in the cold. The army was not equipped with winter clothing. Insulated options were available only to representatives of the mountain troops. The Italian newspaper "Province of Como" in 1943 noted that only a tenth of the soldiers during their stay in Russia were equipped with a uniform suitable for this. In their memoirs, the fighters wrote that at times the temperature reached minus 42 degrees, so many died from frostbite, and not during military operations. The statistics of the Italian command report that in the first winter alone, 3,600 soldiers suffered from hypothermia.
France
French soldiers fought in colored uniforms. They were dressed in single-breasted tunics with buttons, double-breasted overcoats with side pocket flaps. The flaps of the greatcoat could be buttoned back to make it easier to walk. There were belt loops on the clothes. The foot troops wore coiled breeches. Headdresses were of three types. The most popular was the kepi. Adrian's helmets were also actively worn, which had an emblem depicted on the front. Apart from the looks, this helmet could hardly boast of anything else. It did not provide protection against bullets. In very cold weather, the French uniform expanded its range to a sheepskin sheepskin coat. Such clothes can hardly be called optimal for different weather conditions.
The best uniform of American soldiers has become the inspiration for all modern field clothing. It was distinguished by functionality and thoughtful appearance... They did not freeze in it, and this was one of the decisive factors in the war.
WORKFORMS OF CLOTHING OF LAND FORCES AND SPECIAL EQUIPMENT OF SAPER
1. German chief corporal in working uniform and garrison cap (sample 1938).
2. A soldier of a sapper battalion of an infantry division. Field uniforms arr. 1936 Edging of shoulder straps - military color. Waist belt - standard model, with sapper pouches. Wire scissors - in a leather case. Armament - M24 grenade, P08 Parabellum pistol and plate mines.
3. A sapper-flamethrower in a heat-resistant rubberized suit and a helmet with a mask. Armed with a backpack flamethrower mod. 1935 g.
1. A German military pastor in casual uniform. Officer's cap with purple piping. On the jacket there is a badge for injury and a pectoral cross.
2. Non-commissioned officer of the medical and sanitary service. Field uniforms arr. 1936. On the sleeves there is an armband with a red cross and a sign of a senior specialist. On the waist belt there are medical pouches and a flask. On the jacket there is a Grade 11 Iron Cross ribbon.
3. Platoon signalman. Field uniforms arr. 1936 with "swallow's nests" on the shoulders of the jacket. Pilot arr. (1938). Horn and drumsticks.
SUMMER FIELD JACKET
1. German non-commissioned officer in a field jacket (arr. 1936). On the head is a helmet (sample 1935) with a rim for attaching camouflage from leaves. The non-commissioned officer is wearing field binoculars, an officer's tablet, a biscuit bag, a gas mask, a flask, a raincoat in a roll-up. The officer is armed with an MP40 submachine gun.
2. German soldier in cotton uniforms (model 1943). On the head is a garrison cap (sample 1942). Helmet mod. 1942 with rope net. On the belt of the gas mask case there is a bag of mosquito cover. Standard infantry equipment with rifle pouches. The soldier is armed with a Mauser K98k carbine.
3. German machine gunner in a jacket mod. 1944 On the head - a field cap arr. 1943. On the waist belt there is a pouch for machine gun accessories. The machine gunner is armed with a MG42 machine gun.
WINTER FIELD JACKET
1. A German soldier in a guard overcoat (sample 1941) with leather flaps.
A cap with earflaps is worn on a woolen comforter-"pipe". Insulated winter boots. On the waist belt there are rifle pouches. The soldier is armed with a Mauser K98k carbine.
2. A German soldier in an elongated greatcoat (Model 1942) with a fastened hood. A fur-trimmed field cap of a non-statutory model. The "pipe" liner covers half of the face. Guard bots. Armament - captured Soviet machine gun PPSh.
3. German soldier in an overcoat (sample 1936). There is a camouflage cover on the helmet. Comforter-cut ". Snow goggles. Winter boots. Standard infantry equipment with rifle pouches. Gas mask and bag with anti-perspiration cape.
JOINTING FOR GERMAN OFFICERS AND GENERALS
1. German chief lieutenant in a cotton field jacket (model 1943).
Field officer's cap. Breeches. Binoculars, officer's tablet, officer's waist belt with automatic pouches. On the jacket - the Iron Cross of the 1st class and the Badge of the participant in assault attacks. Armament - MP40 submachine gun.
2. Major General in a military jacket mod. 1936 General's cap. Breeches with stripes. On the jacket there is an Iron Cross of the 1st class with fastening of 1939 and the straps of the Iron Cross of the II class. Military Merit Cross II class with swords, the so-called "Eastern medal" (for the winter campaign of 1941-1942) and Medals for length of service.
3. Ober-lieutenant in an officer's overcoat and cap. Armament - Walter P38 pistol.
GERMAN SUMMER CAMOUFLAGE JOINTS
From left to right:
1. German soldier in mesh camouflage. Field uniform (sample 1943). Helmet mod. 1942 with rope net. Equipment - rifle pouches, bayonet-knife, gas mask with anti-perspiration cape. The soldier is armed with a Mauser K98k carbine.
2. A German soldier in a raincoat (model 1931). There is a camouflage cover on the helmet. On the waist belt there are automatic pouches with a pocket for the equipment mechanism. Armament-grenade М24 and submachine gun МР40.
3. German soldier in camouflage anorak blouse (model 1942). On the helmet - leafy camouflage. Standard infantry equipment with rifle pouches, small sapper shovel, gas mask. Armament - Mauser carbine K98k and "Panzerfaust" 30 m (type 2).
4. Steel helmet (model 1942) with wire mesh.
GERMAN WINTER CAMOUFLAGE COATS
1. A German non-commissioned officer in a double-sided insulated suit, in a helmet painted with white paint, with a comforter - a pipe. " Binoculars, flashlight, bowler hat, automatic pouches. Winter boots. Armament - submachine gun MP40.
2. A German soldier in a two-piece winter camouflage suit. On the cap (sample I938). wearing a woolen scarf confiscated from the civilian population. Soldier is armed with M24 and M39 grenades, Mauser carbine K98k.
3. A soldier in a winter camouflage blouse. A piece of white cloth is attached to the helmet with an elastic band or string. Headphones. Overcoat arr. 1940 Guard boats. Armament - Mauser carbine K98k.
RIGGING OFFICERS OF THE GENERAL STAFF, COMMUNICATIONS AND MOTORCYCLISTS
1. German captain - chief of reconnaissance of the division (3rd officer of the General Staff). Officer's field jacket (model 1936 with aiguillette. Cap with crimson edging. Breeches with crimson edging. On the jacket there is a badge for injury and straps of the Iron Cross II class and "Eastern medal".
2. A German soldier of the telephone-cable company of the communications battalion of the infantry division with a reel of light cable. Field uniform (sample 1936). Pilotka (sample 1938). The edging of the shoulder straps and the corner on the garrison cap are military color.
3. Motorcyclist in a rubberized raincoat. Steel helmet with goggles. Waist belt with rifle pouches. On the neck - a gas mask with an anti-seizure cape.
You need two lengths of fabric. Then you can sew two such raincoats.
The Zeltbahn 31 raincoat was a waterproof raincoat made of thick, water-repellent cotton fabric and was used everywhere.
The Zeltbahn 31 raincoat was shaped like a triangle 203x203x240 cm It had a broken glass camouflage pattern on both sides, darker on one side and lighter on the other.It had 62 metal buttons sewn to it, 31 on each side, and it had 30 loops. In the middle, it had a slot with a double flap.
A simplified, modern version of the Zeltbahn 31:
With the help of loops and buttons, it could be fastened in several ways, thereby creating maximum protection in various conditions.
Four tents could be combined into one large four-person tent.
In general, it is rather strange - our army took over the German bowler (the Red Army entered the war with a soldier's copper bowler from the First World War, which was just a saucepan with a bow). The modern Russian army bowler hat is an exact copy of the German bowler hat (by the way, the Czech-style bowler hat is more convenient than the German one). But the German water bottle is not. And it is more convenient than ours, tk. closed on top with a mug. You don't need to have a mug separately. The German flat three-light flashlight under the KSF brand was adopted, but the raincoat was not adopted.
Central Material Service of the Army all the time he invents some kind of backpack bags, suitcase bags, field portable kitchens for 5-10-20 people (who will wear them and how?). And the soldier, as he dragged his things in an orphan sidor, and drags, like a mok in an outdated raincoat-tent, and gets wet.
Zeltbahn and Zeltausrüstung (Tent Quarter and Tent Equipment)
During the First World War, the Zeltbahn was invented by the Austrians, then the Zeltbahn 31 went into service with the Germans and remained with the Swedes as the Zeltbahn M39.
The Zeltbahn 31 was originally known as the "Warei" type and replaced the old 11 year gray square raincoat.
The new raincoat-tent had a triangular shape, was made of tightly woven gabardine, and due to this it was not wet.
There were three ways to wear a raincoat as a raincoat: an option for an infantryman, a horseman, and a cyclist.
Initially, the cloak-sample of 31 years old was painted in the color feldgrau (field gray), but by 1939, most military units used raincoat-tents with "comminuted" camouflage.
One side of the tent was covered with dark camouflage (dunklerer Buntfarbenaufdruck), on the other side with light camouflage (hellerer Buntfarbenaufdruck).
Towards the end of the war, raincoats appeared with dark camouflage on both sides. In North Africa, the continental version of the raincoat was mainly used, there was also a special tropical version, which was painted greenish yellow or light beige on both sides, but it was produced in limited quantities.
Two sides of the raincoat-tent of the new design were 203 cm long, and the third side was 240 or 250 cm long. There were 12 buttons and loops along the short sides. Along the wide side were six steel-edged holes through which a tension rope passed, and six buttons were sewn over the holes.
Buttons and loops on the short sides served to connect several raincoats into one large tent, and the size of the tent depended on the number of combined panels.
When the raincoat was used as a cape, the holes and buttons at the base of the cloth allowed the cloak to be fastened around the soldier's legs. In the center of the panel there was a slot for the head, closed by two overlapping flaps.
At first, a clip-on hood was issued with a raincoat, but soon it was no longer used.
In each corner of the panel there was a large hole, edged with metal, with the help of these holes, the tent was fixed with pegs or a rope was passed through them, depending on the type of tent being erected.
One or two raincoats could serve as a simple blanket, four panels tied together made it possible to set up a pyramidal standard four-person tent. In addition, a special illustrated guide to the use of the 31-year-old raincoat contained standard designs for eight- and sixteen-person tents.
Standard installation kit tents (Zeltausrustung) included:
- black two-meter rope (Zeltleine)
- dismountable wooden post (Zeltstock)
- with metal lugs (consisting of four connecting pieces, each piece is 37 cm long)
- two pegs (Zeltpflocke)
A special bag was intended to carry these items. The sack was sewn from gabardine or thin "comminuted" camouflage canvas, field gray (feldgrau), gray, olive green, greenish yellow (tropical version), brown or beige. The top of the bag was closed with a flap, which was fastened with one or two buttons.
Originally on the bagthere were two leather straps with which the bag was attached to other items of equipment, and then the straps gave way to leather loops.
Tent pegs could be of various shapes, and light metal alloys, steel, or impregnated wood were used to make them. In the upper part of each peg there was a hole through which a rope was threaded, if necessary, to facilitate the extraction of the peg from the ground.
Cloak - could be worn by attaching with the help of additional. belts to a waist belt, harness, to a knapsack or combat backpack in the form of a roll (with or without a blanket).
Due to an acute shortage of materials, in 1944, raincoats were issued only to selected field units. In limited numbers, other raincoats were used, including captured Italian camouflage patterns of 1929 and square Soviet dirty olive colors.
In addition to its main functions as a raincoat and a tent panel, a sample of 31 years old could be used in a number of other cases:
- as an individual camouflage cape for military personnel and military equipment; as a blanket or pillow;
- as a floating craft for overcoming water obstacles (one or two folded raincoats stuffed with branches or hay);
- as an improvised means for carrying the wounded or items of ammunition in combat conditions;
- for carrying garbage in time construction works;
- as the simplest field table.
In addition to the above-described cloak-tent of the 31-year-old model, the German army used a number of other army tents of various designs, including special staff and medical tents.
 
|
 
|
 
|
Heinrich Hofmann made zelt of 1941 vintage.
