Weapons and equipment of Wehrmacht soldiers. How was the uniform of the Red Army better than the uniform of German soldiers? Methods of using the German raincoat tent

In addition to the external component, the functional component is also important. A soldier of any country on the battlefield must be comfortably and practically equipped.
According to art critic M.R. Kirsanova, in war they recognize friend and foe by their uniform. S.V. Struchev, a costume designer, complements this statement with the following: “So that you can see who to shoot at. Because the contact between the shooter and the enemy is visual.”

USSR

The soldiers of the Red Army were perfectly equipped at any time of the year. In summer, caps and helmets were used. The most common helmet was the SSH-40. Semyon Budyonny participated in its creation, testing the helmet by hitting a saber and firing a revolver. In winter, hats with earflaps with earflaps were introduced, which provided good protection from the frost. The lightweight uniform also included cotton tunics with breast welt pockets and trousers. Soldiers could store things in backpacks or duffel bags. They drank water from glass flasks suspended in a bag from a belt. Grenades were also worn on the belt - in special bags. In addition, the uniform included a bag for a gas mask and cartridges. Ordinary Red Army soldiers wore raincoats that could be used as raincoats. In winter, the uniform was complemented by a short fur coat or a padded jacket with a padded jacket, fur mittens, felt boots and cotton pants.

The Red Army uniform seemed to have been thought out to the smallest detail: the 1942 model duffel bag even had a compartment for an ax. 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 for the house.” And this is what Professor P.M. said about the army uniform. Shurygin, participant in the Battle of Rzhev: “Soon we will have quilted trousers, padded jackets, and warm underwear. They will give you felt boots with snow. The material is good quality, so you wonder where so much of this wonderful material comes from.” From the memories it is clear that the Red Army uniform was of high quality and practical. Numerous pockets and bags for ammunition made military life much easier.

Germany

The uniforms of German soldiers were sewn at the Hugo Boss factory. It included: a steel helmet with a double-sided cover, an overcoat, a gas mask case, a sword belt, rifle pouches, a raincoat, and a bowler hat. The Wehrmacht uniform was complete for European territory. The frosty Eastern Front required a completely different approach. During the first winter, the soldiers were freezing. They had already prepared for the second: insulated jackets, quilted trousers, as well as woolen gloves, sweaters and socks were introduced into the uniform. But this 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. Reenactor of the Eastern Frontier club Yuri Girev 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 cowhide boots on their feet. Boots with tapes were used more often.” One of the German representatives of the Wehrmacht wrote in a message to loved ones: “Driving through Gumrak, I saw a crowd of our retreating soldiers, they trudged along in a wide variety of uniforms, wrapping all sorts of items of clothing around themselves, just to keep warm. Suddenly one soldier falls into the snow, others pass by indifferently.”

Britannia

British soldiers wore a field uniform: a collared blouse or wool shirt, a steel helmet, loose trousers, a gas mask bag, a holster on a long belt, black boots and an overcoat. By the beginning of World War II, a new uniform was adopted. The regular units of the British Army were the last to receive it, because first it was necessary to equip recruits and those whose clothes had already lost their decent appearance. As the war progressed, minor changes occurred: the collar and other elements of clothing were lined to prevent the rough twill from chafing, and buckles began to be made with teeth.

It was not uncommon for British soldiers to wear a heavy down-lined tropal raincoat. To keep warm, they wore knitted balaclavas under their helmets. Russian historian Igor Drogovoz appreciated the British uniform: “The uniform of soldiers and officers of the British army became a role model for all armies of Europe. The entire European military class very soon began to dress in khaki jackets, and Soviet soldiers took Berlin in boots with tapes 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 included a woolen shirt, a light field jacket, trousers with linen leggings, low brown boots, a helmet or cap. All these things have replaced the twill jumpsuit. All clothing of US soldiers was distinguished by its functionality: the jacket was fastened with a zipper and buttons, and was equipped with cut-out pockets on the sides. The best equipment for the Americans was the Arctic set, consisting of a warm parka jacket and lace-up fur-lined boots.

Japan

During World War II, the Japanese had three types of uniforms. Each of them included a uniform, trousers, an overcoat and a cape. A cotton version was provided for warm weather, and a wool version for cold weather. The uniform set also included a helmet, boots or boots. For Japanese soldiers, military operations in winter conditions- These are operations in northern China, Manchuria and Korea. It was there that the most insulated uniform was used. Naturally, it was not suitable for the harsh climate, because it consisted of overcoats with fur cuffs, quilted woolen trousers and long johns. In general, it is difficult to call Japanese uniforms functional. It was suitable only for certain latitudes with a tropical climate.

Italy

Italian soldiers during World War II wore a shirt and tie, a single-breasted jacket with a waist belt, tapered trousers with wraps or woolen socks, and ankle boots. Some soldiers found it more comfortable to wear breeches. The uniform was not suitable for winter campaigns. The overcoat was made from cheap, coarse cloth, which did not provide any warmth in the cold. The army was not equipped with winter clothing. Only representatives of the mountain troops had insulated options. The Italian newspaper Province of Como noted in 1943 that only a tenth of the soldiers during their stay in Russia were equipped with a suitable uniform. In their memoirs, the soldiers wrote that at times the temperature reached minus 42 degrees, so many died from frostbite, and not during combat operations. Statistics from 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 jackets with buttons and double-breasted overcoats with side pocket flaps. The coat tails could be buttoned back to make walking easier. The clothes had belt loops. Foot troops wore breeches with windings. There were three types of hats. The most popular was the cap. Adrian's helmets, which had an emblem on the front, were also actively worn. Apart from its appearance, this helmet could hardly boast of anything else. It did not provide protection from bullets. In very cold weather, the French uniform expanded its range to a sheepskin coat. Such clothing can hardly be called optimal for different weather conditions.

The best uniform of American soldiers became the prototype for all modern field clothing. It was distinguished by functionality and thoughtful appearance. They didn’t freeze in it, and this was one of the decisive factors in the war.

Raincoat tents (English: waterproof cape) are wearable camping tent items intended for one person. The material for their execution, as a rule, is waterproof fabric, which simultaneously plays the role of both a raincoat and a tent. In case of special need, they can also be used as stretchers or drags for transporting soldiers wounded in battle or sick.

From the history of the origin of raincoats

It is known that in 1882, raincoats were a mandatory attribute of soldiers' camping equipment. This cloak looked like a light gray bundle that soldiers wore over their shoulders and tied with belts to their overcoat rolls. The set of tents included wooden pegs and poles that were pushed between the tents and the rolls.

It should be noted that for that time this was a revolutionary decision. For the first time, soldiers received protective equipment against bad weather at a halt, as well as on the march. And this was important. Previously, soldiers' camp tents were transported in second-rate convoys, which, according to regulations, followed the regiments at a distance equal to half a day's march, which was usually as much as 20-30 miles. Now soldiers had personal resting places that could be installed at any time of the day.

At first, tents were simple panels with holes in the corners for ease of installation. However, soldiers more often covered themselves with tents from the rain on marches. They learned to use tents as a cloak. The authorities took a closer look at the soldiers' behavior, and in 1910 the tents were modernized.

In Soviet times, since 1936, command and rank and file personnel in the rifle units of the Red Army were provided with a set of raincoats, which included:

• The raincoat cloth measures 180×180 cm;
• A collapsible stand, which includes two half-racks-rods 65 cm long;
• Two jokes;
• Lacing rope.

If used skillfully, raincoats became excellent protection for commanders and Red Army soldiers from inclement weather. Moreover, these attributes were used to camouflage and carry the wounded. Also, with the help of raincoat tents filled with hay or straw, it was possible to overcome water obstacles.

Such raincoats were used to make tents for personnel for half of the squad, and they were also used to equip awnings, canopies, cover huts, open trenches, and entrances to dugouts. In addition, the panels could serve as bedding and blankets. Since 1942, the defense industry began producing fabrics with double-sided camouflage to improve the camouflage properties of the raincoat.

Raincoat today

After 1910, soldiers' raincoats did not change anymore (apart from minor modifications) and remained until the beginning of the 21st century. It is clear that these days they are hopelessly outdated. Nowadays, these are no longer raincoats or tents.

So, in the case of putting it on as a raincoat, it is immediately discovered that the front panel is almost not enough to reach the knees. The drops flowing from the cloth soon make your knees wet. When moving, the angle chosen at the back makes it possible for water to flow alternately into one or the other boot. If you bend it, it will drag with a rustling sound, clinging to anything and getting dirty. The material for the canvas itself is also outdated - it is an ordinary thin tent fabric that does not have a serious water-repellent impregnation. Those who served in the army know that within a couple of hours the raincoat will get wet and will not protect at all from the rain.

Despite the fact that raincoats are currently unable to perform the real tasks assigned to them, no one particularly objects to them or demands that they be updated with something appropriate that meets today's realities.

Today, raincoat tents are used as:

• Bedding while cleaning weapons in the field;
• Bedding when firing from a machine gun;
• An improvised tablecloth when eating in the field;
• For carrying bread and other food;
• A stretcher for removing swept dry leaves and other debris;
• A stretcher for carrying sick or wounded soldiers;
• Bedding on bunks in camping tents;
• Doors in barracks or dilapidated dwellings from shelling;
• Material for closing windows in destroyed homes;
• In any other cases where durable, dense fabric is required.

For protection from rain today, the well-known combined arms protective kit (OZK) is more effective.

As often happens, since 1910 no one has been involved in modernizing soldiers' raincoats and this issue is not even raised. And this despite the fact that even during the Second World War, the Wehrmacht had more comfortable, practical raincoats made of waterproof tarpaulin. In addition, German raincoats had double-sided camouflage paint and could be used as a camouflage covering. There are also excellent examples of the American poncho-type raincoat.

Raincoat tents - Bundeswehr

Raincoat tents of the 1931 model (Zeltbahn 31) were released as a replacement for earlier square models. They were originally known as "Warei specimens". Tents were triangular panels made of waterproof cotton gabardines, and were used as multi-purpose shelters, bedding for lying on the ground, and raincoats. On one side there was a dark camouflage image, on the other - a light one. Collectors call these camouflage images “three-color (brown and two shades of green) splinter camouflage.”

Before the end of the war, dark, double-sided images were applied to most raincoats. Limited numbers of reed green or light bronze were released for North Africa. However, continental models were widespread.

German tents were 203x250 cm in size; there were 12 buttons with loops on the shorter sides. The underside had six button loops and six small rings. A tightening rope was threaded through them, and 6 more buttons were sewn a little above the buttonholes.

Buttons and loops on the short sides of the tents were used to attach additional sections of tents and thus fold together a total tent of any size. When the tent was used as a cloak, buttons with loops at the base of the flap were fastened around the legs. In the middle of the cloth there was a slot for the head. It was covered with two strips of fabric.

As soon as raincoats were introduced, they came with detachable triangular hoods, which were soon abolished. With the help of large metal rings at the corners of the tent panels, it was possible to tension the erected tents using ropes or stakes.

Using one or two tents connected, it was possible to form hut-type shelters from the rain. Four cloak-tents connected could form a pyramidal tent that could accommodate four soldiers. There were standard methods for constructing tents for 8-16 people. For this purpose, there was a whole set of tent accessories that was carried in a bag.

When they used tent panels as raincoats, they used three options for wearing them: on foot, cavalry and scooter. Tents were used as bedding or pillows, and when they were stuffed with hay or branches, they were used as a means of floating.

The raincoat-tent appeared in the equipment of the Russian soldier a very long time ago.

The raincoat-tent appeared in the equipment of the Russian soldier a very long time ago. The author was unable to trace the moment of the appearance of this very interesting piece of equipment. However, it is known for sure that since April 1882, the raincoat was already a mandatory element of soldier’s camping equipment.

True, at that time it was intended only to serve as a soldier’s individual tent. The picture shows the equipment of an army infantry soldier of the 1882 model. Among other elements, a light gray tent bundle is clearly visible, tied with a belt to an overcoat roll worn by a soldier over his left shoulder. The tent included had wooden pegs and a stand that were pushed between the tent and the roll.

For that time it was a truly revolutionary decision. For the first time, a soldier received a means of protection from bad weather both during rest and on the march. This was very important, because soldiers’ camp tents were transported in a second-class convoy, which, according to regulations, followed the regiment at a distance of half a day’s march, i.e. 20-30 versts. Consequently, previously, after a day's march, a soldier could get a place to rest and shelter from the rain, at best, by the middle of the night, and if we take into account the time required to set up tents, then by the morning. Those. by the time the next day's march had to begin. Thus, it turned out that during all the days of the march the soldier was constantly under open air and could count on somewhat normal conditions for rest only when the regiment stopped for a daily rest.

An individual tent radically changed the situation. A soldier, having arrived at his place of lodging for the night, could pitch himself some kind of tent and hide from the night dampness, rain, coolness, and dew. Having united, three or four people could already create something more similar to a real tent from their tents.

Initially, the tent was simply a canvas with holes in the corners for installation and was intended to be used only as a tent. The soldiers immediately adapted to shelter from the rain with a tent during the march. They themselves began to adapt the tent so that it was convenient to use and as a raincoat. The soldiers' ideas were noticed and appreciated by the authorities, and in 1910 the tent was modernized. From that time on she received official name\"Soldier's cloak-tent\". In a drawing of a soldier in uniform from 1912, a bundle of a raincoat with pegs stuck into it is seen tied to an overcoat roll (behind the right hand).

However, since 1910, the soldier's raincoat remained practically unchanged (except for minor changes) and was preserved in this form by the beginning of the 21st century.

Today it is hopelessly outdated. We can say that today it is neither a raincoat nor a tent.

If you put it on as a cape, it immediately becomes clear that the front panel does not even reach the knees. The water flowing from the cloth quickly makes the knees wet even if the soldier is standing. The corner tucked at the back ensures that when walking, water flows alternately into the left and right boots. If you turn the corner, then with a loud rustling he drags through the mud behind his back, clinging to all the blades of grass, twigs, etc., and trying to pull the cloak off his shoulders. In addition, the cloth itself is made of ordinary thin tent fabric without any serious water-repellent impregnation; after two or three hours the raincoat gets wet and no longer provides protection from rain. The picture shows a soldier with a machine gun (it looks like he is much shorter than average) in a modern raincoat with a machine gun in a standing shooting position.

A modern soldier's raincoat looks like this: A square cloth with a side of 180 cm. There are holes in the corners of the panel, lined with durable lace or leather overlays. The edges of the cloth are double with a number of small slits and sewn wooden sticks used as buttons. A figured arc-shaped part is sewn onto the cloth, which forms a second layer of protection for the shoulders from water when wearing a raincoat-tent in the form of a raincoat. Closer to one of the edges there is a rectangular slot. covered with a plank. This slit allows the soldier to stick one arm out from under the cloak. when all the buttons are fastened. In two places, cords are passed through the cloth, allowing them to be pulled together to form the neck of the cloak and the hood.

The raincoat set includes: 1-panel, 2-two half-posts, 3-sewn cords, 4-four wooden or metal pegs.

As a rule, pegs, half-posts and sewing cords are instantly lost or outright thrown away, because at present no one is trying to use a raincoat as a tent. Agree that the structure depicted in the figure, consisting of a cloth, a stand, and four pegs, is hardly acceptable for a modern soldier.

With minimal amenities, such a tent can only accommodate a small child. And the open side allows the wind to blow into the tent, and rain can also get inside. A soldier of modern size, trying to lie down in such a tent, necessarily leaves either his legs or his head outside.

True, the design of the raincoat tent allows you to connect several panels with each other using cords. In this case, you get something like a tourist summer tent. However, the instructions for the raincoat tent are overly optimistic. For example, she claims that two raincoats make a two-person tent. But this is not a tent, just a canopy. The minimum required to create a more or less acceptable tent for one person is four sets, and six sets for two or three people. The picture shows a six-pack tent. The instructions state that this is a tent for six people. However my personal experience allows me to say that it can accommodate two or three people. If you cram six people in there, it will be torture, not relaxation.

However, despite the fact that the raincoat is currently unable to perform the tasks assigned to it according to its intended purpose, no one objects to it or demands its replacement with something more appropriate. The raincoat-tent is used as a bedding when cleaning weapons in field conditions; litter when shooting from a machine gun in bad weather conditions so as not to get your uniform dirty; as an improvised tablecloth when eating in the field. It is used for carrying bread and other products, dry rations. A raincoat tent is indispensable when removing swept away dry leaves and other debris. Cloak tents are used to cover bunks in soldiers' camp tents. They also replace doors in war-damaged houses. They cover windows in occupied, broken down houses (and instead of glass they provide blackout, and they will also stop a grenade thrown at the window). You never know when you need a piece of durable, dense fabric.

And for protection from rain, the well-known chemical protection kit (OZK), consisting of rubber stockings-shoe covers, worn over any shoes and a rubber raincoat with a hood and sleeves, which, with the help of simple manipulations, turns into overalls, is much more effective. And modern soldiers sleep more and more in cars, of which there are almost more of them in the army than there are soldiers themselves. So an ordinary camping tent is becoming less and less common in a soldier’s life.

But it wouldn’t be a bad idea to work on creating a raincoat that meets modern requirements and is more versatile. For example, in Afghanistan, soldiers folded two edges and stitched them with thread. Such a raincoat-tent, having threaded two sticks into the resulting fabric tubes, was used as an improvised stretcher for carrying the wounded. Yes, you even need to increase the size of the panel itself. The average height of a soldier has increased by at least 20-30 cm compared to 1909.

However, it seems that since 1910 no one has been involved in modernizing the soldier’s raincoat and no one wants to do so. But already during the Second World War, the Wehrmacht had much more comfortable, practical raincoats made of waterproof canvas fabric. In addition, the German raincoat had a double-sided camouflage coloring and could also be used as a camouflage covering. There are excellent examples of American poncho-type raincoats.

In general, it’s quite strange - our army adopted the German pot (the Red Army entered the war with a soldier’s copper pot from the First World War, which was just a saucepan with a bow). The modern Russian army bowler is an exact copy of the German bowler (and by the way, the Czech-style bowler is more convenient than the German one). But there is no German water flask. And it is more convenient than ours, because... closed on top by a mug. No need to have a separate mug. The German flat three-light lantern under the KSF brand was adopted, but the raincoat was not adopted. The central clothing service of the army is constantly inventing some kind of backpacks, suitcases, portable field kitchens for 5-10-20 people (who will wear them and how?). And the soldier, just as he carried his things in the orphan sidor, still carries them, just as he got wet in an outdated raincoat, he still gets wet.

In the picture there is a German machine gunner from the Second World War in a raincoat of the 1931 model (the German army was forbidden to have, and the authorities were already thinking about how best to dress the soldier of the future Wehrmacht!).

Literature

1. Manual on military engineering for the Soviet Army. Military publishing house. Moscow. 1984

2.I.Ulyanov, O.Leonov. History of Russian troops. Regular infantry. 1698-1801. Moscow. AST.1995.

3. I. Ulyanov. History of Russian troops. Regular infantry. 1801-1855. Moscow. AST.1996.

4. I. Ulyanov, O. Leonov. History of Russian troops. Regular infantry. 1855-1918. Moscow. AST.1998.

5. S. Drobyazko, A Karashchuk. Second World War 1939-1945. Russian liberation army. Moscow. AST.1998.

6. S. Drobyazko, I. Savchenkov. World War II 1939-1945. Wehrmacht infantry. Moscow. AST.1999.

WORKING UNIFORMS OF THE GROUND FORCES AND SPECIAL EQUIPMENT

1. German chief corporal in work uniform and cap (model 1938).
2. Soldier of the sapper battalion of the infantry division. Field uniform arr. 1936 Issue of shoulder straps - military color. The waist belt is of a standard type, with sapper pouches. Scissors for cutting wire - in a leather case. Armament: M24 grenade, Parabellum P08 pistol and saucer mines.
3. A flamethrower sapper in a heat-protective rubberized suit and a helmet with a mask. Armed with a backpack flamethrower mod. 1935

UNIFORM OF MILITARY CLRIESTS, ORDERS AND MUSICIANS

1. A military German pastor in casual clothing. Officer's cap with purple piping. On the tunic there is a badge for wounding and a pectoral cross.
2. Non-commissioned officer of medical and sanitary services. Field uniform arr. 1936. On the sleeves there is a bandage 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 ribbon of the Iron Cross 11th class.
3. Platoon signalman. Field uniform arr. 1936 with “swallow’s nests” on the shoulders of the jacket. Pilot arr. (1938). Signal horn and drumsticks.

SUMMER FIELD UNIT
1. German non-commissioned officer in a field jacket (model 1936). On the head is a helmet (model 1935) with a rim for attaching camouflage made of leaves. The non-commissioned officer is wearing field binoculars, an officer's tablet, a cracker bag, a gas mask, a flask, and a raincoat in a roll. The officer is armed with an MP40 submachine gun..
2. German soldier in cotton uniform (model 1943). On the head is a cap (model 1942). Helmet arr. 1942 with rope net. On the belt of the gas mask case there is a mosquito cape bag. 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 is a field cap mod. 1943. On the waist belt there is a pouch for machine gun accessories. The machine gunner is armed with an MG42 machine gun.

WINTER FIELD EQUIPMENT

1. A German soldier in a guard overcoat (model 1941) with leather flaps.
The hat with earflaps is worn on a woolen “pipe” liner. Insulated winter boots. There are rifle pouches on the waist belt. The soldier is armed with a Mauser K98k carbine.
2. A German soldier in an elongated overcoat (model 1942) with a fastening hood. A fur-trimmed field cap of a non-statutory type. The “pipe” liner covers half of the face. Guard bots. Armament: captured Soviet PPSh assault rifle.
3. German soldier in an overcoat (model 1936). The helmet has a camouflage cover. Balaclava-cut.” Snow goggles. Winter boots. Standard infantry equipment with rifle pouches. Gas mask and bag with anti-mustard cape.

UNITS OF GERMAN OFFICERS AND GENERALS
1. German chief lieutenant in a cotton field jacket (model 1943).
Officer's field cap. Breeches. Binoculars, officer's tablet, officer's waist belt with machine gun pouches. On the jacket there is the Iron Cross of the 1st class and the Badge of the Assault Participant. Armament: MP40 submachine gun.
2. Major General in a uniform tunic. 1936 General's cap. Breeches with stripes. On the tunic there is the Iron Cross of the 1st class with a 1939 fastener and the straps of the Iron Cross of the 2nd class. Military Merit Cross II class with swords, the so-called “Eastern Medal” (for the winter campaign of 1941-1942) and Long Service Medals.
3. Chief lieutenant in an officer's overcoat and cap. Weapon: Walter P38 pistol.

GERMAN SUMMER CAMOUFLAGE UNIT

From left to right:
1. German soldier in mesh camouflage. Field uniform (model 1943). Helmet arr. 1942 with rope net. Equipment - rifle pouches, bayonet, gas mask with anti-mustard cape. The soldier is armed with a Mauser K98k carbine.
2. German soldier in a raincoat (model 1931). The helmet has a camouflage cover. On the waist belt there are automatic pouches with a pocket for the reloading mechanism. Armament: M24 grenade and MP40 submachine gun.
3. German soldier in a camouflage anorak blouse (model 1942). The helmet has leaf camouflage. Standard infantry equipment with rifle pouches, small sapper shovel, gas mask. Armament - Mauser K98k carbine and Panzerfaust 30 m (type 2).
4. Steel helmet (model 1942) with wire mesh.

GERMAN WINTER CAMOUFLAGE UNIT

1. A German non-commissioned officer in a double-sided insulated suit, a helmet, painted white, with a pipe liner.” Binoculars, flashlight, bowler hat, machine gun pouches. Winter boots. Armament - MP40 submachine gun.
2. A German soldier in a two-piece winter camouflage suit. For a cap (sample I938). wearing a woolen scarf confiscated from the civilian population. The soldier is armed with M24 and M39 grenades and a K98k Mauser carbine.
3. A soldier in a winter light camouflage blouse. A piece of white fabric is attached to the helmet with an elastic band or twine. Headphones. Overcoat arr. 1940 Guard bots. Armament: Mauser K98k carbine.

UNIFORMS OF GENERAL STAFF OFFICERS, SIGNALS OFFICERS AND MOTORCYCLISTS

1. German captain - division intelligence chief (3rd officer of the General Staff). Officer's field jacket (model 1936 with aiguillette. Cap with crimson piping. Breeches with crimson piping. On the jacket there is a Wound Badge and straps of the Iron Cross II class and the "Eastern Medal".
2. A German soldier of a telephone-cable company of a communications battalion of an infantry division with a reel of light cable. Field uniform (model 1936). Cap (model 1938). The piping of the shoulder straps and the corner on the cap are military color.
3. Motorcyclist in a rubberized raincoat. Steel helmet with goggles. Waist belt with rifle pouches. On the neck is a gas mask with an antiseptic cape.

The basic personal field equipment of German infantry and other dismounted units consisted of a coherent system of items designed to complement each other during use. Despite the fact that many soldiers wore some kind of special equipment, the basic equipment was the same for everyone.

At the beginning of the war, the equipment consisted of a leather waist belt, to which a cartridge bag was suspended from the front right and left. Magazine bags for small arms of other types, except rifles (submachine guns, assault rifles), were included in the kit of these weapons. The belt straps (adopted for equipment along with the new backpack 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 sword belt and two cartridge bags. The cracker bag was attached to the waist belt at the back right, while the flask was worn on top of the cracker. The sapper blade was also located on the belt behind the back, but on the left, on top of the blade, a sheath for a bayonet knife was attached. The gas mask, placed inside a cylindrical tin box, was suspended on a separate belt over the left shoulder and secured to the belt above the cracker bag. Several ways of wearing a gas mask were proposed, depending on the specific characteristics of the service. The gas protective cape was stored in a bag attached to the belt of the gas mask box at chest level. If the soldier did not wear a satchel, then he attached the bowler hat to the “cooker”, next to the flask, or hung it on the sword belt. The cloak-tent (combining a cape, overalls and tent) was usually attached to a sword belt 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 pot and various useful little things. In addition, the equipment included items that made it easier for a soldier to survive on the battlefield: a gas mask, a gas-protective cape, a sapper shovel and a raincoat.

Soldiers carried additional items of equipment in a combat backpack, introduced shortly before the war. A small bag for additional items was suspended from the backpack frame, attached to the belt. A raincoat with accessories was also suspended from the machine, and a bowler hat was crowned on top of the entire structure. Heavier items were stored in a knapsack, in which soldiers usually carried spare underwear, warm clothes, rations and personal hygiene items.

The satchel was secured with shoulder straps to the waist belt. Just before the war, a model of a satchel appeared, attached directly to a sword belt. Such equipment for a soldier was called marching equipment. In addition, the soldiers were given small canvas bags in which a change of linen was stored. In combat conditions, soldiers handed over their backpacks and laundry bags to the convoy.

The equipment system was organized in such a way that the unit commander had a lot of room for maneuver - each soldier went on a mission carrying some special equipment. Already during the war, additional elements of equipment were introduced and provisions were made for different ways its wearing - statutory and non-statutory, facilitating the use of equipment in battle.

German infantry in battles near Kharkov, autumn 1941. In the center of the photo, with his back to us, stands the 3rd number of the machine gun crew of the infantry squad. His equipment consists of a cracker bag worn clearly at the back, a flask and a bowler hat fastened to the cracker, a raincoat and a shovel with a bayonet on the left side. In addition to the standard equipment, the soldier also carries a case with two spare barrels and an ammunition box for the MG-34 machine gun. The photograph shows that in combat conditions, soldiers wore their equipment as it was most convenient for them, and not as required by the regulations.

The field equipment of Wehrmacht soldiers was comfortable and contained all the items necessary in battle. The photo shows an example of wearing equipment; the raincoat and bowler hat are attached to the combat backpack.