What did a WWI front-line soldier look like in full gear?
The answer to this question can be given by a very interesting series of tablets L. Mirouze, with the corresponding comments.
A small Belgian army valiantly resisted the first Teutonic onslaught on the Western Front of the First World War - but the forces were too unequal.
The silhouette of a Belgian infantryman in 1914 was one of the most archaic in Western Europe: its distinctive attributes were a felt shako in a characteristic case and an old-fashioned greatcoat. As in neighboring France, the high command was slow to implement the necessary reforms, the equipment of the Belgian soldier was poorly adapted to the needs of modern warfare, and the first changes occurred a few weeks later. The first changes included increased functionality and simplification - dictated by both economic and military considerations.
1. Black felt shako - the number of the regiment is indicated in the center (in this case - the line infantry); when stowed, it was covered with a black cover. The chin strap and red wool pompom gave the shako the look of a 19th century shako.
2. Overcoat made of heavy fabric "Gros Blue". It had a turn-down collar and two sides; the regiment number was stamped on five brass buttons. The greatcoat was characterized by large side pockets; on the march, the floors could be tucked.
3. Black satin scarf, trimmed with leather, protected the neck from chafing.
4. Gray-blue trousers, had vertical side pockets.
5. Black leather belt with brass buckle.
6. Black leather pouch.
7. Black leather case for bayonet.
8. Large knapsack. It kept a change of uniforms and rations. For example, spare boots could be attached to it.
9. Aluminum bowler hat, attached to the knapsack.
10. Small satchel.
11. Aluminum liter water bottle in a case.
12. Shoulder blade.
13. Black leather leggings laced up in front with metal hooks.
14. Boots of black leather.
15. Mauser rifle М1889, 7, 65-mm caliber.
A non-commissioned officer of Infantry Regiment No. 13 (1st Westphalian) is dressed in a modern feldgrau uniform, the basis of which is a field uniform (feldrock) - similar in cut to the old blue uniform. A relic of the era of the formation of the Second Reich is a helmet with a pike (pickelhaube) and characteristic boots.
1. Helmet Pickelhaube M1895. It originates from the helmet arr. 1842 Made of boiled leather, brass accessories. The helmet is covered with fabric, the regiment number is printed.
2. Field single-breasted uniform (feldrock) М1907 / 10 color "feldgrau" on 8 buttons had a turn-down (in most regiments) collar and two welt pockets (closed with flaps) at the hips. The uniform (Brandenburg (as in this case), Swedish or German type) had a piping that went along the side, the edges of the collar and cuffs. The gold galloon of the non-commissioned officers was replaced on the field uniforms with a trim of yellow silk.
3. Leather belt М1895 has a buckle with an image assigned to the corresponding "land" (in this case, the Prussian type) - on the medallion there is a Prussian crown and the inscription "God is with us."
4. Pouches for M1909 cartridges. Made of brown pebbled leather. In total - 120 shots.
5. Satchel calfskin M1895. Uniform items, blankets, rations were kept.
6. Dry bag of light brown fabric. Rations, personal belongings, etc. were worn.
7. Flask М1907.
8. Trench tool М1887. The bayonet sheath is also attached.
9. Trousers М1907 / 10. Feldgrau color with piping along the outside leg seam. They had two diagonal side welt pockets and a small front pocket.
10. Leather hiking boots М1866.
11. Rifle Mauser М1898, 7, 92 mm.
12. Bayonet. In theory, non-commissioned officers were supposed to have bayonets of a special design.
The fact that the uniform of the French infantryman was outdated for modern warfare was not a surprise to anyone in 1914. Despite the fact that the allies of the French after the Anglo-Boer and Russo-Japanese wars switched to khaki uniforms, the "pualu" continued to adhere to traditions. Moreover, in 1903 - 1914. there have been many tests of experimental forms of gray, gray-blue, beige-blue and mignonette-green colors, but none of them was adopted. Ironically, the decision was made on July 27, 1914, and the French infantryman met the first months of the war in a uniform that had barely changed since the Franco-Prussian War. Red pants made it much easier for enemy riflemen to do their job.
1 - Kepi M 1884 in a case arr. 1913 g.
2 - Blue tie.
3- Blue-gray overcoat M 1877. Almost unchanged since the Second Empire, the tunic was double-breasted, with 2 back pockets and a stand-up collar. The last one has buttonholes with the regiment number (duplicated on the collar of the overcoat).
4 - Lebel system rifle cartridge pouches are attached to a black leather waist belt with a brass buckle.
5 - Satchel M 1893 black leather (wooden frame). Other items of equipment are attached to the knapsack.
6. Sugar bag M 1892 contains daily rations, cutlery and (theoretically) a mug.
7. Liter water flask M 1877 made of tinned iron in a fabric cover; usually worn on the right thigh.
8. Red cloth trousers M 1867, modified in 1893 and 1897. - changes were minimal. The straight-leg trousers had a pocket in each side seam and one right front pocket.
9. Leg warmers M 1913 black leather.
10. Black leather ankle boots.
11. Rifle Lebel M 1886/93 caliber 8 mm.
On the eve of the Great War, the British army was well equipped and armed. The lessons of the recent wars were taken into account, and the British soldier had a simple, practical and inconspicuous khaki uniform. The equipment was innovative, both in material and design. The equipment system provided reasonable weight distribution, and the soldier's weapons were well suited for modern warfare. Despite their relatively small numbers, the British Expeditionary Force fought back against the German divisions that poured into Belgium and Northern France in the summer of 1914.
1. The cap M 1905 had a rigid visor and the emblem of the regiment.
2. Hiking tunic M 1902 in khaki with a turndown collar.
3. Trousers M 1902, had two vertical oblique side pockets; worn with suspenders.
4. Equipment М 1908. On the left thigh - a cracker bag containing rations and cutlery. Under it is a bayonet scabbard and a trench tool. On the front of the body there are cartridge pouches for 150 rounds.
5. Footcloths M 1902.
6. Boots.
7. A shortened magazine rifle of the Lee Enfield Mk3 system.
8. Rifle belt М 1908.
After the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. the Russian army was awaited by the uniform reform - which was under the personal control of the emperor. Practical, comfortable and functional uniforms and equipment were introduced.
1. Peaked cap M. 1907/10 with a leather visor and a tin cockade.
2. Gymnast M 1912 of cotton fabric (woolen version - for a winter set of uniforms) with a standing collar with 2-3 buttons and breast pockets.
3. Harem pants M 1907 with two vertical side pockets.
4. Leather boots - the main footwear for all branches of the military (with the exception of specialists - such as, for example, scooters).
5. Overcoat roll. Overcoat M 1911 - single-breasted, with five brass buttons, straight cuffs.
6. The ends of the roll are tightly fastened with pins and secured.
7. Aluminum flask M 1909 in a fabric cover. The soldier's mug is tied to the bottom of the flask.
8. Leather belt with buckle arr. 1904 g.
9. Cartridge pouches M 1893 brown leather. Each has 30 rounds.
10. Shoulder blade in a leather case.
11. Sugar bag M 1910.
12. Mosin rifle M 1891, caliber 7, 62 mm with bayonet.
The Scottish Highlander infantryman was perhaps the most colorful of all the infantry of the warring parties. Traditionally strong fighters and traditionally committed to traditions, the Scots have preserved in their form elements of the traditional national costume - in particular, glengarry and kilts. The latter retained only the parts collected in the mountains of northern and western Scotland. In 1914, there were 5 two-battalion regiments of this kind - and 8 battalions went to France, including the Seaforth regiment, a fighter of the 2nd battalion of which is shown in the illustration.
1. Glengarry, the traditional headgear of the Scottish infantry. The coloring and emblems identified the Scottish parts.
2. М 1902 - field tunic assigned to Scottish units.
3. M 1908 - field equipment. Includes a belt, shoulder harnesses, dry bag, bayonet case.
4. Kilt, wool skirt. Each regiment had its own colors.
5. Cover (apron) of khaki color.
6. Stockings. Parts differed in the colors of the stockings. Have been replaced by khaki stockings
7. With special garters.
8. Leg warmers.
9. Boots.
10. Lee Enfield's rifle.
