German puttees

[Tony]

Hello,

I was wondering what the reason could be for the German army to start wearing puttees, army order? Shortage of leather for boots? Just sort of took off? Easier to get around in the mud?

Did they wear them prior to the Great War in the colonies?

Was there a difference apart from colour (I imagine German ones were greeny/grey) between puttees worn by Germans and British troops?

When did Germans start wearing them and how long were they in use?

And are German puttees as easy to find as British ones still are?

Tony

[Chip]

Tony,

I think you have surmised the most recognized reasons for the Germans using puttees. The German soldier had been issued ankle boots in addition to the normal boots for decades. So the availability of the ankle boots was already there. Puttees had existed as part of outdoor wear for hunters, etc.

Other than the color of the wool, there was little to differentiate a British from a German puttee. The German puttees came in several varieties, including those made from wool, canvas and papercloth. I believe they are more difficult to find than are the British examples and they are also much more expensive.

Chip

[Tony]

Thanks Chip,

I didn't know it was a simple and clear cut as that. I didn't know Germans were issued ankle boots either.

I remember seeing a pair for sale somewhere once but didn't really take any interest in them.

Tony

[ccj]

I'd love to find a pair of German puttees to finish a display

[Hoss]

Ones to find are papercloth labeled with a date usually 1917 indeed some are ink issue stamped I've owned one pukka W1 dated pair in the past, problem is your left dreaming of finding issue boots and trying to explain to the bank manager your spending habits, and lets not forget a pair of issue Stiefelhose or Reithose,,,its tough out there best way is to think private purchase I guess.

Eric

[ccj]

I have a pair of boots but not 100% sure they are WW1, more like 30s or WW2. I have the tunic and pants.

What I really need are puttees to finish the display. Issue, private purchase, doesn't matter to me one bit.

[Hoss]

Awesome for wraps keep an eye out on ebay.de 'Hindenburg' jobs are out there btw when did they stop making them? Chip! anyone?

Eric

[Trajan]

According to Krauss, Die deutsche Armee, p. 198, with no reference to support unfortunately, when the Herresverwaltung discovered that Gamaschen or Wickelgamaschen were being worn with shoes / ankle boots on the West Front they found this quite unacceptable because (if I understand it properly) they were potentially unhealthy as they would retain moisture. And so they were banned sometime in 1915, except for special troops, e.g. Sturm-Bataillione, Flieger, and mountain troops. 

 

[Chip]

Hello,

Here is the quote from Kraus, "Ein weiterer Entscheid von 14.9.1917 wies darauf hin, daß Wickelgamaschen nur für Fliegerformationen, planmäßige Sturm-Bataillone und Truppen mit Gebirgsausrüstung zugelassen seien." So, it was actually 1917 that this decision was made. He goes on to say that in practice, this directive was largely ignored.

Chip

[Trajan]

Hello,

Here is the quote from Kraus, "Ein weiterer Entscheid von 14.9.1917 wies darauf hin, daß Wickelgamaschen nur für Fliegerformationen, planmäßige Sturm-Bataillone und Truppen mit Gebirgsausrüstung zugelassen seien." So, it was actually 1917 that this decision was made. He goes on to say that in practice, this directive was largely ignored.

Chip

Yes, but my understanding was that the original order for the ordinary man in the trenches re: Wickelgamaschen was made in 1915, and that this order ('Ein weiterer Entschied...) came in 1917... I am away from home for the next few days and cannot check directly, and so would be happy to be corrected!