Infantry Equipment

Helmet

The original helmet design, the M16, evolved in to the M18 by the end of WWI. They remained in use until the development of the smaller, lighter M35 style helmet in June 1935. In an effort to reduce construction time and labor costs, minor modifications were introduced in March 1940, resulting in the M40 helmet. Further construction modifications were undertaken in August 1942 resulting in the M42 helmet.

The K98 bayonet was a modification of the S84/98 bayonet that was originally developed in 1915. Manufacture of the new bayonet began in 1934, with mass production beginning in 1936. The K98 bayonet was a standard issue item and was accompanied by a bayonet frog to be worn on the reverse left side of the weight bearing waist belt. The K98 bayonet remained the standard issue bayonet throughout the war, with minor manufacturing variations. As the war continued the quality of the bayonets deteriorated and in mid 1944 most manufacturing was discontinued to concentrate on producing other essential war materials.

The basis for all webbing equipment was a set of black leather "Y"-straps. These consisted of two front straps which were hooked to a "D" ring on the back of the cartridge pouches. At the front a steel stud could be fixed through a hole in the center of each strap for the attachment of auxiliary straps. These could be attached to the M1939 pack, combat pack frame or some rucksacks.There were two versions of belt and supports. The standard-issue black leather version and later reed green and olive green webbing versions. The web version differed from the leather in that sliders, rather than buckles and studs adjusted the straps.
The standard issue M31 haversack, commonly referred to as the 'bread bag', was based on the M1887 haversack and was adopted by the Wehrmacht in 1931. The bread bag, as its name suggests, was designed to carry rations, eating utensils and other assorted personal items. The M31 bread bag was originally issued with a removable carrying strap although regulations dictated that the bread bag was to be worn suspended from the equipment belt. The M31 bread bag was utilized throughout the war, although a simplified version also entered use in 1944.
The entrenching tool was a basic item issued to all infantrymen, with a specific carrying case that was to be worn on the load carrying waist belt. The non-folding entrenching tool utilized by the Germany army at the beginning of the war, was gradually replaced by a new, improved, folding shovel, which was first introduced in 1938. Although the new folding shovel proved more practical and popular with the troops, the earlier entrenching tool was utilized right up until the end of the war. The entrenching tool enabled the individual soldier to dig in for protection and was also utilized as a close combat weapon. The entrenching tool carrying case came in two patterns with an early 'opened' pattern, which was gradually replaced with a 'closed back' second pattern, although the early pattern continued in use throughout the war.
Introduced in 1931, the standard issue M31 canteen was based on the earlier M1893 and M1907 type canteens, with minor modifications. Originally the M31 canteens were manufactured in aluminum, but later as the aluminum was required for other more essential items, the canteens began to be manufactured in steel. When issued, the canteens came with integral carrying straps and harness and regulations prescribed it be secured to the bread bag, suspended from the load carrying waist belt.
With the development of poisonous gasses during WWI, appropriate defensive gasmasks also had to be developed. The early M1915 and M1917 gasmasks evolved into the M24 gasmask and eventually into the M30 and M38 gasmasks used in WWII. All German Army personnel were issued with a gasmask, carrying canister and accessories.

Magazine pouches

In August 1938 the German army adopted the newly developed MP38. Further developments and improvements and the need for a cheaper mass produced weapon, resulted in the introduction of the MP40, in April 1940. Individuals equipped with the MP38/40 were issued a pair of specially designed ammo pouches which each held three, 32 round box magazines. The pouches were issued in pairs with the left hand side pouch having the addition of a small pocket stitched to the left side for the speed loader. The MP38/40 ammo pouches underwent a single modification with the early pattern pouches having a D' ring on the reverse attached directly to the pouch, while the later pattern pouches had the 'D' ring on the reverse attached by an extended leather tab.
The K98 ammo pouches were based on earlier designs developed in 1909 and 1911. Adopted by the army as a whole in 1933, individuals were issued two of these pouches, with each holding thirty rounds of 7.92mm ammunition. The pouches were utilized throughout the war with minor manufacturing variations.

Clothing

The M36 field blouse was the standard issue to all infantrymen at the beginning of the war. Later the M40 and M42 tunics were gradually introduced in their respective years. All three types remained in service throughout the war, with various modifications in material and tailoring. In 1944, the M44 field blouse was introduced. It was based on the shorter British battledress tunics in an effort to reduce material and labor.
The Greatcoat, introduced in 1938, was an essential uniform item issued to all ranks. It followed the basic design of the Imperial German army greatcoat. During WWII the German army utilized at least thirteen different styles of greatcoat, with numerous variations, including some with fur lining and collars.
The HBT trousers, introduced in 1933 as a drill uniform, to save wear and tear on the service uniform, were utilized for the duration of the war with minor modifications in material and tailoring. In September 1944 the German army developed the M44 field uniform with new trousers to complement the M44 field blouse. The quality of clothing issued to troops during the later stages of the war declined considerably.
The high leg leather boot is probably one of the most instantly recognizable items of German equipment. However leather shortages throughout the war saw the issue of the traditional tall leather marching boot being restricted to personnel serving in the field. In 1939 a shortened leather boot was introduced from 1940 onwards it was worn in conjunction with a canvas gaiter. By 1941 the short lace up ankle boots and gaiters were issued to all new recruits in place of the marching boot and by 1943 production of the tall marching boots was discontinued altogether. The felt and leather over boots were originally introduced after the first devastating winter in Russia to provide the warmth required in the extreme cold. The felt and leather boots came in two styles, with a lighter weight style which offered warmth and enabled the wearer to retain a degree of mobility and a second heavier felt and leather over-boot intended for wear by stationary guards. Both types were designed to fit over the leather marching boot.
During the winter of 1942, a two piece, reversible snow suit was issued to provide snow camouflage and protection against the severe cold which soldiers faced on the Eastern Front. The garment became so popular that constant wear soon left it dirty and discoloured. A snow cape was provided to wear over the snow suit, which was lightweight and could be kept reasonably clean. Coloured cloth armbands were worn to help identify friendly forces in combat.

Improvisations in clothing

Improvisations of clothing became necessary when the German Army was suddenly faced with the prospect of a winter campaign in Russia. To alleviate the lack of adequate clothing during the winter of 1941-42, several Divisions improvised by organizing large sewing workshops in nearby Russian cities. From used blankets and old clothing, local workers produced flannel waistbands, earmuffs, waistcoats, footcloths and mittens with separate thumbs and index fingers. Sheepskins were tanned and transformed into coats for sentries and a limited number of felt boots were also manufactured. It was possible to requisition fur garments and felt boots from local inhabitants for a small number of men. Some winter clothing was also acquired from dead enemy soldiers.
Fur-lined coats, warm underwear, gloves, and earmuffs of regular winter issue, did not arrive from Germany until the early spring of 1942. During the first crucial winter, the available supply was sufficient for only a small percentage of the forces. Eventually every man was able to protect his head and ears to some extent by using rags and waistbands.
Effective relief gradually reached the front once the so-called fur collection campaign got under way throughout the Reich. This campaign was by far the greatest and most valuable improvisation in the field of clothing. Even though the outfits were of varied appearance, they fulfilled their purpose. If it had been started earlier many cold weather induced casualties could have been prevented during the severe winter of 1941-42.
Winter camouflage clothing was improvised from sheets cut to form an overgarment and helmet cover. Helmets were also whitewashed to provide the same effect.
At the beginning of the war the German armed forces were quite unfamiliar with the geographic data and climatic conditions of the Eastern Front. German clothing and equipment allowances failed to take into account the peculiarities of warfare under such conditions.