It is -15 outside and I am on leave so it was a good opportunity to take some photos and drink some beer. Besides, too cold outside with the wind to walk the Tubes.
This first fellow shows a German soldier from Preußen Infantry Regiment 83. He is wearing an issued M10 Feldrock and the standard Model 1887/1909 Field Equipment. The Pickelhaube was worn well into 1916 in the front lines so his M1895 Pickelhaube with brass fittings is covered with the cloth Überzug. He is armed with a Amberg Gewehr 98.
The appearance of the German soldier changed considerably during the war. By 1918 he now wearing a M1915 Bluse and a M1916 Stahlhelm. He is armed with a Erfurt Kar 98 for trench raids and is wearing a Model 1917 Lederschutzmaske (respirator). Stuffed in his belt is a trench club and Model 1915 stick grenade. His pockets carry numerous "Ball" and "Egg" grenades. Note at his feet is a working Model 1916 Granatenwerfer.
I like to lob a few Granaten at my neighbors once in a while to keep them on their toes. :cussing:
This next fellow is typical for a member of the 31st Battalion Calgary Alberta departing the Great White North for France. He is wearing Canadian Pattern Seven Button Tunic with Model 1902 Service cap. The service cap was worn in the front until 1916. The trousers and boots are Canadian pattern. He is wearing a set of 1916 Dismounted Pattern Equipment and is armed with a M1910 Ross. This rifle by the way, is an absolute delight to shoot. Incredibly accurate.
The appearance of the Canadian soldier also changed considerably during the war. By 1918 he now wearing a British 5-button pattern tunic with light grey 3rd Canadian Division formation patches for the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles Sherbrooke Quebec. This Btln only served as infantry. The service cap is now gone and he wears a Mark 1 Brodie helmet, with a faint cap badge of the 5CMR painted on the front. The trousers and boots are also now British pattern. He is wearing Pattern 1908 Web Equipment and carries a 303 Ammunition Bandoleer, Wire Cutters, and numerous No V MK I 1916 in his pockets. He is armed with a Short Lee Enfield Mark III.
And for novelty, two more. The first is a member of the 1st Canadian Tank Btln. He is wearing an issued shirt and British pattern trousers with vertical pocket slits along the side seam. The tanker's face mask is leather
covered steel with mesh. He is wearing a MkI Brodie with no formation patches.
Last, a member of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). The issued flight coat belonged to Air Commander Reginald Collis who obtaining RFC Pilots License #11 and served in front-line combat until he was reported seriously injured test-flying an "armoured aircraft" in 1916. He is wearing as issued cowl helmet with a Triplex goggle mask and RFC observer's mitts.
Question. What does this RFC pilot have in common with a Saudi bride? Answer: no skin showing. #-o
This first fellow shows a German soldier from Preußen Infantry Regiment 83. He is wearing an issued M10 Feldrock and the standard Model 1887/1909 Field Equipment. The Pickelhaube was worn well into 1916 in the front lines so his M1895 Pickelhaube with brass fittings is covered with the cloth Überzug. He is armed with a Amberg Gewehr 98.
The appearance of the German soldier changed considerably during the war. By 1918 he now wearing a M1915 Bluse and a M1916 Stahlhelm. He is armed with a Erfurt Kar 98 for trench raids and is wearing a Model 1917 Lederschutzmaske (respirator). Stuffed in his belt is a trench club and Model 1915 stick grenade. His pockets carry numerous "Ball" and "Egg" grenades. Note at his feet is a working Model 1916 Granatenwerfer.
I like to lob a few Granaten at my neighbors once in a while to keep them on their toes. :cussing:
This next fellow is typical for a member of the 31st Battalion Calgary Alberta departing the Great White North for France. He is wearing Canadian Pattern Seven Button Tunic with Model 1902 Service cap. The service cap was worn in the front until 1916. The trousers and boots are Canadian pattern. He is wearing a set of 1916 Dismounted Pattern Equipment and is armed with a M1910 Ross. This rifle by the way, is an absolute delight to shoot. Incredibly accurate.
The appearance of the Canadian soldier also changed considerably during the war. By 1918 he now wearing a British 5-button pattern tunic with light grey 3rd Canadian Division formation patches for the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles Sherbrooke Quebec. This Btln only served as infantry. The service cap is now gone and he wears a Mark 1 Brodie helmet, with a faint cap badge of the 5CMR painted on the front. The trousers and boots are also now British pattern. He is wearing Pattern 1908 Web Equipment and carries a 303 Ammunition Bandoleer, Wire Cutters, and numerous No V MK I 1916 in his pockets. He is armed with a Short Lee Enfield Mark III.
And for novelty, two more. The first is a member of the 1st Canadian Tank Btln. He is wearing an issued shirt and British pattern trousers with vertical pocket slits along the side seam. The tanker's face mask is leather
covered steel with mesh. He is wearing a MkI Brodie with no formation patches.
Last, a member of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). The issued flight coat belonged to Air Commander Reginald Collis who obtaining RFC Pilots License #11 and served in front-line combat until he was reported seriously injured test-flying an "armoured aircraft" in 1916. He is wearing as issued cowl helmet with a Triplex goggle mask and RFC observer's mitts.
Question. What does this RFC pilot have in common with a Saudi bride? Answer: no skin showing. #-o
