Topic: Soldiers' Load
The book that the following extract is taken from was originally published in France (1902) as Comparative Studies of Field Equipment of the Foor Soldier of France and Foreign Armies details the soldier's kit carried by the armies of Europe up to the start of the First World War. Having first been published in 1902, the publishers of the translated edition added the British Web Equipment 1908, since Britain was the only country to change it's soldier's equipment before 1914.
Field Equipment of the European Soldier 1900-1914
By Commandant Emile Charles Lavisse, of the French Army; Translated by Edward P Lawton
Published by The Battery pres, in association with The Imperial War Museum & Articles of War, Ltd., Skokie. Originally published 1902, English translation published 1994.
A German lookout in a Waterproof Trench.
Germany
Nomenclature and weights of the effects and objects composing the field equipment of the foot soldier.
1. The Knapsack and its Load.
Kgs | |
| Clothing: | |
Overcoat | 1.900 |
| Headdress: | |
Tam-o'-shanter | .094 |
| Equipment: | |
Knapsack | 1.570 |
Overcoat straps | .110 |
| Small articles of clothing: | |
Toothbrush | .020 |
Socks or foot linen | .080 |
Easy shoes | 1.050 |
Shirt | .275 |
Knife and spoon | .095 |
Soldiers' handbook and book of canticles | .076 |
Handkerchief | .050 |
Sewing and brush case | .230 |
| Camp equipment: | |
Individual camp kettle and straps | .459 |
Shelter tent and accessories | 1.620 |
| Arm: | |
Cleaning cord for rifle | .052 |
| Ammunition: | |
Cartridges (30) | .944 |
| Rations: | |
Reserve (3 days) | 2.388 |
| Tobacco and cigars | .150 |
Tools | (a) |
Total | 11.163 |
2. On the Man.
Kgs | |
| Clothing: | |
Tunic | 1.450 |
Cloth trousers | .970 |
| Headdress: | |
Helmet and ornaments | .360 |
Helmet cover | .030 |
| Equipment: | |
Two cartridge boxes | .540 |
Belt and plate | .330 |
| Small articles of equipment: | |
Boots | 1.900 |
Suspenders (trousers) | .115 |
Drawers | .450 |
Socks or foot linen | .080 |
Shirt | .275 |
Cravat | .034 |
Strap | .027 |
Haversack | .350 |
Aluminum drinking cup | .055 |
Handkerchief | .050 |
Pocketbook | .030 |
| Camp equipment: | |
Canteen | .243 |
Contents of canteen | .350 |
| Arm: | |
Rifle | .100 |
Bayonet | .580 |
| Ammunition: | |
Cartridges (90) | 2.831 |
| Rations: | |
The day's | .350 |
| First Aid Package | .034 |
| Identification card | .009 |
Total | 15.543 |
Grand Total | 26.706 |
(a) The weight of the load mounts up, when tools are carried as follows:
Kgs | |
| With the spade (100 per company, weight 0.890) | 27.596 |
| With the pickax (10 per company, weight 1.480) | 28.186 |
| With the ax (5 per company, weight 1.080) | 27.786 |
Other nations included in Field Equipment of the European Soldier 1900-1914 are:
- France
- England
- Austria
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Spain
- Italy
- Norway
- Holland
- Russia
- Sweden
- Switzerland
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