Imperial German Field Uniforms and Equipment 1907-1918, Volume 2 - by Johan Somers (Hardcover)

About the Book

This two-volume set provides the reader with an insight into the wide range of uniforms, weapons and field equipment used by the Imperial German Army during the First World War. The devastating and dramatic character of the war required many innovations in military clothing and equipment. New uniforms and adequate protection was a must, and steel helmets appeared on the battlefield, replacing the outdated spiked helmets. Even medieval-looking items, like steel breastplates and trench clubs, were produced, giving the soldiers a fearful appearance. The threat of poison gas caused the immediate development of gas masks. It was also the time of the tank, observation balloons, mine warfare, the Zeppelin, airplanes, flame-throwers, deadly machine guns, and other war machinery that saw service, sometimes for the first time. Using over 1,000 color and period photographs from private collections and museums, the author succeeds in showing a broad range of artifacts, together with full and to the point descriptions. This series is aimed towards the novice or advanced German World War I collector and enthusiast, military history student, modeller, researcher and re-enactor.

Book Synopsis

This third volume in the series further provides the reader with an insight into the wide range of uniforms, weapons and field equipment used by the Imperial German Army during World War I. Using over 600 period photographs and color images from items out of private collections and museums, the author displays a broad range of artifacts to the reader, together with detailed descriptions. Topics covered in this volume include: Landsturm Uniforms and Equipment; Cyclist (Radfahrer) Equipment; Colonial Uniforms in China 1898-1918; Colonial Uniforms (Africa and the Southseas); Colonial Police Uniforms (Africa and the Southseas); Horse Equipment; and many other rare and unusual topics.