Imperial German Field Uniforms and Equipment 1907-1918
This 2-volume work 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 New uniforms and adequate protection was a must and the steel helmets appeared on the battlefield, replacing the outdated spiked helmets.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, while 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, which saw service sometimes for the first time.
Using over 1000 period photographs and pictures from items out of private collections and museums, the author succeeds in showing a broad range of artefacts to the reader, together with a full and to the point description. This book is aimed towards the novice and advanced German World War 1 collector and enthusiast, military history student, modeller, researcher and re-enactor.
Johan Somers
Hardcover 384 pages over 500 b/w & colour photos 2006
Volume 2 due Spring 2006