Team - The last of the AP wire photos that I received last week covers the introduction of the dreaded Kampfanzug Modell 1959, more commonly referred to as the felt louse ("Filzlaus").
Things weren't all that bad on that August day 52 years ago however, the practical and comfortable "panzerkombi" also made its debut.
It's hard to tell from the picture whether or not the panzer soldier is wearing the crash helmet or soft version of the armored forces beret. It's interesting for me to see that the goggles with the innovative sun screen were introduced at such a relatively early date.
Moving to the poor greni, its good to see some more verification that the "Division 59" model ammo pouches were designed with the G1 in mind. Conveniently, these pouches could also accomodate the G3 magazines that quickly followed. The helmet net seems to resemble that of the BGS and would appear to be the same mussgrun color too. One can just make out an Energa rifle grenade attached to the soldier's assault back.
Here's the caption from the photo:
(NY2-AUG.14) NEW WEST GERMAN ARMY UNIFORMS--Soldiers model new battle dress for the West German army at the Defense Ministry in Bonn Tuesday (11 AUG). Foot soldier at left wears water proof trousers, high boots with rubber soles and a short field jacket. His entire equipment, including rifle, 100 bullets and two grenades, weighs 65 pounds. At right is the attire for tank crews, a gray-green cotton coverall and beret. (ApWirephoto) (ROC60700fkft) 1959.
I'm rather dubious of the water proof qualities of the Filzlaus myself. The grenades must refer to the rifle grenades. 100 bullets would mean four 20-round mags carried and one in the rifle.
At first glance it looks as though it would be difficult to stuff the Filzlaus trousers into the tops of the boots, but that's exactly what the Wehrmacht did 11 years prior.
Any other observations?
All the best - TJ
Things weren't all that bad on that August day 52 years ago however, the practical and comfortable "panzerkombi" also made its debut.
It's hard to tell from the picture whether or not the panzer soldier is wearing the crash helmet or soft version of the armored forces beret. It's interesting for me to see that the goggles with the innovative sun screen were introduced at such a relatively early date.
Moving to the poor greni, its good to see some more verification that the "Division 59" model ammo pouches were designed with the G1 in mind. Conveniently, these pouches could also accomodate the G3 magazines that quickly followed. The helmet net seems to resemble that of the BGS and would appear to be the same mussgrun color too. One can just make out an Energa rifle grenade attached to the soldier's assault back.
Here's the caption from the photo:
(NY2-AUG.14) NEW WEST GERMAN ARMY UNIFORMS--Soldiers model new battle dress for the West German army at the Defense Ministry in Bonn Tuesday (11 AUG). Foot soldier at left wears water proof trousers, high boots with rubber soles and a short field jacket. His entire equipment, including rifle, 100 bullets and two grenades, weighs 65 pounds. At right is the attire for tank crews, a gray-green cotton coverall and beret. (ApWirephoto) (ROC60700fkft) 1959.
I'm rather dubious of the water proof qualities of the Filzlaus myself. The grenades must refer to the rifle grenades. 100 bullets would mean four 20-round mags carried and one in the rifle.
At first glance it looks as though it would be difficult to stuff the Filzlaus trousers into the tops of the boots, but that's exactly what the Wehrmacht did 11 years prior.
Any other observations?
All the best - TJ
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