I have begun focusing my collection a bit more on medical items of WW1. In doing so, I have quickly realized that their is a limited amount of reference material out there on this specific topic. I thought it would be helpful, not only to myself, but to other collectors out there to put much of this information in one place. Share photos, items and knowledge.
I've also started a thread regarding American WW1 medical at:
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/foru...owtopic=127803
To begin:
Medic Brassards.
Red Cross brassards of World War 1 is a tricky topic. The primary issue is that there seems to have been very little, if any, regulation as to the size and construction of the red cross on the brassard. The sizes and shapes vary, as does the construction and stiching. However, the United States, Germany and France each seem to have, for the most part, developed their own style during the war.
The typical French brassard is the easiest to spot. It is oval shaped in the middle and tapers down to approximately an inch at each end. Most WW1 French brassards will have makings of some kind, and if you’re lucky a date stamp. The marking can be a clue to identifying what time period the brassard originates from and what service it was used in. The most common of these stamps is that of the Ministerie de la Guerre. Unfortunately, this stamp was used not only during WW1, but also during WW2, the years in between, and many years after.
The typical United States brassard is a narrow rectangular band. Although period photos vary, the most common is where the white armband is narrow enough that the red cross reaches to the edge on the top and bottom. These armbands are narrower than their WW2 counterparts. Thus, the WW2 bands typically show the red cross comfortably in the middle and not touhing the edges of the band.
The typical German brassard is larger than both the French and United States models. Like the others, period photos reveal variations, but the trend seems to be a large wide rectangular white band with a large red cross in the middle. The red cross itself has many variations, but again, the most common seems to be where the posts of the cross itself are thicker. Thinner posts are seen from time to time, but not as often. Period photos also reveal that some German brassards were stamped with the Imperial eagle.
One marking to watch out for in general for all nations is Geneva Convention stamps. This 1929 stamp is seen on the reverse of many brassards and was done to provide some authenticity to the protection of medical soldiers in combat. Obviously a brassard with a 1929 stamp would raise suspicion for a WW1 collector. It is likely that the vast majority of these were stamped upon manufacturing. However, the possibility cannot be dismissed that WW1 issued brassards were redistributed later with these stamps.
Period photos of German brassards:
These three photos all show soldiers wearing brassards as described above as being more common. Each soldier also wears two German medical pouches. The image in the middle is the most interesting, as it appears he is carrying two medical canteens, one on his belt and one on the carrying strap over his shoulder.
In this photo, a German stretcher bearer is wearing his brassard, medical pouches, medical canteen and bayonet.
A German medic posing for a portrait. Note the nice medical patch on his right sleeve. Also note the unique two piece construction and stiching on his red cross.
A German medic posing while testing out new gas protection gear. Note the unique shape of the red cross on his brassard.
A Saxon medic posing with his wife.
A medic posing with Tschakos.
Another professional portrait. This medics red cross is even wider than others.
This image of medics on the move gives new meaning to the term “non-combatant.”
As does this great trench pose.
Another great stormtrooper group photo with two medics attached.
Another group photo of four men (two medics) all with steel helmets.
Note the various shapes of the red crosses in this photo:
Soldiers who appear to have just been awarded their wound badges.
Great photo with two medics and their canteens in front of an ambulance.
Makeshift field hospital?
Another group shot with various red cross shapes.
A German medic surrendering to a Commonwealth soldier:
Two more medics killed in action.
Various other poses for KIA medics
A portrait photo of a medic (officer?) wearing the medial visor and collars.
And more:
And even more:
Here are three photos of German medics with medical dogs. In the first, a Bavarian team being inspected by King Ludwig.
The only photo I have of an Austrian medic with his brassard. It appears quite a bit smaller than the typical German style, almost resembling the American version. This could be fairly standard, or it could be unique. As this is the only photo I have, I cannot comment with any certainty.
Period photos of French brassards:
This first photo of a nurse shows the typical style of the oval shaped French brassard.
The same style brassard is seen again in this trench scene
Finally, here is a photo of an injured French medical dog being tended to by doctors.
For additional reference, here is my 1897 dated WW1 French brassard:
Period photos of American brassards:
Note the thinner construction.
Americans up front with French in the back.
I've also started a thread regarding American WW1 medical at:
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/foru...owtopic=127803
To begin:
Medic Brassards.
Red Cross brassards of World War 1 is a tricky topic. The primary issue is that there seems to have been very little, if any, regulation as to the size and construction of the red cross on the brassard. The sizes and shapes vary, as does the construction and stiching. However, the United States, Germany and France each seem to have, for the most part, developed their own style during the war.
The typical French brassard is the easiest to spot. It is oval shaped in the middle and tapers down to approximately an inch at each end. Most WW1 French brassards will have makings of some kind, and if you’re lucky a date stamp. The marking can be a clue to identifying what time period the brassard originates from and what service it was used in. The most common of these stamps is that of the Ministerie de la Guerre. Unfortunately, this stamp was used not only during WW1, but also during WW2, the years in between, and many years after.
The typical United States brassard is a narrow rectangular band. Although period photos vary, the most common is where the white armband is narrow enough that the red cross reaches to the edge on the top and bottom. These armbands are narrower than their WW2 counterparts. Thus, the WW2 bands typically show the red cross comfortably in the middle and not touhing the edges of the band.
The typical German brassard is larger than both the French and United States models. Like the others, period photos reveal variations, but the trend seems to be a large wide rectangular white band with a large red cross in the middle. The red cross itself has many variations, but again, the most common seems to be where the posts of the cross itself are thicker. Thinner posts are seen from time to time, but not as often. Period photos also reveal that some German brassards were stamped with the Imperial eagle.
One marking to watch out for in general for all nations is Geneva Convention stamps. This 1929 stamp is seen on the reverse of many brassards and was done to provide some authenticity to the protection of medical soldiers in combat. Obviously a brassard with a 1929 stamp would raise suspicion for a WW1 collector. It is likely that the vast majority of these were stamped upon manufacturing. However, the possibility cannot be dismissed that WW1 issued brassards were redistributed later with these stamps.
Period photos of German brassards:
These three photos all show soldiers wearing brassards as described above as being more common. Each soldier also wears two German medical pouches. The image in the middle is the most interesting, as it appears he is carrying two medical canteens, one on his belt and one on the carrying strap over his shoulder.
In this photo, a German stretcher bearer is wearing his brassard, medical pouches, medical canteen and bayonet.
A German medic posing for a portrait. Note the nice medical patch on his right sleeve. Also note the unique two piece construction and stiching on his red cross.
A German medic posing while testing out new gas protection gear. Note the unique shape of the red cross on his brassard.
A Saxon medic posing with his wife.
A medic posing with Tschakos.
Another professional portrait. This medics red cross is even wider than others.
This image of medics on the move gives new meaning to the term “non-combatant.”
As does this great trench pose.
Another great stormtrooper group photo with two medics attached.
Another group photo of four men (two medics) all with steel helmets.
Note the various shapes of the red crosses in this photo:
Soldiers who appear to have just been awarded their wound badges.
Great photo with two medics and their canteens in front of an ambulance.
Makeshift field hospital?
Another group shot with various red cross shapes.
A German medic surrendering to a Commonwealth soldier:
Two more medics killed in action.
Various other poses for KIA medics
A portrait photo of a medic (officer?) wearing the medial visor and collars.
And more:
And even more:
Here are three photos of German medics with medical dogs. In the first, a Bavarian team being inspected by King Ludwig.
The only photo I have of an Austrian medic with his brassard. It appears quite a bit smaller than the typical German style, almost resembling the American version. This could be fairly standard, or it could be unique. As this is the only photo I have, I cannot comment with any certainty.
Period photos of French brassards:
This first photo of a nurse shows the typical style of the oval shaped French brassard.
The same style brassard is seen again in this trench scene
Finally, here is a photo of an injured French medical dog being tended to by doctors.
For additional reference, here is my 1897 dated WW1 French brassard:
Period photos of American brassards:
Note the thinner construction.
Americans up front with French in the back.
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