| Accession Number | REL/04512 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Uniform |
| Physical description | Leather |
| Location | Main Bld: First World War Gallery: Western Front 1918: Giles/1918 Uniforms |
| Place made | Germany |
| Date made | c1914-1918 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Infantry belt : German Army
Description
German army brown leather belt. The belt is constructed from a single length of vegetable tanned leather. At the buckle end are 12 pairs of punch hole adjustment points. At the leading end is a single brass fitting and a leather keeper. The flat rectangular buckle is detachable and fits to the the belt with a double prong. The buckle has a raise relief central rondel on which is the German Imperial Crown surrounded by a wreath and the words: 'GOTT MIT UNS'
History / Summary
This was the standard issue German Army brown leather belt.
It forms part of a display on the uniform and equipment of German Storm Troopers (Shock troops), specialist assault soldiers. Storm troopers used infiltration tactics that required close range combat weapons such as hand grenades and pistols. They were first deployed to Verdun in 1916. They gained a reputation during and after the war as elite warriors who would form the basis of Germany's Second World War army.