What did our soldiers wear during World War II, what did they ride and what did they use? I'm interested: the uniforms of the usa, germany and the ussr during the second world war

Germany

The uniform of this private of the German army is typical of the troops located along the so-called Adriatic coastline, the area stretching from Italian city Trieste down to the Greek islands in the Mediterranean. The pictured German soldier is a machine gunner wearing a tropical uniform.

Private (1943), 2nd option, Infantry

This is how the Germans fought the fierce Russian winter.

Private (1944) Motorized infantry

The soldier, photographed approximately in 1944, is dressed in a field gray tank uniform, since the motorized infantry should, at least in theory, move in armored or partially armored vehicles. In fact, by 1944, all parts active army experienced difficulties with the provision of transport and its supply of fuels and lubricants and spare parts. What is unusual about the soldier is that he is armed with two Mauser 98k rifles.

Corporal (1941) Infantry

German corporal of one of the early stages of Operation Barbarossa (this was the code name for the plan of the German invasion of Russia, which began on June 22, 1941). At this time, the outfit of this part personnel was basically the same as at the very beginning of the war. However, in relation to the front-line units, savings measures have already begun.

Non-commissioned officer (1939) Infantry

The aluminum braid around the collar and on the shoulder straps indicates that this soldier is performing the duties of a non-commissioned officer (all insignia were made by machine embroidery from gray rayon), and the presence of an MP-38 machine gun shows that this is a Gruppenführer - squad leader of 10 people

Non-commissioned officer (1940) Tank forces

In 1935, the Nazis introduced a special black uniform for the crews of closed armored vehicles, primarily tanks. Main feature This type of uniform had a black beret with a lining, which played the role of a protective helmet. The outfit, which also included a short double-breasted tunic and long baggy trousers, turned out to be very practical and earned the full approval of the tankers. Initially, the uniform was intended to be worn only when performing duties related to the maintenance of the tank. Its hallmarks were a black collar and a silvery crossbones skull emblem on its buttonholes, in no small part intended to strengthen the corporate spirit of the armored forces.

Feldwebel (1944) Infantry

The photograph used for illustration was taken on D-Day, June 6, 1944, when Allied forces finally landed in Normandy. By that time, the uniforms of the units of the active army had become much more gray and baggy than it was at the beginning of the war, since the quality of the fabric from which the uniform was sewn had become much worse.

Lieutenant (1942) Infantry

Captain (1939) Ground troops, General Staff

Colonel General (1940) Ground troops

SS troops

This SS soldier is dressed in uniforms typical of troops in Russia at the beginning of 1942. He belongs to the famous Reich division, which in mid-1942, along with the Leibstandarte, Death's Head and Viking divisions, They were taken from the Russian front for rest and re-equipment in motorized formations. Initially, the SS troops wore black uniforms, but from 1935 a gray field uniform began to be introduced. Gradually, the SS soldiers (the name of the SS troops - Waffen-SS - was adopted in 1940) switched to army uniforms in field gray, although they retained their badges (the national emblem over the "skull with bones"), SS insignia on the left collar buttonhole and army insignia on shoulder straps.

A private from the tank crew is dressed in a two-piece working uniform, which began to enter the troops in 1944 to replace the overalls from the camouflage material assigned by the SS
At the beginning of the Russian campaign, SS troops wore standard boots that reached mid-calf. However, after a while, they received more practical high laced boots, which were better fixed ankle joint and thus facilitate movement.

Soviet Union

At the start of World War II, the Soviet Union had the largest army in Europe (estimated at 1.8 million). Providing such a mass of people with uniforms and equipment was a truly daunting task, and therefore state-owned factories could only maintain tried and tested methods that ensure a steady supply. Therefore Soviet soldiers most of them wore uniforms developed at the beginning of the century. Despite the unsightly appearance, it was very practical, which was proven during the First World War. This Red Army soldier took part in the winter war against Finland.

The Red Army soldier is dressed in the standard summer field uniform; on his head is a garrison cap with a red star. On the tunic - shoulder straps. Crimson edging on the shoulder straps indicates that this is an infantryman.

This private soldier wears a garrison cap and a waterproof cape over a standard field uniform... The Russian raincoat tent was designed to be used as a raincoat. In 1944, when this soldier was photographed, the Red Army was leading an offensive and had much more efficient organization than three years earlier.

The cavalryman is dressed in a special suit designed to cross the rivers that abounded in the Soviet Union. The kit also included two oars and a depth gauge. The soldier has a 1936 helmet on the head, which will eventually be replaced by a 1940 model (see corporal above)

Junior Sergeant (1941) Armored Forces

On the head of the tanker shown in the illustration is a sun-protection hat, introduced in March 1938 for personnel serving in Central Asia, in the North Caucasus, in the Transcaucasia and in the Crimea. His turtleneck tunic has elbow patches, and his breeches have the same double-layered knees.

Although by 1941 the cavalry seemed outdated, it played an invaluable role on the Eastern Front. In 1940, the Red Army had 40 cavalry divisions5, which, during the war against Germany, performed many useful tasks: they conducted reconnaissance, carried out military raids deep into the rear of the enemy, and were a mobile reserve.

Junior Lieutenant (1945) Infantry

Colonel (1940) Armored Troops

In 1935, Soviet tank crews were ordered to wear steel gray everyday uniforms instead of khaki. This change was associated with an attempt to increase the importance of tank forces in the Red Army, which was quite justified, since tanks were to play a decisive role in the war on the Eastern Front in 1941-1945. Oddly enough, during World War II, Soviet tankers wore khaki uniforms, although officers sometimes wore gray caps.

In December 1935, the officers of the Red Army, in order to stand out more, received new uniforms, in which German influence was noticeable. It included, in particular, a single-breasted jacket with a turn-down collar, named after a British general who wore a jacket, which was copied in tsarist Russia for officers during the First World War. The collar and cuffs had military-colored edging.

Dress uniform of color sea ​​wave for marshals and generals was introduced in 1945 specifically for the Victory Parade over Nazi Germany (before the revolution, this color was known as tsarist green). Marshals had more abundant sewing on collars and cuffs than generals.

Marshal Soviet Union (1940)

The title of Marshal of the Soviet Union was introduced in 1935, the first to receive it people's commissar Defense Voroshilov, Commander of the Far Eastern Military District Blucher, 1st Deputy People's Commissar of Defense Tukhachevsky, Chief of the General Staff Yegorov and Cavalry Inspector Budyonny. In July 1940, a new gray dress uniform was introduced for generals and marshals in order to enhance the prestige of the senior commanding staff of the Red Army. The illustration shows Marshal Semyon Konstantinovich Timoshenko, commander of the Kiev military district and commander-in-chief Soviet troops in the war against Finland, People's Commissar of Defense in 1940-1941, then commander of a number of fronts and directions.

USA

These clothes were typical of American soldiers who had arrived in England since 1942 in preparation for the Allied invasion of German-occupied Europe. The gas mask, which was in a large bag under the left hand, was often the first of the things that the soldiers threw away when they got to the front - it was too large and heavy. In addition, the soldiers often left backpacks and blankets in the roll-up in the train. All infantrymen had individual dressing bags, which were first worn on a belt at the back above the left thigh, but later they began to be worn on the belt on the right front for greater convenience.

This private was part of the 5th US Army operating in Italy. It was a specific multinational formation, which, in addition to the American, included British, French, Indian and Brazilian troops, although the main part was still American. The troops of the 5th Army landed at Anzio, and after the fall of Rome, seven divisions from its composition were redeployed and later took part in the invasion of France.

Private (1944) P Echota, India

In response to complaints about the 1942 khaki jumpsuit used by US forces in the Pacific, the Quartermaster General's office set about modifying the jumpsuit and developing other jungle uniforms. The work had to be intensified after General Douglas MacArthur suddenly filed a demand for 150,000 sets of special jungle uniforms to be supplied to his troops.

Private (1944), Rangers, North Carolina

In the field and during training, the Rangers wore diagonal twill overalls. The soldier depicted in the illustration is wearing an Ml helmet, which was replaced in the fall of 1942 with a 1917 helmet (during the campaign, the rangers often wore woolen hats similar to skullcaps, or knitted khaki woolen caps of the 1941 model from small hard visor and drop-down headphones).

Private (1944) Infantry, Normandy

By the beginning of the Normandy campaign in June 1944, the US Army received the two-piece camouflage gear shown in the illustration. In the service of the Quartermaster General, they did not realize that the German units of the SS troops had an extremely similar camouflage uniform. This led to very unpleasant consequences: American soldiers in such clothes, as a rule, were mistaken for their enemies. The uniform was immediately removed from the supply.

Despite this mistake, by the day of the landing, the front-line units of the US Army were provided with comfortable and practical uniforms. His kit included a steel Ml helmet, a 1941 field jacket, khaki pants, canvas leggings and brown leather boots with ankle-high ankle boots.

This is the latest version of the 1943 field uniform worn by U.S. Army soldiers in Western Europe... It consisted of a single-breasted jacket with four patch pockets and trousers; The entire set was sewn from a water-repellent and windproof khaki cotton fabric with a detachable fleece lining. In place of ankle boots and canvas gaiters, high laced brown leather boots were introduced.

Corporal (1942) Armored divisions, Morocco

The American armored division consisted of a reconnaissance battalion and four tank battalions. In 1942, when the uniforms depicted in the illustration appeared in the troops, 159 medium and 68 light tanks were relied on for the division in the state. In addition, it included three battalions of motorized infantry, three battalions of 105-mm self-propelled howitzers and auxiliary units. In total, the division had more than 10,000 men.

Staff Sergeant (1942) Infantry, Oran

Since the landing of US troops in Algeria was carried out by means of an amphibious assault, a life jacket is put on under the ammunition with which this GI is loaded. In addition, a cloth bandolier belt with additional cartridges for semi-automatic rifle "Garand" Ml 30 caliber (7.62 mm). This reliable weapon, capable of withstanding prolonged shooting, remained in service with the US Army until 1958. On the right sleeve, one can see the stripes denoting the rank, and on the left - the American flag (the Americans, given the tensions between England and France, took measures to ensure that those who lived v North Africa the French did not mistake their soldiers for British).

Lieutenant Colonel (1942) Cavalry division, Morocco

It should be noted an interesting fact: by the end of World War II, the soldiers of the US Army were dressed in the best uniforms in the world, but not long before, in 1941, the clothes of the military seemed incredibly outdated. Before the war, the regular army numbered only 243,095 people, of which only 1,400 were officers, and the army itself was scattered across 130 large and small garrisons.

At the time, the US Army had three classes of uniforms. Class "A" was assigned to winter uniforms, class "B" - to uniforms for the autumn and spring seasons (its hallmark served as a jacket, like a tunic) and class "C" - the tropical uniform shown in the illustration. Form "C" was sewn from khaki teak or "chino", as this material is often called in America.
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Series about the USSR:, Moscow of the 70s, Labor in the USSR, Moscow of the 80s, Youth in the USSR, Moscow, which does not exist, USSR: without words.

And seemingly multitasking, Soviet military clothing still remained more practical and comfortable to wear during combat. The military uniform of the Red Army was distinguished by high wear resistance and unpretentious use. At the same time, officers and soldiers of the Red Army were required to be given daily, combat and dress uniform, which was in summer and winter versions.

Tankers wore a special helmet made of leather or tarpaulin. In the summer they used a lighter version, in the winter - with a fur lining.
At the beginning of the war, field packs were used, but they were quickly replaced by the 1938 canvas duffel bag.

Not everyone had real duffel bags, so after the start of the war, many soldiers threw away gas masks and used gas masks instead.

According to the charter, each soldier armed with a rifle was supposed to have two leather cartridge bags. The bag could store four clips for the Mosin rifle - 20 rounds. Cartridge bags were worn on a waist belt, one on the side. The officers used a small bag, which was made of either leather or tarpaulin. There were several types of such bags, some of them were carried over the shoulder, some were hung from a waist belt. On top of the bag was a small tablet.

In 1943, she radically changed the army uniform and the system of sign distinctions.
The new tunic looked like a shirt, had a stand-up collar fastened with two buttons.

There were shoulder straps: field and everyday. Field shoulder straps were made of khaki fabric. On the shoulder straps near the button, they wore a small gold or silver badge, denoting the type of troops. The officers wore a cap with a black leather chin strap. The color of the band of the cap depended on the type of troops. In winter, generals and colonels were required to wear hats, and the rest of the officers received ordinary earflaps. The rank of sergeants and foremen was determined by the number and width of the stripes on the shoulder straps. The edging of the shoulder straps was in the colors of the military branch.

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The military uniform of the Red Army (RKKA) of the initial stage of the Great Patriotic War

The events of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War arouse more and more interest among people. In particular, many are interested in specific features and details, such as military uniforms, insignia, weapons of the Red Army of that era, etc. This work will focus on military uniform, in which our grandfathers and great-grandfathers fought in the most difficult first months of 1941-42.

On initial stage During the Great Patriotic War, the soldiers of the Red Army had three types of uniforms approved in 1935: everyday, guard and day off. Each of these types of military uniforms, in turn, had two options - winter and summer. Basic distinctive feature from the uniform of the 1943 model, there was the absence of shoulder straps, the role of which was played by the buttonholes that were sewn to the collar of the shirt. The buttonholes were used to determine military rank and the branch of the military.

The field military uniform of the 35th year model was made of khaki fabric, which was characterized by different color shades. For sewing summer uniforms they used cotton fabric a lighter shade, and winter version uniforms were made of woolen fabric, which was characterized by a more intense color.

Gymnast.

The cut of the shirt, reminiscent of the people's peasant shirt, was the same cut for both soldiers and officers; gymnastics were subdivided into summer and winter, as well as casual and weekend (service jackets).

Wide trousers.

Another basic element of the military uniform was the trousers (the so-called "breeches"). For soldier's trousers were characterized by a protective color and reinforcing stripes on the knees in the form of a diamond. The officers wore breeches in dark blue.

Belt .

The officer's belt could be distinguished by the material from which it was made (leather) and the brass buckle with a 5-point star.

Shoes .

High leather boots served as footwear for the officers. The soldiers wore tarpaulin boots or boots with windings.

Overcoat.

For soldiers and officers, overcoats of brownish-gray color of the same cut were sewn, which differed in the quality of execution.

Hats .

In the Red Army, several types of hats were used: budenovka in winter and summer versions, which were replaced at the end of the 30s. on caps for soldiers and caps for officers. For units stationed at Far East and in Central Asia, caps were replaced by wide-brimmed panamas. The helmet of the 36th year version was replaced with a helmet of the 39-40 model. For tankers, a special helmet was developed, which was made of tarpaulin or leather (the winter version of which was equipped with a fur lining).

Photo 1. Representative of the command staff, captain of artillery (sleeper on a black buttonhole). The commander's status is easily determined by the dark blue color of the trousers, the presence of a cap, leather boots and a belt with a brass buckle decorated with a 5-pointed star.

A holster from a TT pistol is visible on the belt, a field bag is hung over the shoulder. The medal "XX Years of the Red Army" is visible on the chest.

Photo 2. Private or representative non-commissioned officers... It is easy to distinguish from an officer by his typical soldier boots with windings from a long strip of tarpaulin. The windings are wound from the edge of the boot to the knee over the breeches (with the correct winding, the legs were reliably protected from dislocation). He is dressed in a tunic, the color of which is different from the color of the trousers (a phenomenon that was quite common before the war). Over time, the form tended to "fade", as a result of which the shade changed (up to almost white). A soldier's belt, narrower than an officer's belt, on the buckle lacks the star characteristic of officer's belts. Cartridges for cartridges are fastened to the belt, a bag with a gas mask and a case with a flask hang over the shoulders. On the left you can see a bag made of tarpaulin for grenades, behind it you can see a cover for a bayonet. On the right shoulder hangs a Mosin rifle (aka "three-line").

Photo 3. A soldier in a spring-autumn military uniform. The overcoat was replaced with a warm wadded jacket (sweatshirt). The soldier is dressed for some reason in cold summer pants. Shod in boots with gray windings. A soldier's head is wearing an SSh-36 helmet - quite comfortable, but difficult to manufacture. The soldier is girded with a waist belt made of tarpaulin, which in 1941-42. used instead of leather; on right side belt hangs a leather bandolier, and on the left side is attached a grenade pouch made of tarpaulin. A bag with a gas mask hangs over his shoulder (it is curious that both in the Soviet and German armies the soldiers were obliged to always have a gas mask with them, although poisonous gases were used quite rarely). The soldier is holding the famous Mosin rifle with a bayonet attached to it.