German soldiers kit

[Kev]

Hi,

I know that most troops kept their 'battle kit' in their rucksacks, but can anyone tell me whether German troops had an equivalent to the British/US 'Kit bag' for all their other kit? or was all their kit kept in rucksacks?

Thanks
Regards,
Kev

[Landserstudent]

This is a very good question, and I shall venture to cross the gaps in my knowledge/awareness to give some insight.

From my own studies I have concluded that it depended to a large degree on
the "Unternehmung" or Operation a troop or troops were assigned to. Certain combat operations--like those in US & UK formations--dictated the leaving behind of certain gear, and/or the taking up of other 'Ausruest" /equipage.

If there was a rear area, it is safe to assume a soldier/serviceman had a place that held their base issue. Certain items were spelled out for certain operations;
an assault would dictate (hopefully!) the nature of particular gear for a Soldat.

Items were issued and recalled. It's been well-documented how important NOT leaving gear on the battlefield--especially weapons--was to the Wehrmacht.

See Bender "Afrika Korps" and Lucas "War on the Eastern Front".

Tschuss!

Landserstudent

[Kev]

Thanks for your information, it has helped to clarify a lot of confusion.

Regards, Kev