WWII NAZI GERMAN BREADBAG & LUFTWAFFE GAITERS WW2

WWII NAZI GERMAN WEHRMACHT M31 BREADBAG. Olive drab, water repellent, canvas construction bread bag with leather, steel and alloy fittings. All buttons are present and the straps are complete. Marked to the interior Mdl IV. Qu. R3. The standard issue M31 haversack, commonly referred to as the "breadbag", was based on the M1887 haversack and was adopted by the Wehrmacht as well as a wide variety of uniformed and non-uniformed political and paramilitary organizations in 1931. The main variation in breadbags used by political and para-military personnel as opposed to Wehrmacht personnel was the color. The breadbag was designed to carry rations, eating utensils and other assorted personal items. 2) LUFTWAFFE EM/NCO'S CANVAS GAITERS. Dual-ply, canvas construction gaiters with machine stitched seams, black leather and magnetic sheet metal fittings. Maker marked to the interior. Near MINT. Besides the helmet, the tall marching boot is probably one of the most instantly recognizable items of the German military. However the German concern with leather shortages was evident as early as September 1939 when issue of the traditional tall leather marching boot was restricted to personnel serving in the field. Regulations in November 1939 shortened the tall leather marching boot in an attempt to conserve leather. In early 1940 the lace-up ankle boots were first introduced as a further leather conservation method and by 1941 the ankle boot was issued to all new recruits in place of the marching boot. By 1943 with escalating leather shortages the gaiters and lace up ankle boots were issued to all replacement personnel and manufacture of the tall marching boots was discontinued altogether. As with other issued items the gaiters had a prescribed method of wear with the securing buckles to the rear and the bottom, scalloped, edge to the front to prevent excessive chafing. Although the short lace-up ankle boots and gaiters were completely serviceable they proved quite unpopular with the troops and a great deal of effort was put into the care and maintenance of the tall marching boots by those personnel who had retained them. Of Note: As a result of the gaiter’s unpopularity the were often referred to with derogatory nicknames such as, Timoschenko-socken, (Timoshenko-socks), referring to Marshal of the Soviet Union Semyon Timoshenko, and Rückzugsgamaschen, (Retreat Gaiters).