Trench boot

The trench boot sometimes known as the Pershing boot was a combat boot used in World War I by American, French, and Belgian forces, made for the cold mud of trench warfare.

Evolution

Introduction

The 1917 Trench Boot was an adaptation of the boots American manufacturers were selling to the French and Belgian armies at the beginning of World War I. In American service, it replaced the Russet Marching Shoe. The boot was made of tanned cowhide with a half middle sole covered by a full sole, studded with five rows of hobnails. [http://www.worldwar1.com/dbc/l_tanks.htm Little Tanks - The American Field Shoe [Boot ] ] Iron plates were fixed to the heel. It was a great improvement, however it lacked waterproofing, leading to trench foot. [cite journal |author=Atenstaedt RL |title=Trench foot: the medical response in the first World War 1914-18 |journal=Wilderness Environ Med |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=282–9 |year=2006 |pmid=17219792 |doi=]

Improvements

In January, 1918 the Chief Quartermaster for the U.S. Army met with a board of officers at American Expeditionary Force Headquarters to make recommendations in order to improve the footwear of soldiers. The findings of the board were sent to General John Pershing, who approved the proposed changes. He cabled the study to The War Department for action. Shortly following, the improved 1918 Trench Boot, also called the Pershing Boot was born. [http://www.worldwar1.com/dbc/l_tanks.htm Little Tanks - The American Field Shoe [Boot ] ] It used heavier leather in its construction, and had several minor changes from the 1917 Boot, including a thicker sole and improved waterproofing. [http://www.worldwar1.com/dbc/l_tanks.htm Little Tanks - The American Field Shoe [Boot ] ] Due to the boots greater size, they were known as "Little Tanks" by the soldiers who received them. [http://www.worldwar1.com/dbc/l_tanks.htm Little Tanks - The American Field Shoe [Boot ] ]

References