What was the "normal" combat boot of the UK...

What was the "normal" combat boot of the UK troops in general. Not special footwear, but those worn by the great bulkof the troops.

This is stemming from another question which is bothering me a little. Did the British/Commonwealth/Dominion troops suffer the same appalling rate of "frostbite" as the Americans? Or were they more issued more proper footwear before the first winter on the contenient?

I know our troops suffered a high frostbite ratio due to lack of "galoshes", and felt liners in the Second Ardennes Offensive (Battle of the Bulge), did the UK forces have a better boot/sock combination? Or did they also have a large frostbite problem.

Just curious, I posted the same query on WW2f and thought since this site is more populated with those whose expertise focuses on the gear of the UK I thought I would double my chances of getting an answer by posting it here as well.

Thanks in advance!

 

old fashioned hobnailed boots With the required 13 studs in the soles.
Ordinary leather boots

 

old fashioned hobnailed boots With the required 13 studs in the soles.
Ordinary leather boots

Ok, then what about the frostbite problem? I have never heard if the UK and their ground pounders had the same bad ratio as we Americans did. Or were they supplied with better wool socks and galoshes?

 

There was nothing particularly special about the British boot (which started the war incidentally with more hobnails). It was however a better boot than the 'Boot, ankle, DMS' which replaced it. The later 'Direct moulded sole' boot did cause problems in the Falklands because it retained moisture that the older leather-soled boot allowed to evaporate.

If the British had fewer problems (and I've not heard anecdotally of serious difficulties) then it is probably as a result of disciplines and systems learned as a consequence of the serious foot disease cases incurred during WW1. It's worth 'Googling' "Trench Foot"

 

Thanks guys, I just wondered if it was better gear, or better "foot disciple". I have a sneaking suspicion it was better "foot care and disciple", rather than improved footwear itself.

Thanks again.

 

I am now wondering if the "rubber" soles on our combat boots might have contributed to this frostbite problem? The US had and kept those, the UK had leather soles but switched to our style post-war and had problem.

Mayhaps the "breathing" of the leather soles was advantageous to keep the men's feet drier in these conditons?

Here is a link to our Combat boot:

SERVICE SHOES AND COMBAT BOOTS

The "composite" sole lasted longer, and was less expensive to construct for the US Quartermaster Corps. I wonder if they somehow traded off "cost" for "benefit". (?)

 

There was nothing particularly special about the British boot (which started the war incidentally with more hobnails). It was however a better boot than the 'Boot, ankle, DMS' which replaced it. The later 'Direct moulded sole' boot did cause problems in the Falklands because it reatined moisture that the older leather-soled boot allowed to evaporate.

If the British had fewer problems (and I've not heard anecdotally of serious difficulties) then it is probably as a result of disciplines and systems learned as a consequence of the serious foot disease cases incurred during WW1. It's worth 'Googling' "Trench Foot"

The chief problem with the DMS boot was that the tongue or flap of leather at the front/top of the boot beneath the lacing was not sewn to the uppers or main part of the boot right up to the top of the boot. In effect, if you stepped into a puddle more than 3 or 4 inches deep or spent a couple of hours walkign through long, wet grass it would flood into the boot. This problem with the DMS boot was compounded by the use of 'rubber' soles 'directly moulded' to the leather uppers, making it slow for the boot to drain and dry out. I was issued DMS boots in 1979 and as soon as I could afford it privately bought a pair of patrol boots (thank you Silvermans!) which looked very much like DMS but were taller (perhaps 10 inches) and had a properly sewn-in tongue. If you looked after them and keep them nicely greased up then you unlikely to experiance wet feet except in the very worst of conditions. DMS boots were kept for display, duty, inspections etc and rightfully despised by all.

 

Actually, there's ANOTHER major issue with the DMS boot...

The composite the soles are molded from breaks down with age! In the last three months I've had to chuck away four on-the-surface perfectly serviceable pairs - one of them less than ten years old and stored from new/unworn. The others I put on for winter use this year on the bike after wearing longboots for a couple of years....and they immedaitely began "spalling" the corners off the treadblocks! Took them off....and there were huge cracks RIGHT through the sole to my foot! And when I took the new pair and inspected them - the same splits!

I'd heard rumours of this - being NOT ex-forces - but this is a 100% failure rate, even from new!

 

The leather boot was very comfortable to wear. Easy to run in. In training, we did a seven mile run before breakfast (in boots) as a squad, and running at the same pace. LIke a drill squad. You had to see your face in the polished surface of them.

The earlier picture of a service man was of a 3 div soldier but I fancy the ammo pouches were longer in length than those shown. And more rectangular. WE also had the later helmet with the added advantage that the rain was carried out further so that it did not run down your neck
sapper

 

I never forgot my first issue of DMS Boots for the use of my Best boots were Bloody awful to get a good bull on them, my working boots were not supposed to be bulled up ....... "Tell that to the DIs "and with puttees where uncomfortable, Later I bought a pair of NI patrol boots but got a roasting for not wearing puttees so my mate who all where doing the same got a pair of puttees cut them in half and wore them around the boot :p to the DIs

 

Puttees? Don't get me started, grr grrr

 

Puttees! Dont get me started either!!!!

 

Boots ammunition or to Jock Guards- Boots Tackety. Two pairs one for keeping the Sergeant Major assorted Drill Sergeants. Company Sergeant Majors and ........... others happy perfecting the drills - the dreaded words - ' I am going to reduce you to shiny capstars, crispy bacon and melted polish' Step to the time I call out - the other pair the black diamonds for the big day. Once broken in they are pure magic! the worst boot ever made - DMS, the old NI patrol boot was not bad. Puttees - early 70s our battalion medical officer came up with the nonsense that wearing elastic bands in lightweights over puttees would restrict blood flow. At the bottom of Magazine street we had a bit of a problem someone had booked 2SG for a spot of target practice. As this was going on a full sergeant from another platoon passed me and said - put yourself on report improperly dressed. JHC someone Had shot at us and and this doughbag spotted I was wearing elastics! On orders left right left right, saluting as you fly in, turn mark time right foot down right arm down, smart as a box of frogs. The KK said is this right company sergeant major? He said yes sir, did you know the standing orders regarding dress? Yes sir, I fine you two pounds! Left,right, left right saluting with a grin as I left his office the MoD two quid better off.

 

i can recall being asked to 'test-wear' a pair pair of really comfortable high boots in the early 1970s much to the Sgt majors disgust when he tried to put me on a charge for wearing unauthorised footwear - they lasted a long long time - alas the Army never adopted them

 

first time at the counter at the Q.M. stores ..'' what size boots do you take ''
'' eight and a half '' Q ..well heres a size 9 ...your feet will soon spread into them ..
and they did ...

 

i can recall being asked to 'test-wear' a pair pair of really comfortable high boots in the early 1970s much to the Sgt majors disgust when he tried to put me on a charge for wearing unauthorised footwear - they lasted a long long time - alas the Army never adopted them

Any idea what they were? I suspect you was close to having the DMS ankle boot then that they binned after 1982 for the hi leg boot.

 

They were not the high boot - no toecap - padded on upper rim of boot - double stiched gusseted tongue, 2 hooks on top of lace holes,

 

http://cas.awm.gov.au/screen_img/REL/10925
Pair brown leather ankle boots : Australian Army tropical issue