|
|
Post by frankd on Feb 6, 2013 15:14:46 GMT -8
I am hoping someone can answer this. Did Marines in WW1 wear puttees or leggings? Were leggings a new concept back then? IF not, who in their right mind and for what purpose, invented the puttees?
Frank
|
|
1886lebel
GWHS 
151?me R?giment d'Infanterie de Ligne
Posts: 732
|
Post by 1886lebel on Feb 6, 2013 17:05:02 GMT -8
puttee, also spelled puttie, is the name adapted from the Hindi word patti or patta which meant either as bandage or strip of cloth. No one is sure when these were developed but some sources say they date back to the beginning of time when legs were wrapped in fur for protection.
These became popular in the late 1880's for European Armies as they had excellent functions, one was to keep legs warm, keep rocks out of the boots and also constricted the calf muscle from becoming cramped when marching long distances with full gear. They are still popular with mountain climbers to this day.
Patrick
|
|
|
|
Post by oskar2ndchev on Feb 6, 2013 21:52:08 GMT -8
The short answer is, it depends on what part of the war. Generally speaking, along with the Army, the Marines began to transition to puttees shortly after arriving in France when it became apparent that canvas leggings were not suitable for extended life in the trenches. Also, to simplify logistics, Pershing put out a General Order that basically stated that the Marines would wear the same uniform as the Army and by late 1918, the transition was pretty complete.
Puttees were not a new idea, the British Army had been using them since the 1890s and some officers in the US Army started using them. But they didn't come into widespread use until WWI.
|
|
|
|
Post by frankd on Feb 6, 2013 22:06:15 GMT -8
A lot of valuable information! Would leggings be a very uncommon sight come 1918 for US Marines? Wasn't the first encounter with Germans at Belleau Wood? Was it a matter of, "If the leggings wore out, you get the putties". Or was it "turn in the leggings for some putties". I am quite accustomed to leggings, but quite terrified of putties. (I'm learning slowly though please bear with me).
Thank you for the informative replies!
Frank
|
|
|
|
Post by oskar2ndchev on Feb 7, 2013 6:18:18 GMT -8
You'll get used to putting them on- it takes a little time and practice. If you have thick calves like I do, get the longer ones (Schipper offers puttees in 9 and 12 inch lengths). From what I can tell, and I'm no expert here, is that like the Army, the Marines were gradually transitioned to puttees with priority going to units at the front. I do know that there was a definite order to turn in campaign hats for steel helmets and an American version of the French overseas cap. Ultimately, you'll want to do some photographic research to help nail things down better. If you have not done so, you might want to check out this website: www.gwadevildogs.org/index.htm |
|
1886lebel
GWHS
151?me R?giment d'Infanterie de Ligne
Posts: 732
|
Post by 1886lebel on Feb 7, 2013 8:17:36 GMT -8
The French Chasseurs Alpins had been wearing them since thier creation in 1888 ;D
Patrick
|
|
|
|
Post by Larry Dunn on Feb 7, 2013 9:36:17 GMT -8
They seem crazy, but puttees work well in the trenches, and are very good for keeping crap out of your boots.
-Larry
|
|
|
|
Post by Marcus on Feb 7, 2013 15:55:28 GMT -8
A tip to puttees are to mark them and use the same one on each leg. The material over time will get a "memory" to your leg and it will help with the fit. When I first got into this I was told to soak in warm water, wrap around your legs and wear until dry. It helped conform to my legs and I rarely get "blowouts".
|
|
|
|
Post by hudson03 on Jan 18, 2018 0:57:31 GMT -8
These were sort of a leg warmer. Puttee means bandage, and they use to wrap it around their calves to keep the leg warm. I did some shopping last week and I bought leg warmers that looked like puttee, a legging, a jacket and a sports bra from Carbon38. |
|
|
|
Post by Transport on Aug 29, 2018 1:45:56 GMT -8
Ahoy!
I have been searching for the answer to Frankd's question. It appears that Marines arriving in France were wearing the standard Canvas Leggings. Photos bear this out. However, as with the early arrivals- June 1917 of the Marine Brigades these lads wore the same set uniforms until January of 1918. This is when General Pershing ordered the Marines in to wearing Army Drab uniforms- his reasoning was that it would simplify the supply system. Then it is mentioned in period journals that Marines were wearing Puttees when they were in the Verdun Sector in March of 1918. So, depending on your impression, any Marine in the Verdun to Meuse-Argonne campaigns would have been wearing Puttees.
Transport out.
|
|
