German raincoat tent during the Second World War. Army raincoat tent: a universal attribute of Russian soldiers

Traditionally, this element of the uniform of the Russian military arose in the 19th century - already in 1882 a raincoat-tent was included in the outfit as a mandatory attribute. But the unit of that time was not much like modern light pieces of tarpaulin: wooden stakes and stands were attached to it, which the soldier had to carry under his greatcoat along with a heavy and bulky tent rolled into a roller. And nevertheless, the military were ready for this - finally, in field conditions, their heads could not get wet in the rain. The idea of ​​preserving the uniform in a dry state so pleased the authorities that already in 1910 the tarpaulin triangle officially received the status of a "soldier's raincoat-tent" and was used during inspections.

From the earliest years, the raincoat-tent was produced in khaki colors, disguising the location of the soldier at a halt. Have German soldiers the era of the Second World War, the coloring of the raincoat-tent was two-sided - under "our" dirt and under the "native". It was possible to fasten four tents together and get one large, full-fledged one for several people. Here's just the only "but": from those very first years - that is, since 1910, no one bothered to change the design of the tent - this is how our brave guys wrap themselves in a short frail cape.

Modern raincoat tent and its alternatives

Today the raincoat tent has a canvas size of 180cm and cords for tightening the hood and the raincoat itself. It can be worn both behind the back and in the form of a cape, but the buttons have been replaced with the same wooden pegs. If the rationers had allocated at least another 20cm for the length of the side of the tent, perhaps the Russian soldiers would not have had to curl their legs while resting.

With the help of a raincoat, the military cleanses weapons, using it as a bedding, and for shooting, as well. Foliage is transferred on it during the cleaning of the territory, it is covered with bunks in marching shelters, etc. Due to its bright fame and versatility, the raincoat-tent has gained popularity among imitators of the military style - there are those who prefer to hide only with it on campaigns.

We will not argue how convenient it is, but for more conservative people, an ordinary two-person tent is better suited. They are now made in a huge variety, from super-light structures and materials - up to aluminum and fiberglass, they are rolled up in such a tube that you can put it in a backpack. As for the shapes, there is where to roam: domed ones are popular, but elongated rectangular ones are also suitable for tall people.

How to make a tent with your own hands?

A section for those who are especially devoted to tourism. It is possible to make housing from six cameras from a road bike, ordinary polyethylene and tarpaulin. These inflatable tents are not mounted on heavy metal, but on heavy-duty rubber tubes.

Cutting 4 chambers about a decimeter from the nipple, we get tubes of 120 cm each, in order to lengthen them, we take another 60 cm from the remaining chambers. It is necessary to glue the chambers and seal the ends. Now we sheathe it with a tarpaulin, attaching to the ends on a loop with a diameter of up to 5 cm. the nipples are left outside to pump air into the chambers.

We cut a circle out of a piece of tarpaulin and sew it to the covers - this will be the bottom of the tent and at the same time fastening the racks. That's it, now we are preparing an awning made of polyethylene, glue it with "Moment" to the racks and additionally stitch it with nylon thread. Such a tent weighs no more than 2 kg, and the installation process will not take more than 10 minutes.

WORKFORMS OF CLOTHING FOR LAND FORCES AND SPECIAL EQUIPMENT OF SAPER

1. German chief corporal in working uniform and garrison cap (sample 1938).
2. A soldier of a sapper battalion of an infantry division. Field uniforms arr. 1936 Edging of shoulder straps - military color. Waist belt - standard model, with sapper pouches. Wire scissors - in a leather case. Armament - M24 grenade, P08 Parabellum pistol and plate mines.
3. A sapper-flamethrower in a thermal protective rubberized suit and a helmet with a mask. Armed with a backpack flamethrower mod. 1935 g.

SUMMER FIELD JACKET
1. German non-commissioned officer in a field jacket (arr. 1936). On the head is a helmet (sample 1935) with a rim for attaching camouflage from leaves. The non-commissioned officer is wearing field binoculars, an officer's tablet, a biscuit bag, a gas mask, a flask, a raincoat in a roll-up. The officer is armed with an MP40 submachine gun.
2. German soldier in cotton uniforms (model 1943). On the head is a garrison cap (sample 1942). Helmet mod. 1942 with rope net. On the strap of the gas mask case there is a bag of mosquito cover. Standard infantry equipment with rifle pouches. The soldier is armed with a Mauser K98k carbine.
3. German machine gunner in a jacket mod. 1944 On the head - a field cap arr. 1943. On the waist belt there is a pouch for machine gun accessories. The machine gunner is armed with an MG42 machine gun.

WINTER FIELD JACKET

1. A German soldier in a guard overcoat (arr. 1941) with leather flaps.
A cap with earflaps is worn on a woolen comforter-"pipe". Insulated winter boots. On the waist belt there are rifle pouches. The soldier is armed with a Mauser K98k carbine.
2. A German soldier in an elongated greatcoat (Model 1942) with a fastening hood. A fur-trimmed field cap of a non-statutory model. The "pipe" comforter covers half of the face. Guard bots. Armament - captured Soviet machine gun PPSh.
3. German soldier in an overcoat (sample 1936). There is a camouflage cover on the helmet. Comforter-cut ". Snow goggles. Winter boots. Standard infantry equipment with rifle pouches. Gas mask and bag with anti-perspiration cape.

JOINTING FOR GERMAN OFFICERS AND GENERALS
1. German chief lieutenant in a cotton field jacket (model 1943).
Field officer's cap. Breeches. Binoculars, officer's tablet, officer's waist belt with automatic pouches. On the jacket - the Iron Cross of the 1st class and the Badge of the participant in assault attacks. Armament - MP40 submachine gun.
2. Major General in a military jacket mod. 1936 General's cap. Breeches with stripes. On the jacket there is an Iron Cross of the 1st class with fastening of 1939 and the straps of the Iron Cross of the II class. Military Merit Cross II class with swords, the so-called "Eastern medal" (for the winter campaign of 1941-1942) and the medals for length of service.
3. Ober-lieutenant in an officer's overcoat and cap. Armament - Walter P38 pistol.

GERMAN SUMMER CAMOUFLAGE JOINTS

From left to right:
1. German soldier in mesh camouflage. Field uniform (sample 1943). Helmet mod. 1942 with rope net. Equipment - rifle pouches, bayonet-knife, gas mask with anti-perspiration cape. The soldier is armed with a Mauser K98k carbine.
2. A German soldier in a raincoat (sample 1931). There is a camouflage cover on the helmet. On the waist belt there are automatic pouches with a pocket for the equipment mechanism. Armament-grenade М24 and submachine gun МР40.
3. German soldier in camouflage anorak blouse (model 1942). On the helmet - leafy camouflage. Standard infantry equipment with rifle pouches, small sapper shovel, gas mask. Armament - Mauser carbine K98k and "Panzerfaust" 30 m (type 2).
4. Steel helmet (model 1942) with wire mesh.

GERMAN WINTER CAMOUFLAGE COATS

1. A German non-commissioned officer in a double-sided insulated suit, in a helmet painted with white paint, with a comforter - a pipe. " Binoculars, flashlight, bowler hat, automatic pouches. Winter boots. Armament - submachine gun MP40.
2. A German soldier in a two-piece winter camouflage suit. On the cap (sample I938). wearing a woolen scarf confiscated from the civilian population. The soldier is armed with M24 and M39 grenades, Mauser carbine K98k.
3. A soldier in a winter camouflage blouse. A piece of white cloth is attached to the helmet with an elastic band or string. Headphones. Overcoat arr. 1940 Guard boats. Armament - Mauser carbine K98k.

RIGGING OFFICERS OF THE GENERAL STAFF, COMMUNICATIONS AND MOTORCYCLISTS

1. German captain - chief of reconnaissance of the division (3rd officer of the General Staff). Officer's field jacket (model 1936 with aiguillette. Cap with crimson edging. Breeches with crimson edging. On the jacket there is a badge for injury and straps of the Iron Cross II class and "Eastern medal".
2. A German soldier of the telephone-cable company of the communications battalion of the infantry division with a coil of light cable. Field uniform (sample 1936). Pilotka (sample 1938). The edging of the shoulder strap and the corner on the garrison cap are military color.
3. Motorcyclist in a rubberized raincoat. Steel helmet with goggles. Waist belt with rifle pouches. On the neck - a gas mask with an anti-seizure cape.

Waterproof cape refers to wearable camping tents intended for one person. The material for their execution, as a rule, is a waterproof fabric, which simultaneously serves as a raincoat and a tent. In case of special need, they can also be used as stretchers or drags for transporting soldiers wounded in battle or sick.

From the history of the emergence of raincoats

It is known that in 1882, raincoats were an obligatory attribute of soldiers' marching equipment. Such a cloak looked like a light gray bundle, which the soldiers carried over their shoulders and tied with belts to the overcoat rolls. The set of tents included wooden pegs and racks, which were pushed between the tents and rolls.

It should be noted that for that time it was a revolutionary decision. For the first time, soldiers received protective equipment from bad weather, at a halt, as well as on the march. And that was important. Previously, the camp tents of soldiers were transported in second-rate carts, which, according to the regulations, followed the regiments at a distance equal to half a day's march, which usually amounted to as much as 20-30 versts. Now the soldiers had personal resting places that could be installed at any time of the day.

At first, the tents were simple panels with holes in the corners for ease of installation. However, the soldiers more often covered with tents from the rains on the marches. They learned to use tents as a raincoat. The authorities took a closer look at the soldier's behavior, and in 1910 the tents were modernized.

In Soviet times, since 1936, the command and enlisted personnel in the rifle units of the Red Army were provided with a set of raincoats, which included:

• Cloak-tent fabric with dimensions 180 × 180 cm;
• A collapsible rack, which includes two half-racks-rods 65 cm long;
• Two jokes;
• Lacing rope.

In the case of skillful use, the raincoat-tents became an excellent protection for commanders and Red Army men from inclement weather. Moreover, these attributes were used to disguise and carry the wounded. Also, with the help of raincoats stuffed with hay or straw, it was possible to overcome water obstacles.

From such raincoats, tents for personnel for half the compartment, and they were also equipped with tents, visors, covered tents, open trenches, entrances to dugouts. In addition, the cloths could serve as beddings and blankets. Since 1942, the defense industry began to produce fabrics with double-sided camouflage in order to improve the camouflage properties of the raincoat.

Cloak tent today

After 1910, the soldier's raincoat tents were no longer changed (apart from minor modifications) and remained until the beginning of the 21st century. It is clear that these days they are hopelessly outdated. In our time, these are no longer raincoats or tents.

So, in the case of putting on in the form of a raincoat, it is immediately discovered that the front of the panel is almost missing to the knees. Drops dripping from the cloth soon make the knees wet. The angle selected from behind during movement makes it possible to drain water alternately into one or the other boot. If you bend it, then it will drag with a rustling, clinging to anything and get dirty. The material for the cloth itself is outdated - it is an ordinary thin tent fabric that does not have a serious water-repellent impregnation. Those who have served in the army know that in a couple of hours the raincoat will get wet and will not protect at all from the rain.

Despite the fact that the raincoat-tents are currently not able to fulfill the real tasks assigned to them, no one particularly objects to them and does not demand to update them with something appropriate that meets today's realities.

Today raincoat tents are used as:

• Litter while cleaning weapons in the field;
• Litter when firing from a machine gun;
• An impromptu tablecloth when eating in the field;
• For the transfer of bread and other food;
• Stretcher for carrying out swept dry leaves and other litter;
• Stretcher for carrying sick or wounded soldiers;
• Beds on bunks in camping tents;
• Doors in barracks or houses dilapidated from shelling;
• Material for closing windows in destroyed dwellings;
• In any other case, when a strong dense fabric is required.

For protection from rain today, the well-known combined arms protective kit (OZK) is more effective.

As often happens, since 1910, no one has been modernizing soldiers' raincoats, and such a problem is not even raised. And this despite the fact that even during the Second World War, the Wehrmacht had more comfortable, practical raincoat-tents made of waterproof tarpaulin. In addition, the German raincoat-tents had a double-sided camouflage color and could be used as a camouflage cover. There are also excellent examples of the American poncho-type raincoat.

Cloak Tents - Bundeswehr

The 1931 Zeltbahn Tent (Zeltbahn 31) was released as a replacement for the earlier square designs. They were originally known as the "Warei patterns". The tents were triangular panels of waterproof cotton gabardines, and were used as multi-purpose shelters, bedding to lie on the ground, and raincoats. There was a dark camouflage image on one side and a light one on the other. These camouflages are known by collectors as “tricolor (brown and two shades of green) comminuted camouflage”.

Before the end of the war, most of the raincoats were inscribed with dark, double-sided images. A limited number of reed green or light bronze colors were produced for North Africa... However, continental models were widespread.

German tents were 203x250 cm in size, on the shorter side sides there were 12 buttons with loops. The underside had six button loops and six small rings. A tightening rope was threaded through them, and 6 more buttons were sewn just above the buttonholes.

Buttons and loops on the short sides of the tents were used to attach to additional tent sections and thus fold a general tent of any size. When the tent was used as a raincoat, buttons with loops at the base of the cloth were fastened around the legs. In the middle of the panel there was a slit for the head. It was overlapped with two strips of fabric.

As soon as the raincoat-tents were introduced, detachable triangular hoods were attached to them, which were soon abolished. With the help of large metal rings at the corners of the tent panels, it was possible to stretch the tents to be erected using ropes or stakes.

With the help of connected one or two tents, it was possible to form hut-type shelters from the rain. From four connected raincoats, a pyramidal tent could be obtained, in which four soldiers could fit. There were standard methods of erecting tents for 8-16 persons. For this, there was a whole set of tent accessories that was worn in a bag.

When we used tents as raincoats, we used three options for wearing them: foot, cavalry and scooter. The tents were used as bedding or pillows, and when they were stuffed with hay or twigs, they were used as a floating craft.

In the form, in addition to the external component, the functional is also important. A soldier of any country on the battlefield should be comfortably and practically uniform.
According to art critic M.R. Kirsanova, in war, they recognize friends and foes by their uniforms. S.V. Struchev, a costume designer, adds to this statement: “To see who to shoot at. Because the contact between the shooter and the enemy is visual. "

the USSR

The Red Army soldiers were well equipped at any time of the year. In the summer, caps and helmets were used. The most common was the SSh-40 helmet. Semyon Budyonny participated in its creation, checking the helmet with saber strikes and shooting from a revolver. In winter, caps with earflaps with earflaps were introduced, which protected well from frost. The lightweight uniform also included cotton gymnastics with breast welt pockets, wide trousers. Soldiers could store things in backpacks or duffel bags. They drank water from glass flasks suspended in a sack from a belt. Grenades were also worn on the belt - in special bags. In addition, the outfit included a bag for a gas mask and cartridges. Ordinary Red Army men wore raincoats that could be used as raincoats. In winter, the uniform was complemented by a sheepskin coat or wadded jacket with a quilted jacket, fur mittens, felt boots and wadded trousers.

The uniform of the Red Army seemed to have been thought out to the smallest detail: there was even a compartment for an ax in the 1942 duffel bag. This is how one of the Red Army soldiers described the condition of his clothes in a letter: "My clothes are pretty shabby and are of no value to the house." And so Professor P.M. spoke about the army uniform. Shurygin, participant of the Battle of Rzhev: “Soon we will receive quilted trousers, quilted jackets, warm underwear. They will give boots with snow. The material is solid, so you wonder where so much of this beautiful material comes from. " From the memoirs it is clear that the uniform of the Red Army soldier was of high quality and practical. Numerous pockets, ammunition bags made military life much easier.

Germany

The uniform of the German soldiers was sewn at the Hugo Boss factory. It included: a steel helmet with a double-sided cover, an overcoat, a gas mask case, a belt, rifle pouches, a raincoat, a bowler hat. The Wehrmacht's uniform was complete for European territory. The frosty Eastern Front demanded a completely different approach. The first winter the soldiers were freezing. We have already prepared for the second: insulated jackets, quilted trousers, as well as woolen gloves, sweaters and socks were introduced into the uniform. But that was not enough.

Despite the fact that the Soviet uniform was much heavier and easier to manufacture, it was considered more suitable for military operations in the winter. The reenactor of the Vostochny Frontier club, Yuri Girev, comments on the difference in the uniforms of the key powers as follows: “The uniform of a Red Army soldier was much warmer than the uniform of the Germans. Our soldiers wore barnyard boots on their feet. Boots with windings were used more often. " One of the German representatives of the Wehrmacht wrote in a message to his relatives: “Passing through Gumrak, I saw a crowd of our retreating soldiers, they weave in a wide variety of uniforms, wrapping all kinds of clothing around themselves, just to keep warm. Suddenly one soldier falls into the snow, others pass by indifferently.

Britannia

British soldiers wore field uniforms: a collared blouse or woolen shirt, steel helmet, loose trousers, a gas mask, a holster with a long belt, black boots and overcoats. By the start of World War II, a new uniform had been adopted. The regular units of the British army received it last, because first it was necessary to uniform the recruits and those whose clothes had already lost their dignified appearance. In the course of the war, minor changes took place: the collar and other elements of clothing were lined so that the coarse twill would not rub, buckles began to be produced with teeth.

Often, British soldiers had to wear a heavy tropal raincoat with a down lining. In order not to freeze, they wore knitted comforters under their helmets. Russian historian Igor Drogovoz praised the British uniform at its true worth: “The uniform of soldiers and officers of the British army has become a role model for all armies in Europe. Very soon the entire European military class began to dress in khaki jackets, and in boots with windings, Soviet soldiers took Berlin in 1945. "

USA

The uniform of American soldiers is objectively considered the most comfortable and thoughtful for the conditions of the Second World War. They were guided by it even when developing uniforms in the post-war period. The uniform consisted of a woolen shirt, a light field jacket, trousers with linen leggings, low brown boots, a helmet or a garrison cap. All of these things have replaced the twill jumpsuit. All the clothes of the US soldiers differed in functionality: the jacket was fastened with a zipper and buttons, and was equipped with slotted pockets on the sides. The best outfit of the Americans was the Arctic set, consisting of a warm parka jacket and lace-up boots with fur.

Japan

During the Second World War, the Japanese had three types of uniforms. Each of them included a uniform, trousers, an overcoat and a cape. For warm weather, a cotton version was provided, for cold weather - a woolen one. The outfit also included a helmet, boots or boots. For Japanese soldiers, military operations in winter conditions are operations in the north of China, Manchuria and Korea. It was there that the most insulated form was used. Naturally, it was not suitable for the harsh climate, because it was an overcoat with fur cuffs, woolen quilted trousers and underpants. In general, it is difficult to call Japanese uniforms functional. It was only suitable for certain latitudes with a tropical climate.

Italy

During the Second World War, Italian soldiers wore a shirt and tie, a single-breasted tunic with a waist belt, breeches with windings or woolen golf socks, ankle-length boots. Some soldiers found it more comfortable to wear breeches. The uniforms were not suitable for winter campaigns. The overcoat was made of cheap rough cloth, which did not warm at all in the cold. The army was not equipped with winter clothing. Insulated options were available only to representatives of the mountain troops. The Italian newspaper "Province of Como" in 1943 noted that only a tenth of the soldiers during their stay in Russia were equipped with a uniform suitable for this. In their memoirs, the fighters wrote that at times the temperature reached minus 42 degrees, so many died from frostbite, and not during military operations. The statistics of the Italian command report that in the first winter alone, 3,600 soldiers suffered from hypothermia.

France

French soldiers fought in colored uniforms. They were dressed in single-breasted tunics with buttons, double-breasted overcoats with side pocket flaps. The flaps of the greatcoat could be fastened back to make it easier to walk. There were belt loops on the clothes. The foot troops wore taped breeches. Headdresses were of three types. The most popular was the kepi. Adrian's helmets, which had an emblem depicted on the front, were also actively worn. Apart from its looks, this helmet could hardly boast of anything else. It did not provide protection against bullets. In very cold weather, the French uniform expanded its range to a sheepskin sheepskin coat. Such clothes can hardly be called optimal for different weather conditions.

The best uniform of American soldiers has become the inspiration for all modern field clothing. It was distinguished by functionality and thoughtful appearance... They did not freeze in it, and this was one of the decisive factors in the war.

The raincoat-tent appeared in the outfit of the Russian soldier a long time ago.

True, at that time it was intended only for the role of an individual soldier's tent. The figure shows the equipment of an army infantry soldier of the 1882 model. Among other elements, a light gray bundle of a tent is clearly visible, tied with a belt to an overcoat roll worn by a soldier over his left shoulder. The tent in the kit had wooden pegs and a stand that was pushed between the tent and the roll-up.

For that time, this was a truly revolutionary decision. For the first time, a soldier received a means of weather protection both during rest and on the march. This was very important, because the soldier's camp tents were transported in a second-class wagon train, which, according to the regulations, followed the regiment at a distance of half a day's march, i.e. 20-30 versts Consequently, earlier, after a day's march, a soldier could get a place to rest and shelter from the rain at best by the middle of the night, and if we take into account the time required for setting up tents, then by morning. Those. by the time the next day's march was to begin. Thus, it turned out that on all days of the march, the soldier was always under open air and could count on some sort of normal conditions for rest only when the regiment stopped for a daily rest.

The individual tent changed its position radically. A soldier, having come to his place of lodging, could put up a kind of tent for himself and hide from the night dampness, rain, coolness, dew. Having united, three or four people could already make up something more similar to a real tent from their tents.

Initially, the tent was simply a panel with holes in the corners for installation and was intended to be used only as a tent. The soldiers instantly adapted to shelter themselves from the rain with a tent during the march. They themselves began to adapt the tent so that it was convenient to use it and like a raincoat. The soldiers' notions were noticed and appreciated by the authorities, and in 1910 the tent was modernized. From that time on, she received official name\ "Soldier's raincoat-tent \". In the drawing of a soldier in a 1912 uniform, a bundle of a cloak-tent with pegs thrust into it is seen tied to a greatcoat roll (behind his right hand).

However, since 1910, the soldier's raincoat-tent has hardly changed anymore (with the exception of minor changes) and remained in this form by the beginning of the XXI century.

Today it is hopelessly outdated. We can say that today it is neither a raincoat nor a tent.

If you put it on like a cape, it immediately turns out that the front of the panel does not even reach the knees. The water flowing down from the cloth quickly makes the knees wet, even if the soldier is standing. The corner tucked up at the back ensures that when walking, water flows alternately into the left, then into the right boot. If the corner is turned away, then he drags with a loud rustle through the mud behind his back, clinging to all the blades of grass, twigs, etc., and pulling off the cloak from his shoulders. In addition, the cloth itself is made of ordinary thin tent fabric without any serious water-repellent impregnation, after two or three hours the raincoat gets wet and no longer provides protection from the rain. The figure shows a submachine gun soldier (it looks like he is much lower than average) in modern raincoat tent with a machine gun in the standing position.

A modern soldier's raincoat-tent looks like this: A square cloth with a side of 180cm. Holes are made in the corners of the cloth, trimmed with a strong cord or leather overlays. The edges of the panel are double with a row of small holes-slits and wooden sticks sewn on, used as buttons. A curly arcuate detail is sewn onto the cloth, which, when wearing a raincoat-tent in the form of a raincoat, forms a second layer of protection for the shoulders from water. Closer to one of the edges, there is a rectangular slot. covered with a bar. This slit allows the soldier to protrude one hand from under the cloak. when all buttons are fastened. In two places, cords are passed through the panel, allowing, when pulled together, to form the neck of the cloak and the hood.

The set of a raincoat tent includes: 1-panel, 2-two half-racks, 3-stitching cords, 4-four wooden or metal pegs.

As a rule, pins, half-racks and stitching cords are instantly lost or frankly thrown away, because at present no one is trying to use a raincoat-tent as a tent. Agree that the structure depicted in the figure, made of a cloth, a rack, four jokes, is hardly acceptable for a modern soldier.

With minimal amenities, such a tent can only accommodate a small child. And the open side allows the wind to blow into the tent, and rain can also get inside. A soldier of modern dimensions, trying to lie down in such a tent, necessarily leaves either his legs or his head outside.

True, the design of the raincoat-tent allows several panels to be connected with the help of cords. In this case, it turns out to be something like a tourist summer tent. However, the instruction for the raincoat is overly optimistic. For example, she claims that two raincoats make a tent for two people. But this is not a tent, but just a canopy. At least four sets are required to create a more or less acceptable tent for one person, and six sets for two or three people. The picture shows a tent of six sets. The instruction states that this is a six-person tent. However my personal experience allows me to assert that it accommodates two or three people. If you put six people in there, then it will be torture, not rest.

However, despite the fact that the raincoat-tent is currently incapable of performing the tasks assigned to it according to its intended purpose, no one objects to it and does not demand its replacement for something more appropriate. The raincoat is used as a bedding for cleaning weapons in the field; bedding when firing a machine gun in bad weather conditions so as not to stain your uniform; like an impromptu tablecloth when eating in the field. It is used to carry bread and other products, dry rations. A raincoat tent is indispensable when taking out swept dry foliage and other debris. The bunks in the marching soldiers' tents are covered with cloak-tents. They also replace doors in houses dilapidated by the war. They are used to close the windows in occupied broken houses (and instead of glass, blackouts and a grenade thrown into the window will be delayed). Yes, you never know when a piece of strong dense fabric is required.

And for protection from rain, the well-known set of chemical protection (OZK), consisting of rubber stockings-shoe covers, worn over any shoes and a rubber raincoat with a hood and sleeves, which, with the help of simple manipulations, turns into a jumpsuit, is much more effective. And modern soldiers sleep more and more in cars, of which there are almost more in the army than the soldiers themselves. So an ordinary camping tent is less and less common in a soldier's life.

But it would not be bad to work on the creation of a raincoat that meets modern requirements and is more versatile. For example, in Afghanistan, soldiers wrapped two edges and sewed them with thread. Such a raincoat-tent, having passed two sticks into the resulting fabric tubes, was used as an improvised stretcher for carrying the wounded. Yes, even it is necessary to increase the size of the cloth itself. The average height of a soldier in comparison with 1909 increased by at least 20-30 cm.

However, it seems that since 1910, no one has been engaged in the modernization of the soldier's raincoat and does not want to do it. But already during the Second World War, the Wehrmacht had much more comfortable, practical raincoat-tents made of waterproof canvas fabric. In addition, the German raincoat-tent had a double-sided camouflage color and could be used as a camouflage cover. There are excellent examples of the American poncho-type raincoat.

In general, it is rather strange - our army took over the German bowler (the Red Army entered the war with a soldier's copper bowler from the First World War, which was just a saucepan with a bow). A modern Russian army bowler hat is an exact copy of a German bowler hat (by the way, a Czech-style bowler hat is more convenient than a German one). But the German water bottle is not. And it is more convenient than ours, tk. closed on top with a mug. You don't need to have a mug separately. The German flat three-light flashlight under the KSF brand was adopted, but the raincoat was not adopted. The Central Military Service is constantly inventing some kind of backpacks, suitcases, field portable kitchens for 5-10-20 people (who will carry them and how?). And the soldier, as he dragged his things in the orphan sidor, and drags, like a mok in an outdated raincoat-tent, and gets wet.

In the picture, a German submachine gunner from the Second World War in a 1931 model raincoat (it was forbidden to have the German army, and the authorities were already thinking how best to dress a soldier of the future Wehrmacht!).

Literature

1. Manual on military engineering for the Soviet Army. Military publishing house. Moscow. 1984

2.I. Ulyanov, O. Leonov. History of Russian troops. Regular infantry. 1698-1801. Moscow. AST. 1995.

3. I. Ulyanov. History of Russian troops. Regular infantry. 1801-1855. Moscow. AST. 1996.

4. I. Ulyanov, O. Leonov. History of Russian troops. Regular infantry. 1855-1918. Moscow. AST. 1998.

5.S. Drobyazko, A Karashchuk. The second World War 1939-1945. Russian Liberation Army. Moscow. AST. 1998.

6.S. Drobyazko, I. Savchenkov. World War II 1939-1945. Infantry of the Wehrmacht. Moscow. AST. 1999.