Alright, let’s talk about them World War 1 army boots, you know, the ones them soldiers wore way back when. I ain’t no fancy expert or nothin’, but I can tell ya a thing or two about what I heard and seen in them old pictures.
Them boots, they weren’t no fashion statement, let me tell ya. They was made for walkin’, and fightin’, and lord knows what else in them muddy trenches. They called ‘em “marching boots” or some such, and later on, they had this “Pershing boot,” named after some general, I reckon. Sounded important, that Pershing fellow.
Now, the first boots they had, the M1904s, they weren’t worth a lick in them trenches. Too flimsy, I guess. So them boys had to wear whatever they could get their hands on, even British and French boots. Imagine that! Our boys wearin’ foreign stuff! But then, they got smart and made them Pershing boots, the M1917s. Sturdier, they said. Made of good, thick leather, rough side out, with lots of stichin’.
- Thick Leather: Keep them feet dry, mostly.
- Lots of Stitches: Hold them boots together, no matter what.
- High Tops: Protect them ankles from twistin’ and turnin’.
Them boots had to be tough, you see. Them soldiers, they walked and walked, and them trenches weren’t no picnic. Mud, water, rats, who knows what else was down there. And them boots, they had to hold up through it all. And sometimes, they didn’t. Folks say there’s still soldiers missin’ over in France, and I bet some of ‘em lost their boots along the way, poor souls.
Now, I seen some pictures of them boots, and they look heavy. Like wearin’ bricks on your feet, I tell ya. But them soldiers, they didn’t have no choice. They needed somethin’ to protect their feet, and them boots was the best they had. And they came in different colors too, brown mostly, but sometimes a kinda yellowish color. Didn’t matter much, I guess, long as they kept your feet dry.
You know, they make copies of them boots now. For folks who like that kind of thing, I guess. “Reproductions,” they call ‘em. Made to look just like the real deal. I don’t know why anyone would want to wear them clunky things, but to each their own, I say.
It’s a shame, all them boys fightin’ and dyin’ over there. And them boots, they’re a reminder of all that. A reminder of the hard times, and the sacrifices them soldiers made. It makes you think, you know? About how lucky we are now, even with all our own problems. We ain’t gotta wear no heavy boots and march through mud, that’s for sure.
So, next time you see a picture of them World War 1 soldiers, take a look at their boots. Them boots tell a story, even if they can’t talk. They tell a story of hardship, and courage, and the will to keep on marchin’, no matter what.
And that, as far as I can tell ya, is the story of them World War 1 army boots. Not much, maybe, but it’s somethin’ to think about.
Tags: [World War 1, Army Boots, M1917 Pershing Boots, Military Footwear, Trench Warfare, US Army, Soldier Uniforms, Combat Boots, History, Reproduction Boots]
