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| The Real Deal |
Puttees were the distinctive leg wraps adopted by many countries during the First World War. Although some militaries continued using them long after the Armistice, they are generally associated with the trench warfare of the Great War. They evolved out of the prewar British experience in India. The name "puttee" was derived from the Hindi patti, bandage (from patta, strip of cloth), for a covering for the lower part of the leg from the ankle to the knee. In India's climate with its crushing heat and monsoons, the British Tommy's black leather leggings or gaiters did not hold up well. In 1897, the troops of the Indian Army were issued the first puttees. By the time of the First World War, puttees were standard issue throughout the British Army. Other armies soon observed their advantages, especially for the conditions of trench warfare.
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| Members of a U.S. Marine Color Guard Wearing Puttees Naturally the Generals Are Wearing Polished Leather Boots |
These early puttees consisted of long narrow strips of cloth, usually wool, about 9-foot in length, that were secured with tapes. For the foot soldier, puttees had many advantages. They are light, easy to roll up, and capable of being washed, and provided the desired effect of a covering for the lower leg that would give greater support and protection. They would, of course, become sodden and muddy very quickly. Also, they were a little tricky to get on.
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| A French Poilu Impresses a Mademoiselle with His Perfectly Installed Puttees |
The American puttees were 110 inches long. They were named U.S. Pattern 1917 Spiral Puttees and were worn by both the Doughboys and Marines of the AEF. Puttees would remain part of American Army uniforms until 1938.
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| An Austrian Sharpshooter Unit Proudly Wearing Puttees |
By the war's end, Puttees were adopted by almost all the all the Allied belligerents and Germany and Austria-Hungary. Possible exceptions include Russia, Turkey, and some of the smaller powers.
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| The Italian Alpino in This Monument Is Wearing Puttees |
If you plan add puttees to your outdoor wardrobe, take a look at our Doughboy Center article "Putting on Your Puttees" HERE.
Sources: 100 Objects of World War I; Imperial War Museum; Canada at War; U.S. Army & Marine Corps websites
Just finished "Quartered Safe Out Here", in which the author of the "Flashman" novels described how superior he found puttees to be over standard Army issue leggings in Burma (1945). Would never have thought it so.
ReplyDeleteIs puttee the singular of puttees? I only ask because the New York Times spelling bee puzzle refuses to acknowledge puttee as a word. I've tried it over and over, but never is accepted. If I had the "final word" on this from this esteemed group, that might help. My maternal grandfather wore puttees as a soldier in the 79th Division in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. He looked quite dapper in them. Thanks! Valerie
ReplyDeleteAccording to WORD HIPPO, Valerie: "The plural form of puttee is puttees."
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