Description

Footwear leather shortages quickly became a problem to the Wehrmacht soon after the war began. The tall leather marching boot was restricted to personnel serving in the field as early as September 1939. In November 1939 the tall leather marching boot was shortened to conserve leather. In August 1940, in a further effort to conserve leather, canvas gaiters were issued to all second line troops to be worn with the short lace up ankle boots. By 1941 the ankle boots and gaiters were issued to all new recruits in place of the marching boot. By 1943 the tall marching boots were discontinued. These gaiters are in like new condition.