Landships II

Pat · Commander in Chief

Puttee question

James H · Legend

This tells the story of the leggings pretty comprehensively. IIRC, some of the AEF Colored Regiments continued to wear them while attached to the French. I think the main problem was that the laces were too fragile.

http://www.aef-doughboys.com/leggings.html

Why they opted for gaiters post-War I don't know. Maybe someone has an answer here:

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?showforum=7

Rob · Legend

Can't have been that impractical as the British started using them again post WW2. Puttees are great IMHO - support the lower leg, make sure stones, mud, water etc doesn't get into the boot. Gaiters on the other hand do, at least the small 'anklet' British ones do

Pat · Commander in Chief

Thanks for your replies.

Maybe fashion also did play its part on this one.

Excelsior1 · Major

The Americans seemed to have had a thing for long gaiters; they were issued in the Civil War too, but as with WW1 were dispensed with pretty quickly (as someone who used to be a re-enactor (yes, I've come out at last) I can understand why - pain in the a**e to get off when you're drunk and tired and off to your tent). That said, they DID modify the gaiters during WW1 and continue issuing them, at least to the African American troops.