Landships II

von_miligan · Sergeant

More WW1 Storm troopers from EWM for the Kaisers Army.

Pat · Commander in Chief

Certainly an interesting extension to your production line. From what I see on the photos the figures look very promising.

I wasn't aware the Germans used butcher's bayonets and the Krupp M02 field gun. Regards, Pat

Rectalgia · Legend

Pat wrote:
...I wasn't aware the Germans used butcher's bayonets ...

Clarification of the term might help (unfortunately I'm no expert but I've never let that deter me before).� The� Model 1898/05 "Butcher Bayonet" for the Mauser rifle, so-called because of the somewhat spatulate blade shape (similar to that of a butcher's steak-slicing knife), certainly appears to have been manufactured (and presumably issued) during the war - viz. http://www.lawranceordnance.com/the_q_store/bayonets/1012g98002.php and many other sources.� I think, as a propaganda coup, the British specifically characterised the saw-back versions (seemingly in concurrent use) of this and any other bayonets in wartime German use as "Butcher Bayonets" but can't be sure.� I do recall reading somewhere that "universal condemnation" forced the Germans to stop using saw-back blades and certainly it is not too hard to find war-era examples with the saw-back apparently ground off.� They were interpreted as being contrary to the conventions of war in any event (IIRC it is actually "serrated blades" that are banned).� Anyway, I think (fuelled by boundless ignorance) that the blade shape, rather than the saw-back, that properly defined the "Butcher Bayonet" term - and there were both plain and saw-back variants.

The negative name-calling was all part of the "game" of course.� Looking at the saw-back, its main purpose was for cutting wood (the wrecking of swords and plain sword bayonets by the "other ranks" in such unathorised service was notorious in earlier times) and it was found particularly on artillery and engineers bayonets for many years in numerous armies.� But no denying it had a certain aspect of intimidation.� Bayonets help "assert moral authority" according to the military and those ruddy things would certainly assert it quite loudly.� The British themselves were enthusiastic users of the saw-back bayonet up until only a generation (or less) before - including issues to "Volunteer" forces and to the Irish Constabulary.� Not much call for wood cutting there, one would have thought.

It's all about trade-offs in form and function in the end, I suppose.� The primary purpose of the bayonet is/was "putting it in".� A close second is "pulling it out" so it can be put in again, quickly.� The saw-back, in those days coarse-cut for softwood primarily, would actually impede that "pulling it out" process.� An obsolete design by WW1 one would think.� Yet, these days, when the bayonet is issued at all, it may well have a part-serrated blade (SA80) or a saw-back (AKM) - so much for the conventions of war - but I guess it is now more a "survival tool" and for user morale than it is a serious weapon for the butchering of the enemy.

Not altogether coherent, but you know what I mean (hopefully).� Any corrections welcomed.

Pat · Commander in Chief

Hello Rectalgia, many thanks for your reply.

I keep wondering whether the butchers bayonet thing is a fabrication of WW1 propaganda. I read German Pioniere / Engineers had bayonets of this kind, for many good reasons, and the British propaganda made a big thing of it, until they were altogether discarded. I certainly have never seen an image of these carried by 1918 troops.

It amazes me that many WW1 myths are still repeated, like the "contemptible little army" for which there is no proof at all ever being said by the Kaiser. Or the "FT17" misdesignation James H. is so avidly combatting. Still, not sure whether these bayonets are based on myth or facts. Regards, Pat

von_miligan · Sergeant

I found one on a 1918 battlefield. It's on the wall of my design studio. It was the inspiration to make the model! So yes they were used!