Experimental Archaeology -
The Schnürschuhe 39
As re-enactors, we aspire to gain the knowledge open to us through the practical use of the equipment used by the soldiers we portray. As such, at any event or display, you will find that Grenadier’s of 2nd Kompanie are fully kitted out just like the real deal. Each man within the unit takes his role seriously, and enjoys both learning and imparting the knowledge gained through operating as if he were a German Soldier on the Eastern Front.
However, as re-enactors, we are often unable to feel the true hardships of the men we portray, and this limits our experiential learning. Nevertheless, there are times when we are able to put kit and equipment through its paces, in what is called “experimental archaeology” - gaining a deeper understanding of the past through practical experimentation.
On the 25th of February 2010, one member of the Kompanie took the Schnürschuhe 39 on a 10 mile forced march / run across both mountainous terrain and countryside. Carrying the equivalent combat weight of 15kg. The boots proved to be comfortable and well supportive, and compare well to a modern combat boot. However, unlike modern combat boots, the addition of a solid leather sole, coupled with the hobnails and heel/toe irons proved to be hard wearing on the body. The vibram or rubber soles of today's combat boots help to provide adequate cushioning or shock absorption, whereas after 7 miles the Schnürschuhe began to take their tole on the knee and hip joints. Nevertheless, the boots only had to be taken off and reapplied once (mostly due to the poor quality of sock), and remained waterproof even after being partly submerged in mud and water. The only major problem encountered was the lack of traction in muddy terrain - which proved to be scary at times.
The value of this experience is that one can truly understand how difficult it is to move across rough terrain in these boots, whereby on muddy ground the wearer is required to make twice the effort to run!! It also serves to highlight the combat effectiveness of the soldiers who wore them - and further highlights their overall fitness.
On the 25th of February 2010, one member of the Kompanie took the Schnürschuhe 39 on a 10 mile forced march / run across both mountainous terrain and countryside. Carrying the equivalent combat weight of 15kg. The boots proved to be comfortable and well supportive, and compare well to a modern combat boot. However, unlike modern combat boots, the addition of a solid leather sole, coupled with the hobnails and heel/toe irons proved to be hard wearing on the body. The vibram or rubber soles of today's combat boots help to provide adequate cushioning or shock absorption, whereas after 7 miles the Schnürschuhe began to take their tole on the knee and hip joints. Nevertheless, the boots only had to be taken off and reapplied once (mostly due to the poor quality of sock), and remained waterproof even after being partly submerged in mud and water. The only major problem encountered was the lack of traction in muddy terrain -
The value of this experience is that one can truly understand how difficult it is to move across rough terrain in these boots, whereby on muddy ground the wearer is required to make twice the effort to run!! It also serves to highlight the combat effectiveness of the soldiers who wore them -
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