The trench boot, sometimes known as the "Pershing boot," was an American combat boot used in the latter stages of World War I, made for the cold mud of trench warfare. For the WWI British Army trench boots, see

Ammunition boot Ammunition boots are a form of military footwear. They were the standard combat boot for the British Army and other forces around the British Empire and Commonwealth from at least the mid-1860s until their replacement a century later in the 1960s ...

Introduction

The 1917 Trench Boot was an adaptation of the boots American manufacturers were selling to the French and Belgian armies at the beginning of World War I. In American service, it replaced the Russet Marching Shoe. The boot was made of tanned cowhide with a half middle sole covered by a full sole, studded with five rows of hobnails. Iron plates were fixed to the heel. Although it was a great improvement, it lacked waterproofing, leading to trench foot.

Improvements

In January 1918,

Harry Lovejoy Rogers Harry Lovejoy Rogers (January 29, 1867 – December 12, 1925) was an officer in the United States Army. A specialist in quartermaster and food service activities, Rogers attained the rank of major general, and was most notable for his service as ...

, Quartermaster General of the United States Army, met with a board of officers at American Expeditionary Forces Headquarters to make recommendations in order to improve the footwear of soldiers. The findings of the board were sent to

General of the Armies General of the Armies of the United States, more commonly referred to as General of the Armies, is the highest military rank in the United States Army. The rank has been conferred three times: to John J. Pershing in 1919, as a personal accola ...

John J. Pershing General of the Armies John Joseph Pershing (September 13, 1860 – July 15, 1948), nicknamed "Black Jack", was a senior United States Army officer. He served most famously as the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) on the Wes ...

, who approved the proposed changes. He cabled the study to the War Department for action. Shortly thereafter, the improved 1918 trench boot, also called the "Pershing boot", was first issued to personnel. It used heavier leather in its construction and had several minor changes from the 1917 Boot, including a thicker sole and improved waterproofing. Due to the boots' greater size, they were known as "little tanks" by the soldiers who received them.

References

{{footwear Military equipment of World War I American military uniforms Military boots