Is it correct that the black boots those days had a brownish hue to them?
I remember being told by a veteran once that the boots had a single coat of black dye applied to the naturally brown leather first of all, after that they used whatever came to hand, i.e. dubbin/lederfett, oil, brown polish, whatever ... Over time it gave the boots the brownish hue to the black.
German short boots
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Re: German short boots
Well, it varied between units. Some units used nothing but black polish right until the end, others didn't. Some boots were issued black, others dark brown, others light brown depending on the leather colour. Basically it was one big mess, and if your unit leadership told you to blacken everything, you did. That's about it.
Re: German short boots
From what I know, later in the war it was forbidden to blacken your shoes. But I will not fight for that.
Anyway, my boots were light brown when I buyed them back in 2009, and by using shoe polish and lard for their treatment, their color is very dark brown now. Lard makes them waterproof as well (I put it on my shoes once a year, otherwise I use shoe polish based on bee wax and natural fat). This method is natural and preserves the shoe and leather in the best possible manner.
Anyway, my boots were light brown when I buyed them back in 2009, and by using shoe polish and lard for their treatment, their color is very dark brown now. Lard makes them waterproof as well (I put it on my shoes once a year, otherwise I use shoe polish based on bee wax and natural fat). This method is natural and preserves the shoe and leather in the best possible manner.
Kriegsberichter des Heeres Obfw. Markus Moeschke> http://www.moeschke.estranky.sk/
96. Infanterie Division "Watzmann"
97. Jäger Division "Spielhahnjäger"
90. leichte Afrika-Division
Brigade Ramcke
96. Infanterie Division "Watzmann"
97. Jäger Division "Spielhahnjäger"
90. leichte Afrika-Division
Brigade Ramcke