CHAPTER XI

UNIFORMS AND INSIGNIA OF FOREIGN ARMIES AND NAVIES

The uniforms and insignia of the armies and navies of foreign powers present such a great variety in design, style and color as to preclude the possibility of giving a detailed description of them within the limits of this book.

However, in order that the rank of the officers and enlisted men of these foreign services may be readily recognizable under the conditions that ordinarily prevail on active service ashore or afloat, there is included in this chapter a short description of the service uniforms and insignia worn by the officers and enlisted men of the armies and navies of Great Britain, France, Italy, Belgium, Japan, Russia, Germany and Austria-Hungary.

It will be noted that the uniforms of the navies of the world bear more similarity to each other than do those of the armies, thus the rank of naval officers of all the great powers is indicated by stripes of braid worn on the sleeves between the elbow and the lower edge of the cuff, and in most cases by similar stripes or other insignia worn upon straps placed on the shoulders between the base of the collar and the sleeve at the shoulder seam.

In the different armies there is much more diversity in design and color as well as in the method of indicating rank and corps; stripes and various designs upon the cuffs, insignia and stripes upon shoulder straps and insignia of many different designs upon the collar being the most common means.

In one respect all of the naval and military services of the world follow the same custom, medals and decorations awarded for especial deeds of gallantry, for long and faithful service or to commemorate some special event in war or peace are worn upon the left breast with dress uniforms, almost always suspended from a ribbon of distinctive color design, while a small section of this distinctive ribbon is worn with undress uniform and service uniforms. As a special mark of distinction the medals considered the highest in rank are frequently worn on the right breast or suspended from a ribbon or chain around the neck.

A marked tendency toward simplification in design both of uniform and insignia and toward the use of neutral or dull colors is also evident in recent years. This is largely due to the necessity of making the soldier as inconspicuous as possible when on the firing line, but also to the great expense incurred in fitting out very large forces of men in elaborate dress uniforms for which there is no use in the field.

Nevertheless it may be expected that when the world returns to a basis of general peace time conditions the dress uniforms and bright insignia and buttons that add so much to the brilliancy of military gatherings will again be in evidence; especially since there is so much of the tradition of the past associated with these uniforms and badges of rank and corps.

Attractive uniforms induce a corresponding pride in the smartness and neatness of the soldier or sailor and the distinctive badges of regiments and corps with long histories of creditable achievement go far to establish the _esprit de corps_ which so surely makes for efficiency and contentment.

UNIFORMS OF THE BRITISH NAVY

In Great Britain the Navy is known as “The Senior Service” as it was organized as a regular service prior to the organization of a regular national Army.

In general the uniforms of the British Navy correspond quite closely to those of the United State Navy in composition and design and are worn upon similar occasions, although they are somewhat more elaborate, but the insignia are of different design.

Commissioned officers must provide themselves with full dress, ball dress, frock coat dress, blue mess dress, white mess dress, blue undress and white undress.

The full dress is very nearly the same in style and design to the special full dress of the United States naval officer, the ball dress is practically the same as the evening dress of the United States naval officer and the frock coat dress and blue and white mess dress the same as the corresponding United States naval uniforms. The blue undress uniform of the British naval officer differs from the service dress of the United States naval officer in that the coat worn with it is a square cut, double-breasted sack coat with turn-down collar and rolling lapels with two rows of four buttons each down the front. The white undress of the British officer is the same as the white service dress of the American officer.

The rank of British naval officers is shown by insignia of rank on the tops of the epaulets with uniforms with which epaulets are worn, but with all of the blue uniforms the rank is also indicated by stripes of gold lace braid around the sleeves of the coat above the cuff. The number and arrangements of these rank stripes are shown in the accompanying illustration.

With the white mess dress and the white undress the rank is indicated by the stripes of gold braid or by other insignia of rank worn upon the shoulder straps. These shoulder straps are also worn with the great coat. There are no sleeve stripes on the white coats or the great coat.

The insignia of rank used on the shoulder straps of Flag Officers and the stripes indicating rank used on the shoulder straps of officers below the rank of Flag Officer are shown in the accompanying illustrations.

The Corps or Branch of the service to which an officer belongs is shown as follows on the sleeves and shoulder straps:—

Officers of the Line By the circle or “curl” on the upper stripe of gold lace braid.

Engineer Officers By the circle or “curl” as above with the addition of stripes of purple cloth between the gold stripes.

Medical Officers The circle or “curl” is omitted and there are stripes of scarlet cloth between the gold stripes.

Accountant or Pay Officers The circle or “curl” is omitted and there are stripes of white cloth between the gold stripes.

Naval Instructors The circle or “curl” is omitted and there are stripes of light blue cloth between the gold stripes.

It will thus be seen that the system of stripes on the sleeves and shoulder straps to indicate rank is practically the same in the British and United States navies, the “curl” in the British navy being used for the same purpose as the gold star in the United States navy, that is, to show that the officer wearing it belongs to the Line, or the command branch of the service.

The officers’ overcoat or “great coat” in the British navy is a double breasted coat of ulster style reaching to just below the knees. It has a rolling collar with notched lapels and is closed by two rows of gilt service buttons down the front and has shoulder straps to indicate the rank of the wearer but no stripes on the sleeves. In the back the fulness is held in by a strap secured by two gilt buttons.

The service buttons of the British navy bear a raised design of a vertical foul anchor surmounted by a royal crown, the edge being surrounded by a raised rope design.

The caps and cocked hats of the British Navy are similar to those worn by United States naval officers except that there is more bell to the crown of the British cap. The cap insignia worn by commissioned officers are embroidered on the front of the cap and consist of a vertical foul anchor surrounded by a gilt wreath and surmounted by a royal crown in gilt and scarlet; the anchor being silver in the case of officers of the Line and gilt for officers of the Staff Corps.

The sword worn by British naval officers is much the same in general appearance as that worn by American officers, the differences being in the carved designs upon the hilt and blade of the sword and upon the bands of the scabbard. This is due to the fact that the American sword like the other parts of the American naval uniform was originally adopted from the British Navy.

The officers of the British Naval Air Service wear as a distinguishing mark of their service a gilt spread eagle on each sleeve above the rank stripes and a silver spread eagle in the center of the cap insignia in place of the anchor worn there by other officers. Their service buttons also have the spread eagle in place of the anchor for other officers.

Officers of the Royal Naval Division detailed for duty on shore wear a uniform of khaki-colored cloth similar in design to the service uniform of British Army officers; their sleeves bearing the rank stripes of the same widths, number and arrangement as for other naval officers but made of braid of a slightly different shade than the material of the coat, and their shoulder straps bearing the same insignia of rank as that worn by the corresponding grades in the army.

Officers of the British Royal Naval Reserve wear the same uniforms as those prescribed for officers of the regular service, except that the stripes on the cuffs and on the shoulder straps while of the same number for the different grades are of a different design. The design of these stripes represents a rope twisted of two strands and in place of the “curl” above the upper stripe to indicate officers of the line there is a star shaped design made up of two interlocked triangles of narrow gold braid. The corps or branch of Staff officers of the Royal Naval Reserve is indicated by stripes of cloth between the twisted strand stripes, the distinctive colors for the different corps or branches being the same for Staff officers of the regular navy.

Officers of the British Naval Volunteer Reserve wear the same uniforms as those prescribed for the officers of the regular naval establishment, except that the stripes on the sleeves and shoulder straps to indicate rank, while being of the same number and arrangement for the different grades, are laid on in waving lines instead of in straight lines as in the case of the regular officers. The distinctive color stripes to indicate the various corps or branches for Staff Officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve are the same as for the regular service.

Officers of the Royal Naval Reserve and of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve attached to the Royal Naval Air Service wear their respective uniforms with the addition of the spread eagle design above the rank stripes on the sleeves and shoulder straps.

Officers of the British Colonial Naval Establishments maintained by the greater colonial divisions of the British Empire wear distinctive marks to indicate their especial service. These naval establishments comprise the Royal Indian Marine, the Australian Navy and the Canadian.

The enlisted men of the British Navy wear uniforms very similar in general design to those worn in the United States Navy with minor differences in the dimensions and cut of the various garments. The Chief Petty Officers wear uniforms of blue or white consisting of a bell-crowned cap with a black mohair band, a black patent leather visor and insignia consisting of two concentric circles surrounding a vertical foul anchor surmounted by a British crown; a double-breasted sack coat with two rows of gilt service buttons; and plain trousers. Other petty officers and seamen wear the sailor cap, wide collared shirt and bell-mouthed trousers common to the American service, the collar having three rows of narrow white braid around the edges with a black neckerchief knotted beneath it. The three rows of braid commemorate Nelson’s three great victories—Copenhagen, the Nile and Trafalgar—and the black neckerchief was first worn as a badge of mourning for this great sea fighter. The cap has a black silk ribbon around the band upon which is the name of the ship in gilt block letters, thus,

H. M. S. DREADNOUGHT

the letters H.M.S. being the abbreviation of “His Majesty’s Ship.”

Rating badges to indicate the rank or rating of petty officers and men on special duties are worn on the sleeves between the shoulder seam and the elbow and are very numerous and complex, some of the principal ones being, in red,

Petty officer first class Two crossed foul anchors with a crown above and three chevrons, points down, below.

Petty officer second class One vertical foul anchor with a crown above and two chevrons, points down.

Petty officer third class The same, omitting the crown and with but one chevron.

Gunner’s Mate and Gunlayer first class Two crossed cannon with one star below and a star and a crown above.

Gunner’s Mate The same, omitting the lower star.

Gunlayer first class Two crossed cannon with a star above and a star below.

Gunlayer second class The same omitting the lower star.

Gunlayer third class The same omitting the stars.

Seaman Gunner A horizontal cannon with a star above.

Torpedo Gunner’s Mate Higher Grade Two crossed torpedoes with a star and a crown above and a star below.

Torpedo Gunner’s Mate The same omitting the lower star.

Torpedo Coxswain Two crossed torpedoes with a steering wheel above.

Leading Torpedoman Two crossed torpedoes with a star above.

Seaman Torpedoman A horizontal torpedo with a star above and a star below.

Chief Signal Yeoman Two crossed flags with a star and a crown above and two stars below.

Signal Yeoman The same omitting the crown.

Leading Signalman The same omitting one of the lower stars.

Signalman The same omitting the lower stars.

Ordinary signalman Two crossed flags.

Mechanician A propeller with one star and a crown above and a star below.

Chief Stoker A propeller with a crown above and a star below.

Stoker petty officer A propeller with a star above and a star below.

Leading stoker The same omitting the lower star.

Stoker A propeller.

Chief Telegraphist A bar of forked lightning with wings on each side and a crown below.

Leading Telegraphist The same design but with a star above in place of the crown and a star below.

Telegraphist The same omitting the lower star.

Ordinary telegraphist The same design omitting stars.

Blacksmith, Plumber, and An axe and a hammer crossed Painter, first class with a star above.

Other Artisans The same design omitting the star.

Physical training instructor, first class Two crossed Indian clubs with star and a crown above and a star below.

Physical training instructor, second class The same design omitting the lower star.

Sick Bay attendants A Geneva cross surrounded by a circle.

Bugler A bugle horizontal.

Markmanship badge, first class Two crossed rifles with a star above.

Markmanship badge, second class The same without the star.

Markmanship badge, third class A rifle horizontal.

Badges of other colors are:

Cook A white star.

Schoolmaster A yellow star.

Steward A yellow star.

Good shooting badge, third class A yellow rifle horizontal.

UNIFORMS OF THE BRITISH ROYAL MARINES

The Royal Marines perform duties similar to those performed by the United States Marines both afloat and ashore and hold a high record for efficiency and loyalty. They are divided into two branches, the Royal Marine Artillery and the Royal Marine Light Infantry, the former being popularly known as the “Blue Marines” on account of the fact that their dress coats are of blue cloth and the latter as the “Red Marines” since their dress coats are of red cloth.

Both branches are also provided with khaki-colored uniforms for field service ashore.

The rank of the officers is indicated by insignia of rank worn on the shoulder straps, these insignia being the same for the various ranks as those worn by officers of the British Army.

The titles for the different grades of rank of the officers are the same as those for the British Army, namely, General, Lieutenant General, Major General, Brigadier General, Colonel, Major, Captain, Lieutenant and Second Lieutenant.

The ranks of the enlisted men are indicated by badges or chevrons worn upon the sleeves between the shoulder seam and the elbow, as follows:

Sergeant Major The coat of arms of Great Britain in gold, red and white embroidery.

Quartermaster Sergeant of Infantry A British crown in gold and red embroidery.

Quartermaster Sergeant of Artillery Two crossed cannon in gold with a British crown above them embroidered in gold and red.

Quartermaster Sergeant, Musketry Instructor Two crossed rifles in gold with the crown in gold and red above them.

Sergeant A chevron of three stripes worn with the points down.

Corporal A chevron of two stripes worn with the points down.

Lance Corporal A chevron of one stripe worn with the point down.

Private No distinctive badge.

The Corps insignia of the Royal Marines are the eastern hemisphere in silver surrounded by a gold laurel wreath, the insignia being surmounted by two gold cannon crossed for the Marine Artillery and by gold bugle trumpet for the Marine Light Infantry. These insignia are commonly referred to in the British service as “The Globe and Laurel.”

UNIFORMS OF THE BRITISH ARMY

At the beginning of the present world war the Land Forces of the British Empire embraced the regular troops commonly known as the “Home Army” and the troops of her far-flung colonial possessions and dependencies, such as the Indian Army, the Australian Army, the Canadian Army, the South African Forces, the West Indian regiments, the New Zealand troops, and the Police and Constabulary troops of many minor colonies and possessions.

In the “Home Army” there were many varieties and colors in the uniforms and when we add to this the distinctive uniforms of the various Colonial Forces and the picturesque native uniforms of the Indian forces the resultant assemblage is one which would require many volumes to adequately describe.

In one respect however the clothing of the various units collected from all over the vast British Empire to make up the great “New Army” of Great Britain is practically the same,—the service or field uniform of all is cut on the same lines and the insignia of rank worn with this uniform are the same for all, the variations being in the corps and regimental badges which indicate the portion of the empire from which the regiments come and the arm of the service in which they are serving.

The British were the first to adopt the neutral brown shade known as “khaki” for their field or service uniforms and its practicability and serviceability became so evident to them that its use was extended to all of their armed land forces, with the result that they now have a uniform and equipment which for serviceability, efficiency, comfort and smartness of appearance is excelled by no other nation.

The British Army officers’ uniform is made of a standard dark khaki colored cloth or serge and consists of a single-breasted coat with turn-down collar and rolling notched lapels, closed in front by a row of four gilt buttons, cut to fit snugly at the waist, easy across the breast and shoulders and with enough flare to the skirt to make it hang well over the full breeches that are worn with it; breeches which lace below the knee; tan leather strap puttees and shoes or tan leather boots; a bell-crowned cap with a sharply sloping visor; and the “Sam Browne” sword and pistol belt. Wrap puttees of khaki-colored cloth are also worn for garrison and field service.

The coat has a pleated patch pocket on each breast closed by a buttoned flap, and a large bellows patch pocket on each side below the waist which is also closed by a buttoned flap, and cloth shoulder straps on each shoulder secured by a small button at the collar end.

The rank of an officer in service uniform is indicated by metal insignia of rank worn upon the shoulder straps and also (for officers below the rank of Brigadier General) by stripes of worsted braid around the sleeves just above the lower edge and by worsted insignia of rank worn on a three-pointed strap which crosses the sleeve stripes on the cuffs. These insignia of rank are shown in the accompanying illustrations and are as follows for the various grades of rank:—

Field Marshal Two crossed batons in red surrounded by a wreath of gold laurel leaves and surmounted by a British crown in gold and red.

General A baton and sword crossed with a diamond shaped device above it and a crown above the diamond, all in gold.

Lieutenant General A baton and sword crossed with a crown above it, all in gold.

Major General A baton and a sword crossed with the diamond above, all in gold.

Brigadier General The same omitting the diamond.

Colonel Two diamonds and a crown in a vertical line.

Lieutenant Colonel The same omitting one of the diamonds.

Major A crown.

Captain Three diamonds in a vertical line.

Lieutenant Two diamonds in a vertical line.

Second Lieutenant One diamond.

The officers of the Scottish and Highland regiments wear the stripes on the cuffs in a curve from the outer edge of the sleeve to a higher point at the inner edge of the sleeve and the insignia of rank beneath these stripes in a horizontal line instead of in a vertical line as described and illustrated for the other officers.

The wearing of the insignia of rank upon the shoulder straps except by officers of the rank of Brigadier General and higher has been suspended when on actual duty in the field.

The insignia worn upon the front of the cap by a Field Marshal consists of two crossed batons in red surrounded by a gold wreath and surmounted by a gold and red crown above which is a gold British lion; for General officers it is the same except that instead of the two batons there is one baton and a sword crossed; permanent Staff officers wear the crown and lion only on the cap; and a Field Marshal, General officers and permanent Staff officers of field rank or above wear a scarlet band around the cap.

For regimental officers the insignia worn on the front of the cap are the distinctive “Regimental badges” adopted for the regiment. These regimental badges present a great variety in design and often refer to some historic battle in which the regiment has taken part or to some distinctive feature of the county or colony from which the regiment comes.

In many cases the name by which the regiment is commonly known is contained in the design, in others the number of the regiment in its corps is given in the design, and not infrequently the regimental motto has a prominent place.

Thus the regimental badge of the 4th Hussars, a famous cavalry regiment, is a gold circle bearing the inscription “Queen’s Own Hussars,” surmounted by a gold crown, and having on the center the number of the regiment “IV,” and on a scroll beneath the motto “Mente et Manu.”

The Irish Rifles have the Irish harp surmounted by a royal crown with a scroll beneath bearing the motto “Quis Separabit,” all in green enamel.

The 17th Lancers have as their insignia a skull and cross bones with the words “or Glory” on a scroll beneath, the motto of the regiment being “Death or Glory.”

The 12th Canadian Infantry has a gold maple leaf bearing the number of the regiment in silver and the word “Canada” also in silver.

The Grenadier Guards regiments have a gold spherical bursting shell.

Chaplains wear a Maltese cross surmounted by a crown in black enamel.

Officers of the Army Pay Corps wear the monogram “A.P.C.” surmounted by a crown.

The insignia of the Royal Army Medical Corps consist of the rod of Esculapius with a single serpent entwined about it surrounded by a wreath and surmounted by a crown with the scroll beneath bearing the inscription “Royal Army Medical Corps,” all in gold.

Both officers and enlisted men in the British Army habitually wear gilt buttons and insignia on their service khaki-colored uniforms, although when in the field these buttons and insignia are allowed to tarnish or bronze, and in many cases leather buttons are used on field service in place of the gilt buttons.

The overcoat, or great coat, worn by the officers of the British Army is a double-breasted ulster quite similar in design to that worn by officers of the United States Army, but having a lapel collar and reaching only to the knee. It is made of cloth of the same color as the service uniform and has shoulder straps upon which the insignia of rank are worn.

The service uniform of the enlisted men of the British Army is of the same khaki-colored cloth as the officers’ uniform and consists of a cap similar to that worn by officers with a visor of tan leather or of khaki-colored cloth upon the front of which the regimental or corps insignia are worn; a single-breasted sack coat buttoning to the neck with a standing turn-over collar, a patch pocket on each breast and a bellows patch pocket on each side below the waist, and shoulder straps upon which are worn, near the arm seam, the regimental badges; breeches of the same color as the coat; wrap khaki-colored cloth puttees; and heavy tan leather laced shoes. The overcoat is a short double-breasted coat with rolling collar and back straps.

In hot weather khaki cotton drill uniforms of the same design are worn.

As variations of this general uniform, the Scottish and Highland troops still wear the kilts as their winter uniform, although in hot weather they also wear the full khaki summer uniform, the troops from Australia and Canada to a great extent wear the wide brimmed felt hat common in the American service, and the Indian troops wear their native turbans and trousers although these are of the standard khaki color.

The rank of the noncommissioned officers is indicated in the British Armies by badges worn upon the sleeves between the elbow and the shoulder, as in the United States Army, many of these insignia being nearly the same for the various grades, doubtless due to the fact that the American insignia were originally taken from the British during the revolutionary period.

The principal insignia of rank worn on the sleeves of noncommissioned officers and enlisted men holding special assignments of duty are as follows:

Staff Sergeant Major, Army Service Corps A crown surrounded by a wreath.

Master Gunner 1st and 2nd class, Field Artillery A field gun with a crown above it.

Master Gunner 3rd class. Field Artillery The same without the crown.

Sergeant Major A crown.

Bandmaster A lyre with leaves at the base and a crown above it.

Cavalry Squadron Corporal Major A chevron of four stripes worn point up with a crown above it.

Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant A chevron of four stripes worn point up with a twelve pointed star above it.

Quartermaster Sergeant A chevron of four stripes worn point up.

Company Sergeant Major A chevron of three stripes worn point down with a crown above it.

Color Sergeant A chevron of three stripes worn point down with crossed flags and a crown above it.

Sergeant A chevron of three stripes worn points down.

Corporal A chevron of two stripes worn points down.

Lance Corporal A chevron of one stripe worn point down.

Infantry Pioneer Two axes crossed.

Roughrider of Cavalry A spur worn rowel up.

Scout Corporal A three-pointed lance head with a cross below it.

Squadron Scout, Cavalry A three-pointed lance head.

Bugler A horn bugle with cords.

Bugler of Rifle Regiments Two such bugles.

Sergeant Trumpeter Two straight trumpets crossed with a three-pointed lance head vertical in the center.

Drummer A snare drum.

Machine Gunner The letters “M. G.” surrounded by a wreath.

Horseshoer A horseshoe worn toe up.

Saddler A horse’s bridle curb bit.

Wheelwright and Carpenter A wagon wheel.

Flight Sergeant of Royal Flying Corps Chevrons as for other sergeants with a four-bladed propeller and a crown above it.

Sergeant of Royal Flying Corps The same without the crown.

Flying Corps Badge The words “Royal Flying Corps” on a blue ground.

Qualified Pilot, Flying Two horizontally spread wings Corps with a crown above and the initials “R. F. C.” in the center.

Engineer Noncommissioned Officers The same chevrons as other noncommissioned officers with a bursting bomb above.

Royal Army Medical Corps enlisted men A scarlet Geneva cross in a yellow circle.

Excellence in target practice with rifles and guns is indicated by special badges worn on the sleeves between the elbow and the shoulder as follows:

Best rifle shot in Regiment Two rifles crossed surrounded by a wreath with a crown above it.

Best shooting squadron or company in a Regiment The same without the wreath.

Best shot in squadron, company or band Two rifles crossed with a star above.

First Class Gunner, Artillery Two cannon crossed with a crown above.

Best swordsman in Regiment, Cavalry Two sabers crossed with a crown above.

Best swordsman in Troop, Cavalry Two sabers crossed with a star above.

Best swordsman in every twenty men. Cavalry The same without the star.

First Prize Gunner, The letter “G” with a wreath Artillery beneath and a crown above.

Second Prize Gunner, The same with a star instead Artillery of the crown.

Gun Layer, Artillery The letter “L” with a wreath beneath.

A new type of distinguishing mark adopted during the present war consists of pieces of cloth of various shapes worn in the center of the back between the shoulders to enable officers to distinguish the organization to which a man on the firing line belongs.

UNIFORMS OF THE FRENCH ARMY

Up to within a few years the uniform of the troops of the Line of the French Army consisted of a dark blue coat and red trousers, with caps of the _kepi_ design and white gaiters or short leggings. This uniform was decorated with gold and silver ornamentation and rank insignia and as a variation in the headdress the cavalry wore helmets with plumes.

At the time of the Boer War in South Africa the question of a less conspicuous uniform was agitated with the result that a coat of mignonette green (or _reseda_ as it was called in France) was adopted although the red trousers were retained. With this uniform a helmet of the same color as the coat was adopted. Some of the troops still retained the dark blue coats however and discussion as to the uniform to be finally adopted continued.

In 1912 a single-breasted sack coat of a light gray-blue color was tried with the blue and red _kepi_, and red trousers which were worn tight around the calves of the legs. The wrap puttee was also worn to some extent.

Shortly after the beginning of the present war it was demonstrated by service in the field that the red trousers and gold trimmings were too conspicuous for modern field service, and as a result a uniform of the light gray-blue color, known as “horizon blue,” was adopted for both officers and enlisted men on field service, but the old dress uniforms were not abolished though not worn during war. In this uniform simplicity was sought and all bright buttons, insignia and trimmings were reduced to a minimum with the object of securing a serviceable and inconspicuous uniform.

The officers’ service uniform consists of a single-breasted sack coat with a standing turn-down collar, shoulder straps and four outside patch pockets similar to the service coat of United States Army officers; breeches; tan leather strap puttees and shoes, or tan leather boots, and a cap (_kepi_) of the same color as the coat and trousers. The color of this uniform is a light blue-gray. The buttons are of silver-bronze.

The cap, or _kepi_, has a sloping visor of black patent leather with a band covered with gold lace for general officers and of distinctive colored cloth with narrow gold stripes indicating rank for other officers, and the top of the crown is slightly less in diameter than the band. In the case of general officers the visor is ornamented with gold decorations.

In the trenches when under fire a steel helmet is worn as a protection against long range rifle bullets and pieces of shrapnel. This helmet is of the same color as the service uniform and it has a distinctive corps insignia on the front in metal of the same color.

When on duty away from the actual battle front the dress cap of red or blue (according to the corps) is frequently worn.

The rank of officers in the French Army was formerly indicated by stars on the cuffs for General officers and by gold or silver stripes around the cuffs of the coats for other officers, the widths, number and arrangement of the stripes being practically the same as those worn by officers of the same relative rank in the navy. These stripes proved too conspicuous for field service and a small section of the stripes showing on the front of the sleeve only was adopted for the service coats. These short stripes or _galons_ are of dull gold or silver depending on the rank and are as shown in the accompanying illustration.

The insignia for the different grades of rank are as follows:

Marshal of France Seven stars on each cuff, arranged in three vertical rows, the center row having three stars and the outer rows having two stars each.

General Four stars on each cuff, two placed horizontally in the center and one above and one below.

General of Division Three stars on each cuff arranged in a triangle with the point up.

General of Brigade Two stars placed on each cuff horizontally.

Colonel Five gold stripes, or _galons_, on each cuff.

Lieutenant Colonel The same as for Colonel except that the second and fourth stripes are of silver.

Major Four gold stripes.

Captain Three gold stripes.

Lieutenant Two gold stripes.

Second Lieutenant One gold stripe.

The corps or branch of the service is indicated in the French Army by distinctive insignia or color patches worn on the collar at the front on both sides of the neck opening.

A distinctive feature of the French Army uniforms for both the officers and enlisted men is the “war service chevrons” worn on the right sleeve between the elbow and the shoulder with the point of the chevron up. A chevron of one stripe shows that the wearer has had one year’s active service at the front during the present war and an additional stripe is added to the chevron for each additional period of six months service at the front. These service chevrons are of dull gold.

Officers of the Algerian Corps and of the Colonial Infanterie wear winter service uniforms of khaki-colored cloth and hot weather uniforms of khaki cotton material; the design of the garments being the same as for those of the home troops except that the Algerians wear very loose baggy trousers cut after the “Zouave” style.

Officers in the Aviation service also wear khaki-colored uniforms.

The officers’ overcoat is single-breasted reaching to about three inches below the knees, closed with a single row of bronze buttons down the center of the front, buttoning to the neck, with a wide falling collar, and a large pocket on each side. Like the enlisted men’s overcoat it is fitted to have the fronts of the skirt button back to permit freedom of the legs in marching. The same stripes indicating rank are worn upon the sleeves as upon the service coat.

In the French Army there is a rank called “Adjutant” which corresponds to that of Warrant officer in the United States Navy and Marine Corps but for which there is no corresponding rank in the United States Army. His service uniform is similar to that worn by commissioned officers; his cap bears no rank stripes, and his rank is indicated by a narrow gold cuff stripe broken with sections of black.

The sword belt for officers is of tan leather with a cross strap over the right shoulder and diagonally to the left side above the hip, very similar to the British “Sam Browne” belt. It is worn by officers at all times when on duty in service uniform.

The enlisted men of the French Army have service uniforms of the same color as those for officers. The uniform consists of a single-breasted sack coat, with standing collar and a patch pocket with buttoned flap on each side below the waist, cut to fit easily; breeches cut full above and close fitting below the knees; wrap puttees of cloth of the same color as the coat and breeches; tan leather shoes; and a plain cap of the kepi pattern with sloping visor.

The Algerian troops wear uniforms of the same design but of khaki-colored cloth and very loose “Zouave” style breeches.

The Colonial Infantry wear service uniforms of the same design as those for the home troops but of khaki-colored material.

Mounted troops and field artillery wear tan leather boots or tan leather leggings and shoes.

The overcoat for enlisted men is single-breasted, reaching a little below the knee, with side pockets, and fitted to have the skirts buttoned back from the front so as not to interfere with the freedom of the legs in marching. The overcoats are of the light blue-gray cloth.

The rank of noncommissioned officers is indicated by short stripes of cloth worn diagonally across the outer side of the coat sleeves between the elbow and the lower edge, as follows:

Sergeant Major Three stripes of dull gold braid.

Sergeant Two stripes of dull gold braid.

Corporal Two stripes of cloth of the distinctive color of the arm of the service.

First class private One stripe of cloth of the distinctive color of the arm of the service.

The arm of the service to which an enlisted man belongs is shown by color patches upon the collar on both sides of the front opening. These patches are of yellow for infantry, blue for cavalry, red for artillery and black for engineers, and have the number of the regiment upon them in black figures for infantry, white for cavalry and artillery, and red for engineers. Aviators wear an insignia consisting of two eagle’s wings upon each side of the collar.

The belts, belt suspender straps and cartridge boxes are of tan leather, though webbing is also in use. The water bottle (canteen) is covered with cloth of the same color as the uniform.

The buttons worn by enlisted men upon the service uniform coat and overcoat are plain and of the same color as the material of the coats.

In some special corps of the French service there are variations from the standard uniform above described, thus the Chasseurs Alpin wear a uniform of dark blue cloth with a dark blue _beret_, a full-crowned visorless hat something after the style of the tam-o-shanter, and the Algerian troops wear a round turban of khaki-colored cloth with a tassel in the center, after the style of the fez.

UNIFORMS OF THE FRENCH NAVY

The uniforms of the officers and men of the French Navy, while following in general the usual naval style present some variations as to the combination of garments, the decorations, the number and arrangements of the rank stripes on the sleeves and the designs of the insignia of rank and corps.

Commissioned officers are provided with five separate uniforms, full dress, No. 1 dress, No. 2 dress, No. 3 dress blue, and No. 3 dress white.

The full dress corresponds to the United States naval officer’s special full dress uniform, and consists of a cocked hat, a dark blue double breasted cutaway frock coat, gilt epaulets, dark blue cloth trousers decorated with gold lace stripes down the outer seams.

No. 1 dress corresponds to the United States naval officer’s full dress uniform and consists of a cocked hat, blue cap or white cap, a dark blue double-breasted frock coat with epaulets, and plain dark blue or white trousers.

No. 2 dress corresponds to the undress uniform of the United States naval officer and consists of the blue or white cap, the dark blue frock coat or the white tunic and dark blue or white trousers.

No. 3 dress, blue, corresponds to the blue service dress of the United States naval officer and consists of the dark blue cap, dark blue frock coat or dark blue tunic (sack coat) and dark blue or white trousers.

No. 3 dress, white, corresponds to the white service dress of the United States naval officer and consists of the white cap, white tunic and white trousers.

Black shoes are worn with all except white uniforms, with which white shoes are worn.

The rank of commissioned officers is shown by means of insignia on the tops of the epaulets, with uniforms of which epaulets form a part, and by decorations on the cuffs of the sleeves of the frock coat and service sack coat. These sleeve decorations are as shown by the illustrations:—

Admiral of France Two batons crossed in gold embroidery. Vice Admiral Three silver stars. Rear Admiral Two silver stars. Captain Five stripes of gold braid. Commander Five stripes of braid, the second and fourth being silver and the other three gold. Lieutenant Commander Four stripes of gold braid. Lieutenant Three stripes of gold braid. Lieutenant, Junior Grade Two stripes of gold braid. Ensign One stripe of gold braid. Midshipman One stripe of gold braid broken by interwoven stripes of blue silk.

The officers of the Line or Command branch wear the rank insignia on the dark blue cloth of the coat sleeve; while the officers of the Staff Corps have cuffs of distinctive color beneath the stripes, these colors being for:—

Engineer officers violet velvet. Medical officers red velvet. Constructors and Ordnance officers black velvet. Paymasters brown velvet.

On the white service tunic or coat the rank is indicated by stripes upon shoulder straps, these stripes being similar to those worn on the sleeves of the blue frock coat and tunic.

The cap for Flag Officers is of blue cloth with a patent leather visor and a band of gold embroidery, and it has an insignia on the front consisting of a gold anchor with various decorations of leaves for the different grades and corps.

The cap for officers below the rank of Rear Admiral is of the same design, with narrow stripes of gold braid around the band to indicate the rank of the wearer. On ordinary service aboard ship a cap of the same design with a band of black silk ribbon is worn. The device worn on the front of the cap by these officers is a gold foul anchor placed vertical.

Warrant officers wear dress uniforms similar to those worn by commissioned officers; their cap has one narrow gold stripe around the band and a gold anchor on the front, and their sleeves have three narrow stripes, the upper one of gold one-quarter of an inch wide, the middle one a twisted silver rope one-eighth of an inch wide and the lower one of gold of the same rope design.

The enlisted men of the French Navy wear uniforms of dark blue cloth for cold weather and of white for hot weather, those for the chief petty officers consisting of a plain cap with black leather visor, a sack coat with gilt buttons and plain trousers, and those for enlisted men of lower ratings consisting of a flat sailor cap, overshirt and trousers of a design similar to those worn in the British Navy. A prominent feature of their uniform cap is a red pompon in the center of the top of the crown.

The overcoats are of dark blue cloth of the design commonly styled “pea jackets.”

The rating or rank of the petty officers is indicated by distinguishing marks worn upon the sleeves; some of the principal ones being:—

_Chief Petty Officers._ Seaman Branch Two narrow gold stripes on each sleeve above the cuff, and on the cap a gold anchor and a narrow gold stripe around the band. Commissary Branch The same except that the sleeve stripes are silver. Musicians Two twisted gold stripes on the cuff and a gold lyre on each side of the collar.

_Petty Officers, First Class._ Seaman Branch One gold stripe on each sleeve above the cuff, and a gold anchor on the cap. Commissary Branch The same except that the sleeve stripe is silver. Buglers and Drummers One gold stripe on each sleeve, worn diagonally. Musicians One twisted gold stripe on each sleeve and a gold anchor on each side of the collar.

_Petty Officers, Second Class._ Seaman Branch Two stripes of red cloth on each sleeve between the elbow and the cuff. Yeoman Branch One broken gold stripe on each sleeve between the elbow and the shoulder. Musicians Two stripes of red cloth on each sleeve between the elbow and the cuff. Stewards Two stripes of orange colored cloth on each sleeve between the elbow and the cuff. Buglers and Drummers One diagonal gold stripe on each sleeve.

All petty officers of the second class and also seamen wear two anchors crossed on the upper part of the right sleeve.

There are also a number of specialty marks for such special ratings as cook, tailor, shoemaker and armorer.

The distinctive mark of band musicians is a gold lyre worn on each side of the collar, and that of the hospital corps is the red Geneva cross.

UNIFORMS OF THE ITALIAN ARMY

In the Italian Army the peace time dress uniforms consist, as a rule, of a dark blue braided coat, light gray trousers with stripes of distinctive corps color down the outer seams, and black leather boots for officers and leggings for enlisted men. The head dress varies with the corps and arm of the service, the infantry wearing a dark blue cap trimmed with colored braid, the cavalry a metal trimmed helmet or a fur busby, the field artillery a black shako with bright brass ornaments, and the Bersaglieri a black felt hat with a plume of feathers falling over the left shoulder.

The field service uniform is of gray cloth having a greenish tinge and is practically the same for all arms of the service and for all corps, except that the Bersaglieri wear their regular uniform of dark blue with red facings and their distinctive head dress.

The officers’ field uniform consists of a short sack coat with a standing-falling collar and a patch pocket on each breast; breeches or trousers cut to fit the legs tightly below the knee, black boots or tan leather shoes and leggings, and a straight crowned cap with sloping visor of black leather and a band of distinctive corps color. The coat is closed by buttons down the front concealed by a fly or by concealed hooks and eyes. On each side of the collar at the front is a silver star with a circular disc in the center upon which are the insignia indicating the corps or arm of the service to which the officer belongs.

The rank is indicated by the shoulder straps and the insignia worn upon them. The shoulder knots for General officers are covered with silver and bear gold stars to indicate the rank, those for Field officers having a narrow edging of silver braid and silver stars to indicate the rank, and those for company officers having only the silver stars to indicate the rank; as follows:—

General Silver covered shoulder straps with three gold stars. Lieutenant General Silver covered shoulder straps with two gold stars. Major General Silver covered shoulder straps with one gold star. Colonel Shoulder straps edged with silver braid and with three silver stars. Lieutenant Colonel Shoulder straps edged with silver braid and with two silver stars. Major Shoulder straps edged with silver braid and with one silver star. Captain Plain shoulder straps with three silver stars. First Lieutenant Plain shoulder straps with two silver stars. Second Lieutenant Plain shoulder straps with one silver star.

The rank of officers is also shown by the braid around the cap; the cap for General officers having a red band embroidered in silver with bands of narrow gold braid above it, three for general, two for lieutenant general and one for major general; the cap for Field officers having one wide silver stripe around the band with narrow stripes of silver braid above it, three for colonel, two for lieutenant colonel and one for major; and the cap for company officers having stripes of narrow silver braid around it, three for captain, two for first lieutenant and one for second lieutenant.

The corps of officers is shown by patches of distinctive color upon the collar at each side of the neck opening and also by the insignia upon the center of the silver star worn on each side of the collar.

The enlisted men wear service uniforms of the same color as that of the officers, the coat and trousers being similar to that for officers and the cap being a plain cloth kepi of the same color as the coat with a sloping visor of black leather. The cavalry wear gray helmets, the Bersaglieri wear their own distinctive plumed hat and all men on duty in the trenches wear steel trench helmets similar to those worn by the American, British and French soldiers.

The rank of noncommissioned officers is indicated by chevrons worn points up on the sleeves between the elbow and the bottom edge of the cuff, as follows:—

Sergeant Major Chevron of four stripes in silver. Sergeant Chevron of three stripes in white cloth. Corporal Chevron of three stripes in red cloth.

Distinctive badges are also worn on the sleeves to indicate special duties or assignments of enlisted men.

The arms of the service and corps of an enlisted man is indicated on his uniform by patches of the distinctive corps color upon the collar at each side of the front opening, and the regiment is shown by numerals on these color patches.

UNIFORMS OF THE ITALIAN NAVY

The uniforms for the officers and enlisted men of the Italian Navy are made of dark blue cloth for dress uniforms and for undress uniforms for winter wear and of white cotton duck or linen for wear in hot weather. In general the design of the uniform is similar to those of the British Navy with the exception of the undress coat which is similar to the service coat for officers of the United States Navy.

Commissioned officers are required to have special full dress, full dress, dress, blue undress and white undress uniforms.

The special full dress uniform consists of a cocked hat very similar to that worn by American naval officers, a double-breasted cutaway frock coat with turn-down collar and notched lapels buttoned down the front with two rows of service gilt buttons; dark blue trousers with gold lace braid stripes down the outer leg seams, and black shoes. Epaulets similar to those worn in the United States Navy and a sword belt covered with gold lace are worn with this uniform, and a blue silk sash is worn from the right shoulder diagonally across the body to the left side where it is knotted and the ends have tassels.

The full dress uniform consists of a double-breasted frock coat very similar to that worn in the United States Navy; a bell-crowned cap of dark blue cloth with a sloping visor; plain dark blue trousers, and black shoes. Epaulets and the full dress belt are worn with this uniform.

The dress uniform is the same as the full dress with the exceptions that the epaulets are omitted and the sword belt is of black leather.

The blue undress uniform consists of the blue cap, a single-breasted sack coat on the lines of that worn by officers of the United States Navy with black braid trimming around the edges and collar and down the front with which shoulder straps are worn.

The white undress uniform is of the same description as the blue undress except that the material is white cotton or linen duck.

The rank of officers in the Italian Navy is indicated by gold braid stripes around the sleeves above the cuffs as shown in the accompanying illustration.

The corps or branch of the service to which an officer belongs is indicated as follows:—

Line officers By the “curl” in the upper rank stripe. Engineer officers By stripes of black velvet between the rank stripes. Naval Constructors By stripes of crimson velvet between the rank stripes. Medical officers By stripes of light blue cloth between the rank stripes. Paymasters By stripes of red cloth between the rank stripes.

Officers of the Staff Corps do not have the “curl” in the upper rank stripe.

The insignia on the front of the cap consist of an oval medallion surrounded by a gold wreath and surmounted by the Royal Crown of Italy in gold on a blue ground. The medallion in the center shows the corps or branch of the service, Line officers having a gold foul anchor on a light blue ground, Engineer officers a gold three-bladed propeller on a black ground. Medical officers a red Geneva cross on a white ground, Naval Constructors a gold helmet on a red ground, and Paymasters a gold star on a red ground.

The band of the cap is of the distinctive color of the corps or branch of the officer and has sewn upon it gold stripes indicating the rank of the wearer.

On the right side of the cocked hat there is a cockade of red, white and green silk.

Chief Warrant officers wear uniforms similar to the commissioned officers’ uniforms with one gold stripe broken by diagonal blocks of blue silk with the corps mark above it on the cuffs. Their cap has a black mohair braid band and insignia on the front like those of commissioned officers except that the Royal crown is omitted.

Warrant officers wear the same uniform as Chief Warrant officers except that the stripe of gold braid on the sleeve is omitted and the corps insignia alone are worn on the sleeves above the elbow.

Enlisted men wear uniforms of dark blue cloth or white duck depending upon the temperature, these uniforms being similar in general design to those of the United States Navy.

The insignia of rank for Petty officers are as follows:—

Chief Petty officers A gold chevron of one wide stripe and one narrow stripe on each sleeve above the elbow with the branch mark above it. An additional chevron is added after three years’ service in the grade. Petty officers A red chevron of one wide stripe and one narrow one on each sleeve above the elbow with the branch mark above it, in red. Leading Seamen A chevron of one narrow red stripe with the branch mark above it, in red. Able Seamen The branch mark in red on each sleeve above the elbow. Ordinary Seamen The sleeves are plain.

The specialty or branch marks for the different corps or branches of the enlisted men are as follows:—

The Line or Deck branch. A foul anchor.

Navigating branch A steering wheel. Engineers A three-bladed propeller. Firemen A two-bladed propeller. Torpedo branch Two torpedoes crossed with a hammer below. Gunnery branch Two cannon crossed. Gunlayers Two cannon crossed with a bursting bomb in the center. Electricians A device representing three branches of zig-zag lightning with a hammer in the center. Mining division A submarine mine case. Divers A submarine mine case and a hammer. Carpenters Two hatchets crossed. Plumbers Two hatchets crossed with a flame in the center. Joiners A saw. Musician of the band Two anchors crossed with a harp in the center. Radio operators Three branches of zig-zag lightning. Hospital man A gold star with a red Geneva cross on white ground in the center. Stewards A sheaf of wheat. Buglers An anchor crossed by a trumpet. Signalman A triangular pennant with vertical stripes.

Enlisted men who have been promoted for gallantry in war service wear a gold crown on the sleeves above the specialty marks.

UNIFORMS OF THE BELGIAN ARMY

Before 1914 the uniforms of the Belgian Army for home service were very elaborate and decorated with gold and silver braid and ornaments, although uniforms of cotton khaki were worn in hot weather on foreign service; but the experience of the present war showed the necessity of an inconspicuous dress for field service, and as a result the army is now provided with a field uniform designed after the British Army service uniform and made of dark khaki-colored woolen cloth.

The officers’ field service uniform consists of a coat similar to that worn by British officers except that it has a standing collar; breeches of the same material and color as the coat; a cap after the British design, and tan leather boots, or tan leather shoes with khaki-colored wrap puttees or tan leather strap puttees.

With this uniform the British “Sam Browne” tan leather belt and shoulder strap is worn.

The corps or arm of the service to which an officer belongs is shown by patches of colored cloth on the collar at each side of the neck opening. The rank of officers is indicated by insignia upon these collar patches, as follows:—

Major General Three stars arranged to form an equilateral triangle with two vertical bars in front of it and a device made up of the King’s monogram, wings, a spear head and bolts of lightning, all in gold embroidery.

Brigadier General The same as for major general, except there is but one vertical bar.

Colonel Three gold stars arranged in the form of an equilateral triangle pointing down with a semicircular gold bar beneath it.

Lieutenant Colonel The same as for colonel except there are but two stars.

Major The same as for lieutenant colonel except there is but one star.

Commandant Three gold stars arranged in the form of an equilateral triangle pointing down.

Captain The same as for commandant except that the lower star is silver.

First Lieutenant Two gold stars.

Second Lieutenant One gold star.

Adjutant One silver star.

The grade of Commandant has no corresponding one in the United States Army; the rank is between those of Major and Captain.

The grade of Adjutant corresponds to that of a Warrant Officer in the United States Navy and Marine Corps.

The service uniform of the enlisted men in the Belgian Army is similar in design and color to that of the British soldier.

The rank of noncommissioned officers is indicated by stripes upon the cuffs as follows:—

Regimental Sergeant Major Three narrow stripes around the cuff parallel to the lower edge. Sergeant Major Two stripes around the cuff with two diagonal stripes above them. First Sergeant Two stripes around the cuff. Quartermaster Sergeant One stripe around the cuff with one diagonal stripe above it. Sergeant One stripe around the cuff. Corporal One stripe around the cuff, narrower than that worn by a sergeant.

Specialty marks are worn upon the sleeves above the elbow to mark men assigned to special duties.

Engineers A plumed helmet. Aviator The King’s monogram with an eagle’s wing at each side. Hospital Corps A caduceus surrounded by a wreath. Cycle Corps A bicycle wheel. Grenadiers A bursting bomb. Bandsmen A lyre.

The men wear tan leather belts and cartridge pouches.

UNIFORMS OF THE RUSSIAN ARMY

The officers and enlisted men of the Russian Army formerly had a great variety in uniforms for the different corps and branches of the service; the infantry of the regular Line wore uniforms of green cloth with red facings; the hussars wore green jackets trimmed across the front with white stripes and loops, red breeches and black high boots; the guards wore green uniforms with yellow facings; the Don Cossacks wore uniforms of dark gray, the coat being long and the breeches very loose and the headdress being a black shako; and the Kuban cossacks wore a uniform of similar design of reddish brown cloth.

During the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-5 an effort was made to standardize the field service uniforms with the result that the present service uniform is of cloth of a gray-brown shade. The Cossacks have to some extent preserved their distinctive dress.

The service uniforms for officers consists of a single-breasted sack coat with a standing collar, a pocket with flap on each breast and closed by a row of gilt buttons down the front; breeches of the same color with stripes down the outer leg seams of varying widths according to rank and of different colors according to the corps or arm of the service; a bell-crowned cap with sloping visor, and black boots.

The rank is indicated by the trimming and ornamentation of flat shoulder straps, those for the various grades of rank being shown in the accompanying illustration. It will be noted that there are no grades of Brigadier General or Major in the Russian Army, but that there are two grades of the rank of Captain, called First and Second or Senior and Junior Captain. The duties of the Senior Captain correspond in a measure to those of Major in the United States services. Line officers of the rank of Colonel and below wear the number of their regiment in the center of the shoulder strap.

The Russian officer’s service cap is similar to that worn by officers of the United States Army except that the top of the crown is relatively greater in diameter. The band is of the distinctive color of the corps or arm of the service. A medallion made up of the national colors is worn at the center of the band in front and the visor and chin strap are of brown leather. In some of the regiments gray sheepskin shakos are worn by both officers and men instead of the cap.

The arm of the service or corps is indicated by patches of colored cloth on the front of the collar on each side of the neck opening.

The sword belt is of tan leather with a cross strap from the right shoulder to the left side at the waist although in some corps the sword is suspended from the diagonal cross strap only, the waist-belt not being worn by officers.

The uniform of the enlisted men is of similar cut to that of the officers except that the coats are looser and in some corps are closed by a row of buttons down the right side.

The rank of the noncommissioned officers is indicated by stripes and other insignia upon narrow flat shoulder straps worn from the base of the collar to the top of the sleeve shoulder seam.

The Russian Army has an officer of Warrant rank, intermediate between the commissioned officers and enlisted noncommissioned officers. These Warrant officers wear one broad stripe across the shoulder strap near the collar end.

The noncommissioned officers wear narrow stripes on their shoulder straps in the same position; a sergeant major having three such stripes, a sergeant two and a corporal one.

There have been various corps and specialty insignia but as these are now in a process of being changed they cannot be given accurately.

The Russian noncommissioned officers wear swords suspended from tan leather belts and the privates wear a tan leather belt with cartridge boxes of the same material. All of the enlisted men carry their extra clothing in a blanket roll over the right shoulder and diagonally across the body to the left side at the belt.

UNIFORMS OF THE RUSSIAN NAVY

The uniforms of the officers and enlisted men differ in many respects from those which are common to the navies of the other principal powers.

The officers’ uniforms are as a rule made of a dark green cloth for dress and winter wear and of white cotton or linen for hot weather.

The prescribed uniforms are full dress, dress, undress and service (working) dress.

The full dress uniform consists of a cocked hat, tunic with standing collar, epaulets, and trousers with gold lace braid on the outer leg seams.

The dress uniform consists of a cap, double-breasted frock coat, with epaulets, and plain trousers.

The undress uniform is the same as the dress uniform without epaulets.

The service or working uniform consists of a cap, a short single breasted tunic of dark blue cloth and plain trousers.

In hot weather a similar uniform of white cotton or linen material is worn.

An overcoat of black cloth and a heavier one of gray cloth with a fur collar are worn by officers.

In May, 1917, the shoulder straps and the insignia of rank formerly worn upon them were abolished and stripes on the sleeves above the cuff to indicate rank with distinctive colors to indicate the Staff corps, were adopted for all uniform coats and the overcoat.

These stripes for the different grades of rank are as shown by the accompanying illustrations.

Officers of the Line and of the Engineer Corps wear gold stripes, and officers of the Medical Corps, Naval Constructor Corps, Judge Advocate’s Corps, and Paymasters wear silver stripes, with the stripes edged with cloth of a distinctive color for each corps.

These distinctive colors are:

Medical officers White. Naval Constructors Red. Judges Advocate Crimson.

Paymasters wear silver stripes without the “curl” and without edgings of colored cloth.

Officers wear a sword on all occasions of dress and ceremony, but on occasions of ordinary duty they wear a short dirk in place of the sword.

The warrant officers of the Russian Navy wear uniforms similar to those worn by commissioned officers, the distinguishing mark being a narrow gold stripe around the sleeves above the cuff.

Enlisted men wear black cloth trousers, a jersey with blue and white horizontal stripes and a blue jumper.

The caps are similar to those worn by enlisted men of the British Navy.

The name of the ship is given on the cap ribbon as in other navies, this ribbon being tied at the back so that it hangs down in streamers.

White duck uniforms of the same pattern as the blue ones are worn in hot weather.

The ratings of petty officers are indicated by badges worn on the sleeves above the elbow; these badges are at present being revised and hence cannot be accurately given.

All enlisted men are provided with short overcoats of gray cloth.

UNIFORMS OF THE JAPANESE ARMY

Previous to the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-5 the officers and enlisted men of the Japanese Army wore uniforms of dark blue or red cloth with facings of distinctive colors for the various arms, but this proved so conspicuous on the battlefields of that war that a service uniform of khaki-colored cloth for winter and khaki cotton drill for summer was adopted. The officers, however, retained for their dress uniforms the old dress uniforms of dark blue and red cloth with heavy decorations of gold lace.

The dress uniform of the officers consists of a dark blue double breasted frock coat with standing collar; trousers of dark blue cloth with stripes of the corps color down the outer leg seams for all arms except the cavalry in which the officers wear red breeches; black boots; and a _kepi_ style cap decorated with gold lace and having a red and white standing plume at the front, this cap being of red cloth for the cavalry and of blue cloth for the other arms.

The collar of the dress coat is covered with gold lace; the buttons are gilt with a design of chrysanthemums and cherry blossoms; shoulder knots of plaited gold cord and a sash belt of gold and red stripes with heavy tassels at the left side are worn with it, and the rank is indicated by sleeve decorations consisting of a knot made up of narrow stripes of gold braid of the same design as that worn by officers of the United States Army. This sleeve knot is made of one stripe for Second Lieutenant and one additional stripe for each step up in grade through the ranks of First Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, Major General, Lieutenant General and Field Marshal, the latter having a knot of nine stripes.

The distinctive colors for the different arms of the service are red for infantry, green for cavalry, yellow for artillery, crimson for pioneers, gray for the quartermaster corps, and black for the gendarmerie (national police).

The service uniforms for both officers and enlisted men consist of a single-breasted sack coat of khaki-colored woolen cloth for winter and cotton drill for summer; trousers or breeches of the same materials, and a bell-crowned cap with sloping visor of tan leather and a band of the distinctive color of the arm of the service.

The service coat has a standing collar with a patch of the distinctive color for the arm of the service on each side of the neck opening, a pocket with buttoned flap on each side of the breast and a plain pocket on each side below the waist.

Officers wear breeches and boots when mounted and tan leather leggings or khaki-colored wrap puttees for dismounted service. The shoes worn by both officers and enlisted men with the service uniform are of tan leather.

The rank of the officers is indicated by shoulder straps worn transversely across the shoulders next to the shoulder seams of the sleeves, after the style of the shoulder strap worn by officers of the United States Army with their blue dress coats. These are the only two great armies in which this form of shoulder strap is worn by officers to indicate rank.

These shoulder straps are covered with cloth of the distinctive color of the arm of the service with stripes of gold braid running lengthwise of them on the same scheme as that used on the shoulder straps worn by Japanese naval officers as illustrated, namely, for General officers one wide stripe, for field officers two narrow stripes and for company officers one narrow stripe. On the gold stripes silver stars are worn for the different grades of rank in each class. The number of stripes and stars for each grade is as follows:

_General Officers._ General Three stars on one wide gold stripe. Lieutenant General Two stars on one wide gold stripe. Major General One star on one wide gold stripe.

_Field Officers._ Colonel Three stars on two narrow gold stripes. Lieutenant Colonel Two stars on two narrow gold stripes. Major One star on two narrow gold stripes.

_Company Officers._ Captain Three stars on one narrow gold stripe. First Lieutenant Two stars on one narrow gold stripe. Second Lieutenant One star on one narrow gold stripe.

The rank of noncommissioned officers is shown by narrow stripes around the cuffs, and for all enlisted men the arm of the service is indicated by the color patches on each side of the collar and the regimental number is worn upon these collar patches, Arabic figures being used for the regular service, Roman numerals for the militia and Arabic figures on one side of the collar and Roman on the other for the reserves.

The overcoat for officers is a double-breasted ulster similar to that worn by American officers, and that for enlisted men is single-breasted and short. The overcoats are of khaki-colored cloth.

The service belts for both officers and men are of tan leather.

UNIFORMS OF THE JAPANESE NAVY

When Japan began to build and man her modern navy she derived much early training and experience from the British Navy, which was then as now, the largest of the world’s navies.

As a result the uniforms of both the officers and men of the Japanese Navy are similar in most respects to those of the British Navy. The principal difference is that the Japanese naval officers’ undress or service uniform coat is a single-breasted blouse with standing collar similar to that worn by officers of the United States Navy, the collar and edges being trimmed with black braid.

In the insignia of the Japanese Navy the cherry blossom usually takes the place where the crown appears in the British naval insignia, as may be seen by reference to the illustrations.

The uniforms for both officers and enlisted men are of dark blue cloth for full dress and dress uniforms, the undress or service uniform being of dark blue cloth for winter wear and of white cotton duck or linen for wear in hot weather.

The rank of officers is indicated by stripes around the sleeves above the cuff on the blue uniforms and by shoulder straps on the white service uniform.

The sleeve stripes are of gold lace braid for full dress and dress coats and of black braid for the blue service coat.

The number, width and arrangement of the sleeve stripes for the different ranks are as shown in the accompanying illustration.

The corps or branch of the service to which an officer belongs is shown by the circular curl above the upper stripe for officers of the Line, and by stripes of colored cloth between the rank stripes for the officers of the Staff Corps, the distinctive colors for the various corps being as follows:—

Engineer Corps Purple. (The officers of the Engineer Corps also wear the curl above the upper rank stripe, officers of the other Staff Corps do not wear the curl.) Medical Corps Red. Engineer Constructors Brown. Ordnance Constructors Maroon. Paymaster Corps White. Hydrographic Corps Light blue. Chief Carpenter (warrant officers) Green. Bandmasters (warrant officers) Gray.

These distinctive colors for officers of the different Staff Corps are also worn around the bands of the caps.

The rank or rating of enlisted men who are petty officers or who are assigned to special duties is shown by distinctive marks worn on the left sleeve of the coat or overshirt; the principal ones being:—

Seaman An anchor. Writers A writing brush. Hospital Corps A pair of forceps. Firemen A double pipe spanner. Carpenter’s Mate An axe. Stewards A key. Musicians A lyre.

UNIFORMS OF THE AUSTRIAN ARMY

The Army of Austria-Hungary is made up of so many different races and peoples each of whom have preserved something of their original national dress or uniform in their modern dress uniforms that the varieties in color, design and ornamentation are greater than in any other country.

The field service uniform of all however is nearly the same and is made of light gray cloth.

The officers’ service uniform consists of a single-breasted sack coat with a standing collar, closed by a row of buttons down the front concealed beneath a flap and having shoulder straps, patch pockets with button flaps, one on each breast and one on each side below the waist; breeches of the same color as the coat; leather puttees and shoes; and a cap of gray cloth, cylindrical in shape with a soft top to the crown and side flaps which are folded up around the band and secured by two buttons in front, and having a sloping visor covered with the gray cloth of the cap. This cap, known as a tschapka, is a distinguishing feature of the Austrian uniform.

As variations of the field uniform the Hungarian regiments do not wear leggings but have the trousers tight below the knees; the Alpine troops wear heavy tan colored stockings instead of leggings and the Bosnia troops wear a Turkish fez instead of the gray cap.

The rank of officers is indicated by insignia worn upon each side of the collar. A Field Marshal has gold embroidery on the collar at each side of the neck opening and two wide red stripes down the outer leg seams of the trousers. General officers wear similar gold braid on the collar with the grade of rank indicated by silver stars thereon as follows:—

General Three silver stars. Lieutenant General Two silver stars. Major General One silver star.

Field officers have gold or silver braid on the collar according to whether their buttons are of silver or gold. On gold braid they wear silver stars and on silver braid gold stars to indicate the grade of rank, as follows:—

Colonel Three stars. Lieutenant Colonel Two stars. Major One star.

Company officers have the collar decorated with cloth on each side of the neck opening, the color being the distinctive color of their arm of the service or regiment. The grade of rank is indicated by stars worn on this colored cloth, the stars being of silver or gold to match the gold or silver buttons worn according to the regiment:

Captain Three stars. First Lieutenant Two stars. Second Lieutenant One star.

The arm of the service is indicated by the color of the facings or decorations on the uniform. The infantry have no regimental numbers on their uniforms but a distinctive color for each group of four regiments, each such group of the regular army having two Austrian and two Hungarian regiments, the Austrian regiments wearing silver buttons and the Hungarian regiments gilt buttons.

Chasseur regiments wear green facings or trimming and have the number of the regiment on the buttons.

Dragoon regiments have distinguishing colors worn on the collars for each two regiments, one regiment of each color wearing silver buttons and the other gilt buttons.

Hussar and Uhlan regiments of cavalry have distinctive colors for each two regiments as in the case of dragoon regiments but these colors are also worn on the caps and the number of the regiment also appears on the cap.

Artillery regiments have red facings and the buttons bear a gun and a shell.

In the Austrian Reserves the infantry have green facings and trimmings on their uniforms and the number of the regiment on the buttons and shoulder straps, and the cavalry regiments have the regimental number on the buttons only.

In the Hungarian Reserves the infantry regiments wear the regimental number in dark gray cloth on the sides of the cap and the cavalry regiments wear their number in yellow cloth on the cap.

The rank of noncommissioned officers is indicated by white stars of celluloid worn on the distinctive color patches of the collar, as follows:—

Sergeant Major Three white stars. Sergeant Two white stars. Corporal One white star.

With service uniform officers wear tan leather belts with suspender straps across one or both shoulders and the enlisted men wear belts and cartridge boxes of tan leather. General and Staff officers wear the sword slung from a belt beneath the coat and a sash of gold and black silk.

The overcoat for officers is a double-breasted ulster with gilt or silver buttons the same as worn on the service coat and collar patches and pipings of the distinctive corps or regimental color; or a long circular cape cloak with a turn-over collar upon which the color patches are worn.

The overcoat of the enlisted man is a double-breasted long ulster with standing-falling collar, buttons of silver or gilt to match those worn on the service coat and color patches on the collar.

Enlisted men wear the trousers tucked into the tops of the shoes or in the case of the Alpine troops into the tops of heavy woolen socks of khaki color.

A distinctive feature of the Alpine troops is a small plume of eagle’s feathers worn on the left side of the cap.

Various insignia to indicate special duties or assignments are worn by enlisted men upon the left sleeve, some of them being:—

Telegraphist A wreath surrounding a device representing three bolts of lightning crossed with a crown above them.

Medical Corps A circle surrounding a Geneva cross in red.

Gun pointer Two cannon crossed surmounted by a crown surrounded by a wreath.

Pioneer A medallion bearing a pick and two spades crossed.

Wagon driver A wreath surrounding two horses’ heads.

In the trenches steel trench helmets of the German pattern are worn by both officers and enlisted men.

In very cold weather fur coats are worn and in the snows of the mountains white coats are worn to make the troops less conspicuous.

Enlisted men wear on the left sleeve a triangle of yellow braid to show long service, one stripe for four years, two stripes for seven years and three stripes for nine years.

UNIFORMS OF THE AUSTRIAN NAVY

The uniforms of the officers and enlisted men of the Austrian Navy are of dark blue cloth for winter wear and of white duck for hot weather and are generally similar to those worn in the British Navy.

Commissioned officers are provided with special full dress, full dress, undress, blue service, white service and white mess uniforms.

The special full dress uniform (gala dress) consists of a cocked hat of the same shape as the one worn in the United States Navy but having more gold braid on it; a short double-breasted frock coat with a standing collar; epaulets; dark blue trousers with gold stripes down the outer leg seams; a sash belt of black cloth with interwoven horizontal gilt stripes and a knot and tassels of gold on the right hip; and black shoes. The collar of the coat and the cuffs are trimmed with gold lace braid, the sword is worn suspended by slings from a belt worn beneath the coat, and the rank of the officer is indicated by insignia worn upon the collar and upon the tops of the epaulets.

The full dress consists of the cocked hat; a double-breasted frock coat with turn-down collar and notched lapels; epaulets; trousers the same as for the special full dress; and black shoes. The sash belt is also worn with this uniform.

The undress uniform consists of a bell-crowned cap of dark blue cloth with a black mohair braid band, sloping visor of black patent leather, gold chin strap above the visor and the rank indicated by narrow gold stripes around the black band; the frock coat worn without epaulets; plain dark blue trousers and black shoes. White trousers and a cap with the upper portion of the crown white are some times worn with this uniform. The sash belt is not worn with this uniform, the sword being suspended by slings from a belt worn beneath the coat.

The blue service dress consists of the blue or white cap; a square cut double-breasted sack coat similar to that worn in the British Navy; plain trousers of dark blue cloth or white duck, and black shoes. When on duty with troops ashore the sword belt is worn outside of this coat.

The white service uniform consists of a white cap or white helmet; a white coat with shoulder straps of the same design as the white service coat worn by the United States naval officer except that there is a patch pocket with flap and button on each side below the waist. When under arms the sword is worn suspended by slings from a belt beneath the coat and the gold and black sash belt is worn outside of the coat.

The mess uniform consists of a white mess jacket upon which the shoulder straps are worn; a white waistcoat; dark blue plain trousers, and black shoes. There is no blue mess jacket and no evening dress coat.

With the frock coat uniforms a plain black silk necktie is worn tied in a flat double-bow knot.

The rank is indicated on the frock coat and upon the blue service coat by stripes of gold lace upon the sleeves above the cuff. In the case of officers of flag rank a gold Austrian Imperial crown is worn above the stripes. These stripes for the different grades of rank are shown in the accompanying illustration.

On the white service coat the rank is indicated by stripes upon the shoulder straps in the same manner as in the United States Navy, these stripes being of the same number, widths and arrangements as upon the sleeves of the frock and service coats.

The corps or branch of the service to which an officer belongs is indicated by the “curl” in the upper stripe of the rank stripes upon the sleeve and shoulder strap, and by stripes of colored silk between the gold rank stripes for the different Staff corps. These distinctive colors for the different corps or branches are:—

Engineers Gray. Medical officers Black. Naval Constructors Crimson. Paymasters Light blue. Professors Dark blue.

White gloves are prescribed for all uniforms.

Medical officers of flag rank wear an eight-pointed gold star above the rank stripes on the sleeves, other Staff officers of flag rank wear a four-circle rosette there, and Medical officers wear as a distinctive device on the shoulder strap over the rank stripes the rod of Esculapius entwined with a serpent in silver.

Midshipmen at the Naval Academy wear a dark blue double-breasted round-about jacket with a turn-down collar and two rows of gilt buttons down the front, a straight visored blue cap, dark blue trousers and black shoes, for dress and a uniform similar to that worn by the seamen, for work and drills.

Chief Warrant officers and Warrant officers wear dress and service uniforms like those of commissioned officers, and Chief Petty officers wear similar uniforms to those of Warrant officers except that the specialty or branch marks are worn on the sleeves between the elbow and the shoulder. The rank of Chief Warrant officers, Warrant officers and Chief Petty officers is indicated by gold stripes upon the sleeves above the cuffs as follows:—

Chief Warrant officer Three one-half inch stripes. Warrant officer Two one-half inch stripes. Chief Petty officer One stripe three-sixteenths of an inch wide.

The uniforms of the enlisted men are of the usual sailor cut common to the navies of most naval powers. The blue uniform consists of a dark blue flat cap with the name of the ship in gilt upon a cap ribbon around the band; a loose jumper worn over a tight jersey, and trousers of the sailor cut with wide spring at the bottoms of the legs. The white uniforms consist of a white flat cap, white duck jumper and white trousers.

The rating is indicated by stars in the corners of the wide collar. These stars are of a material resembling celluloid and first class petty officers wear three such stars in each corner of the collar, second class petty officers two stars and first class seamen one star.

The branch of the service or the special duty detail of an enlisted man is indicated by a specialty mark worn on the left sleeve midway between the elbow and the shoulder, petty officers wearing a crown above the specialty mark, these marks being as follows:—

Deck force A vertical foul anchor. Engineroom and Fireroom force A three-bladed propeller. Quartermasters (Wheelmen) An anchor with a steering wheel on the shank. Writers Two swords crossed. Torpedomen An anchor with a bursting bomb on the shank. Gunnery force An anchor with two cannon crossed on the shank. Radio men An anchor with bars of zig-zag lightning across the shank. Mining force A ship’s anchor with a mine anchor crossing it. Band musicians A lyre. Hospital attendants A Geneva cross. Cooks and stewards Two blades of wheat crossed.

For Chief Petty officers these specialty marks are in gold embroidery and for others in yellow for blue coats and jumper shirts and for all ratings they are in black for white coats and jumpers.

Aviation pilots, both officers and men, wear the aviation insignia on the right breast. This insignia is of silver and consists of a wreath of leaves surmounted by an Imperial crown with a spread eagle across the wreath.

UNIFORMS OF THE GERMAN NAVY

The uniforms of the officers and men of the German Navy are made of dark blue cloth for winter wear and of white duck for hot weather as in other navies and in general they follow the lines of other navies, but there are several distinctive features. The officers have no special full dress coat with the cutaway skirts or swallow-tail effect, a frock coat taking its place; and the enlisted men have in addition to the ordinary sailor shirts with the wide falling collar a dress jacket reaching to the waist line and roached over the hips like the jackets of the American midshipmen. This jacket has a row of small buttons down each side of the front and also on each cuff and is worn unbuttoned with the falling collar of the shirt outside of it.

The commissioned officers have full dress, dress, blue service and white service uniforms.

The full dress uniform consists of a cocked hat similar to that worn by British naval officers; a long double-breasted frock coat; trousers with gold lace stripes down the outer leg seams; black shoes; a sword belt covered with silver and gold lace with a wide red stripe running through it, and epaulets or shoulder knots depending upon the rank and corps of the officer. A distinctive feature of this full dress frock coat is that while it has a standing collar trimmed with gold lace, the front is provided with wide triangular lapels covered with color facing indicating the corps or branch of the service to which the wearer belongs.

The dress uniform consists of a bell-crowned cap of dark blue cloth with a braid of the distinctive corps around the band and a distinctive insignia on the front; a frock coat like that of the British or American naval officer; with which shoulder knots are worn; plain dark blue trousers, and black shoes. With this uniform the same sword belt is worn as with the full dress but instead of the sword a short sword or dirk is worn. As a variation of this uniform the cocked hat is sometimes worn with it for special occasions.

The blue service uniform consists of the blue cap; a double-breasted square cut sack like that worn by British officers; plain dark blue trousers, and black shoes. A plain black double-bow knot tie is worn with this uniform.

The white service uniform consists of a white cap of the same design as the blue cap but with a black band and black visor as in the United States and British navies; a white single-breasted sack coat with standing collar, a patch pocket on the left breast and a patch pocket on each side below the waist; white trousers, and black or white shoes depending upon the occasion. The dirk is worn with this uniform suspended from a black leather belt worn beneath the coat. Shoulder straps showing the rank are worn on the white service coat.

The overcoat is a long double-breasted coat cut to fit the figure, buttoning to the neck, with a wide falling collar and an outside pocket with flap on each side below the waist. It is closed by gilt buttons, one row down each side.

Following the universal military custom, the rank of German naval officers is indicated on the blue uniforms by stripes worn upon the sleeves of the coat just above the cuff. The number, width and arrangement of these stripes are shown in the accompanying illustration.

On the full dress coat sleeves there is a vertical three-pointed strap on the outside over the rank stripes, its color being the distinctive color for the corps to which the wearer belongs.

The rank is also indicated by insignia upon the tops of the epaulets and shoulder knots. The tops of the epaulets are of the distinctive colors of the corps except those for officers of the Line which are of gold. The lower grade in each branch has no fringe of bullion on the epaulets.

The stripes indicating the rank of officers of the Line are sewn directly upon the cloth of the coat sleeves and have a German Imperial crown above the upper stripe. Officers of the Staff corps do not wear the crown above their rank stripes. The corps or branch of the service to which officers of the Staff corps belong is indicated by stripes of colored cloth worn between the stripes indicating the rank, and the distinctive colors are:—

Engineer officers Black. Gunnery officers Dark gray. Torpedo officers Dark gray. Medical officers Dark blue. Naval Constructors Black. Paymasters Light blue. Legal Department officers Red. Pilot officers Light gray. Dockyard Construction officers Black.

The insignia worn upon the cap for commissioned officers is a gold wreath surrounding a circular emblem made up of concentric circles of red, white and black (from the center out) and surmounted by the German Imperial crown. This medallion is also worn upon the center of the front of the enlisted men’s flat caps.

These distinctive corps colors are also worn as the “facings” on the full dress uniforms, that is on the lapels of the coat and on the three-pointed straps on the cuffs, and around the band of the service cap, blue and white, except that pilots wear a gold band on the cap.

Warrant officers in the German Navy wear a dress uniform and a service uniform both blue and white similar in design to that worn by commissioned officers, with their distinctive rank stripes on the sleeves and on the shoulder straps.

In the German Navy there is a rank intermediate between that of Warrant officers and Chief Petty officers which has no counterpart in the American Navy. This is called Feldwebel. His dress uniform is a blue cap; a short dark blue jacket with rolling lapel collar and a row of small gilt buttons down each side of the front; a blue waistcoat with gilt buttons, and plain dark blue trousers; and his service uniforms, both blue and white, are similar to those of other officers. On the cuffs of the dress jacket he has three narrow gold stripes around the sleeve close together and below them three similar stripes around the sleeve and continuing down the outer seam to the bottom edge of the sleeve, with a vertical strap of dark blue cloth across the stripes with six small gilt buttons on it.

The Bandmaster is a Warrant officer and the distinctive mark of his rank is a gold lyre on the center of his shoulder straps.

The uniforms of the enlisted men are the dress or “parade” uniform, the service uniform and the white uniform.

The dress uniform consists of a sailor flat cap; a white sailor shirt with wide dark blue falling collar; the dark blue dress jacket worn with the collar of the shirt outside of it, and dark blue trousers, the trousers being cut without the wide “spring” or flare at the bottom of the legs so common in other navies.

The blue cap is similar to that worn in other navies but the crown is higher in the front than in the back, which tends to give it a military appearance. The name of the ship or station is worn upon a cap ribbon around the band of the cap, the ends of the ribbon being tied at the back and allowed to fall down the back in streamers. Upon the front of the crown at the center is the red, white and black medallion, the colors of Germany.

The collar of the shirt has three rows of narrow white braid around the edges as in the American and British navies.

The service uniform consists of the blue cap; a dark blue shirt similar to that worn in the American Navy, and dark blue trousers.

The white service uniform is of the same design but of white duck instead of dark blue cloth or flannel.

The rank or rating and the branch of specialty is indicated by distinctive marks worn upon the left sleeve between the elbow and the shoulder. Some of the principal of these marks are:—

Feldwebel A vertical gold anchor with a gold crown above it. Chief Quartermaster Two gold anchors crossed with a crown above them. (If certified he wears a red chevron of one stripe below the mark.) Quartermaster Two gold anchors crossed. Chief Boatswain’s Mate A vertical gold foul anchor with a crown above it. Boatswain’s Mate The same without the crown. Chief Gunner’s Mate A vertical foul anchor with two cannon crossed upon it surmounted by a crown, in gold. Gunner’s Mate The same without the crown. Chief Machinist’s Mate A vertical anchor with a cog wheel on the shank and a crown above it, in silver. Machinist’s Mate The same without the crown. Chief Stoker’s Mate A vertical anchor with two shovels crossed on the shank and a crown above it, in silver. Stoker’s Mate The same without the crown. Chief Torpedoist’s Mate An anchor and a mine crossed with a crown above it, in gold. Torpedoist’s Mate The same without the crown. Chief Radio Operator A vertical anchor with a crown above it, in gold, with a zig-zag of lightning in red across the shank of the anchor. Radio Operator The same without the crown. Telegraphist Two bars of forked lightning crossed, in gold. Chief Signal Mate A vertical anchor with a crown above it, in gold, and two signal flags in red crossed on the shank of the anchor. Signal Mate The same without the crown. Drill Sergeant A vertical anchor with two rifles crossed on the shank and a crown above it, in gold. Drill Corporal The same without the crown. Leading Seaman A yellow chevron of one stripe, point down. Bandsman, first class A chevron of two stripes with a curl at the point of the upper stripe and an anchor surcharged by a lyre above it, in gold. Second Leader of Band The same with a crown above it. Gun Captain, first class A flaming shell above a chevron of three stripes, point down, in red. Gun Captain, second class The same but with two stripes in the chevron. Gun Captain, third class The same but with one stripe in the chevron. Machine Gun Captain The same without the chevron. Range Finder A triangle with a flaming shell in the center and a range finding instrument above it, in red. Submarine Mine Planter A submarine mine in red.

(The Gun Captains, Range Finders, and Mine Planters of the Marine Artillery, who man the coast defense guns, wear the same rating marks in yellow. In Germany the coast defenses, forts and batteries are manned by the Navy and not by the Army as in the United States.)

The overcoat worn by enlisted men of the German Navy is a short double breasted pilot coat with turn-down lapel collar and a double row of gilt service buttons down the front.

For service ashore in landing parties and when on duty at the coast forts in hot weather or tropics, a khaki helmet is worn instead of the white hat with white uniforms and khaki canvas leggings are also worn. For landing parties as infantry or artillery black leather boots are worn with the blue uniforms, the trousers being tucked inside of the boots.

UNIFORMS OF GERMAN MARINES

The German Marines are a part of the Navy and are divided into Marine Infantry and Marine Field Artillery. They perform duties similar in many respects to the duties of the United States Marine Corps.

The full dress uniform of the officers consists of a black shako with a large red plume which falls over the front down to the visor; a blue single-breasted tunic with standing collar; epaulets without bullion fringes; breeches of the same color, and black boots. The front edges of the coat and the tops and bottoms of the collar are piped with white cloth and the cuffs are of white cloth with a vertical strap.

The service uniform is of gray cloth and consists of a bell-crowned cap with a white band and sloping visor of black leather; a single-breasted coat with a standing turn-over collar closed by buttons down the front concealed by a fly; breeches, and leggings and shoes of tan leather. The coat has a pocket with flap on each side below the waist. Shoulder straps are worn with the service coat.

The rank of the officer is indicated by insignia worn upon the epaulets and shoulder straps, the insignia being the same as for the German Army officers.

For hot weather a uniform of khaki cotton drill is provided, the general style being the same as for the cloth service uniform except that the head dress is a khaki-colored helmet.

The dress uniform of the enlisted men is similar in color and design to that worn by the officers, the epaulets being replaced by shoulder straps of white cloth. The service uniform of the enlisted men is of the same design as that for officers except that the coat is closed by a single row of gilt buttons and the cap has no visor.

UNIFORMS OF THE GERMAN ARMY

The peace time uniforms of the various corps and arms of the German Army present a great variety, the traditions of the services of the former separate kingdoms and political divisions that are now united to form the German Empire being preserved in many instances in the color and design of the uniform or in the bright metal decorations and insignia.

Many of these uniforms are gaudy in color and richly decorated with gold, silver and colored cloth and braid ornaments.

The facings colors worn upon the collars and cuffs and as pipings on the coats and trousers often vary with the individual regiments, and the headdress is in many shapes and colors.

The Line Infantry wear a black helmet with brass spike, Prussian eagle and scale chin strap; a blue single-breasted tunic with gilt buttons, and dark gray trousers; the facings and piping being red, but the infantry regiments of Saxony, Bavaria, Wurttemburg and some other states have variations from this in both color and design.

The Uhlans wear the Czapka helmet; a blue double-breasted tunic with a red plastron front and red facings; and dark gray trousers; the Prussian Hussars wear a black fur busby with heavy gilt decorations and a bag of the distinctive color of the facings, a single-breasted blue tunic heavily decorated with white braid, loops and frogs; a blue pelisse with white braid decorations slung from the left shoulder; dark gray tight fitting breeches with white braid decorations, and black Hessian boots with embroidered tops.

The Prussian Cuirassiers wear white uniforms with black hip boots and cuirasses of brass or iron, the iron being black for some regiments and bright for others.

The Saxon Jager regiments wear uniforms of green cloth and a cap with a feather plume.

The Prussian Dragoon regiments wear helmets with drooping white plumes, light blue jackets, dark gray breeches.

The Field Artillery regiments usually wear black helmets with a spike ending in a brass ball; dark blue coats with gilt buttons, dark gray breeches and black boots.

There are many other distinctive uniforms and the varied colors, bright trappings and decorations and waving plumes made a peace time assemblage of German troops of all arms a most imposing sight; but early in the present century the leaders realized that while all this gaudy panoply and pomp added to the attractiveness of the service, kept alive the traditions of the past, and aided in holding the esprit de corps, it would not do for service on the modern battlefield, where the troops must be as inconspicuous as possible to avoid annihilation under the drum fire of artillery and the rapid fire of machine guns.

As a result a field service uniform of a dull gray color was adopted for all arms but it was not generally issued to the troops until just before the opening of the present world war.

The German officer’s field service uniform consists of a gray single breasted sack coat with a standing turn-over collar; breeches of the same color and black or tan leather boots. With this uniform the old bright helmets are worn with a gray cover to make them less conspicuous, or in many cases a gray cap with sloping visor is worn. The buttons are of gilt allowed to become dull in the field, in some cases of leather or bone, and in other cases the coat is closed by buttons concealed beneath a fly.

The corps and regimental colors are worn in small patches on the collar at each side of the neck opening and also as cuff stripes in some corps. In some corps the distinctive color is also worn around the cap band.

The rank of the German officer is indicated by the braid and insignia on flat shoulder straps covered with braided cord. The shoulder strap for Field Marshal and for General officers is covered with a plaited knot made up of five loops of sets of three cords, the two outer cords being gold and the central cord being silver interwoven with the imperial colors in silk. The shoulder straps for Field officers (Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels and Majors) are of the same design except that the cords are in sets of two, both of silver interwoven with the silk colors. The shoulder straps of the company officers are covered with parallel rows of silver cord interwoven with the silk colors.

The insignia of rank worn upon the shoulder straps on top of the cord decorations are diamond shaped ornaments of gilt metal, and although they do not have the conventional shape of a star they are called stars in the German service.

These insignias are as follows for the various grades of rank:—

Field Marshal Two gold batons crossed. Colonel General Three stars. General Two stars. Lieutenant General One star. Major General No insignia, the shoulder strap knot being plain. Colonel Two stars. Lieutenant Colonel One star. Major No insignia. Captain Two stars. First Lieutenant One star. Second Lieutenant No insignia.

There is no corresponding rank in the armies of other nations for the German rank of Colonel General, and in the German Army there is no rank of Brigadier General.

In the German Army a Feldwebel is an officer between the commissioned officers and the enlisted men, his rank corresponds to that of the Warrant Officers in the United States Navy and Marine Corps. He wears a double cord upon the shoulders and his rank insignia is a circular medallion with a Prussian eagle on each side of the collar.

The German officer’s overcoat is a heavy ulster of the same gray color as the field uniform; it is double-breasted and the rank of the wearer is indicated by the shoulder straps as in the case of the service coat.

The enlisted men of the German Army wear a service uniform of the same color and general design as that of the officers. The ordinary field cap is a round loose crowned cap without visor, the coat is a single breasted sack with a standing turn-over collar, and the trousers are of the same gray cloth as the coat. Boots of black or tan leather are worn.

Noncommissioned officers wear a stripe of braid around the cuff and the front edges of the collar at the neck opening and for a short distance along the top of the collar back from the neck opening. A Sergeant Major wears a stripe of narrow braid above the noncommissioned officer’s sleeve stripe.

The enlisted men’s overcoat is a heavy ulster buttoning to the neck with a standing-falling collar, the rank of noncommissioned officers being indicated by the sleeve braid as for the service coat and by patches of color at the front of the collar.

Steel trench helmets are worn in the trenches by both officers and men, this helmet being larger than that worn by the American, British and French troops and having a flaring extension at the rear for the protection of the neck.

UNIFORMS OF THE ROUMANIAN ARMY

The dress and service uniforms of the Roumanian Army are very similar to those of the Austrian Army and the field uniform is of khaki-colored cloth with the facings, pipings and rank insignia of the dress uniforms added.

FOREIGN WAR DECORATIONS AND MEDALS

The multiplicity of medals and decorations in all foreign countries makes it very difficult to distinguish one from another, especially since the designs and ribbons used by different countries are frequently quite similar. To describe all of these decorations is not practicable within the scope of this volume, but a few of the ones which are classed as distinctively war decorations are included as they are the ones most commonly seen and talked about.

_French War Medals._—The French decorations given for war service are the _Legion d’honneur_ (Legion of Honor), the _Medaille Militaire_ (Military Medal) and the _Croix de Guerre_ (War Cross).

The Legion of Honor was inaugurated by Napoleon I at Les Invalides on July 15, 1804, and the medals and ribbons were bestowed upon both soldiers and civilians. The medal consists of a white star with five double rays; the center of the star, surrounded by a wreath of oak and laurel, bearing on the obverse the head of the Republic surrounded by the words, “République Française, 1870,” and on the reverse two tri-colored flags with the words, “Honneur et Patrie.” Above the star is a small gold wreath and the ribbon is red.

_The Medaille Militaire_, created by Prince Louis Napoleon in January, 1852, may be bestowed upon Generals and Admirals who have been ministers of the state cabinet or commanders in chief, commanders of Army Corps who have presided over the Superior Council of War and the greatest of the war leaders of France. It is of silver, twenty-eight millimeters in diameter, surmounted by a trophy of arms in silver and suspended by a yellow ribbon with green stripes at the edges. The obverse of the medal bears the head of the Republic surrounded by the words, “République Française, 1870,” and the reverse the words, “Valeur et Discipline.”

_The Croix de Guerre_, established by law on April 8, 1915, is awarded to soldiers and sailors of all ranks in the service of France and her Allies who perform individual acts of gallantry in operations against the enemy during the present war and are mentioned for such acts in official despatches. The cross is of Florentine bronze, four-armed with two crossed swords between the arms, and is surcharged at the center with a medallion bearing the head of the Republic surrounded by the inscription “République Française” on the obverse and the dates “1914-1915” on the reverse side. The ribbon is green with seven narrow red stripes.

_British War Medals._—In Great Britain there are three orders which may be bestowed upon officers by the King—the Order of the Bath, the Order of St. Michael and St. George and the Distinguished Service Order; five crosses or medals which may be awarded to officers or enlisted men of the land forces—the Victoria Cross, the Military Cross, the Distinguished Conduct Medal, the Military Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal; and four crosses or medals which may be bestowed upon officers and enlisted men of the sea forces—the Victoria Cross, the Distinguished Service Cross (corresponding to the Military Cross), the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (corresponding to the Distinguished Conduct Medal), and the Distinguished Service Medal (corresponding to the Military Medal).

Of all of these the one most highly prized by officers and enlisted men alike both on sea and land is the Victoria Cross, which is awarded individually to an officer or enlisted man of the Navy or Army for some signal act of valor and devotion to his country in the presence of the enemy and during action. Whenever it is possible to do so the V. C. is presented in person by the sovereign.

_The Victoria Cross._—This decoration consists of a bronze cross pattée with raised edges and it was instituted by Queen Victoria in 1856 during the Crimean War. On the obverse of the cross at the center it is surcharged with a Royal crown surmounted by a lion passant gardant and below the crown there is a semicircular scroll bearing the words, “For Valour.” On the reverse side is engraved the date of its bestowal. The cross is suspended from a ribbon by means of a bar clasp ornamented with laurel leaves and a link in the shape of the letter “V,” and the name, rank and regiment or ship of the recipient is engraved on the reverse side of the clasp. The ribbon is red for the Army and blue for the Navy.

_The Distinguished Service Order._—This order was established in 1886 to reward officers of the military and naval services for meritorious or distinguished service in the field before the enemy. It is a gold cross pattée convexed, enamelled white and edged with bright gold. At the center on one side is a wreath of laurel enamelled in green surrounding the Imperial crown enamelled in red, and on the other side at the center a similar wreath surrounding the Royal cypher “G.R.” The ribbon is red edged with blue.

_The Distinguished Service Cross._—This is a plain silver cross pattée convexed. On the obverse at the center enclosed within a raised circle is the Imperial cypher “G.R.I.” surmounted by the crown, while the reverse side is plain. The ribbon is blue, white, blue.

_The Conspicuous Gallantry Medal._—The medal, established during the Crimean War, is of silver, with the effigy of the reigning sovereign on one side and a laurel wreath encircling the words, “For Conspicuous Gallantry,” surmounted by a crown on the other side. It is awarded to Warrant Officers, Midshipmen, Naval Cadets and Clerks in the Royal Navy for conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy. The ribbon is blue, white, blue.

_The Distinguished Service Medal._—This medal was established October 14, 1914, to reward petty officers and men of the Royal Navy and noncommissioned officers and men of the Royal Marines for courageous service in action during the present war. It is of silver and the obverse bears the effigy of King George V., while the reverse bears a wreath encircling the words, “For Distinguished Service,” surmounted by a crown. The ribbon is blue with two narrow white stripes through the center.

_The Military Cross._—This decoration was established in December, 1914, to reward captains, lieutenants and warrant officers of the Army for deeds of valor or distinguished services in the present war. The cross is of silver and each arm bears the Imperial crown while at the center the Imperial cypher “G.R.I.” appears. The ribbon is white, blue, white.

_The Military Medal._—This silver medal was authorized by the King in March, 1916, to be awarded to officers and enlisted men of the Army for conspicuous bravery in the field after recommendation by the commanding general in the field. Its obverse bears the Royal effigy and the reverse a wreath encircling the words, “For Bravery in the Field,” surmounted by a crown. The ribbon is blue, white, blue, with two narrow rod stripes through the central white stripe.

_Belgian War Medals._—The decorations and medals awarded in Belgium for war service embrace the Order of Leopold, the _Croix Militaire_ (Military Cross), the _Medaille Militaire_ (Military Medal), the _Ordre de la Courenne_ (Order of the Crown), the Order of Leopold II., the Belgian War Cross and the Medal of Queen Elizabeth.

_The Order of Leopold._—This order was instituted by King Leopold I. in 1832, to “reward services rendered to the country.” It is only bestowed upon officers of high rank except in very exceptional cases. It consists of a white enamelled Maltese cross resting upon a green wreath of oak and laurel, surmounted by two crossed swords and a Royal crown. On the obverse at the center is a gold lion rampant on a black circular ground surrounded by the words, “L’Union fait la force.” The color of the ribbon is Royal purple.

_The Belgian War Cross._—This cross is made of bronze and is modelled after the French _Croix de Guerre_. It is bestowed upon officers and men who are mentioned in General Orders for conspicuous acts of gallantry in the field during the present war. It was established October 25, 1915.

_The Medal of Queen Elizabeth._—This medal, founded by resolution of September 9, 1916, is bestowed in the name of the Queen upon Belgians or foreigners who have devoted themselves to war work in Belgium.

_Italian War Medals._—In Italy there are four Orders, the Order of Annunziata, the Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus, the Military Order of Savoy, and the Order of the Crown of Italy; and a number of military and naval medals, including the Sardinian Medal of the Crimea, the Order of the Thousand of Garibaldi fame, the Medal Commemorating the Unity of Italy, the Medal of the African Campaign, the Medal of the Extreme Orient and the Messina Medal, the latter given to those who distinguished themselves at the time of the Messina earthquake in 1908.

_The Order of Savoy._—This military order was founded by Victor Emmanuel I. in 1815, to reward services in war on land and sea, and its cross is highly prized. It consists of a white enamelled cross resting upon an enamelled wreath and surmounted by a gold trophy of arms and flags. At the center is a cross surrounded by the words, “Al Merito Militare.” The ribbon is dark blue with a broad red stripe.

_The Order of the Crown of Italy._—This order was created in 1868 by Victor Emmanuel II. to reward Italians and foreigners who render conspicuous services to Italy. The cross is of white enamel resting on gold scrolls and bears at the center an iron crown. It is awarded to officers of high rank for services in war.

_The Medal for Military Valor._—This medal of two classes, gold and silver, corresponds to the French _Croix de Guerre_, and is awarded to soldiers and sailors for conspicuous acts of gallantry in action in the presence of the enemy. The gold medal is very rarely bestowed except as an honor to the memory of a soldier or sailor who has lost his life in the execution of the deed which the medal commemorates. The ribbon is blue.

_Japanese War Medals._—Japan has several orders, the first and best known one being the Order of the Rising Sun, created in 1876. It is the great national Japanese order and is divided into eight classes, being awarded to officials, officers and rarely to civilians. In the military and naval services the first six classes are awarded to officers and the last two to enlisted men. The decoration consists of a medallion enshrined _a cabochon garnet_, placed in the center of eight white enamelled rays bezelled in gold and silver, and it is suspended from a gold paulownia leaf. The ribbon is white with narrow red edges.

_The Order of the Golden Kite._—This order was founded by Emperor Mutsuhito in 1891, to reward acts of especial bravery in battle on land or sea. The decoration consists of a blue enamelled cross surrounded by clustered rays of red enamel, surcharged upon a silver sword from the guard of which rises a golden kite. The ribbon is green with a narrow white stripe near each edge.

In addition to the decorations of the orders there are a number of war medals in bronze awarded to officers and men for participation in the campaigns of the war with China and the war with Russia.

_War Medals of Germany._—Germany has many orders and medals but the one best known as a war medal is the Iron Cross, founded in 1813, to be given to both soldiers and civilians for services to the country. It was revived in 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War. The decoration consists of a black iron cross pattée with a silver edge. At the center is the letter “W”, on the upper arm a crown and on the lower arm the date 1870 for the crosses awarded in that year and 1914 for those awarded in the present war. There are three classes in the order, the size of the cross varying with the class. The ribbon is black with white stripes near each edge for medals awarded to soldiers or sailors and the reverse for those awarded to civilians. The Iron Cross has been lavishly bestowed upon soldiers and sailors in the present war.

_Austrian War Medals._—Austria has many orders and decorations, the Order of Francis Joseph being frequently conferred upon high officers for conspicuous service in war. In addition there are distinguished service medals of gold, silver and bronze, according to the importance of the service rewarded, gold and silver medals for bravery in action, and, for services in war alone, the War Decoration for officers and the War Medal for enlisted men.

_Turkish War Medals._—Turkey has awarded many decorations and medals upon her own soldiers and sailors as well as upon those of her allies in different wars and upon citizens of other nations in peace time. The best known of her orders are the Order of the Medjidie and the Order of Osmanieh.

_The Order of the Medjidie._—The decoration of this order consists of a seven-pointed star of cut silver, each point being composed of five rays. Between the points there are seven small crescents and stars and at the center on a gold background is the Sultan’s cypher surrounded by a circle of red enamel bearing an inscription in Turkish.