In the last years of the late Qing Dynasty, the situation in the country was turbulent, and the Eight Banners and Green Battalion soldiers had no combat effectiveness, and the late Qing court was forced to adopt a series of reform measures, including abolishing the martial arts system, and began to imitate foreign countries to form a "new army". This new army not only copied foreign models in terms of training standards, but also completely came from foreign countries in terms of equipment. So, let's take a look at the equipment of this late new army that has gone through more than 100 years of history?
First of all, let's take a look at their military uniforms, which are inspired by German military uniforms, with various colored "plackets" representing different arms, such as red for infantry, white for cavalry, yellow for artillery, etc. The main color is gray, which is quite hidden on the battlefield, which can be described as a perfect combination of German style and oriental elements.
Next, let's focus on their shoes, the new boots issued to ordinary soldiers, which are more waterproof and wear-resistant than the cotton and linen shoes of the past, and are very suitable for trench warfare.
For the Imperial Guards and senior military attachés, they are equipped with more stylish boots, with cleats and angle irons at the bottom, which are very convenient for riding or walking, especially in various ceremonies.
In terms of weapons, the Late Qing Army initially chose German-made Mauser guns, but later found that they were not suitable for the body type of East Asians, and switched to purchasing Japanese-made Type 30 rifles. This rifle has a small caliber, low recoil, high shooting accuracy, and good concealment, making it very suitable for East Asians.
As for the matching bayonet, its design is even more exquisite, with blood grooves milled on both sides of the blade, which can quickly bleed and facilitate knife drawing, while reducing the weight of the knife body and strengthening the rigidity.
Next, let's take a look at their ammunition box, which is made of cowhide and is very suitable for actual combat needs, as soldiers use the bullets in the back box for long-range shooting, which is more conducive to lying down, and in close combat, they use the bullets in the front box for quick and easy hits in a standing position.
In addition, the Late Freshman Army was also equipped with a marching rucksack, the frame was wooden, and the exterior was made of waterproof canvas, which was very convenient for soldiers to carry various items, which was the standard equipment of the German army during World War I.
For the daily life of the soldiers, they also prepared aluminum water bottles and field lunch boxes, which are light and warm, and very practical. And the lunch box fixed on the side of the marching backpack is also convenient for the soldiers to eat during the march.
In general, the equipment of the late new army is mainly made of German, and the weapons in hand are mainly made of Japanese, whether it is military uniforms, boots, guns or accessories, all highlight the delicacy and practicality of the new army.
However, this dependence on foreign equipment procurement model also exposed the weakness of the national industry in the late Qing Dynasty. The huge consumption of equipment not only made it difficult for the imperial court to maintain, but even affected the training plan of the new army. This undoubtedly reminds us that only with strong industrial capacity can the country truly achieve independent development and ensure the country's long-term peace and stability.
This set of equipment of the late New Army not only attracted widespread attention at that time, but also left a strong mark in history. Looking forward to the future, we can also learn from the mirror of history and continue to move forward. If you also have some insights about this history, please leave a message to share your views!