Body armor of the First World War

Medieval metal against the 20th century war machine

Chris Wild

1914-1918

American soldier trying on captured German body armor. Credit: UNIVERSAL HISTORY ARCHIVE/UIG VIA GETTY IMAGES

A man models a steel helmet covered with a built-on chain screen to protect a soldier's eyes from rocks, shells and other fragments during World War I. It was created by E J Codd Company of Baltimore, Maryland. (War Department photo.) Credit: Interim Archives/Getty Images

In 1914, at the beginning of the First World War, body armor was not found on the battlefield. Not until October 1915 were British soldiers issued that most basic piece of equipment, the steel helmet.  Even then, the number of helmets given out was so restricted that soldiers wore them in rotation, as they marched to the front line.In 1915 the British Army Design introduced the Dayfield body shield, a canvas jacket with layered metal plates.

Credit: TOPICAL PRESS AGENCY/GETTY IMAGES

Credit: TOPICAL PRESS AGENCY/GETTY IMAGES

In late 1916, the German army introduced "Lobster" armor made of nickel and silicon plates. Both sides made use of captured enemy armor.

Three Irish Guards wearing German body armor, examining a captured German machine gun, at Pilckem Ridge. Credit: Ernest Brooks / Imperial War Museum / Getty Imagea

Although body armor was manufactured commercially, it never became universally issued at that time. Often it was bought and paid for by a soldier's family.Toward the end of the war, British army medical services calculated that three-quarters of all battle injuries could have been prevented if effective armor had been issued.

Exhibiting pock marks and bullet holes, three members of the Ordnance Department demonstrate the effects of pistol, rifle and machine gun fire upon body armor, during testing at Fort de la Peigney, Langres, France. (U.S. Army photo) Credit: Interim Archives/Getty Images

View of workers operating a large power press for shaping helmets, in the plant of Hale & Kilburn Corporation, New York. Credit: WAR DEPARTMENT/BUYENLARGE/GETTY IMAGES

A series of German helmets displayed as a trophy in the U.S. Credit: KEYSTONE FRANCE / GETTY IMAGES