How commonly were shields used?

[fitz_merc]

Having taught WW1 for many years I was interested to read that the Germans used steel shields in attacks near Bellewarde Farm, Ypres in 1915.  I have never come across this before.  Did the British/French use them? Were they widely used by the Germans?  The Regimental Diary (Leicestershire Yeomanry) points out their use which indicates that this was unusual? I assume they were heavy but might have been useful at the Somme!

Any one knowledgable in the use of shields on the Western Front?

 

Regimental Diary At 7.30am the enemy attacked and occupied the advanced trenches vacated by the Regiment on our left, from there they gained part of “B” Squadron trenches. They then advanced to within 200 yards of the Support trenches and dug themselves in, having steel shields as a protection.

Also:

The enemy by this time were very near at hand carrying shields which appeared to be quite bullet proof, and were digging themselves in.

Edited 9 July , 2022 by fitz_merc
amend

[butler]

The regimental diary refers to the German troops carrying them as digging themselves in. Is it perhaps referring to sniper loophole plates that would be built into the breastwork of a trench. The loophole could be opened and the plate would protect the sniper. If it was screened at the rear, no light would shine through and it would not be easy to see if it was opened or closed. If men were carrying these forward, they would probably do so in a way that made them appear as a shield.

[ForeignGong]

Third photo down has a german in armour

World War 1 Body Armor: 1914-1918 - Flashbak

[Acknown]

A search of the IWM Collections website brings up many examples of shields, used and proposed: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?query=shield&pageSize=30&media-records=records-with-media&style=list&filters[periodString][First+World+War]=on. For example:

© IWM FEQ 842

© IWM Q 14471

Acknown