Raster Scanning Posted 5 December , 2002 Share Posted 5 December , 2002 The 7th Beds carried out a trench raid on the night of 27th April 1916. All 32 men were equipped with Dayfield Body shields and Steel Helmets. 2/Lt Harry Driver who led the raid, reported "Steel Helmets and Dayfield Body Shields. The former proved valuable. With regard to the latter. Owing to their weight they were not very popular with the men, and it is difficult to ascertain if the men wounded were saved by the shields to any great extent" I would be interested to know if anyone can help me with answers to the following. Was this quite early for the use of steel helmets? How much did the body shield weigh and was its use discontinued? Does anyone know how effective the shield was in protecting the wearer?. Thanks. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted 5 December , 2002 Share Posted 5 December , 2002 There was a raid in May/June 1916 by either the 28th or 14th Bn AIF that were issued with this type of body armour, but practically all members of the raiding party chose not to wear this protection gear as they weighed to much and would have slowed them down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike_H Posted 5 December , 2002 Share Posted 5 December , 2002 The Dayfield body armour weighed 15lbs. It was not really bullet proof against direct smallarms fire but would protect against grenade splinters. This type of armour was still in service up to the end of the War, still appearing ina priced vocabulary of stores in 1919 - £2 16s 3d a set! Mike_H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raster Scanning Posted 5 December , 2002 Author Share Posted 5 December , 2002 Andrew and Mike, thanks for the info. John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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