Field latrines

[pinjarra]

I suppose it is other equipment, what did the armies use as field latrines when in combat or in camps before going in to combat, with the large amount of troops mobilised it would of been a serious problem relating to health and hygiene.
Bit of a crappy subject I know, but it would be interesting to know what facilities were provided and how they were maintained and erected.

[SIS 5]

Hi pinjarra,

this subject is interesting for me. I think it will be not so easy to find material about this subject. Here three pics with field latrines and a description:
pic 1 and 2 field latrines with a door
pic 3: an US service man sitting on a field latrine in North Africa
pic 4: the description how to build a "Feldlatrine"

Regards

Bert

[SIS 5]

Hi,

here some more pics of improvised field latrines like on the description posted before.
Interesting: these improvised field latrines were called by the German soldiers "Thunder Bar": a board at a suitable height on which several people could sit next to each other outdoors to "thunder" together. Front newspapers were used as toilet paper.
Donnerbalken 3: here a field latrine with the sign "Zum Donnerbalken" (to the Thunder Bar) and a a soldier reading the front newspaper. I´m sure later it was used as toilet paper.
Donnerbalken 4: here a field latrine with protection from rain
Donnerbalken 6: here a field latrine on a station with walls made out of planks so as not to be seen.

[Seppo Koivisto]

Finnish field latrine (SA-kuva 148064).
http://sa-kuva.fi/static/25/86/122586_r500.jpg

Finnish field latrine made from prefabricated parts (SA-kuva 95294).
http://sa-kuva.fi/static/85/21/8521_r500.jpg

Russian field latrine (SA-kuva 50454).
http://sa-kuva.fi/static/41/05/64105_r500.jpg

[SIS 5]

Hi Seppo,

thank You very much for Your reply! Very interesting! I can add some drawings ho the Russians built their field latrines:
number 1: a latrine with walls and a roof
number 2: a latrine in a trench system
number 3: the trench system with a field latrine (отхожее место)
number 4: a field latrine with a fence so as not to be seen

[SIS 5]

Hi,

here a pic of a German field latrine in a trench.

Regards

Bert

[SIS 5]

Hi,

here more pics of German field latrines:
pic 1: removable field latrine over a pit
pic 2: a field latrine/toilet without the front door
pic 3: improvised field latrine/toilet made out of two doors
pic 4: a freshly made field latrine/toilet

Regards

Bert

[PunctuationHorror]

Note the difference between the 'sitting' and the 'squatting' type. The first variant has the disadvantage that the sitter is not balanced and, should the bar that serves as a backrest break or slip away, easily falls into the hole - neck and back of the head first.

The two doors on the beach are brilliant.

Somehow related: I always wondered how tank soldiers, especially the driver, relieved themselves. During the march, the other crew members could stand on the back of the tank and pee down or even deal with number two in the same manner. But the driver couldn't do that because he had to sit in the tank to drive it. What did he do? He couldn't eat chocolate all the time.

In combat, the crew probably would pee into empty shell casings and throw them outside, but I have no idea how they managed number two in a tank battle.

What about aircraft crews? How did a pilot in a single-seat fighter deal with his needs?

[SIS 5]

Hi PunctuationHorror,

very interesting question I don´t have an asnwer to.

Here more pics of the so called "Donnerbalken".

Regards

Bert

[carius]

Latrine signs

lat1.png

lat2.png

lat3.jpg

[carius]

lat1.png

lat2.jpg

[wirklich]

https://archive.org/details/MilitaryFie ... ew=theater

Basic Field Manual, Military Sanitation And First Aid, 31, July 1940 USA.

Allied or Axis... " But what the hell? A hole is a hole is a hole, as they say." Richard Burton, Where Eagles Dare.

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=ww2+field+lat ... &ia=images

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/B1EAAOSw ... s-l400.jpg

[carius]

lat1.jpg

[carius]

lat.jpg

[SIS 5]

Hi George,

a great pic! Thanks for posting! A dangerous sit-in.
The text: "Achtung! Vom Feind eingesehen" - "Danger! Seen by the enemy"

Best regards

Bert