German pickelhaubes - German Helmets and Uniform/ sawback bayonet. Pre WW1 and WW1 Part 3

Part of a Pre WW1 helmet and uniform collection in Fort Pompelle France. +Sawback bayonet. Part 3

2mins in - Sawback Bayonets - were used by pioneer and machine gun troops to clear vegetation and other obstructions. Sawback blades were also carried by non-commissioned officers (NCOs) as a symbol of rank. The Allies viewed this as a "banned" weapon and made protestations as to its use - they viewed its use as a crime.

When used in combat, the WW1 sawback bayonet with 29 razor-sharp teeth became extremely unpopular for all sides for a number of reasons. The first was due to when it was thrust into the enemy. The sawback edge would tear out the insides of the victim leading to gruesome injuries and prolonged, agonizing death.

As a result of Allied soldiers began torturing and executing on-site any German soldiers captured with such weapons in revenge. Consequently, the German High command made a decision to recall all of the German sawback bayonets in 1917 and grind off the saw back edge before reissuing them to all units.

I came across this amazing collection is an old WW1 fort in France Fort Pompelle - I wasn't aware it was even there but really made the visit to the fort worthwhile. Interested in the development of the death heads and other symbols used and styes. Fascinating.