German Gun Crew

[armchairgeneral]

I notice both GWM Early War and Foundry's Late War German gun crew figures are sporting blanket/greatcoat rolls.

I can't find any evidence for them wearing a blanket/greatcoat rolls. In addition I would have thought wearing a blanket/greatcoat roll would be something of an impediment to some gunnery operations close into the gun shield and the gun breech?

Also, wouldn't gun crew have the opportunity to stow most of their non-essential equipment with the numerous wagons etc. that accompanied gun batteries? 

[Driscoles]

Youre probably right. I guess the sculptor wants some variation in the poses!

[armchairgeneral]

I suspect it is just a mistake. Some FPW Prussian infantry have blanket rolls so I suspect it was assumed they continued with the practice.

Odd that the infantry don’t have them but the artillery do for these WW1 ranges.

[Metternich]

There was this WW 1 German postcard (but those often sacrificed accuracy for art)  and something like it could have been the inspiration for the figures :

https://c8.alamy.com/comp/EHTFJ7/german-field-artillery-in-action-during-world-war-one-the-guns-were-EHTFJ7.jpg

But like you, I've never seen a photograph of gunners in action with blanket rolls.

[waterproof]

Interesting, I also think that it is the creative freedom of the designer. I still found a postcard motive where the gunners have also worn the blanket roll. Perhaps it represents the light artillery at a time when you have moved even more with the guns. And later in the position war, everything was in the shelter/ trench.

[janner]

This is correct for early war field gunners. As far as I am aware, only Alpine gunners received back packs as the field gun crew sat on the gun/limber.

Edit. see, for example, the photo of Royal Bavarian 10th Field Artillery Regiment (August 1914) in Kraus, J., The German army in the First World War: Uniforms and Equipment, 1914-1918 (Vienna, 2004), p. 428.

I suspect they may have slipped them off for prolonged fire missions.