Riding boots from Imperial War Museum Collection

Otto Sommerhoff's boots Knee-length black leather riding boots with nickel spurs .

Otto Sommerhoff was born in New York City in 1888 but returned to Germany with his parents at the age of four. He joined the army in 1908, enlisting into Kurrasier-Regiment von Seydlitz Nr. 7 (Magdeburg) as a one-year volunteer (Einjährig-Freiwillige). A Wachtmeister (sergeant) by 1910, he transferred to Dragoner-Regt 6 and commissioned, his rank at the outbreak of hostilities in 1914 being Leutnant. Serving on the Western Front, Sommerhoff was a Rittmeister (captain) in 1919 when he was discharged. In 1934 he rejoined the Army as a supply officer and by 1945 was an Oberstleutnant (Lt. Colonel) and former Commandant of the northern Italian town of Cremona, on the River Po. Among his awards were the Iron Cross (I & II Class) in both wars, the Hessische Militaer Ehrenzeichen (WWI), and the Kriegsverdienstkreuz in WWII. Sommerhoff died in Bad Homburg, Germany, in 1962.

Boots Pair of tall riding boots of black leather. Riding boots were often favoured by officers serving in the Austro-Hungarian Army, but ankle boots with puttees or leather leggings were often preferred for field service, being more practical.

Boots Pair of tall tan leather riding boots of high quality. As with most armies,
 Japanese officers purchased their own uniform and accoutrements, therefore quality would vary according to supplier and expense.

Imperial Russian Army Officer's riding boots

Field service dress black leather riding boots of the type worn by Polish army officer's during the early Second World War.

photo and text source: Imperial War Museum