During WW2, the poles of field telephone lines and Abspannbocken were braced by stakes (Ankorpfahlen) driven into the ground and anchor ropes (Ankerseilen). These stakes were about 15.5 inches long and about 1.5 inches in diameter. They were made of hardwood, with a pointed steel tip (Stahlspitze) on one end, and a steel collar with an eyelet (Stahlring mit Öse) on the other end. The stakes were driven into the ground at an angle of about 45 to 60 degrees.
After the war ended, the Bundeswehr (West German military) continued to use very similar wooden stakes for field telephone line and Abspannbock construction into the 1990s. Genuine WW2 stakes are very rare, especially outside of the EU. Fortunately, the Bundeswehr stakes are much easier to find. From time to time, these stakes are available from military surplus dealers.
It was typical to drive the stake into the ground with a wooden or rubber mallet, so that the steel ring faced away from the anchor rope. In other words, the steel ring aced away from the rope’s direction of pull (Zugrichtung).
Let’s use the stakes to build an Abspannbock for reenacting:
Tension is maintained in the anchor ropes with small wooden blocks. Each block is drilled with three holes and the rope is passed through it as shown below.
The anchor ropes are looped around the ends of the Abspannbock poles as shown below.
For more information about WW2 German field telephone equipment, check out my book: https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/rotwang-manteuffel/world-war-2-german-field-telephone-equipment-a-basic-guide-for-reenactors-and-historians/paperback/product-976w9q.html?page=1&pageSize=4
WW2 German Field Telephone Equipment 