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The Pattern 1937 Equipment has been designed to meet modern conditions of warfare. Mechanization, the introduction of the Bren Gun and the Anti-Tank Rifle, necessitate changes in the personal equipment of the soldier to aid mobility as well as to facilitate the carriage of ammunition, grenades, food and water, and other items necessary in the field.
The equipment is actually a development of the 1908 Pattern Web Equipment. It is considerably lighter in weight than the 1908, and has a basic principle which enables it to be adapted to suit all Arms. It is easy to assemble and adjust; and possesses the important feature that no articles are suspended below the waist line (except the bayonet) to impede the wearer.
Although the 1908 Pattern Pack and Supporting Straps are included in and are attachable to the 1937 equipment for the purpose of changing stations, normally there is no pack in the 1937 equipment, as the kit accommodated in that article is carried in regimental transport. A large haversack is therefore carried on the back and contains rations,
water bottle and other necessaries. The principle of carrying the haversack "rucksack fashion" allows this article to be easily discarded for access to its contents, without disturbing the remainder of the equipment.
As is well known, the rucksack method is comfortable and self-balancing. The shoulder straps used for the carriage of the haversack are provided with hooks for attachment to the equipment in front, to prevent pressure at the armpits. These same shoulder straps are also used for carrying the 1908 Pack when desired-the haversack then being transferred to the left side of the equipment attached to the ends of the braces. The
water bottle in carrier is then taken out of the haversack and attached to the ends of the braces at the right side of the equipment.
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CHAPTER II.-DESCRIPTION OF THE EQUIPMENT |
The equipment is made throughout of strong and durable webbing, which is waterproofed and dyed in the yarn before being woven, The result of the waterproofing treatment is to render the fabric practically impervious to the weather, which might otherwise tend to make it hard or cause It to stretch
and shrink. The webbing is thoroughly shrunk before being cut and made into articles of equipment, and where practicable and necessary,
selv-edged webbings woven to the correct
width are employed to give added strength.
Likewise certain parts are integrally woven; for example, the braces are woven with expanded parts to give a good bearing surface on the shoulders, the
waist-belt has loops woven inside to receive the brass hooks for adjustment as well as the hooks on certain articles carried on the
waist-belt, to keep them in position. Cartridge carriers, pockets, and pistol cases are also woven as separate units, thereby eliminating unnecessary sewing which, consequently, adds to the strength and durability of the finished articles.
All the buckles are stamped from sheet brass and are of the tongueless or self-locking variety, which allow of adjustment to any desired position.
The following are the component parts which can be
assembled in a variety of combinations to suit all Arms:-
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Set with Basic Pouches for Infantry. |
| (a) Waistbelt |
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| (b) Braces (1 left, 1 right) |
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| (c) Basic Pouches (2) |
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| (d) Bayonet Frog |
Plates 1, 2, 3 and 4.
See below |
| (e) Water bottle Carrier |
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| (f) Haversack |
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| (g) Shoulder Straps (Pair) |
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