Web Infantry Equipment, Pattern 1944

Fitting Instructions - British (1946) Issue

The Plates show soldiers wearing full Battle Dress, which is hardly suitable for the jungle, but is entirely appropriate for a pattern that was to be used other than in tropical zones. The webbing is khaki, with bright metal (brass?) fittings and the Haversack uses Shoulder straps without the two-point adjustment that the productionised Patt. ’44 had. In other words it is one of the transitional sets. This is at complete odds with the text! The rifle, colloquially known as the “Jungle Carbine”, was Rifle, No. 5, initiated as a lightweight development of the No. 4 Rifle, not specifically for jungle use. The remaining photos show the finalised form, with fully adjustable Shoulder straps, but still in khaki webbing, again with bright brass fittings. The Water bottle carrier has Bonderised LTD fasteners.

Plate IX actually shows the non-adjustable Straps, shoulder, haversack. Brian L. Davis’ superb British Army Uniforms & Insignia of World War Two (Arms & Armour Press, 1983. ISBN 0 85368 609 2) has a set of Patt. ’44 official photos on P. 233. Plate IX is the same man as Davis, top left. The remaining Davis photographs were probably from the same session as those in the Fitting Instructions, simply showing a variation between the sets intended for use in the temperate climate of Europe. Both Corporal and Private are from the same regiment (probably Guards) and are wearing the Mural Crown and Sword formation sign of the London District.

This set of the Fitting Instructions for W.E. Patt. '44 was scanned from an original example of the first British printing, W.O. Code No. 1624, dated 25th June 1946. KW is not aware of any versions of Patt '44 FI's other than this one, but if any reader can supply another set, we'd be very pleased to post them. As usual, the manual is presented in Adobe PDF format. You'll need to use your browser's back button to return to Karkee Web after accessing it.

 

Infantry Bulletin No. 44, Appendix "U" - Webbing Equipment

This is The Infantry Bulletin No. 44, Appendix "U" - Webbing Equipment, published by the War Office and dated May, 1947. The Bulletin itself is primarily concerned with Small Arms, but Appendix "U" addresses Web Equipment, Pattern 1944. Whilst there is no new or earthshattering information here, it is an interesting look into the War Office's thoughts concerning the future of Patt. '44. This file was provided to Karkee Web courtesy of Graham Priest. KW's copy of Infy. Bulletin No. 44 is in Adobe PDF format. You'll need to use your browser's back button to return to Karkee Web after accessing it

 

 

 

 

 

Royal Engineers Training Memorandum No. 24 (excerpt)

This is a small excerpt (pp. 64-66) from the Royal Engineers Training Memorandum No. 24, W.O. Code No. 8271, dated March, 1948. It provides a list of components, a short comparison between Patts. '37 and '44, and this very interesting "Policy" statement: It is intended to introduce the " 44 " pattern equipment on a maintenance basis as stocks of the " 37 " pattern are expended. It is anticipated that the change over will not commence until approximately 1949.

This file was provided to Karkee Web courtesy of John Bodsworth. As usual, the memorandum is presented in Adobe PDF format. You'll need to use your browser's back button to return to Karkee Web after accessing it.