Infantry Set, Battle Order, Early War, circa 1939-40
An early version of W.E. Patt. '37 Battle Order. The Patt. '08 Pack has been left behind, and note the Mk. I Basic Pouches, Patt. '39 Entrenching tool in Carrier, and the Patt. 1907 Bayonet in its first issue Frog. Also note that the Mk. VII Water bottle. This was intended to be carried in the Haversack, but has already been moved to a Carrier connected to the Brace ends. Even at this early stage of the war, the soldier's load was already outgrowing its planned carriage capacity. Inevitably, this would get worse as the the conflict continued. One note of warning: the Carrier for the Patt. '39 Entrenching tool shown in these pictures is a postwar example, possibly Israeli and certainly not British. It is included for display purposes only.
Infantry Set, Battle Order, Late War, circa 1944-45
A late war version of '37 Battle Order. The Belt is an economy version with web slides instead of brass, whilst the Braces are of two different economy patterns. Note the Mk. III Basic pouches, and compare the way they ride on the Belt with the Mk. I Pouches in the earlier set. Also notice the No. 4 Bayonet in its modified Frog, the Mk. VII Water bottle in its sleeve Carrier, and the Patt. '37 Entrenching tool and Helve with their first issue Carrier.
Infantry Set, Marching Order
Coming soon.
The W.E. Patt. '37 Set with Cartridge carriers was intended for non-infantry troops who carried rifles, but did not need the ammunition carrying capacity of the Basic pouch.
The early war set of W.E. Patt. '37 Officers' Equipment shown below belonged to Capt. James Mitchie, R.E. The component piece are all dated between 1938 and 1940. Captain Mitchie served in India, as can be seen by the label still attached to the rear of his Officers' Haversack. An officer might also have added a Water bottle in Carrier and a Map case.
Naval Equipment with Lanchester Magazine Pouches
Coming soon.
