ETO Jungle Packs...

[patches]

9 hours ago, Johan Willaert said:

Jeep is marked 75 over 290-I so belongs to the 290th Infantry Regiment...
Smaller unit codes on right side bumper are not visible in the photo...

Wow Good Eye, totaly couldn't see that

[eaglerunner88]

So is it the consensus that only the larger M43 packs which were designated for the ETO actually made it there while the smaller OD jungle packs never did? I only just found out about this distinction in the two packs!

[Johan Willaert]

7 hours ago, eaglerunner88 said:

So is it the consensus that only the larger M43 packs which were designated for the ETO actually made it there while the smaller OD jungle packs never did? I only just found out about this distinction in the two packs!

Most likely yes, never seen any survivors or trace of jungle packs being used in the ETO

[eaglerunner88]

Thanks Johan. So it's my understanding that the camo jungle pack came first for Army (and some Marine) use early in the PTO, quickly followed by the OD version where "jungle" camo wasn't necessary. Does anyone know which Army units in the Pacific widely used the OD pack and where specifically?  

[patches]

Another shot of those  Packs on the 75th Division troops.

[muddy boots]

"Do you have any idea where you read the top was removable? I have never seen or heard of any except for the sewn on top. If you can please post a copy of your source material."

 

I know Mr. Pickrall is no longer with us but I thought that if anyone was interested in the subject I could add a couple more sources that I recently read.

 

As originally mentioned Rottman's book "US Army Combat Equipments 1910-1988" says that the pack lid was detachable and could be worn seperately. This book was originally published in 1989.  My copy was a reprint from 1996.

 

In his book "World War II US Army Combat Equipments" published in 2016, Rottman says that in the Philippines, some soldiers disliked the pack and discarded it but cut off the top flap, added a shoulder strap and used the flap like a Musette bag.  

 

In the paper "TENTAGE AND EQUIPAGE SERIES - REPORT NO. 9, REVIEW OF RESEARCH ON LOAD CARRYING" Office of The Quartermaater General Research and Development Division Textile, Clothing and Footwear Branch.  The Forward is written in Feb 1952 by S. J. Kennedy, the Research Director for the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Branch.  He mentions a field pack evaluation conducted in 1943 in Northern New England.  The test evaluated the Yukon packboard, Bergen rucksack, the jungle pack and the sleeping bag-pack.  He states:

"Attempts during World War II to deal with the problem of reducing the load carried by the soldier under fire led first to the development of a Jungle pack. This pack consisted of a duffel type bag adjustable in length and girth and a small pouch. The duffel bag portion contained a waterproof bag for clothing (Bag, Clothing, Waterproof) which could be dropped prior to entry into battle, leaving the small pouch containing only the items essential in combat."

 

[muddy boots]

I just watched this You Tube video on the pack.  I don't agree with everything he is saying but at about 6 minutes in he claims that the pack was made to fold up under the top flap to make a small backpack.  I'm not sure where he got the info but it sounds reasonable .  It could also explain why there are rumors out there of detachable lids.  Someone seeing these worn this way but not real familiar with them might assume that the top flap was removeable.  

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=1Q5gAZTMe0o