WWII D-Day Invasion Special Purpose Waterproof Rucksack

[Mr. Scratch]

I'm in St. Vinnies today, and come across this ugly pair of beasts in with the car and tool junk. I didn't specifically recognize them for what they were, but they emitted that surplus glow and alerted my Spidey-sense, so I bought them

My little but of research would indicate these are WWII...maybe made specifically for D-Day? waterproof bag for radio equipment, medical gear, and other things you couldn't afford to have get wet. 

Looks like these enjoyed a bit of travel after the war, one has some 1960s-era airline stickers on it. 

Any other history or nuances about these I'm missing? Neat find, I've never seen one before. 

 

[Quartermaster]

Designated for Signal Corps equipment and not D Day specific.

 

In the Quartermaster Supply Catalog QM 3-4 they are called a Bag, Waterproof, Special Purpose and the description is:  These bags are used to protect special Signal Corps radio equipment against rain, spray and immersion in amphibious operations.

 

There are 6 different sizes listed - 7.5"x7.5"x12", 12"x9"x18", 16.5"x15.5"x27", 20.5"x16.5"x11.25", 21"x15"x14" and 12"x7"x16" (the last indicates with back strap).

 

I have three sizes - one holds a EE8 field phone, another holds the BC-1000 (Walkie Talkie) and one holds a BD-71 (six line field switchboard.)  All have a long rubber envelope throat that is rolled up to keep out moisture.

 

There are versions of these bags that are post WW2 production and use --- there usually is a date stenciled on the outside front.  I do not know if the items remained the same or evolved over time.

[Brian Keith]

Nice finds! In J. Gawne's "Spearheading D-Day" book, page, 263 he has a war time illistattion of them. It says for Signal Corp equipmant. Excellent book! 

BKW

[armysoldierant1944]

11 hours ago, Quartermaster said:

Designated for Signal Corps equipment and not D Day specific.

 

In the Quartermaster Supply Catalog QM 3-4 they are called a Bag, Waterproof, Special Purpose and the description is:  These bags are used to protect special Signal Corps radio equipment against rain, spray and immersion in amphibious operations.

 

There are 6 different sizes listed - 7.5"x7.5"x12", 12"x9"x18", 16.5"x15.5"x27", 20.5"x16.5"x11.25", 21"x15"x14" and 12"x7"x16" (the last indicates with back strap).

 

I have three sizes - one holds a EE8 field phone, another holds the BC-1000 (Walkie Talkie) and one holds a BD-71 (six line field switchboard.)  All have a long rubber envelope throat that is rolled up to keep out moisture.

 

There are versions of these bags that are post WW2 production and use --- there usually is a date stenciled on the outside front.  I do not know if the items remained the same or evolved over time.

Hello Dwayne,

 

Which size would hold the EE8 and BC1000?

 

 

Richard

[Quartermaster]

The EE8 field phone takes the 7.5"x7.5"x12" (S/N 24-B-1264-200) bag.

 

The BC1000 radio takes the 12"x7"x16" (S/N 24-B-1265-250) bag - with back strap.

 

The BD-71 switchboard takes the 20.5"x16.5"x11.25" (S/N 24-B-1264-400) bag.

 

 

 

Actually I measured the various contents then measured the bags ----- then I noticed that all the info needed (plus some) was stenciled in white on each of the bags --- I guess I just confirmed the info with reality!  A bonus is that I discovered an error in the QM 3-4 catalog --- the EE8 bag was marked with the S/N 24-B-1264-200 on the upper flap but the catalog indicates the S/N 24-B-1263-200 - - - as all the other bags use the 1264 number and the actual bag uses the 1264 number then there probably is a misprint in the catalog.

 

 

 

 

 

[armysoldierant1944]

21 hours ago, Quartermaster said:

The EE8 field phone takes the 7.5"x7.5"x12" (S/N 24-B-1264-200) bag.

 

The BC1000 radio takes the 12"x7"x16" (S/N 24-B-1265-250) bag - with back strap.

 

The BD-71 switchboard takes the 20.5"x16.5"x11.25" (S/N 24-B-1264-400) bag.

 

 

 

Actually I measured the various contents then measured the bags ----- then I noticed that all the info needed (plus some) was stenciled in white on each of the bags --- I guess I just confirmed the info with reality!  A bonus is that I discovered an error in the QM 3-4 catalog --- the EE8 bag was marked with the S/N 24-B-1264-200 on the upper flap but the catalog indicates the S/N 24-B-1263-200 - - - as all the other bags use the 1264 number and the actual bag uses the 1264 number then there probably is a misprint in the catalog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

21 hours ago, Quartermaster said:

The EE8 field phone takes the 7.5"x7.5"x12" (S/N 24-B-1264-200) bag.

 

The BC1000 radio takes the 12"x7"x16" (S/N 24-B-1265-250) bag - with back strap.

 

The BD-71 switchboard takes the 20.5"x16.5"x11.25" (S/N 24-B-1264-400) bag.

 

 

 

Actually I measured the various contents then measured the bags ----- then I noticed that all the info needed (plus some) was stenciled in white on each of the bags --- I guess I just confirmed the info with reality!  A bonus is that I discovered an error in the QM 3-4 catalog --- the EE8 bag was marked with the S/N 24-B-1264-200 on the upper flap but the catalog indicates the S/N 24-B-1263-200 - - - as all the other bags use the 1264 number and the actual bag uses the 1264 number then there probably is a misprint in the catalog.

 

 

 

 

 

Great job, Dwayne!! Many thank yous!!