| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL25205 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Personal Equipment |
| Physical description | Canvas, leather and cow hide |
| Maker |
Wittkop & Co, Bielefeld |
| Place made | Germany |
| Date made | c 1942 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
German Army M1939 pattern field pack.
Description
German M1939 pattern field pack with brown fur covered flap. The manufacturer's name is stamped in leather on the harness suspension bar.
History / Summary
Associated with Colin Fraser, a member of 460 Squadron RAAF, who was forced to bale out over Germany on Anzac Day 1945. After a short spell in Stalag 7A, the war ended, and he was taken with other POWs to Ingolstadt Aerodrome for repatriation to England on a Dakota aircraft. While at the aerodrome he and other Allied personnel souvenired items from the former German barracks. He acquired this German field pack and a cloth mine warning sign (REL25206).
The M1939 pattern field pack a derivitive of the M1934 model. It was introduced into service by order HM 39. No.328, dated 18 April 1939. The body of the M1934 pack was not altered, but the carrying straps and their metal buttoning heads were omitted as the pack was worn hooked onto the belt supporting straps which were introduced with the M1939 pack. Two D-rings with hook were sewn in a diagonal position near the rear upper edge of the pack for hooking. This particular example has a harness which has been customised.