US Army issue jungle hammock : Gunner J R Dickinson, 14 Australian Field Regiment, RAA

US Army issue hammock (officially known as a 'Hammock, Jungle, Complete') with built in mosquito net and waterproof overhead fly sheet. The hammock comprises an olive green cotton drill sheet with ten brass suspension eyelets at each end. Lengths of cord looped through these eyelets are gathered at a ring from which the entire structure is slung. The sleeping section is enclosed around three sides by brown mosquito netting with a vertical and horizontal zip entry on the left hand side. The foot section and the lower portions of the net areas are of a cotton drill fabric, waterproofed on the outside face. The same fabric is used for the fly, or roof, section which has cotton webbing loops at each corner, and at the centre of the edge seams. These loops enable the fly to be stretched and held taut, preventing water from gathering in folds. Attached to the underside of the hammock are a pair of cotton webbing loops with press-stud fastenings. These were intended to allow a rifle to be slung beneath the occupant, protecting it from rain.

The 'Hammock, Jungle, Complete' was issued to US Army personnel operating in tropical climates during the 1940s, and was designed to be used either as a conventional hammock when suspended between trees, or as a small insect-proof tent if placed upon the ground with poles to support the fly. This example was obtained from an American serviceman in New Guinea by N263558 Gunner John Reginald Dickinson, of 14 Australian Field Regiment, who exchanged two bottles of beer for it.