Lightweight backpack
The Lightweight Rucksack is a lightweight nylon rucksack with an aluminum frame that was mainly used by the US armed forces during the Vietnam War .
history
The lightweight backpack was developed in 1962 as the T62-1 and was initially intended for use in arctic regions. In 1965 it was adopted as a standard piece of equipment.
The soldiers of the US Army were equipped with the M1956 carrying equipment at that time . Part of this equipment was the small combat bag "Pack, field M1956", in which the soldier was supposed to carry food, toiletries and dry underwear. Even before the mission in Vietnam, it had become apparent that the combat bag was clearly too small for this purpose. The somewhat larger combat bag "Pack, field M1961" was introduced as a replacement. This offered a larger storage space and better protected the contents from rain. But since the operational reality in Vietnam was very different from what the planners of the US Army had planned, it quickly became apparent that this combat bag was not sufficient either: the soldiers were not always close to their means of transport - as planned for mechanized warfare in northwestern Europe , but often stayed overnight in the jungle. Since the lightweight backpack was already available, it was shipped to Vietnam and given to the combat troops. In July 1973, after the last US combat troops had left Vietnam, the production of the lightweight backpack was stopped. The lightweight rucksack was replaced by the ALICE carrying equipment rucksacks from 1974.
description
The lightweight backpack consists of two parts, the actual backpack and the frame .
The backpack is made of water-repellent nylon in the color olive green army shade 106 , a light olive green. There is one main compartment that offers more than twice the storage space of the M1961 combat bag. It is closed with a drawstring that is passed through metal eyelets on the upper edge. In addition, the opening is covered with a large rain protection flap. The rain protection flap has a compartment on the inside that contains the instructions for using the backpack, printed on the impregnated fabric. There are three side compartments on the outside of the backpack that are closed with straps and buckles. The middle of the three compartments is a little larger than the other two. These are provided with tunnels, i. That is, objects can be pushed between the main compartment and the back of the minor compartment. Four short, wide belt strips are sewn onto the outside of the main compartment, each with two metal eyelets. Almost all items of equipment can be attached to the backpack using the slide keepers of the M1956 equipment or the metal hooks of the M1910 equipment. On the back of the main compartment there are two straps with which the backpack is strapped to the frame. On each side of the main compartment there is a narrow strap with which the backpack is secured against slipping sideways on the frame, as well as two straps with which a blanket roll can be attached to the backpack. The backpack can be strapped to the frame at the top or bottom.
The backpack can also be carried without the frame. To do this, the shoulder straps are removed from the frame and strapped directly to the backpack. But since the backpack has no internal reinforcement of its own, it sags informally.
The U-shaped frame is made of aluminum tube painted dark olive green and has flat metal eyelets that secure the various straps from slipping. The padded shoulder straps are attached to the upper part of the frame; the left shoulder strap has a quick-release fastener that allows the rucksack to be thrown off. Two wide cross straps connect the main spars of the frame and form the back support. The top cross strap has metal eyelets for the hooks of the M1910 equipment. Both cross straps are wide enough to attach parts of the M1956 equipment to them using slide keepers . There is a wide belt on the lower part of the frame as a hip pad. A lap belt also attached there prevents the frame from slipping on the back (this lap belt is missing on the frame shown - it was often removed during use, as it prevented the rucksack from being thrown off quickly). Three additional straps are used to lash equipment on the frame.
In the course of production there were different versions of the frame, which only differ in details. Early frames are welded, later ones (like the one shown here) are riveted together. Some models only have one of the wide cross straps.
equipment
The frame includes a cargo shelf that can be hung between the side rails of the frame and is used to transport heavier loads (radio, MG belt box) (in the picture above , the cargo shelf is above the backpack in the frame hooked).
A rifle butt pocket and strap assembly , which was used to secure the rifle when mountaineering or skiing, was not issued in Vietnam, nor was the white snow camo cover .
In action
The lightweight backpack was a significant improvement over the previously used combat bag, as it offered much more storage space. However, it covered the entire back of the wearer, making it impossible to attach additional equipment to the back of the perforated belt. Usually with the M1956 equipment one carried the combat bag (which one could do without with the backpack), the folding spade and two canteens. Therefore, the soldiers attached these pieces of equipment to the backpack. Often the backpack was so heavily hung with equipment that only the upper edge of the frame shows that the soldier is wearing such a backpack. It quickly became common practice to only attach first-aid packs, ammunition and hand grenades to the belt and the rest of the equipment to the backpack. In the event of a firefight, the soldiers threw off the backpack in order to pick it up again after the end of the battle. The frame is only painted - the paint rubs off quickly and the bright aluminum becomes visible. This increases the visibility for the opponent. A much more durable coating was used with the ALICE carrying system.
The infantryman pictured carries three canteens on his backpack, his folding spade (upside down), the poncho with rolled up liner and a machete. The pocket of an M18A1 "Claymore" mine is attached to the frame, in which additional magazines for his M16A1 rifle are stowed.
swell
- Shelby Stanton: US Army Uniforms of the Vietnam War. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg PA 1989, ISBN 0-8117-2584-7 .
- Gordon L. Rottman : US Army Combat Equipments 1910-1988. Osprey Publishing Ltd, London 1989, ISBN 0-85045-842-0 ( Men-at-Arms Series 205).