Pattern '08, '25, '37, '44 Webbing.

[Chilme]

Does anyone happen to know the weight of the standard fighting order (Pattern 1908, 1925, 1937, and/or 1944) of British/commonwealth troops of world war 1 and 2?

 

[MikeL]

http://www.arrse.co.uk/military-history-militaria/115231-weight-marching-fighting-order-ww2-tommy.html

Another source for this info would be to check out the different WWI and WWII reenactor websites, should be able to find the info there or email the question to them if you don't get what you are looking for here.

Also something else that may be of interest, in 2003 the US Army conducted a study on the weight of Soldiers fighting/marching order in Afghanistan
http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/modernwarriorload/ModernWarriorsCombatLoadReport.pdf

And another article on the weight Soldiers carry into the fight.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/call/call_1-88_chpt4.htm

Battlefield Mobility And The Soldier's Load
Major William L. Ezell, USMC
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1992/EWL.htm

 

[Michael OLeary]

Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research
Vol. XLVII, Spring 1969, No, 189

Article: The Accoutrements of the British Infantryman, 1640 to 1940, by Major G. Tylden

The weight carried with the 1908 equipment is given as 59 lb 11 oz. Edmonds, the historian of the official account of the War, states that in 1916 this had been increased to 66 lb. later as more and more items were added the soldier carried 74 lb in summer and 80 lb in winter, increased in wet and muddy conditions by 14 lb. So by the end of the War in 1918 the infantryman could be carrying 85% of his own weight, described by Major Renbourn as "the greatest weight known in history."

In 1939 the Braithewaite Battle Dress Equipment was issued. ... a total of 48 lb, 11 oz without the clothing.

 

[Michael OLeary]

The 1913 pamphlet The Pattern 1908 Web Infantry Equipment gives a total soldiers load of:

a. 62 lb 5 oz for a large man
b. 58 lb 9 oz for a small man

(Weight differences are noted for the greatcoat and other clothing items.)

 

[XMP]

Check out http://www.karkeeweb.com/ Probably the most comprehensive single source of info on British and Commonwealth web on the net.

 

[Chilme]

Thanks.  Thats all good stuff.