HELL'S HALF ACRE-Packs and Rucksacks
Packs and Rucksacks
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 1. This is a canvas M1956 Combat Field Pack, also known as the "buttpack". This example is dated 2 Sept 1960. Soldiers used this to carry small loads of personal belongings such as toiletries, an extra shirt or trousers, maybe a poncho, and of course C-Rations. However it was discovered that the field pack was impractical because of it's small size.
 2. A 1962 dated M1961 canvas combat field pack. In 1961 a new improved field pack was introduced that featured a rubber liner inside for water proofness, and the pack was larger than it's M1956 predecessor. The butt pack was once owned by a soldier named Matason b/c he inscribed his name on the inside flap. In theory the combat field pack eliminated the need for a rucksack, however this was not so. In 1965 the nlyon lightweight rucksack with frame was standardized, but these did not see wide spread use till 1967.
 3. This is an M1956 pack adaptor used to covert the combat field pack into a pack that can be worn on the back.
 4. Here is an M1956 sleeping equipment carrier. It is seen here attached to a rolled up poncho and poncho liner. The configuration was designed to be worn on the back attached to the suspender shoulder straps. Although the rig was designed to carry the bulky sleeping bags, soldiers in Vietnam used them to carry a poncho and poncho liner. The rig was eventually replaced by the lightweight rucksack.
 5.This is a M1956 universal load carrying sling dated 1964. Load carrying slings were used to help carry heavy loads such as mortar rounds, mortar tubes, and other heavy equipment. Eventually the load carrying sling was replaced by lightweight rucksack frame.
 6. Here is a lightweight rucksack. The rucksacks were introduced in 1963 and standardized in 1965. This ruck here has an early frame that does not have a strap for the middle back. The Ruck itself is marked, DS-100-3705 which means it was manufactured before 1967. Using a rucksack, soldiers could carry several days worth of supplies. On the frame a soldier could carry a radio, poncho, mortar rounds, ammo cans, and other essential items. The pack itself could be removed from the frame and placed on other parts of it. The pack is seen here in typical configuration attached to the bottom of the frame. My father said his unit never used rucksacks. The rucksacks were not widely used till 1967. Before 1967, mostly Airborne troops, 1st Cav troops, and other units that had been "in country" for a while had the rucksacks. The rucksacks were produced till 1973.
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