GREAT CHANGES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 November 1943, Page 4

GREAT CHANGES

IN MILITARY EQUIPMENT AMERICAN INVENTIONS LIGHTNESS & EFFICIENCY AIMED AT A. field marshal's baton at the bottom of his knapsack has remained for all but one soldier in a million an airy fancy, but until recently the knapsack itself and all his other accoutrements remained a back-bending burden throughout his period of combat service. Now, all that is being changed. Research, invention and adaptation by specialists in the United States hax* produced a major triumph that is expected to be at least as important in winning the war as the modern weapons and new tactics that have been devised. Men are being called upon to fight in the desert, in the steaming jungle and in bitter Arctic weather, and to solve the many problems created by these varying conditions. Quartermas-ter-General E. B. Gregory, of the United States Army, established a research and development, branch in his office late in 1941. TROPICAL NECESSITIES. Men of practical experience in the making of garments, footwear, plastics, Chemicals, processed foods and other materials needed by a modern army were called in, as well as travellers who had learned how to live in desert, jungle and the Arctic. All the conditions likely to be met are simulated in climatic laboratories, and inventions have been thoroughly tested before being adopted, and then they are tried in actual service. One result has been the “jungle boot,” now standard U.S. Army equipment for the wet tropics. It has a thick rubber sole with cleats, canvas uppers running half-way to the knee, and nonrotting laces. It is two pounds lighter than a leather boot and lasts five times as long in the jungle. A hammock weighing 61b is complete with waterproof roof and mosquito netting. This and items of clothing are made mildewproof, water repellant and flame resisting by chemicals. Plastic resins have taken the place of rubb.er for ground sheets, which also are lighter. DEVELOPMENTS SINCE BATAN For river crossings two bladders that can be inflated with one breath are tucked into the soldier’s tunic, ensuring buoyancy, and his weapons are encased, in a tough, plastic film. At Batan the American troops' packs weighed 771 b., and those of the Japanese 261 b. That disparity has been corrected without depriving the soldier of any essential items. Included are a medical kit. small flashlight, axe and sharpening stone, mosquito gloves and headnet, immer-sion-proof matchbox with a compass at one end and a flint at the other. The new American outfit for paratroops is said to be a marvel of lightness, compactness and comfort. Its weight has been cut by more than one-half, and now a man can bail out with full equipment, where formerly his kit had to be lowered separately and retrieved. ALL-WEATHER UNIFORM Arctic garments, with windproof . outer .shells, white on one side and green on the other for the requisite camouflage, are packed with alpaca or other light insulation materials, and these are being supplied to the Russian forces as well as to the men in Alaska and the Aleutians. It is claimed that eventually all uniforms may be based on this model, and adapted to the climate simply by adding or subtracting layers of packing. A plastic inner helmet, over which the steel helmet may be, fitted when needed, is another valuable invention. Improved insect repellant, all-purpose soap, volatile vermin destroyer, face cream to prevent burning in the tropic sun, water-drinking pellets, a light and efficient gasoline cooker, and a flyer’s overall that opens on both sides from toe to shoulder so that the pilot can put it on or off without rising, are other modern comforts, of the battle zone.