NEW BATTLE DRESS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 19, 3 November 1939, Page 4

NEW BATTLE DRESS

All Ranks Will Look Alike

NEW uniform, known as " battle A dress" and worn by officers and men alike, has been adopted by the British Army on active service. It is quite probable that New Zealand’s Special Force, if it goes overseas, will be equipped with the same uniform. In former campaigns officers could be easily picked out by enemy marksmen because of their uniforms, consequently the toll of leaders was very heavy. During the ¥914-18 conflict officers of the attacking forces for the most part adopted the soldier’s tunic, but buttons and badges still made them easy marks. The new battle dress will do away with this. Officers and men, of every rank and regiment, will look alike. Buttons have been hidden and any distinguishing badges will be embroidered into the material. Even the Scottish regiments, so proudly swinging into battle dressed in kilts as they did during the last war, must now adopt the drab and Robot-like khaki kit. "Battle dress" consists of an easyfitting blouse, with large patch pockets on each breast. The waist is gathered or tucked into a three-inch wide belt and

is fastened with five buttons, concealed in a fly. Hooks and eyes fasten the collar, All pocket buttons are also concealed. Sleeves are cut loosely and finished with a three-inch band into which the upper part is tucked. The trousers are cut fairly wide, with a strap inserted in the leg seam at the bottom and reaching to the front crease, where it is attached to a button when the trousers are worn without leggings. Six-inch canvas leggings can be worn over the trousers and fastened with strap and buckles. Before these leggings are donned, the strap mentioned above fastens the lower part of the trousers and keeps them in position. A deep patch pocket, covered by a flap, is attached to the left leg, six inches down from the waist. There is a smaller one on the right leg of the trousers. Brace buttons are placed on the inside of the trouser tops for concealment. Apparently the soldier of to-day will not wear puttees, as the old army did. An idea of the "battle dress" can be gained from the accompanying illustration of British soldiers in fighting kit.