Infantry Load
The follow chart comes from Lt
Col Hugh Foster, historian. Used with permission.
The Infantry Soldier’s Load, Winter
of 1944 - 45
|
Clothing, Common |
Source |
|
Underwear |
.43 |
1 |
|
Socks |
.19 |
1 |
|
Long
johns (sweater x 2) |
2.24 |
4 |
|
Pants
& Shirt, wool |
2.82 |
1 |
|
Pants
belt, w/ buckle |
.19 |
1 |
|
Knit
cap |
.13 |
1 |
|
Boots, side buckle |
4.38 |
1 |
|
Field
trousers |
2.00 |
1 |
|
Sweater, wool |
1.12 |
1 |
|
Field
jacket, M1943 |
3.30 (approx.) |
1 |
|
Parka
(raincoat/poncho equiv) |
2.81 |
4 |
|
Scarf, wool |
.41 |
1 |
|
Gloves, wool |
.13 |
1 |
|
Socks, extra |
.19 |
1 |
|
Blanket, wool |
3.69 |
1 |
|
Shelterhalf, canvas |
4.50 |
1 |
|
Personal items |
1.90 (includes toilet articles) |
1 |
|
Total
Weight |
30.52 |
|
|
Equipment, Common |
Source |
|
Helmet, w/ liner/net |
3.19 |
1 |
|
First
aid pouch, M1942 w/ packet |
.40 |
1 |
|
Canteen, M1910/cup/cover (x2) |
7.38 (filled) (3.69 each) |
1 |
|
Entrenching tool, M1943 w/ carrier |
2.94 |
1 |
|
Suspenders, M1936 |
.95 |
1 |
|
Field
bag, M1936 (pack) |
1.81 |
1 |
|
K-Ration, 3 meals |
2.31 |
1 |
|
Total Weight |
18.98 |
|
|
Unique Items |
Source |
|
Radio, SCR 300 |
38.23 (complete) |
5 |
|
Transceiver |
13.00 |
5 |
|
Battery pack |
15.00 |
5 |
|
Misc.
items |
8.43 (frame, cables, etc.) |
5 |
|
Handset |
1.80 |
5 |
|
Binoculars, w/ case |
3.50 (est.) |
8 |
|
Gas
mask, M9, w/ carrier |
4.00 |
7 |
|
Weapons |
Source |
|
Rifle, M1, Garand |
10.20 (loaded) |
1 |
|
Sling, M1 |
.53 |
1 |
|
Cleaning kit, M1 |
.53 |
1 |
|
Cartridge belt, M1923 |
1.44 |
1 |
|
Ammo:
10 x 8-rd clips |
5.31 (in cartridge belt) |
1 |
|
Ammo:
bandolier w/ 6 x 8-rd clips |
3.37 |
1 |
|
Bayonet, M1 w/ M7 scabbard |
1.56 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Rifle, M1903A3, sling, cleaning kit |
9.88 (loaded) |
1 |
|
Ammo:
bandolier w/ 12 x 5-rd clips |
3.90 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Carbine, M1, w/ sling/oiler |
5.92 (loaded) |
1 |
|
Magazine pouch, carbine |
.16 |
1 |
|
Magazine, 15-rd, carbine x 2 |
1.18 (loaded) |
1 |
|
Ammo:
bandolier w/ 12 x 10-rd clips |
3.93 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Browning Auto. Rifle (BAR) |
20.84 (loaded) |
1 |
|
Sling, M1 |
.53 |
1 |
|
Cleaning kit, M1 |
.53 |
1 |
|
Cartridge belt, M1937 |
1.88 |
1 |
|
Ammo:
12 x 20-rd mags |
18.36 (in cartridge belt) |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
SMG,
M1A1, Thompson |
12.05 (loaded) |
1 |
|
SMG,
M3 |
9.90 (loaded |
1 |
|
Magazine pouch, SMG |
.53 (est.) |
4 |
|
Mag,
.45 cal SMG |
1.90 (loaded) |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Pistol, M1911A1 |
2.99 (loaded) |
1 |
|
Belt,
pistol, M1923 |
.56 |
1 |
|
Magazine pouch M1923, .45 |
.13 |
1 |
|
Magazine, .45 pistol x 2 |
.91 (loaded) |
1 |
|
Holster M1916, .45 |
.59 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
MG,
M1917A1, .30, heavy gun |
32.60 |
2 |
|
Tripod w/ T&E |
53.20 |
2 |
|
Coolant can w/ 7 pints water |
7.28 (water is only 8.33
lb/gallon) |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
MG,
M1919A4, light gun |
31.00 |
2 |
|
Tripod |
14.00 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
MG,
M1919A6, .30, light w/ bipod & stock |
32.50 |
2 |
|
Ammo:
can of 250-rd |
20.00(derived from gross pallet
weight) |
3 |
|
Mortar, 60mm, M19 |
46.96 (complete) |
2 |
|
Gun |
15.98 |
2 |
|
Bipod |
16.36 |
2 |
|
Baseplate |
12.76 |
2 |
|
Sight |
1.86 |
4 |
|
Ammo:
60mm HE |
3.22 |
2 |
|
Ammo:
60mm WP |
4.98 |
2 |
|
Ammo:
60mm IL |
5.00 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Grenade launcher, M1 |
1.10 |
2 |
|
Ammo:
HE grenade |
.62 |
2 |
|
Ammo:
WP grenade |
1.50 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Grenade, MK II, frag. |
1.31 |
1 |
|
Equipment, Rifleman |
Source |
|
Rifle, M1 |
10.20 (loaded) |
1 |
|
Sling, M1 |
.53 |
1 |
|
Cleaning kit, M1 |
.53 |
1 |
|
Cartridge belt, M1923 |
1.44 |
1 |
|
Ammo:
10 x 8-rd clips |
5.31 (in cartridge belt) |
1 |
|
Ammo:
bandolier w/6 x 8-rd clips (x2) |
6.74 (3.37 each) |
1 |
|
Bayonet, M1 w/ M7 scabbard |
1.56 |
1 |
|
Grenade, MK II, frag. (x2) |
2.62 (1.31 each) |
1 |
|
Hatchet or saw |
1.50 (est. weight) |
4 |
|
Pistol, captured |
2.00 (est. weight) |
4 |
|
|
= 32.52 |
|
|
Common clothing |
+ 30.52 |
|
|
Common equipment |
+ 18.98 |
|
|
Rifleman’s load |
= 82.02 |
|
|
Equipment, BAR Gunner |
Source |
|
BAR |
20.84 (loaded) |
1 |
|
Sling, M1 |
.53 |
1 |
|
Cleaning kit, M1 |
.53 |
1 |
|
Cartridge belt, M1937 |
1.88 |
1 |
|
Ammo:
12 x 20-rd mags |
18.36 (in cartridge belt) |
1 |
|
Trench knife, M3, w/ scabbard |
.93 |
1 |
|
Grenade, MK II, frag. (x2) |
2.62 (1.31 each) |
1 |
|
Hatchet or saw |
1.50 (est. weight) |
4 |
|
Pistol, captured |
2.00 (est. weight) |
4 |
|
|
= 49.19 |
|
|
Common clothing |
+ 30.52 |
|
|
Common equipment |
+ 18.98 |
|
|
BAR
Gunner’s load |
= 98.69 |
|
Sources
1. Human Engineering Laboratory, Aberdeen PG, MD,
Mr. Bill Hanlan and MAJ Kurt Sellers AV 298-5929.
2. Ordnance Museum (ref. JANE’s books), Dr. Atwater AV 298-3602.
3. Defense Ammunition Center & School, Savana Army Depot, IL. Mr.
Bill Frerichs AV 585-8071.
4. Estimate: LTC Hugh F. Foster III (Ret.).
5. Signal Museum, Ft. Gordon, GA. Mr. Ted Wise AV 780-2818.
6. US Army Logistics Center, Ft. Lee, VA. COL Ron Hall AV
687-3745/4886/2398.
7. US Army Chemical Museum, Ft. McClellan, AL (205) 238-4449. Mr. T.
K. Miller and CPT Richard Cator (Ret.) AV 865-4449/3355.
8. US Army Field Artillery and Ft. Sill Museum, Ft. Sill, OK 73503
(405) 351-3703. Mr. Linden Couvillion AV 639-3703/5123.
Related Items:
History || Honor Roll
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