Original Items: Only One Set Available. This is a fantastic rifleman's M1923 cartridge belt rig, featuring an assortment of items, one of which is a highly sought after “British Made” marked canteen pouch. One of the other items that stands out in this grouping is a named M1938 map case.

The map case is marked on the inside flap with information pertaining to Captain Joseph Hillel (ASN: O-496445). After a quick search, we were able to find that he was head of the Infectious Disease Section of the 77th Station Hospital / 231st Station Hospital. The 77th / 231st Station Hospital was built on a site requisitioned by the British Ministry of Works in 1943 and selected as the location for a Military Hospital to support nearby bases of the 8th US Army Air Force. The site was located at Morley Hall, Norfolk (later designated US Army Hospital Plant 4210, what is now called, Wymondham College in Norfolk –ed). The medical facility was built under Reverse Lend-Lease arrangements and was completed in September 1943. The first established unit on the site was the 77th Station Hospital unit, which was later reorganized and redesignated the 231st Station Hospital, on 3 March 1944.

The Items In This Collection:
M-1938 Map Case: Great condition with shoulder straps. Shows signs of use but is presented without any extensive damage.

- M-1923 (Dismounted) Cartridge Belt by D.M. Shoe Co dated 1942: The M-1923 cartridge belt enabled infantrymen to carry two 8-round clips of .30 caliber ammunition for the M1 Garand rifle in each of the 10 pouches (160 rounds total). Normally worn with suspenders, the canteen, first aid pouch, all of which is included, entrenching tool (not included) and bayonet (not included) could be attached to the belt as a basic rifleman's personal equipment. When carrying a washing kit, rations, extra clothing, shelter/cape and other necessities these would be stowed in a canvas knapsack. Initially made of tan-coloured webbing, canvas personal equipment was made of olive-green canvas from 1943, although the lighter shade continued to be worn in service throughout the Second World War.

- M-1924 First Aid Kit Pouch With Unopened Carlisle Bandage. The pouch itself is by H. Jacob and Sons and is dated 1942. The unopened bandage was produced by Bauer and Black.

- Pattern 1942 Dismounted Canteen Set With British Made (Finnegans 1944) Canteen Pouch: Before the Normandy landings and the beginning of the operations in Europe, the US army had already settled in Britain for several years and turned the territory into a true advanced base. To meet the needs of military equipment, it faced import problems from the United States because of the blockade led by German submarines: the dreaded U-Boots. As a result, contracts were made with local businesses. This production of US material under British contract bears the marking “British Made”.

A lovely assortment of items that is perfect for the young collector just starting out.

Comes more than ready for further research and display.

The United States Army in World War II had a distinct advantage over the Axis when it came to equipment. Both in terms of quality and quantity the power of American industry kept the GI’s well supplied.

For a Soldier, equipment is a matter of survival. Even something as simple as a button can make the difference between victory and defeat if it fails to function properly at the wrong time. For this reason Soldiers have a strong tendency to become attached to equipment they like, and to modify or discard equipment they find unreliable or useless. Among the Infantry, who have to carry their equipment wherever they go, this tendency is even stronger.

Soldiers must carry everything they need for combat operations with them at all times.

Individual load carrying equipment is designed to allow the Soldier to carry a basic load of ammunition, food, water, and first-aid gear. The exact make-up of this load varies from conflict to conflict. In more modern times the load has grown to include additional equipment such as gas masks, maps, compasses, and radios. Because of the cost of replacing equipment for Soldiers is high, equipment is usually replaced in phases, with front-line troops receiving the new equipment first. Support units typically receive equipment later as older equipment wears out or becomes obsolete. Because of this, Soldiers in World War II went to war using several different versions of the basic load bearing gear.