Military Instructors Manual Part 14

(_Without Rations._)

Place the a.s.sembled equipment on the ground as heretofore described; fold up the inside flap of the haversack so that its end will be on a line with the top of the haversack body; fold up the lower haversack strap in the same manner.

TO MAKE UP THE PACK.--Fold the poncho, blanket and shelter half, and make up the pack as heretofore prescribed, except that the condiment and bacon can (the former inside the latter) and the toilet articles and socks are rolled in the pack. In this case the pack is rolled, beginning on either of the long sides instead of the short sides, as heretofore described.

TO a.s.sEMBLE THE PACK.--Place the pack on the haversack and pack carrier, its upper end on a line with the upper edge of the haversack body; bind it to the haversack and carrier by means of the haversack and pack binding straps; fold down the outer flap on the haversack and secure it by means of the free end of the middle haversack banding strap and the buckle provided on the underside of the flap; engage the snap hooks of the pack suspenders in the lower suspension rings.

The equipment is now packed and a.s.sembled (Fig. 10).

TO ADJUST THE EQUIPMENT TO THE SOLDIER.--Put on the equipment, slipping the arms one at a time through the pack suspenders as through the sleeves of a coat; by means of the adjusting buckles on the belt suspenders, raise or lower the belt until it rests well down over the hip bones on the sides and below the pit of the abdomen in front; raise or lower it in rear until the adjusting strap lies smoothly across the small of the back; by means of the adjusting buckles on the pack suspenders, raise or lower the load on the back until the top of the haversack is on a level with the top of the shoulders, the pack suspenders, from their point of attachment to the haversack to the line of tangency with the shoulder, being horizontal. _The latter is absolutely essential to the proper adjustment of the load_.

The position of the belt is the same whether filled or empty.

TO a.s.sEMBLE THE FULL EQUIPMENT LESS THE PACK.

(_With Rations._)

(Fig. 11.)

Detach the carrier from, the haversack; place the rest of the equipment on the ground as heretofore described; place the four cartons of hard bread, the bacon can, the condiment can, and the toilet articles in one row in the middle of the haversack body, the toilet articles at the top, the bacon can at the bottom, top to the front, the row extending from top to bottom of the haversack; fold the inside flap over the row thus formed; fold the sides of the haversack up and over; pa.s.s the three haversack binding straps through the loops on the inside flap and secure by means of the buckles on the opposite side of the haversack; pa.s.s the lower haversack binding strap through the small b.u.t.tonhole in the lower edge of the haversack, fold the outer flap of the haversack over the whole and secure by means of the buckle on its underside and the lower haversack binding strap.

Pa.s.s the haversack suspension rings through the contiguous b.u.t.tonholes in the lower edge of the haversack and engage the snap hooks on the ends of the pack suspenders.

If one haversack ration and one emergency ration are carried in lieu of two haversack rations, the haversack is packed in the manner described above, except that one emergency ration is subst.i.tuted for two of the cartons of hard bread.

If one emergency ration is carried in addition to the two haversack rations, it is packed on top of the layer.

TO a.s.sEMBLE THE FULL EQUIPMENT LESS THE PACK.

(_Without Rations._)

Detach the carrier from the haversack; place the rest of the equipment on the ground as heretofore described; fold up the inside flap of the haversack until its upper end is on a line with the top of the haversack body; fold the sides of the haversack over, pa.s.s the three haversack binding straps through the loops on the inside flap and secure by means of the buckles on the opposite side of the haversack; pa.s.s the lower haversack binding strap through the small b.u.t.tonhole in the lower edge of the haversack; place the condiment and bacon can (the former inside the latter) and the toilet articles and socks in the bottom of the pouch thus formed; fold the outer flap of the haversack over the whole and secure by means of the buckle on its underside and the lower haversack binding strap.

Pa.s.s the haversack suspension rings through the contiguous b.u.t.tonholes in the lower edge of the haversack and engage the snap hooks on the ends of the pack suspenders.

TO ADJUST THE EQUIPMENT TO THE SOLDIER.--Put on the equipment as prescribed for the full equipment. Adjust the cartridge belt as prescribed for the full equipment. Adjust the pack suspenders so that the top of the haversack is on a level with the top of the shoulders.

TO DISCARD THE PACK WITHOUT REMOVING THE EQUIPMENT FROM THE BODY.

Unsnap the pack suspenders from the suspension rings and snap them into the eyelets on top of the belt and in rear of the rear pockets of the right and left pocket sections; support the bottom of the pack with the left hand and with the right hand grasp the coupling strap at its middle and withdraw first one end, then the other; press down gently on the pack with both hands and remove it. When the pack has been removed, lace the coupling strap into the b.u.t.tonholes along the upper edge of the carrier. Adjust the pack suspenders.

For ill.u.s.tration of how packs are made up and carried, see Privates'

Manual, Chapter 2.

CARE OF EQUIPMENT.

LEATHER.--1. Keep leather clean. Use material furnished by Ordnance Department, or castile soap and water.

2. Oil leather frequently to keep it pliable. Use Neatsfoot oil, Viscol or Harness soap.

3. Dry in the shade; never in the sun or in artificial heat. Always store in a cool, dry place without artificial heat. Shoe polishes are almost always injurious.

WOOLEN CLOTHES.--Wash in tepid or cold water with a non-alkaline soap; do not wring it out; dry in the shade.

MENDING.--Always keep equipment ready for use.

CLOTH EQUIPMENT.--DRY CLEANING.--Scrub with a stiff brush frequently.

WASHING.--Only under the direction of an officer.

Dissolve 1 piece of Q.M. soap (not yellow), in 9 cups of water. One cup will clean the equipment of one man. Apply with a brush and lather well. Rub soap directly on persistent spots. Wash off in cold water and dry in the shade.

INSTRUCTIONS ON MAKING PACKS.

FOUR METHODS:

Full equipment with rations.

Full equipment without rations.

Full equipment less pack, with rations.

Full equipment less pack, without rations.

Haversack, Weight 9-1/4 Carrier Cartridge belt, canteen, Weight 11-1/2 Suspenders Mess Rations Weight 10-1/2 Mess pouch Gun 9 Clothing 7 ------- 40

ADJUSTING CARTRIDGE BELT.--1. Fits loosely around waist. 2. Resting on hips. 3. Hole between buckles. Insert ammunition: First, clip in front, points up, fastened with retaining strap, Second clip points down. First aid pouch under 4th pocket, left. Canteen under rear pocket, right. Bayonet between 3rd and 4th pocket, left. (New bayonet scabbard fastens on haversack.)

DISTRIBUTION OF INTRENCHING TOOLS IN THE SQUADS.

No. 3 rear of each odd-numbered squad ... Bolo No. 3 rear of each even-numbered squad ... Hand Axe.

No. 1 rear of each squad ... Pick Mattock.

Nos. 1, 2 and 3 front of each squad ... Shovels No. 2 rear of each squad ... Wire Cutter.

CHAPTER 3.

Physical Training.

Only the carefully trained and conditioned man can make victory possible. For this reason the first and most important concern of a nation at war is the physical training of its soldiers.

The setting-up exercises are the basis for all other activities and their disciplinary value is almost as great as their physical value.