Strapping Guy

Looks like an 08/37 pattern large pack to me. I know that there's a way to wear L-straps with one. However, as I don't own one, I'm not sure exactly how this would be done. Also, in most photos I've seen of then in use, they always have a pair of utility straps crossed over the front. They could maybe have something to do with how the L-straps are attached? Maybe karkeeweb.com has the answer?

To use a large pack correctly (to wear it like a small pack) with L-straps, you will also need two utility straps - these are approx 2' long 1" wide webbing straps with a tab on one end and a buckle on the other.

The tab of a strap gets passed through the fabric loop on the large packs (one on each side), with the straps then being crossed over each other and the tabbed ends secured into the 1" buckles mounted next to the 2" wide shoulder attachment strap tabs. You will them find that the buckles on the utility straps now become the lower mounting points for the L-straps!

Also, as a random note, your large pack looks to be an Indian manufacture one (stripy, coarser, softer web material), which is ideal for a chindit loadout!

Ah right I see now! Are these the chaps I'm needing to get? http://www.sofmilitary.co.uk/1937-utility-straps-x-2-product,1297

That's a bonus about it being Indian made. Very happy with that. Just need to get some Indian ammo pouches to sew onto the sides and it'll be ready.

That's the ones. Often called blanket straps.
Effectively they extend the L straps, so they go through the loops at the bottom and cross over the pack and attach to the buckles at the top of the pack. They allow items to be strapped to the outside of the pack (a blanket perhaps). I often have my brodie helmet attached to my pack by having the chin strap secured by the buckles holding the flap closed and then the blanket straps hold the helmet in place.
Battle order/Marching order

A little tip: Get an inflatable pillow to put inside it. This prevents you needing to carry lots of heavy gear to make it look full. It also makes it quite comfortable to wear.

I remember you wearing your at Road to Rome. Were you allowed 2 bandages for technically wearing a steel helmet in the end?

I'll get a pair of those straps and be sure to stuff it with something light and airy. An inflatable pillow certainly sounds a lot less messy than a block of polystyrene!

Thanks for all the help!

Ah right I see now! Are these the chaps I'm needing to get? http://www.sofmilitary.co.uk/1937-utility-straps-x-2-product,1297

Yup, they're the ones, but SoF are bloody expensive for them!
Ideally you're looking to pay 0.50p - £1 per strap...

I found some straps on eBay for £2 so I'll go down that route. Good old SOF.

I found some straps on eBay for £2 so I'll go down that route. Good old SOF.

Soldier of Fortune = Cost a Fortune

Yeah I realised that after I bought my airborne gear from them.

At least they have good customer service.

Unlike airsoft world.............
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.......
Dont get me started, I find epic militia to be one of the best, but I guess it all comes down to preference, having a bad experience with a good retailer will still put you off.

Yeah I realised that after I bought my airborne gear from them.

At least they have good customer service.

Yep, in fairness I actualy use SoF a fair bit. The prices are the only thing I can complain about

At least SOF are reliable and always deliver quickly. EBay can be a bit hit and miss, apart from the Epic Militaria shop. All the ease of the eBay app with a seller you can trust.

Jeebus, I sound like a salesman!

Unlike airsoft world.............
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.......

Funny thing about them is that they sent the gun to you really quick... It was just the wrong one! [emoji1]

I was just unlucky with airsoft world, and in hindsight perhaps I would of been more patient.........prehaps, as for sof or epic, ive always received good quality goods from them within a few days, when I started put with my German kit I did use ebay, the old saying " you get what you pay for" is very true in this case, like I say tho it all does come down to preference.

Photo of the large pack in use at the weekend.
And how to carry it on a bike

I do agree that SoF are expensive for certain things. Orders arrive quickly though and the quality can't be faulted. Epic Militaria are cheaper but less likely to have everything you want and sometimes the quality can be a bit lacking.

I often have my brodie helmet attached to my pack by having the chin strap secured by the buckles holding the flap closed and then the blanket straps hold the helmet in place.

Photo of the large pack in use at the weekend.
And how to carry it on a bike

Russell, if you want to hold your MkII onto your large pack properly, without having to loop the chinstrap behind the flap straps; you need to cross the straps over twice, rather than the usual once, so that the helmet is held in place with the straps crossing 'underneath' it and 'above' it.

I do like the look of the large pack. Was it often worn into combat? I'm thinking of wearing it along with my small pack hanging off the belt.

Last skirmish game I went to, I found having the small pack off the belt was really useful for storing grenades, batteries and bb's as it was easy to get to. The large pack will be filled, most likely, with an inflatable pillow as Russel said. This way it'll be more for looks than anything.

I'm getting more and more excited for kasserine!

I do like the look of the large pack. Was it often worn into combat?

Unfortunately not. Only really carried to and from transport, and then left on transport or at camp prior to engagement with the enemy - think of it as your luggage when you go on holiday; you carry it from and to the plane to and from the hotel, but you wouldn't take your luggage with you down to the beach, or to the amusement arcade

The only 'battle' situation I can think of for the use of large packs, was their use by airborne Royal Engineers to carry their engineering tools and demolition equipment in. These had a large white "E" painted on the flap, as shown in the picture below:

Large packs were worn for marching order, when moving from one camp to another. Then when in the combat zone they were ditched somewhere safe and you switch to just the small pack (battle order). The only common exception might be in jungle warfare. On long range patrols, the large pack holds more supplies and there may not be a safe place to leave it, or any advance notice that a battle is about to occur.

Russell, if you want to hold your MkII onto your large pack properly, without having to loop the chinstrap behind the flap straps; you need to cross the straps over twice, rather than the usual once, so that the helmet is held in place with the straps crossing 'underneath' it and 'above' it.

Wouldn't doing things properly be incorrect for an Australian impression?
Tbh, I don't have to loop the chin strap through the flap straps to keep it in place, it just makes it easier to do up the blanket straps and stops the chin strap rattling as I only have a cheap resin helmet.

For me, I have the straps of my large pack only loop round the bottom of the helmet. It's never come loose or fallen out while on the march. I also have my blanket inside my large pack and then have my greatcoat between the helmet and the pack. Most likely incorrect, but I've no where else to keep it.