Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Infantry of the Army of the United States, 1917 Part 4

1 United States magazine rifle, caliber .30.

1 bayonet.

1 bayonet scabbard.

1 gun sling.

1 rifle cartridge belt.

FOR EACH EACH ENLISTED MAN ARMED WITH THE PISTOL.

1 pistol, caliber .45.

1 pistol holster.

1 magazine pocket, double, web.

2 extra magazines.

1 pistol belt (except for men armed _also_ with the rifle).

FOR EACH ENLISTED MAN, INDIVIDUALLY MOUNTED, IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE.

1 rifle scabbard (if armed with rifle).

1 spurs, pair.

1 spur straps, pair.

1 set of horse equipment.

(c) Extra clothing and articles to be carried on the soldier or on the packed saddle.

1 blanket.

1 comb.

1 drawers, pair, 1 poncho (dismounted men), 1 slicker (mounted men).

1 soak, cake.

2 stockings, pair.

1 toothbrush.

1 towel.

1 unders.h.i.+rt.

1 housewife (for one man of each squad).

(d) Ammunition, consisting of--

90 rounds ball cartridges, caliber .30 (old model belt).

100 rounds ball cartridges, caliber .30 (new model belt).

(e) Rations, consisting of--

1 or 2 reserve rations (bacon, hard bread, coffee, sugar, and salt).

(f) Intrenching tools, consisting of--

2 pick mattocks, per squad.

1 bolo or hand axe, per squad.

4 shovels, intrenching, per squad.

1 wire cutter, per squad.

SECTION 6. THE SURPLUS KIT.

The surplus kit for each man consists of--

1 breeches, pair.

1 drawers, pair.

1 s.h.i.+rt, olive drab.

1 shoes, russet leather, pair.

2 stockings, pair.

1 unders.h.i.+rt.

1 shoe laces, extra, pair.

Each surplus kit bag contains 1 jointed cleaning rod and case.

Squad leaders are responsible that surplus kit bags are kept in order and fully packed in the field.[2] Men are allowed access to them for the purpose of making subst.i.tutions.

[Footnote 2: In campaign or simulated campaign, when an organization is restricted to its prescribed field-train transportation, surplus kits, overcoats, and sweaters are stored on the line of communications or other designated place with the permanent camp equipment of the organization.]

The surplus kits are packed in surplus kit bags, one for each squad, one for sergeants, and one for cooks and buglers.

The kit of each man will be packed as follows:

Stockings to be rolled tightly, one pair in the toe of each shoe; shoes placed together, heels at opposite ends, soles outward, wrapped tightly in underwear, and bundle securely tied around the middle by the extra pair of the shoe laces, each bundle to be tagged with the company number of the owner. These individual kits will be packed in the surplus kit bag in two layers of four kits each, the breeches and olive drab s.h.i.+rts to be neatly folded find packed on the top and sides of the layers, the jointed cleaning rod and case, provided for each squad, being attached by the thongs on the inside of the bag.

When overcoats or sweaters are not prescribed to be worn on the person they will be collected into bundles of convenient size and secured by burlap or other suitable material, or will be boxed. They will be marked ready for equipment to be forwarded when required.

SECTION 7. a.s.sEMBLING INFANTRY EQUIPMENT.[3]

[Footnote 3: Since these instructions were written 1 drawers and 1 unders.h.i.+rt have been added to the field kit. Place them in pack when carried, otherwise in haversack.]

TO a.s.sEMBLE THE FULL EQUIPMENT.

WITH RATIONS.

Place the a.s.sembled equipment on the ground, suspender side of haversack down, pockets of cartridge belt up, haversack spread put, inside flap and pack carrier extended their full length to the rear.

Place three cartons of hard bread in the center of the haversack body, the lower one on the line of attachment of the inside flap; lay the remaining carton of hard bread, the condiment can and the bacon can on the top of these, the condiment can and the bacon can at the bottom, top of the bacon can to the front; the socks and toilet articles are rolled, towel on the outside, into a bundle of the same approximate dimensions as a carton of hard bread, and are placed in front of the two rows thus formed.

The inside flap of the haversack is folded over these articles, the end of the flap being turned in so that the flap, thus shortened, extends about 2 inches beyond the top of the upper row; the sides of the haversack are folded over the sides of the rows; the upper binding straps are pa.s.sed through the loops on the outside of the inside flap, each strap through the loop opposite the point of its attachment to the haversack body, and fastened by means of the buckle on the opposite side, the strap being pa.s.sed through the opening in the buckle next to its attachment, over the center bar, and back through the opening of the buckle away from its attachment; the strap is pulled tight to make the fastening secure; the outer flap of the haversack is folded over and fastened by means of the lower haversack binding strap and the buckle on the inside of the outer flap; the strap is pulled tight, drawing the outer flap snugly over the filled haversack.

The haversack is now packed and the carrier is ready for the reception of the pack.

If one reserve ration and one emergency ration are carried in lieu of two reserve rations, the haversack is packed in the manner described above, except that two cartons of hard bread and the bacon can form the bottom layer, the bacon can on the bottom; the condiment can, the emergency ration, and the toilet articles form the top layer.

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

TO MAKE THE PACK: Spread the shelter half on the ground and fold in the triangular ends, forming an approximate square from the half, the guy on the inside; fold the poncho once across its shortest dimension, then twice across its longest dimension, and lay it in the center of the shelter half; fold the blanket as described for the poncho and place it on the latter; place the shelter tent pins in the folds of the blanket, in the center and across the shortest dimension; fold the edges of the shelter half snugly over the blanket and poncho and, beginning on either of the short sides, roll tightly and compactly. This forms the pack.