Danish M/45-50 Webbing Equipment and M/44 uniform (updated 2026)

Introduction:

Without delving into too much detail about Danish foreign politics of the Cold War, the Danish army adopting an almost carbon copy of the British Load Bearing Equipment (LBE) for the armed forces only makes sense if one knows, that Denmark initially bound itself to a British sphere of interest in the first decade of the Cold War. 

 

The reason for this is straight forward. Great Britain had since the late 1800s been the most important market for the agricultural surplus of Denmark (butter and bacon), and Britain had shown itself during World War Two and immediately after as a ‘friend’ of Denmark and Danish political and economical interests. Hence it was no surprise that following the end of World War Two Denmark choose to support the British occupational forces in Northern Germany with a substantial number of troops. Since the Danish soldiers were part of the British forces they were supplied with surplus British uniforms and equipment. 

 

The surplus equipment, old patt. 37' webbing, was named M/45E (E= Engelsk = English) in Danish service to distinguish it from the M/45S (S=Swedish) equipment the Danish exile army in Sweden (DANFORCE 1943-45) had brought back in 1945. Both systems were used side by side in the late 1940s. The M/45S was transfered to the Home Guard in late 40's and the M/45E became the chosen LBE for the Danish troops assisting the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) from 1947 - 1958.   

 

Keeping with this initial choice the post-WWII Equipment Commission of 1947, tasked with procuring and developing a new LBE for the Danish Armed Forces, contacted the London based company Mills Equipment Company Ltd. The Commission had found the British 1937 Webbing Equipment wanting, especially the entrenching tool and water bottle, and wanted a number of "upgrades". 

 

Fig. 1: Cover page. Draft of the official rapport from the Equipment Commission of 1947.  

The ‘Oppakningssystem’ M/45-50: Between 1947-1950 the Danish Equipment Commission and Mills developed a distinct Danish webbing systems based on components from several different British webbing sets. Most noticeably the webbing equipment incorporated design details and items from: 

- British  pattern 1937 webbing (Karkeeweb: 1937 webbing)

- British pattern 1940 cavalry webbing (Karkeeweb: 1940 webbing)

- British pattern 1944 webbing (Karkeeweb: 1944 webbing)

- The US entrenching tool and carrier (altered)

- The British MK II Lightweight Respirator bag (altered).  

- The US bayonet and scabbard for the Garand Riffle (Both surplus "cut-down" M/1905 bayonets and new M1 bayonets made on license in Italy).  

 

The final pieces were added in 1950 and the entire LBE was named ‘Oppakningssystem M/45-50’ in Danish services. 

 

Design philosophy: 

The LBE was meant to be used by all ranks - and had a number of inserts for the M/50 universal pouch (U-taske): Pistol, binoculars, riffle grenade, compass etc. The inserts would block acces to the bottom part of the pouch, hence the need for the trapdoors at the bottom.

 

The idea never really caught on, and stand alone pieces for pistols, binoculars, etc. were made. But in theory alle ranks using the same equipment would make NCO's and officers stand less out amongst the regular rank and file.  

 

M/45-50 oddities:  

The M/45-50 system was meant to be used together with the US Garand riffle formally introduced in Danish service in 1950. However, the US or Italian made Scabbards for the M1 bayonet did not fit the British style belt, and a new ‘adapter’ was designed that allowed the bayonet to be worn without altering the scabbard. 

 

The M/45-50 system came with two support-straps (forbindelsesstropper) that connected the Small Pack to rear of the equipment belt. They make it difficult to ditch the small pack in a hurry - but if used correctly the entire kit was very balanced (if properly adjusted). On period photos they are seldom used.

 

Brace attachements were an integral part of the M/45-50 system (in a way they never were in the pattern 37 webbing equipment). However, new brace attachments were not produced until the mid to late 1950s. The M/45-50 depending on old surplus British brace attachements from the pattern 1937 webbing well into the 1950s and 1960s.   

 

US made covers for the entrenching tool and British carriers for the Mk. II Lightweight Respirator was altered in Denmark to fit the belt. The US entrenching tool, cover, and the respirator bag were integral parts of the M45-50 Webbing Equipment. New entrenching tool covers were not produced before the late 1950s, and a new carrier for the Gas mask was never produced. The WWII surplus being too cheap and plentiful. 

 

Contents of the Small Pack:  

Depending on the year / decade, which manuels you read, and the "tall tales" of former soldiers the small pack carried (depending on the season): Spare socks, camo scarf, gloves, flashlight, cap, mess tin, Esbit Stove and fuel, emergency ration, part of the normal rations, knife-fork-spoon set, toiletries, shoe maintaining kit, etc. 

 

According to the 1961 manual the small pack was meant to contain: 

- Toiletries

- Shoe maintaining kit. 

- 1 pullover. 

- 2 pairs of socks (or 1 pair in the pack - 1 pair in one of the pockets of the uniform).  

- 1 Handkerchief

- Mess tin

- Knife-fork-spoon set 

- Esbit stove and fuel

- Emergency ration  

- Bread and / or biscuits. 

- Dry ration*

  

* = stored inside the mess tin.  

 

From 1957 the rain poncho was stuffed under the lid of the small pack. 

The M/44 Uniform: The Uniform was a redevelopment of the uniform issued to DANFORCE (The Danish exile army in Sweden, 1943-45). Based on the British battledress the uniform had a distinct British look. 

 

The first runs had a more "dark-brown" colour and buttons were made of a brass alloy. Later versions had a more karkee-yellow colour and were issued with brown plastic buttons.  

 

 

 

Photos 

 

The below photos are a representation of how the LBE was intended to be put together according to the 1950 manual. However, period photos suggest that the equipment was put together in a myriad of ways - often to the detrement of the individual parts (since the wear and tear from being put together in an incorrect way was considerable). 

 

NB: The aluminium "butterfly" (Dobbeltspænde M/57) is a small anachronism. The piece was originally not part of the M/45-50 equipment. It became part of the Oppakningssystem M/45-59 (also known as Oppakningssystem M/59 according to the 1962 manual), but was used extensible with the M/45-50 and M/45E LBE's.      

(Remember that it is possible to enlarge the below photos by clicking them!)

M/45-50 Webbing Equipment, front.

M/45-50 Webbing Equipment, rear. Notice the two support straps connecting the bottom of the small pack to the belt, the old WWII vintage RAF-coloured brace attachments and the alterations on the Light Weight Respirator carrier and US entrenching tool carrier.  

Equipment pieces:

 

In its most basic form Oppakningssystem M/45-50 had the following bits and pieces:*

 

- Livrem M/45 (belt) 

- Skulderremme M/45 (shoulder straps - came in three variants) 

- Forbindelsesstykker M/45 (brace attachements) 

- Feltflaske og hylster M/48 (water bottle and carrier)

- Bredskabstaske M/45A or M/45B (gas mask carrier. M/45A = Vertical placement. M/45B = Horizontal placement).  

- Paksæk M/49 (small pack - came with several different straps)  

- Bagagesæk M/50 (large pack - with straps. Left with transport / in camp) 

- Sværdtaske M/50 (adapter for the US made bayonet) 

- Bajonet M/50 (US M1 bayonet)

- Foldespade M/48 og spadehylster M/48 (entrenching tool and carrier) 

- Universaltaske M/50 (basic pouches) OR ammunitionstaske M/48 (ammunition pouch).   

 

  

Photos: The entire kit (missing a few bits and pieces) 

 

Below photos are the issued basic equipment in the late 1950s - early 1960s. The uniform is the old type in a more brown karkee than the later versions. It is dated 1955. 

 

The M/45-50 equipment is complete - and the issued housewife (sewing kit), and the wash-roll, anklets, boots etc. is a mix of early 1950s and early 1960s.    

 

What is missing?

- Shirt (in the late 40's - early 50's you had to bring your own). 
- Rations (biscuits / bread and part of the dry ration). 
- Gloves (wool). 
- Socks.
- Flashlight (introduced in 1955).
- Rain poncho (introduced in 1957).  

 

M/45-50 Webbing Equipment, M/44 Uniform and most of the the small bits and pieces that went into the packs.

1: Garrison cap, M/44.
2: M/44 Uniform and tie.
3: Boots.
4: M/49 Gas mask (+ anti fogging cloth, manual, dust/mist goggles). 
5: Knife, fork, spoon and cover.
6: Cover for the mess tin and heater.
7: Mess tin, water bottle, and cup.
8: "Housewife" and wash-roll.  
9: Emergency rations.
10: Small pack (F1 / paksæk).
11: Universal pouch.
12: Entrenching tool and cover (US made, altered to fit British style belts).
13: Carrier for the Mk. II Lightweight Respirator. In Danish service altered to fit the belt vertically.
14: Water bottle carrier.
15: Camouflage net and scabbard for the US bayonet (Garand).
16: Bayonet. Many of the Danish bayonets were made in Italy.
17: M/44 trousers.
18: Anklets / gaiters.
19: World War Two vintage M1 helmet with Danish helmet net and new liner produced in Denmark. 

 

 

*Sources: 

- Vejledning i hærens oppakningssystem, 1961.

- Uniform og oppakning for danske styrker til lands, 1954. 

- Bestemmelser for føring af udrustningsgenstande (svenske), 1946. 

- Udkast til betænkninger fra Oppakningskommissionen af 1947, 1950 (Rigsarkivet). 

- Kundgørelser for hæren. 

- A. Hvidt, Dansk Infanteris Uniform og Udrustning gennem de sidste 200 år, 1965.   

Danish M38 Gas mask (Army version) - H.t.K. Arbejdsmaske M.1938

This sheet metal container is in some ways similar to the German from world war two... The small leather flap is to fasten the container to the belt or a button on the coat. The shoulder strap is made of light cotton webbing - in Danish called: Tømmegjord.
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Until the 1930's Denmark had no gas masks of their own. All gas masks were purchased in other countries. Especially the French gas masks (A.R.S.) were popular with the army. There were different trials where the army tried to decide what type of gas mask they should order and what kind of carrier they should use. The army decided to order a Danish copy of the French A.R.S. - M.1917 and a metal sheet container. All masks and containers were produced in Denmark after 1930 / 31.

In the late 1930's the Danish army wanted a new mask and decided on the M.1938. A dstinctly "German" design, as it is very similar to the German Heeresgasmaske 1924 or the GM30’s.
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A close-up on the leather flap and the carrying strap.

The lid on the container. All the stamps is an indicator that this mask served for a long time before it was made obsolete.

The mask is put inside the container with the filter first. On the left hand side you can see the spare part canister.
(Spare part canister contains: Extra filter, 2 - anti fogging disks, 2 - extra rubber rings and a cloth.)

Date stamp: Model 1938, made 1939.

Front look with filter attached. The cloth protects the rather thin layer of rubber.

All the straps, hooks and brass bits.

Inside view. The rubber is a bit fragile.
Eyes are made out of glass.
In the bottom you can see a chin strap.

Side view.

Glossary:

H.t.K = Hærens Tekniske Kommando. - Army Technical Command. The part of the army that purchased whatever the army needed. From spoons and socks to tanks and artillery.

H.A = Hærens Arsenal - Army Arsenal

A.R.S = Appareil Respiratoire Spécial

Tømmegjord = A kind of lightweight webbing. (Cotton)

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Danish M38 Gas mask (Civilian version) - H.t.K Civilgasmaske M.1938

The cardboard box that contains the gas mask and one filter.
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The M38 Civilian gas mask was developed one to two years after its army counterpart. They were distributed amongst the newly made air raid shelters (1940), volunteer fire-fighters, wardens, air raid personnel etc...

They were distributed by the army, and it was not possible for individuals to purchase their own mask.

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The card board container is painted in several coats of: Army standard green. It has reinforcing grooves on the side.
( In order to prevent it from collapsing if it were subjected to a pressure)

The filter is put inside of the mask when both are put inside of the container.
(The text on the filter says: H.t.K with the royal crown on the top.
Civ-gasm. = Civilgasmaske = Civilian gas mask)

Everything outside the box. The filter dated: 11. 1942 (November 1942)
135068 = Serial number.

The filter attached to the mask. Notice the little cap on top of the lid. It prevents dust and water from getting inside of the filter, when it is not in use.

It's a size four mask.

Stamps on the headband.
1941: Year of fabrication.
Civil-ansigtsmaske: Civilian face mask
M. 1938 = Model 1938

The front of the mask with the filter attached.
Notice that the eyes are made out of celluloid and not glass.
The filter is lighter and smaller than the army counterpart.

The civilian version is found in three different versions:

#1: Cotton cloth covered.

#2: Brown rubber without cloth cover.

#3: Black rubber.

All of them got celluloid eyepieces and smal filters.
(The filters protects against: Smoke particles, dust, and gases developed from burning paint etc. - Not intended to protect against gases like mustard gas or CO2.)

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Danish World War One Uniform (M/1915) | Dansk 1915 Uniform

Danish uniforms between 1889-1945. Here are shown the following patterns (from left to right):
1889(92), 1903, 1910, 1915 and 1923. Notice that helmets were first introduced in 1923 and that the 1903 pattern were of a "green-grey" wool - not karkee. The kepi remained the same seize and shape, only changing the colour before finally being redrawn from service with the introduction of the helmet. 

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Following the outbreak of war in august 1914 it became evident for the Danish army that the M/1910 uniform had its shortcomings. Especially the colour was ill chosen for the modern battlefield. However, change happened slowly as the Danish army had partially mobilised 50-55.000 men in the first months. They needed to be clad, fed, and armed - and any changes to uniforms and equipment had to take the back seat the first couple of months. 

Undoubtedly inspired by the German uniforms the Danish army decided in 1915 to introduce a light-grey uniform. It was decided that the uniform should retain the design from the earlier pattern (M/1910) and the colour codes used with the M/1910 and 1889 (1892).

Uniform model 1910:

Infantry units would wear: 

Light blue kepi with black leather and "silver" buttons. 

Dark blue jacket with "silver" buttons and red piping.

Light blue trousers - folded at the bottom and worn outside the boots. 

Artillery, medical and other "support" regiments:

Dark blue kepi with black leather and brass buttons. 

Dark blue jacket with brass buttons and either (depending on regiment) light blue, maroon, green, grey or yellow piping.

Dark blue trouser - unfolded and worn over the most of the boot. 

Uniform model 1915:

Infantry:

Grey kepi with black leather and "silver buttons.
Grey jacket with "silver" buttons and red piping.
Grey trousers - folded at the bottom and worn outside the boots.

Artillery, Medical Corps, logistics, engineers, Pay Corps, Technical Corps, etc.
Same cut and cloth as above but with brass buttons.
Depending on the unit / regiment the uniform had light blue, maroon, green, grey or yellow piping.
As a rule the trousers were worn unfolded.
 

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Following photos are of a M.1915 uniform from 1918 that belonged to a sergeant in the infantry. It took a while for the 1915 uniform to be issued to all units. Some units did not received it before the end of the war, and the engineers, technical corps, and the artillery did not receive them before the 1920s! 

The kepi belonged to a man in the 5th battalion.

The jacket is stamped: 1918 PRM. PRM = Prøvemæssig, i.e. that the uniform is made according to the official pattern.

It is fully lined - and must have been warm.

The small button hole on the shoulder strap is for a battalion number in "silver". Unfortunately it is missing from this uniform.

 

Swedish linjestång M/1918 (+ Inkopplingskrok M/1926 & Trådgaffel M.1918)

Linjestång M.1918 is heavy - but compact. The leather is heavy duty and all parts are made to last.

From time to time an item turns up that you have never seen before - but when you see it you need to own it. The above is such an item.

The field telephone revolutionised army communications in the early 20th century. Not in the same way as the telegraph had in the 19th century - but almost. It was faster but not necessarily more reliable. Phone cables were often cut by both friendly and enemy shells, tapped, and otherwise ruined or compromised. It was not uncommon during World War One that the phones only worked in the beginning of an attack. However, it was impossible to live without and cables were strung up all over the front line.

The above tool was used when making an 'air line' - i.e. when the cable was drawn between poles, trees, or buildings in the open air. In the British army during World War One the goal was to erect 1 mile per hour according to the Instruction in army telegraphy and telephone (The War Office 1914, p. 19) - and a air line detachment should be able to do no less than 5 miles of air line per day and "do an average day's march" (p. 19).


In the Swedish army the line men had an array of different tools at their disposal when erecting air lines. One of them was the above 'linjestång' - introduced in 1918. The idea was the line men could assemble the different sections into a long pole - and with the appropriate tool fixed at the end, either an 'inkopplingskrok' (hook) or a trådgaffel (cable fork), it was possible to guide and lift the cable into place. No need for a ladder!

Contents of the kit: 

The kit comes in a leather "quiver" (linjestångskoger) that holds four sections of pole, two cable forks, two hooks, and two pieces of cable.

The two cable forks are 1918 models but the two hooks are model M.1926.

Everything - even all flaps, straps and metal parts are stamped.

Bottom of the "quiver".

Cable fork M.1918

Cable fork M.1918 - one is in steel and the other is in aluminium.

Hooks

Old telephone cable.

Four sections of pole.

Review: 'Field Equipment of the European Foot Soldier 1900-1914' | 'Sac au dos. Études comparées de la tenue de campagne des fantassins des armées française et étrangères.'

Cover (front), 1994 version

Versions:

1) The original 1902 version was written / compiled by Commandant, Émile-Charles Lavisse (1855-1915), and published by the French army.

2) The 1906 version is (US) English translation of the original, with amendments by the US Army. The section with US Equipment was removed, although bits of information remains in chapter two of the book. It is taken for granted that the reader has an intimate knowledge of the US basic equipment of the late 1890s - early 1900s.

3) The 1994 reprint of the 1906 version. Added the British Patt. '08 webbing as an appendix.

Original title: Lavisse, Émile-Charles. Sac au dos. Études comparées de la tenue de campagne des fantassins des armées française et étrangères. Paris, 1902.

1994 reprint: Lawton, Edward P. (trans.) & Lavisse, Émile-Charles. Field Equipment of the European Foot Soldier 1900-1914. Nashville: The Battery Press. In association with The Imperial War Museum and Articles of War Ltd., 1994. 

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When reading the English translation of Sac au dos, one wonders if the US army in 1906 had no one better at translating French, than Capt. Edward P. Lawton. However,  the original French version was (and still is) not known for its prose, and one can easily understand why it was difficult to translate.

Translation aside, this review is based on the English reprint from 1994 as it is the version most - if not all - potential readers will have easy access to.

The book is a treatise by Lavisse in two parts: 

Chapter one expound in detail the basic equipment of the 1890s in France, Germany (Prussia), Great Britain, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Norway, The Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, and Switzerland. It is important to note that although the 1994 reprint of the 1906 version incorporates all the changes made by the US Army to the original text, most accounts are still based on the observations and informations compiled by Lavisse in the late 1890s. E.g.: The section about Great Britain in the 1902 version only mentions the Valise Equipment, Pattern 1888 - aka the "Slade Wallace Equipment". An antiquated design - even by 1890s standards, that was replaced by the Bandolier Equipment 1903 as a consequence of lessons gained in the Boer Wars. However, the US translation from 1906 does not mention this change, even though the 1903 Bandolier Equipment saw use in 1906. The same problem is evident when it comes to Denmark, where the uniform and equipment changes in 1903 are wholly absent. Hence why, it is evident that the publishers preface from 1994 overvalues the amount of new information the 1906 version gained from being: "... revised by American military attaches to reflect any changes from the original edition." (p.7).

Based on the observations in the first chapter, Lavisse argues in chapter two, that the French army needed to change its basic equipment and uniforms. The chapter presents and explains in great detail the problems and possibilities offered by each individual piece of equipment that turn of the century soldiers depended on. From great coats, entrenching tools, boots, and belts. Everything is covered, and it is interesting to note that Lavisse was a strong advocate for uniforms in "neutral" or "earthy" colours (p.71-77). It is well known that the French soldiers in 1914 wore bright red trousers and caps, a costly error that could have bee avoided had the men responsible listened to Lavisse in 1902. Especially considering that Lavisse argues the colour-scheme of the French uniforms were a problem as early as the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71 (p.73).

In regards to leather care, Lavisse is no lover of the international practise at the time of blackening the leather equipment (as done in e.g. France and Denmark.) "Does one ever see on the feet of the hunter or of the mountain climber a polished shoe?" (p.87) he asks rhetorically - and the short answer is of course "no!" Leather polished to a mirror finish hardens, cracks and becomes permeable to water - most certainly caused by the fact that shoe-polish in the late 1800s contained sulphuric acid.
Lavisse argues that time spent on polishing shoes and leather equipment is "a loss of time; how many hours used up without profit to military instruction. What a source of punishment. [...] Polishing might had its utility in the way of filling up leisure moments when the length of time of military service was long, but to-day, when the time passed with the colors is becoming shorter and shorter, when minutes are precious, why continue such methods? We inflict on our soldiers a task which displeases many of them, who are not necessarily for that poor soldiers." (p.90).

To surmise. Throughout the book Lavisse argues, that the army is first and foremost a fighting force, and must be equipped as such. Each soldier should carry just enough to keep him dry, warm, and relatively well fed. Uniform aesthetics are an irrelevant concern, and the individual solider should only worry about keeping his uniform clean and his leather equipment properly waxed. 

Apart from the ideas of Lavisse, the book is an excellent source to many interesting facts. The contents of packs, the weight of individual items, weight distribution, uniform colours, and other interesting and often forgotten facts are presented in an easy to read manner with many easy to use tables and illustrations. The book is perhaps on of the most comprehensive guides for the re-enactor and historian alike when it comes to the basic equipment of the 1890s - early 1900s.

Apart from its linguistic shortcomings, the 1994 reprint of Sac au dos is well worth a read. However, are you fluent in French the 1902 edition is still, by far, the best. The current publishers (The Battery Press; The Imperial War Museum, and Articles of War Ltd.) should contemplate re-naming the book: Field Equipment of the European Foot Soldier 1890-1914, since it is apparent that not much changed in 1906 when the book was translated into English.  

The euipment of the post war Danish Army - the odd ones.

Once in a while, you stumble upon a configuration of uniforms and accoutrements that you simply can not believe ever saw the light of day - as the above photo. It is the reason why I wrote this small entry. The above configuration is very strange - But it is not at all wrong! All the items seen on the photo were used between 1943 (DANFORCE in Sweden) and the 1950s and beyond.

The items in the above picture, that I can identify, are the following: 

- British mk. II helmet

- Danish M/44 battledress uniform, with the 1949 appropriated collar badges in brass. 

- Danish M/1915 torch (in leather). 

- Swedish M/39 rucksack 

- Swedish "matttornister" M/1911 (underneath the gas mask cannister)

- Swedish M/ 1896 knife bayonet, for the Swedish Mauser Riffles.

- Swedish M/1888 shovel

- Swedish M/1937-39 Husqvarna sub machine-gun.  

- German WWII gas mask canister (M/38?)
- British patt. 37 webbing legging / gaiters.

All in all, it is quite an extensive collection of different bits of equipment. Although the great bulk of it, is made up of Swedish equipment because of the equipment brought back home with the Danish Brigade in Sweden (DANFORCE). 

This tells me, that official equipment (and clothing) regulations are not always the entire truth, and if one were to portray a Danish infantryman in the late 1940s, the above picture is perhaps more of a guideline than the official regs.? 

 The picture below supports the use of the German gas mask canister and the Swedish water bottle (carried in the new model water bottle carrier) continued to at least 1951!

The devil is in the details!