Danish M/45-50 Webbing Equipment and M/44 uniform

Introduction:

Without delving into too much detail about Danish foreign politics of the Cold War, it is important to remember that Denmark initially bound itself to a British sphere of interest. In the first decade of the Cold War Denmark aligned itself with Great Britain within NATO, bought a substantial amount of old British World War Two equipment, and planned on a number of future acquisitions. 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 show 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 webbing from the war. Keeping with this initial choice the Equipment Commission tasked with procuring and developing new load bearing equipment for the infantry of the Danish army contacted the London based company Mills Equipment Company Ltd. The Danish army had found the British 1937 Webbing Equipment wanting. Especially the entrenching tool and water bottle.

The ‘Oppakningssystem’ M/45-50: Between 1946-1950 the Danish Equipment Commission and Mills developed a distinct Danish webbing systems based on components from several different British webbing sets. Most noticeably the equipment incorporated design details from the 1937 webbing, the 1940 cavalry webbing, and the 1944 webbing. The final pieces were added in 1950 and the entire load bearing equipment was named ‘Oppakningssystem M/45-50’ in Danish services. The LBE was meant to be used together with the US Garand Riffle introduced in Danish service in 1950. However, the US or Italian made Scabbards did not fit the British style belt, and a new ‘adaptor’ was designed that allowed the bayonet to be worn without altering the scabbard. US made covers for the entrenching tool and British bags 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.

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. 

(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.

M/45-50 Webbing Equipment, M/44 Uniform and all 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.
5: Knife, fork, spoon and cover.
6: Cover for the mess tin and heater.
7: Mess tin, water bottle, and cup.
8: "Housewife" and boot polish cover.
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. 

British pattern 58 webbing

The British patt. '58 webbing had its shortcomings that became evident during the Falklands war. Especially the "field pack" was anything but large and did not accommodate all the necessary items for cold weather fighting. It was difficult to carry radio equipment with the webbing as well. 

The webbing was designed during the 1950s for mechanised infantry, and was meant to replace the stocks of patt. '37 and patt. '44 webbing still used in the British army at that time.

There were two basic set-ups: CEMO and CEFO
Combat Equipment Marching Order and Combat Equipment Fighting Order.
 The only difference between the two were that CEFO was without the "field pack" and CEMO was with the field pack.
Officially the pack contained: cap comforter, drawers, shirt, socks, towel, sleeping bag, boots dms, pt shoos, beret and parka.

The CEFO consisted of the following:
In magazine pouches: 4 full SLR magazines (80 rounds total).
Additional ammunition: 1 belt of 50 rounds g.p.m.g ammo, 2 grenades, bayonet and scabbard
Miscellaneous equipment: Weapon cleaning kit and grenade launcher attachment for the SLR. (combination flash suppressor and grenade launcher for standard NATO riffle grenades)

Kidney pouches: mess tin, combat rations, knife/fork/spoon set, washing and shaving kit, foot powder, spare socks, housewife, towel, spare laces.
Poncho roll: The poncho and sometime the NBC suit was rolled up together with the poncho.
Water bootle and mug fit together in the water bottle carrier and a lightweight pick or shovel were fitted on the back of the equipment. The pickaxe head was carried on the poncho roll. To top it all off the soldier had to carry a NBC respirator.

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My own set of Patt. '58 webbing:

 Above: The webbing seen in the CEFO order. 

From left to right: Magazine pouch left, water bottle carrier, kidney pouches (poncho roll underneath) right magazine pouch with bayonet frog.

Above: Notice how the kidney pouches attach to the webbing. 

The poncho roll is attached with two "carbine hooks". 

The picture can be enlarged by "clicking" on it. 

 Above: Notice the bayonet frog that is sewn onto the left magazine pouch. (red arrows)

 Above: Small grenade pouch for the grenade launcher attachment for the SLR.

 Above: Poncho roll. Notice on the top of the poncho roll two pockets the length of the roll intended for the pick-axe head.

 Above: Kidney pouches left and right.

 Above: Field pack. The two cross straps could be used to keep the helmet strapped onto the field pack when not in use, or make the pack secure. 

Underneath the cross straps it is possible to see the loop that would hold either the t-handle shovel or the pick-axe handle in place.